The Monster Amongst Us

https://www.wattpad.com/story/257335126-the-monster-amongst-us?utm_source=web&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share_myworks

This is my first short story I wrote about a young girl living in Arizona with her family, who trusts her uncle to safely take her and her sisters to the beach as her parents are unable to do so and the events that unfold are terrifyingly alarming.

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The Monster Amongst Us

Introduction:

Often times we meet many people in our lives. Some stay for a lifetime, others for just a short amount of time. Those people we encounter, all play a part in who we become and how we are affected in turn then how we treat others we encounter throughout our lives. Some leave such a great lasting impression, greatly impacting that person to want to strive to be and do better. Unfortunately, more times than not, some people we come into contact with leave devastating effects in our lives, that create and cause more damage to ourselves and those around us.

I am a firm believer in treating people how you want to be treated. The world, through my eyes, revolve around trust, compassion and caring for one another just as you would want done unto you. What you throw out into the world, will in turn come back to you, good or bad, honey I call that KARMA. I fully believe positivity put out there, you will receive positive karma in return, and vice versa.

Everything we do, good or bad always have consequences, ultimately the choice is always yours.

Here is a short story of what happens when bad choices are thrown out into this world.

Happy reading...

Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Jermex's

Hot and humidity rolled in as 8 year old Corona sat on her stoop, thinking what she wanted to do for the day. She really wanted to go to the beach, but her dad was working. Her mom, Paty Jermex, was fast asleep as she usually tended to do after getting home super early this morning. from working the late shift. There's no way we 're doing anything until after mom wakes up, which could be too late to go anywhere by then. Corona, the oldest of the girl bunch, had 1 brother Cam who was 9 years old, named after dad's favorite car part or something like that she thought. She never asked, but she loved Cam with all her heart and wished desperately that she too had been invited to go to an amusement park with friends. Corona had a little sister, Juney named after her mom's favorite books she used to read to her nieces and nephews before we were all born. Juney was 5, then there was little sister Hally 4, and boy was she whiney. They were all supposed to playing in our rooms until mom gets up and gets started with the day's activities.

Corona Jermex lived in the hot dry desert of Scottsdale, Arizona, a hip city full of lots of things to do, yet here she sat bored out of her mind, burning up from the heat. Along strolls Divoc Ninetyn, Corona's uncle by marriage. Divoc walks up to Corona and asks, "what are you doing outside, it's freakin' hot man?" Corona sat thinking no duh asshat, but instead smiles and says, "I'm bored, I want to go to the beach, but dad is working, moms knocked out inside, she worked the late shift, all my friends are busy, Cam's with his friends at an amusement park and I just want to cool off." Seriously all in one breath, leaving Corona a bit winded. Not even realizing it, she had just set herself up as a prime target. Divoc smiled "well then let's go, I'll take you, I have off today, your aunt Tessy is working, your cousins are at their grandma's house helping my sister with something, I don't know what, but I'm free." Corona sat there a little uneasy as Divoc always gave her a sense of the creepy crawlies, but he was right it was hot! She was bored and she "trusted" him, because he was the adult and her uncle, even though something inside her screamed NO, she responded in a high-pitched voice that caught her a bit offguard, "seriously?" As in almost questioning hanging out with her aunts' husband was a bit awkward without her aunt and cousins around, but again she was 8 and full of trust. Divoc said to Corona with as much as a serious face that his sharp face could muster "do I look like I'm playing?" She jumped up bouncing with joy and excitement, that she almost fell as Divoc caught her by her sides resting his hands on her body far too long for her liking. "I'll have to wake mom up and ask her, the girls are going to have to come with me, I can't leave them here by themselves while mom is sleeping," Divoc just stared long and hard not saying anything at all, just standing there like a zombie, cold and dead. "Uncle Divoc, you don't mind if Hally and Juney come with us, do you?" She didn't even give him the chance to answer as she runs inside quickly to wake her mom up to ask her. Paty, Corona's mom jumps up, alarmed, rubbing her eyes. "Corona, I was sleeping, I'm tired, I just got off of work, why the fuck are you waking me up?" Corona smiled sheepishly, her mom loved to throw in her favorite curse word whenever she was tired and grumpy. "I'm sorry mom, but it's hot out, Cam is with his friends at the amusement park, dad's working, you're knocked out on the sofa and Uncle Divoc's here and I want to go to the beach because I'm soooooo sweaty just sitting outside and we're gonna be bored. Can I go to the beach with uncle Divoc? I'll bring Juney and Hally too so you can sleep?" Paty rubs her eyes once more, stretches and yawns answering Corona in between more yawns. "He isn't in my house, is he? Where's they're kids at?" Corona answering as best as she could in a hurry trying to remember the conversation with Uncle Divoc, "ugh no he is standing outside, mom come on, we're bored, and my cousins are with their grandma helping their aunt and oh yeah Aunt Tessy is at work." Corona sat holding her breath because she knew her mom wouldn't say no to all of them going so, she can get some good sleep.

Paty sighed, "I don't care, make sure you're all back home before your father gets home from work." Corona squealed...."yasssssssss....oops sorry mom, I'll get the brats, I mean my sisters stuff and we'll be back before dad gets home, thank you mom so much!" Corona ran upstairs yelling out commands for Juney and Hally to run quick and get their bathing suits on, we were going to the beach with Uncle Divoc. They jumped up and down as Corona ran inside her room to get her bathing suit and a few things for her sister to keep them occupied in the car ride and at the beach to play with. She ran to the garage to grab the floaties, which by the way that took her forever to blow up and threw them in the bag. She quickly changed into her bathing suit and pulled a pair of shorts and a tank top on. Running as fast as she could to her sisters' rooms "hurry up, let's go!!" she yells as the girls scream with excitement and run down the stairs, jumping one by one into Uncle Divoc's truck. Juney and Hally situated in the truck's rear cab because, Corona being the oldest always got to ride shot gun. They were off to the beach with Uncle Divoc to have some fun in the sun, cooling off with some ocean waves.

The short ride to the beach was kinda loud, Juney and Hally were in the back bickering about who was going to use the floaties first. Corona yelled back "shut up, you guys are so annoying!" She looked over at her Uncle Divoc and rolled her eyes. Kids she thought as he side eyes her and places his hand on her thigh. Corona instantly felt the uncomfortableness bubble up, regretting this decision to hang out with Uncle Divoc without Aunt Tessy or anyone else for that matter around. Uncle Divoc's phone began to ring, removing his hand from Corona's thigh to answer the call normally as if he didn't even touch a part of me that made me want to vomit. "Heller?"Divoc answers in his monotone voice, as Corona sat there, she was thinking of who was on the other side of the call. Maybe it was mom changing her mind, telling him to bring us back, she's always such a buzz kill never letting us go with anyone at all. The feeling of uncomfortableness subsides, as she hears Uncle Divoc talk work stuff, it wasn't mom, so she begins sticking her hand out the window, watching it flail back and forth from the force of the wind blowing past the truck. Uncle Divoc gets off the phone and shortly after we pull into a crowded parking lot, and we all jump out ready to tackle the waves.

Chapter 2: Corona Speaks "Ok girls, hold hands and I'll grab your stuff from the truck," smiles Uncle Divoc. We all start heading to the most uncrowded part of the beach that we could find, cause lort knows that my behind does not like when people kick sand on my darn towel. I set up my towel, Juney and Hally kick off their shoes and run to the water. "Hold on guys, wait for me I have your stupid floaties." I yelled after them as they barely even look back at me. I told you they were brats. I quickly take off my tank top and shorts, grab the floaties and start to head towards the water after my sisters. Uncle Divoc grabs my arm, "hey, where do you think you're going?' he says annoyed. I look at him like as if he is a stupid asshat, trying not to have an attitude, because I am grateful that he took time out of his day to take us to the beach, or trying not to sound annoyed when I respond. "Uncle Divoc, my sisters are heading to the water without me, mom will kill me if something happens to them, are you going in the water or what?" I managed a weak ass smile, but I smiled. He shakes his head in a motion for me to go on and get out of his face. So, I do just that and run after my sisters.

We were having the time of our lives, trying to do handstands, flips and cartwheels in the water, which by the way is nearly impossible. I almost did it until I kicked Uncle Divoc square in his gut. I got up quick flicking water off my face "oops Uncle Divoc didn't see you there, my bad." He dunks himself under the water, coming up spitting water at us. We all start squealing and trying to back away, he starts showing us fishies in the water. You know if you cup your hand and squeeze it under the water that it makes it look like little fishies are jumping out. Yeah, well me and my sisters couldn't do it, we sure had fun trying though.

All of a sudden, I feel something hard touch my leg, I reach down and attempt to push it away. To my surprise it was Uncle Divoc's penis exposed out of his swim trunks, pushing against my leg. I back away, thinking it was by accident, maybe he has to pee, I sure as hell didn't want to be caught in that warm circle of pee when that started flowing. He inches closer, grabbing my butt and slipping his finger in my boohole. That shit hurted! I jump back and kicked away from him. He just smirks, inching closer and closer to my sister Juney who was attempting to pull Hally by the hair to get her to do a full circle in the water. This has to be an accident, maybe he is going to step in and help poor Hally, cause the girl can be a big ass sissy. Boy was I wrong! He grabbed Juney, picked her up, caressing his hands around her butt as her little butt cheeks were exposed and a piece of seaweed hung from her bikini bottoms. I could feel my heart beating faster, as if it were the cause making the waves crash faster and faster against me. Is he going to pick the seaweed from Juney's butt or is he doing what I think he was about to do, what he just did to me? He looks at me with a look so sinister, so dark and cold and smiles, but this was no ordinary smile. This smile was most like a wicked, twisted smile, as he began caressing her exposed buttcheek with his rotten dirty disgusting hands. Juney yelled, "eew Uncle Divoc put me down I got seaweed in my butt!" Completely unaware of what he was even doing, he grabs the seaweed and rubs his hands squeezing her bottom one last time before he tosses Juney into the water attempting to play off his wickedness "cannon ball!!!!" Hally laughs and laughs "Uncle Divoc, that is NOT how you do a cannon ball silly," she says splashing him with water. I look at him, he looks at me, there is that sinister look again as he starts to swim over towards my whiney bratty little sister. At the moment, nothing else mattered, I had to stop him from touching my baby sister too. I tried swimming as fast as I could, but my 8-year-old legs just couldn't tread water fast enough. He beat me to Hally! He scoops her up, kissing her square on the lips, which is a big no-no in our house. We don't even kiss our parents in their mouths or anyone else for that matter. Then slides his hand down her bathing suit bottom, I try swimming faster, and faster as I am watching it all happen before me. Resting his hand in between her tiny legs moving on to her tiny butt cheek. I finally got to Hally and reached my arms out to her. She reached for me, but he wouldn't hand her over. He stood firm with his hand planted under her bikini bottom on her butt cheek, I now regret this decision today, coming to the beach with Uncle Divoc was the biggest mistake I have made ever! I said as loudly as I could seeing a lifeguard not very far from us "Uncle Divoc give me my sister she doesn't want you!!! Give her to me now, right now or I will scream bloody fucking murder!!" Sounding just like my mother at that very moment, I was so very proud of myself. I reach for Hally again and my hand is smacked away, as the lifeguard approached, it looks like he can sense the fear in my eyes, as he lifts the whistle to his mouth and blew it loudly, staring in Uncle Divoc's direction "Is everything ok over there?" Uncle Divoc shot me the look of death; I swear if looks could kill, I would have been dead right, then and there. Floating here almost lifelessly in the water with a hole right through my eyes from his devilish look. Uncle Divoc quickly removed his hand from Hally's bathing suit bottom and threw her, that asshat literally threw my sister at me. He looks over to the lifeguard turns up his mouth attempts a smile that I've never seen before and says, "yessir everything is good over here, just hanging out with my favorite nieces on this hot and humid day while my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are working. Someone's gotta do it, right?" The lifeguard, looked inquisitively at him, then back at me, then at my sisters who were playing as if they had no care in the world. I wanted to say something, I wanted him to call my mom. I wanted to go home. I start to tear up and Uncle Divoc looks over at me, as if sensing what's next to come. He quicky shoves my head under water, yelling "tag you're it!" He freakin' shoved me! I gulped in a bunch of water, jumping up choking and flailing. Uncle Divoc liked this, he liked seeing me vulnerable, he thrived off it. It's as if it almost made him feel like he was so powerful. I shout at the lifeguard "Can I use your phone?"

The lifeguard stands there with his red floatie that I wanted to grab out of his hands and beat Uncle Divoc with it till he passed out lifelessly floating away in the ocean. Floating off away from me and my sisters, I didn't though, but I should have. Perhaps standing up and doing something, anything was better than doing nothing. Yet there I stood, cold and shaking, tears strolling down my face, even on one of the hottest days in Arizona. Looking stupid in front of the lifeguard and a now gathering crowd. Some taking pictures, some taking videos. Yet, they did absolutely nothing to help me and my sisters. The lifeguard looks at my uncle, "sir, you're in charge of these young ladies here and you don't have a phone that she can use to call her mother I'm guessing." He looks at me and leans in, "Is that who you're trying to reach?" Uncle Divoc's sly dirty ass teeth clenched together looking right at me, tears strolling down my face, looking over at the lifeguard, he looses it. "Of course, I do, you think I'm a God damn fucking idiot to be out here with my nieces and not have a phone for them to reach their mother?" He glares at the lifeguard sizing him down. "We don't want to be here anymore, we want to go home right now!" I shout and splash water into my uncle's face, moving closer to the lifeguard as I could. My sisters swim over to me hugging me scared as more people join the crowd. The lifeguard looks at me, "What's your name?" I swallow hard choking back tears, "Corona, Corona Jermex." The lifeguard steps in closer, "Corona, is everything ok? Why do you want to call your mother to go home? Aren't you are having fun with your uncle over there?" Uncle Divoc marches forward pushing water and people out of his way, "The names Divoc Ninetyn, and yes, THEY are having fun, Corona here is just mad she was tagged it and is a sore loser, ain't that right Corona?" As he nudged me hard in my newly developing breasts. I reached my hand to soothe where he had nudged me hard. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, "now if you don't mind, we have some tag to play Lifeguard so you can be on your way, when we're done, I'll get the girls ready and take them back home to my sister-in-laws' house." The Lifeguard bent over his hot ass breaf all in my face, "Corona, tag is supposed to be fun, no more tears, okay? If you want to take a break, I can walk you back up to where your belongings are on shore and wait with you until your uncle here is done having fun playing tag with your sisters', would you like that?" What?? How could he deny me the chance to call my mom? How could he deny me the chance to get my sisters' far away from this monster that's supposed to be looking out for us, protecting us? How dare he stand there and not do anything else but offer to stand with me onshore leaving my sisters' alone with that foul asshat? Him standing over me with his hot ass breaf, talking down to me, how dare he! I shout so loud a man behind me almost drops his phone into the water. Serves him right nosey mcnosey boogerman! "NO!! I just wanna call my mom and go home!!!" The Lifeguard pops his head up, eyeing my uncle intently long and hard before saying "Sir, I can see you have your hands are full here. Have fun with your game of tag, no more throwing the girls under the water, okay?" My dumb uncle shaking his head like a dog wanting its owners' food as they're taking a bite. "Yessir, you know it, no problem the throwing is over we are playing tag now ain't that right girls?" He grossly fake smiles at me and my sisters', my sisters barely staying afloat hugging me even tighter now as if sensing the anger building inside me about to explode. "NO!! Uncle Divoc I want to go home!" I scream with everything I have in me. In unison my sisters save the day," I want to go home too!" they chime in. At this very moment I was so, so glad I had whiny-bratty sisters that wanted to get away from him too and go home. We all wanted the same thing, to go home and get away from this monster, this monster who was supposed to be family. This isn't what family is supposed to be doing to one another. Uncle Divoc looked pissed, and I didn't care, we wanted to get away, we wanted to go home, we wanted our mom, we wanted our dad. I wanted my bed, a shower, I wanted this day to have never happened. He breathed hard and heavily, "fine girls, as you wish!", with clenched teeth. He moves forward, grips Hally up out of the water grabbing Juney by the hand dragging off me and out of the water. "Come on now Corona, we're leaving.!" Just like that we were walking out of the water, back to shore, still being filmed by all these people just standing there staring, smirking at us, not even caring enough to help save us. Couldn't anyone see through the lies that was coming from Uncle Divoc? The lifeguard standing there doing nothing at all to help us, to save us, other than encouraging the gathered people to laugh by making it seem like I didn't want to play tag because I was a sore loser. Me? I'm the innocent one here; me and my sisters. How dare he do this and think that he helped us, that wasn't help?

Then it hit me, we have the entire car ride home with Uncle Divoc...fuck!!!

Chapter 3: The Ride Home

Uncle Divoc had thrown all of our belongings in the bag I had brought with us, in what I had expected to be a fun day at the beach. Boy was I wrong. Kicking sand ferociously with every angry step that troll of an uncle took, all I could think of was, what's going to happen to us when we get inside this truck, when there's no one around at all to cry out for help too on this ride home? Were we even going to make it home? What or how was I going to tell my mom and my dad? What was my dad going to do to Uncle Divoc? Was I exaggerating, making a big deal out of something that could have just been an accident? NO, NO, NO! I pushed those thoughts out of my head. It WAS wrong, it wasn't right, no one should have their private areas touched without permission. I had to speak up, even if that meant Uncle Divoc says we're lying. Aunt Tessy will be the first to say we're lying. I knew my aunt; I know she is going to instantly side with her stupid fat ugly husband. Her husband, the one who was supposed to look after me and my sisters' that day, didn't protect us, he violated us.

He threw the bag hard in the truck, making it rock back and forth from the force he had thrown the bag with. He forcefully throws open his door, and through his ugly, dirty, crooked, clenched teeth he says, "Get the fuck in now!" I hold back tears, simply to assure my sisters that everything will be okay. I help them get inside the truck and walk around to get in the truck myself. Uncle Divoc runs around the front of the truck, slamming the door as I tried opening it, jabs me hard in my ribs. It completely knocks me off my feet and onto the ground. As I'm hunched over holding my ribs, choking back tears and holding in the cries of pain that wanted so badly to escape. "Get the fuck up and turn the fuck around you worthless piece of shit!" he screams at me not loud enough to draw more attention to us, but loud enough to put more fear in me. He slams me up against the truck, holding his elbow against my chest pressing it hard into my chest pinning me to his truck. My sisters start to cry, I try and reach for their hands to let them know it's ok, he pushes his weight into me harder, almost knocking the wind out of me. I look over to the girls, letting them see my eyes to motion that I'm ok. Even though I'm far from ok, we're far from ok. He grabs my face and squeezes my cheeks so hard, making my teeth rub hard into my cheeks, drawing blood. I let out a cry of pain, it was too much for me to contain. My sisters lose it, they started kicking and screaming in the back of the truck. "Please don't hurt Corona, Uncle Divoc, stop being mean, we just want to go home!" I can hear them saying as tears began strolling down my face steadily. I stood there not knowing what he was going to do or say next as fear turned into my new reality. "Shut the hell up you annoying little cunt buckets! Listen you dirty little bitch, nothing and I mean fucking nothing happened today you fucking hear me bitch? You think this hurts you have no idea what I can do to make you hurt even more little girl!" He growls at me, pushing my head back into the truck's door. "Now get the fuck in and shut the fuck up!" He walks back over to his side of the truck opens the door hops in and starts the truck. I stand there for a moment trying to collect myself before getting into the truck myself. I wipe the blood slowly dripping from the sides of my mouth, dry my tears as best as I could turn around and get in the truck. Looking back at my sisters in the back seat, mustering the best smile I could, reached for their hands and gave them a small squeeze. "Buckle up girls, we're going home!" I whisper to them as Uncle Divoc pulls of speeding fast.

It was scary, the drive home, just how fast he was approaching turns. The screeching tires as they could barely keep us upright on the roads. I gripped the door in fear we were going to flip over and never make it home to mom and dad alive to even tell them what had happened. I had to say something, the silence in the car besides the sniffling between the girls and I from crying. I screamed "slow down, stop driving like a maniac just because you're mad. We're scared and my hand is hurting from holding the handle of this door!" Uncle Divoc looked over, even more evil looking than I have ever seen from him before. "What's that Corona?? You want me to go faster?" His foot presses harder on the pedal, his truck picking up speed so fast that it made our heads hit hard back into the seats. "Keep quiet you little shit, about every fucking thing that happened today, or you won't live to see tomorrow. Do you fucking hear me, Corona? All of you better not say a Goddamned word or else!" He takes his hand and slits his throat like he's using a knife to cut his throat, then flops his head over as if he were dead. I can't believe that what he was threatening to do to us if we told. He's sick, he's disgusting, and now, I hate him so very much. After everything he put me and my sisters through at the beach and in the truck, he doesn't deserve to be a part of our family. I sat there thinking, just tell him what he wants to hear Corona, just tell him you guys won't say anything. Maybe then he'll slow down and get us home safely, well in one piece I should say, barely. Then we'll be back to our home our safe place. I face forward not even wanting to look him in the face, shrug my shoulders, inhale slow and deep, here goes nothing. Now, more than ever I need to act my ass off, make him believe me. Slowly I say the words making sure to be very clear that he knows I'm not going to tell a living soul. Oh, but the fuck I am asshat! "Uncle Divoc, I don't know what you are talking about. That stupid lifeguard ruined our game of tag, I was mad I just wanted to call mom, mom always has a way with people when it comes to us, you know how mom is. Then we left, that's all that happened. Pretty bummed that the lifeguard was such a nosey butthead, and then we left. End of story." I can see Uncle Divoc look over at me from the corner of my eye, I dare not look at that monster in the face ever again. I could feel him staring deep into the side of my face, I could smell his stank breaf, I could feel it hot against my skin. "Good little Corona, it better stay that way when your ass gets home too!" He turns his head and slows the truck down to the regular speed limit. It worked; I should so win a Grammy for that performance!

The rest of the ride home, I kept looking back at my sisters in the visor mirror. Giving them that look as if everything is okay and that everything will be okay. Uncle Divoc stops at the gas station, pulling up to the pump to get gas. The truck slows to a halted stop, as he steps out and down out of the truck, slamming the door behind him. He pops his head into the truck and begins motioning the slitting of the throat, while putting his finger to his mouth as if shooshing us, turns and walks into the gas station and disappears inside. I turn around in my seat while his is inside, look at my sisters, who look so frightened. " Girls, I love you. Listen to me okay and everything will be fine. The rest of the car ride home please just sit back there and stay as quiet as you can. When we get to the house, just get out and run inside and go upstairs to your rooms. I'm going to talk to mom and dad, I'm telling them everything that happened today. I'm sorry guys, I'm really sorry. Please, just sit back there and stay as quiet as you can, we're almost home." As tears strolled down my cheek again, I wipe them away before Uncle Divoc comes back and sees the tears that have freshly fallen. The girls lunged forward grabbing my hand and giving it a big squeeze. "Ok Corona, we'll be good." Juney says sticking her thumb in her mouth and begins sucking. Then Hally sees Uncle Divoc coming out of the store, "bad uncle, he's coming, shh quiet." she puts her small little finger up to her mouth and blows out, "shhhh" spit and all flying out.

As ugly Uncle Divoc approaches, pulling at the gas pump attempting to pump his gas, he kept peering into the truck making sure to keep his evil eyes on us. I pretended like I didn't even see him staring in on us. He finishes up pumping his gas, opens his door, hops his sloppy fat looking self-inside holding a pack of gum tight in his hands. He throws it in the center opening of his truck, not even offering us any. Off we go again, on home while sitting in dead silence until we reached the house. He stops the truck, throws it in park, grabs my hand through clenched yellow teeth and says, "Listen here Corona, remember what we said. Don't say a damn word, they will never believe you anyhow!" I move my hand from his, drew in a deep breath continuing looking forward at my home that awaited me, parents that loved me, and as quick and firm as I could act, "Uncle Divoc, I told you what happened, that lifeguard ruined our game of tag, that's it!" He cocked his ugly head to the side, smiled his ugly smile. "Good, now get the fuck out of my truck and take your fucking annoying ass sisters with you!" I opened the door and jumped out, "come on girls let's go!" I motion for them to hop down; they jump out faster than I have ever seen them move in my life and run inside, their footsteps loud as they run up the stairs. Uncle Divoc speeds off, I run into the house after the girls who are fast upstairs. With my sisters in their rooms, I went into the living room, ready to tell my mother everything that has happened. The truth was going to be told, my truth will be heard, Corona Jermex will not be silenced.

Chapter 4: Telling the truth & nothing else but the truth

Mom was sitting on the sofa, sipping her coffee and watching her shows as I came inside the house. I sat next to her, sighed, breathed in a deep breath and released it. She looked over at me, as if she knew something bad had happened. "Mom, I need to tell you something." She set her coffee mug down and lowered the volume on the tv and then just pressed pause. "First answer this Corona, why did the girls come in and not say anything and just run right upstairs? I called after them and they just kept on going up those stairs. What's going on Corona?" I couldn't not tell her; I couldn't lie and hide what happened today. "Mom, we went to the beach with a monster! Uncle Divoc is sick and evil." Tears started to form in my eyes and roll down my cheek...again. She hugged me and the uncontrollable sobbing began. "Corona, you can tell me anything, you never have to be afraid to tell me anything, no matter what it is, I am here for you!" She wiped my tears from my cheeks, "tell me what happened Corona, tell me why you're upset." I wiped my nose with the back of my hand, yeah I know that's nasty but a girl's gotta use what she has available, I didn't have any tissues, so the back of my hand did the job. "Mom, I should have never trusted Uncle Divoc to take us to the beach. I should have listened to that little voice that I heard saying it was a bad idea. I should have just sat outside on our stoop being hot and bored out of my mind all day then to have gone with Uncle Divoc and taking them with me." Pointing upstairs where the girls were sitting at the top of the stairs not in their rooms being nosey and listening to our conversation. "Mom, it started out with Uncle Divoc putting his hand on my thigh, he got a call and moved his hand, I didn't think anything of it, but then it just didn't feel right, then all was good until we got to the beach. Hally and Juney ran into the water, so I ran after them. Then here comes Uncle Divoc, he pulls out his penis, it's hard and rubs it against my leg in the water. I splash him, he picked the girls up and put his hand under and inside their bathing suit bottom, leaving his hands grabbing and rubbing on their buttcheeks and under and in between Hally's swimsuit touching her private area. Mom, that was just some of the worst parts, I thought it was all by accident until he grabbed me and stuck his fingers in my boohole. I kicked him away and he starts going after Juney. I thought it was because Juney was pulling Hally by the hair, I thought he was going to help Hally, mom, I thought that he was going to stop them from playing rough in the water. I was wrong, Uncle Divoc grabbed Juney and picked her up and put his hand under her bikini bottom, I tried swimming to him to save her mom, I really did, but I wasn't fast enough. He then threw Juney into the water and grabbed Hally and kissed her right on the lips, then he put his hand under her bathing suit bottom massaging all over on Hally's butt cheek and starts moving his hand around trying to go back in between her legs. I finally got to Hally and reached my hands out to her to get her, Mom, I wanted to save her, I really tried." The sobbing began again, she hugged me tightly, "what else Corona? What else happened?" I snorted and tried catching my breath. "Mom, I screamed so loud cause the lifeguard was there. I shouted as loud as I could, Uncle Divoc give me my sister she doesn't want you. The lifeguard looks over, I knew he could tell that there was something wrong Mom, I knew it, then he blows his whistle and asks if everything was ok. Uncle Divoc lied through his dirty, crooked, stinky teeth. The lifeguard kept asking him questions, people start circling us, watching, taking pictures and videos. I ask to use the lifeguards' phone to call you, he wouldn't let me. I just wanted to go home, Mom, I wish we never went to the beach today with Uncle Divoc. After we get out of the water to go home, finally, Uncle Divoc grabs my hand, he jabbed me in hard in my chest, pushing and pinning me up against the truck so I can't move, squeezing my cheeks making my teeth break through my cheeks, drawing blood. He threatened me mom, told me, no one will ever believe me, and if I told worse things would happen to us." I could see the anger build inside my mom, I could feel her shaking, with a sad, weak voice she says, "girls get down here now." My sisters who were listening at the top of the stairs, came running down fast and loud, right into my mom's open arms. She hugged us for what seemed like forever, crying into our hair, which was now soaking wet from her tears. "Girls, do you know that any touching on your private area by anyone without your consent is wrong right?" My sisters looked up in wonder as if they had no clue what she's saying. "Mom, Uncle Divoc touched my buttcheek, his nails are rough and sharp, and his hands felt like sandpaper, he kissed Hally in the lips and mom his breaf stank so bad!" Juney said standing there looking at Hally, almost waiting for her to answer. Hally looked down, "mommy are you mad at us? Are you mad that we went to the beach and Uncle Divoc threw us in the water and touched our butts and he tickled my private mom?" She looked down almost afraid of what answer my mom would give. "Girls, listen. I am very proud of you for telling me, things like this should never ever be kept a secret especially when you're asked not to tell anyone." We all looked at each other in what felt like the world had stopped spinning and we were just floating there in the air waiting for our feet to touch the ground. "Mom, when Uncle Divoc got mad at the lifeguard he grabbed us and our stuff and made us leave. The ride home he was driving crazy speeding, I was scared, He said that if we told anyone that no one would believe us. He is evil mom; he is a monster. How could someone you're supposed to trust, be a monster and want to hurt us?" Juney says.

I'm so glad we all told the truth and wasn't going to let Uncle Divoc get away with this. He's a monster who took his opportunity when he had us alone thinking he could do whatever he wanted to us. I'm glad we got it all out, despite what Uncle Divoc threatened to do next to us for telling. My mom, sat there almost at a loss for words, she wiped her face, "girls, I am beyond proud of you, never ever feel scared of telling your truth, never ever feel scared to come forward and tell me anything, this is a safe place always, and as your mother, I vow to protect you girls, with every breath I take as long as I am granted breath by the Grace Of God. Do me a favor, go upstairs and take a shower, change and play in your rooms for a bit. I have to call your father and make some other important calls, don't worry, I'm going to take care of this, you girls' have nothing to worry about." She hugged us and we ran upstairs, I looked back as she wiped the tears from her face, grabbed her cell phone and stepped outside to make her calls. I helped Hally run her bath and told Juney to get in with her. I went and brought in their bathroom scribbles to draw and color with. I waited till they were done and then I drained the water and got them out told them to go get dressed and head to their rooms to play. I undressed and got into the shower, I tried to scrub off every part of my body that Uncle Divoc touched with the hottest water, till I rubbed my skin raw. I hated that monster, I hated everything about him now. I hated the fact that he wasn't the person that he claimed to be, the doting uncle, that made you laugh at any chance he could get, he was no longer. He was now a hideous monster, a piece of trash in my eyes. He disguised his evil behind lies, deceit, manipulating everyone and anyone to truly know what kind of monster he really was. I wondered if Aunt Tessy knew what kind of evil man she married? I wondered if he had hurt my cousins? I got out of the shower and I got dressed, curling up in a ball on my bed and cried myself to sleep, thinking of how much I hated Uncle Divoc, the monster who fooled us all.

Chapter 5: Uncle Divoc Gets Exposed

I woke up, feeling exhausted from everything that my sisters' and I had to deal with going out and trusting Uncle Divoc. I still can't wrap my mind around everything he did. You think you know someone but sadly, you have no idea what's going on in their minds making them do the unthinkable. I head downstairs to find mom sitting on the sofa, sipping her coffee and watching her shows. She's usually sleeping coming in early in the morning from work but was up and fully clothed and ready to start her day. She must have not worked last night. I went over to her and sat next to her, sighed, breathed in a deep breath and released it. She looked over at me, leaning in and squeezing me tight. "Hi, my big brave girl. How are you?" She sets her coffee mug down and lowers the volume on the tv and then just presses pause. "Mom, we went to the beach with a monster! Uncle Divoc is sick and evil." Tears started to form in my eyes and rolled down my cheek. She hugs me and the uncontrollable sobbing begins again. "Corona, I'm so, so sorry that you and your sisters have had to experience this. You never have to worry about being around that evil man again, I'll make sure of it this time." She wipes my tears from my cheeks, hugs me some more as I can't control the urge to stop crying more. "Corona, listen, I'm very proud of you for telling me, things like this should never, ever be kept a secret, especially when you're asked not to tell anyone. You're my big brave girl, you hear me? You did nothing wrong, you told me, and your father, we'll deal with Uncle Divoc," as she sighs and breathes out slowly, "and Aunt Tessy too I guess." Mom looks sad that she will have to cut her sister and nephews out of her life because of the actions of her evil brother-in-law, to protect us. She was strong, and her love for us ran deep. I loved my mom, grey hairs showing out of the top of her messy bun, loose waves hanging against her soft wrinkled eyes. She was going to make sure that we would never have to worry about that monster again.

Little did I know mom and dad had already called Aunt Tessy, but before they did that, they went to the police station to make a report. They only called Aunt Tessy to give her a heads up that an incident happened, and Uncle Divoc would need to come in for questioning. Little did Aunt Tessy know what was yet to come. The police arrive at Aunt Tessy's house with another 2 patrol cars in tow, their lights and sirens both off. The State Trooper gets out of his SUV and walks up to their front door and begins knocking on the door and ringing the bell simultaneously. My oldest cousin answers the door yelling to Aunt Tessy, "MOM!!! Cops are here, I didn't do it!", laughs and runs upstairs. Aunt Tessy comes to the door wiping her hands on her shirt from washing the dishes, "how can I help you officers?" The State Trooper, lifts his badge, "Ma'am I'm Trooper Packer, with Scottsdale's State Police Barracks, is Mr. Divoc Ninetyn home? We'd like to speak with him to ask a few questions about an incident that happened yesterday." Aunt Tessy should have been an actress too, because she stood there looking dazed and confused. "Incident? What incident is this in regards too? My husband was home with the boys while I was working yesterday, and then they went to his moms' house to help my sister-in-law with some emergency medical issues. I met them all over there at his moms house after I was done work, I got there around 5:30. If you have any questions, you can direct them to me." The State Trooper clears his throat once again, "ma'am like I said, is Mr. Ninetyn available to talk, we have some questions for him?" Anger takes hold of Aunt Tessy's face, she holds up her hand and says, "wait here!" slamming the door in the State Troopers face. Whispering and shuffling can be heard inside as the door opens, Divoc is standing there with no shirt on, in his boxers. "You rang he says." Such arrogance from an evil monster who soon would be seeing their karma. As he held the door open with his toes, holding Aunt Tessy around the shoulders, as she leans into him for support.

"Mr. Divoc Ninetyn, would you mind getting dressed and stepping outside so we can speak to you?" The State Trooper and his 2 backup police officers all stand guard ready for Divoc to answer or run. They were hoping he'd cooperate, and they wouldn't have to chase him because it was another hot and humid day in Arizona. Aunt Tessy begins shifting on her feet, feeling uncomfortable with the tension that was so heavy you could taste it. "Sir, I ain't mean no disrespect, but you came to my house, and you're asking me to get dressed in my own home to talk to you? I'm here, what is it that I can help you with? I ain't got all day I got kids to feed and job to head into." Uncle Divoc thinks that he can say and do whatever he wants, and no one can challenge him, boy he is in for a rude awakening. "Sir, I'm not going to ask you again, please go inside and put some clothes on and come outside so we can speak to you in private." The State Trooper grabs his notepad and pen, begins tapping the pen to the pad, in annoyance waiting for Divoc to head back inside and put his clothes on so they could speak to him. Divoc lets go of Aunt Tessy's shoulders and moves his toes from holding the door open, lifts a finger up "wait here" as he slowly slams the door on the State Trooper. This time very heavy and loud footsteps could be heard inside, sniffling and some banging, then the door opens. There stood Divoc Ninetyn, in a white t-shirt, and a pair of blue jeans not even buttoned up all the way and his zipper half zipped. He stretches his hands and steps outside, looking back to Tessy and the boys, "stay here, I'll be back in a minute," and closes the door behind him stepping onto the porch.

The State Trooper begins his questioning as Divoc begins to light a cigarette in his mouth blowing the smoke right into the State Troopers face. "Mr. Ninetyn, can you tell me how you know Corona Jermex and her siblings Juney and Hally Jermex?" Divoc stands there, looking instantly annoyed and ready to tell whatever lie he could come up with to prove his innocence, yet he was far from innocent. "Yeah" he shrugs, "they're my annoying nieces from my wife's side of the family. Why you asking me about them? They ain't my family, I ain't got nothing to do with them unless we go to Tessy's family get togethers which I haven't been too in a while since I work so much." The State Trooper writes his response down on the notepad, "I see. So, you didn't offer to take the girls to the beach yesterday? And Mr. Ninetyn was there or was there not some very inappropriate behavior and physical touching and groping on your end sir while in your vehicle and while in the water at the beach?" Divoc's facial expression and body language changed, and it changed drastically and rapidly as he bangs on the door hard, "Isn't that what I just fucking said? I work too much to be going out anywhere. I had my day off yesterday and spent it with my wife Tessy and the boys at my mom's house, we were fucking helping my sister who is dealing with a lot right now. So if you don't have any more fucking questions, let me enjoy my fucking cigarette and you motherfucker's can get the fuck off my property. " The other officer's step forward and Divoc begins to reach behind him, they close in on him. Throwing him hard to the ground, place his hands behind his back and lift him off the ground to standing position. "You fucking assholes! I wasn't reaching for shit! Let me the fuck go now! I will fucking murder all of you, get these fucking cuffs off me, right now!" Tessy and the boys run to the door, open the door as they hear the officers reading him his rights. "Mr. Divoc Ninetyn, you're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent." he cuts the officer off, "yeah, yeah, yeah motherfuckers I know my rights! I'm fucking innocent, let me fucking go!" Divoc now trying to fight off the officers and get the cuffs off him. Tessy and the boys standing there watching him, crying and screaming. Divoc looks right at his once loving family, that he now ruined with his descisions "Go the fuck inside! Call my damn attorney! This is some god damned fucking bullshit Tessy, some fucking bullshit!" Tessy runs to grab her cell while Divoc the amazing father of the lifetime shouts to his sons standing there crying, "go the fuck inside you damn pussies crying like little bitches, go help your mother till I get back. Loves ya now get, go on, get inside!" The officers finish reading him his rights and take him to their car, bringing him back to the station for full questioning and booking. The boys run inside, leaving the door to their house wide open. Tessy can be seen with her phone in hand pacing back and forth, tears streaking her face falling one by one in a puddle on the floor. The boys sitting on the stairs watching as their dad gets taken away in a police car.

This battle was far from over, soon Divoc Ninetyn will face his reality of what consequences he chose to do that hot and humid day on the beach with the Jermex sisters', that will come back to haunt him for a lifetime.

Chapter 6: Courtroom Hearing

It was the big day, the day for the world to finally see what the monster who walked into our lives, didn't want the world to see. The true monster within him, his true self without the mask on, his true colors. My sisters and I got all dressed up, and Hally wanted to wear lipstick, but mom said that was a bit inappropriate, so she used cherry ChapStick instead. Dad had taken off work, my big brother Cam was with us, his fists drawn at his sides, like he was ready for a war. My brother was my protector, he loved me and my sisters despite the fact that dad and he didn't always seem to get along. My mom was dressed in a black suit, she looked like she was a very important person. She was, to me she was my hero. We piled into the car and headed into town, to the courthouse. I don't know why they called it a house because it didn't look like a house it looked like a big fancy office building with lots of windows, doors and guards everywhere. We all hopped out of the car and started heading inside. "Now listen girls, be honest, be truthful, and don't let Divoc make you afraid to answer with the looks he'll try to give you. When they ask you to go up, I want you to focus on me or your dad, you hear me girls?" We shook our heads and headed inside. The moment of truth was finally upon us, weeks and weeks of waiting, felt like years and years of waiting. Here we were, ready to tell the world what that monster did to us that humid day at the beach. He would not get away without getting in trouble.

It was quiet at first till the judge with the funny clothes banged this hammer on the desk, I hope she knows that could break that thing, I thought. Then came shouting "ALL RISE" we all had to stand for an older lady that appeared in a black poncho looking almost like a pilgrim. There across the way was Divoc, I dare not ever call him my uncle anymore, not ever since that day he proved to me just how much of an evil monster he was that day at the beach. He got on the stand and lied through his dirty crooked teeth; we weren't allowed to speak when he was up there telling all of them lies. Finally, it was our turn to speak, I went first. I told them everything that happened that day, from him touching my inner thigh on the ride to the beach, to the penis touching my leg, him kissing my sister on the lips, the touching of our butts and private area. All the way to him trying to lie to the lifeguard, who didn't really do much to help us. What Divoc's hands felt like, how he threatened me in the truck and made me bleed. I told them everything. Then Juney's turn, describing the way she felt when he kept touching her butt cheek under her bathing suit. Hally was the last to go, they simply asked her questions that she had to answer yes or no too. She did good, she told the truth, this was going to be the end of Divoc and he would never be able to hurt us or anyone else again.

They called for a break, we quickly went across the street to a restaurant and grabbed a bite to eat to go, we were starving, who knew telling the truth would make you so hungry? We went back across the street to the courthouse, to wait for them to let us know what they were going to do to Divoc. I really hoped they make sure that he can't do it to anybody else. I hoped and prayed that Aunt Tessy would come to her senses and doesn't continue to keep my cousins away from us. I miss my cousins and my Aunt Tessy. I wished I never went to the beach that day, I wished that I never had to go through what me and my sisters went through. I wish that Divoc wasn't a monster that came into our family. He ruined our family; he made the choice to touch our bodies inappropriately without our permission. We finished eating and mom, dad and our attorney were talking over the court events. We all gathered ourselves and headed back to the courthouse waiting area to be called back in.

As, they called us back in, we filed into our seats behind the table. Across the way was Aunt Tessy and Divoc, his ugly crooked smile, his dark evil eyes, starred straight at us as he ushers with his mouth "you fuckers!" Mom turned us around, "don't pay him no mind girls, he is trying to get you to be scared." The judge approached the bench, banged again on the desk. I jumped; it was loud. "Court is now in session ladies and gentlemen please take your seats. We have a few more witnesses to present and will then reconvene in the morning for a verdict." The Judge says firmly and sternly looking across the room as Mom explained quietly to us what it all meant. Leaving all of us to wonder who else they were going to bring in as witnesses to talk too. The lady attorney Mom and Dad hired, whispered something to them, but I couldn't make out what they said. "Balif, please bring in our next witnesses please." as the Judge sat waiting, the room was silent, you could hear my heart beating outside my chest waiting. Who was it? Along enter my dad's sister Aunt Jessica, her two girls Jammison and Jaxiee and stepdaughter Bilinda. They came in and sat directly behind us. I turn and look at them, why are they here? I turn as if everything is happening in super slow motion and look at my parents. Please, please, please tell me that they were on our side, and nothing happened to them.

They were called to the stand one by one, telling everyone what Divoc had done to them. Divoc touched each of them in their privates, snatching hair from each of their private areas and kept hidden away in a bag. He stuck his fingers in their booholes, kissed them in their mouths with tongue. My mom and dad looking and listening on in shock, their faces saying they had no idea about this information they were hearing either. My Aunt Jessica had her own attorney, he looked mean and serious. My cousins sat with their heads down, not daring to look up or over at my Aunt Tessy and her husband Divoc. I cried for them, I cried because I absolutely didn't want anyone else to have to go through what my sisters and I had. Yet, Divoc was doing this at every chance he could get my cousins alone and has been doing it for years. Jammison who was 14 years old, went first, telling everything from what she felt to how his hands felt, how his private felt hard against her leg as he had her sit on his lap playing with her privates. Divoc truly was a monster, he deserved everything the judge could give him.

Finally, it was time for Divoc to approach the bench again. I didn't see a bench, but he sat next to the judge again just as we did before my Aunt Jessica and my cousins came in to give their truthful statement in a chair. He raised his hand again, promising to tell the truth, the honest truth so help him God. He peered his dark demonic eyes right in our direction. He sat up there calling all of us liars, telling the judge that we liked to make up stories. That we did that very often as he made up a lie about a cookout we had and how my cousin Jammison was swimming and asks him to go skinny dipping with her. Jammison jumps up and Aunt Jessica grabs her arm pushes her gently back down into her seat and whispers to her so softly not missing a beat of the death stare Divoc was giving. "Honey it's not going to help you, let him finish, we all know he's lying," sitting there not backing down from the stare down with Divoc. They finished questioning him and had us all return bright and early the next morning for sentencing as they re-cuffed and led Divoc back to prison. Back to prison in a cell where he belongs so he can't ever hurt anyone else ever again.

I turn and hug my cousins, we sat there for what felt like forever just hugging each other and crying. Dad told them to come back to our house and we'd cook out on the deck. We arrive at the house; mom has all the kids go outside and play while they prepped the food inside to cook. I couldn't believe how long this was going on, this was the first time it happened to me and my sisters because we were never left alone with Divoc before. That wasn't the case for my cousins, cause any and all opportunities that Divoc could with each of them. In the hallway when everyone was outside, in the bathroom with the door locked, in the closet with his foot pinned to the door so no one could open it with one hand over their mouths. My Aunt Tessy was there every time, I mean she wasn't there with him when he did these things, but she was there with him. She brought him into our home, into my cousins' homes, she brought a monster that faked it till he got caught amongst us. How could she have not known? How could she stand by his side when there were 6 of us who were all telling the truth about the things, he did to us? How many more people has he done this too? My head was spinning, I got dizzy, and I passed out as I awoke to my mom standing over me with something that smelled so awful. "Corona, Corona, hunny are you okay?" Mom looks at me so worried, her eyes red from crying, "mom, I don't know what happened I just, I just got dizzy then it went blank, and I fell." My mom scoops me up in her arms and laid me inside on the couch and puts an ice pack to my head, "don't move from here till dinner is ready, got it?" I look at mom and smile, "got it."

We all ate, laughed, cried, hugged and then it was time for my Aunt and cousins to go, it wasn't over yet, we had another big day ahead of us tomorrow. We all say our goodbyes and plan to meet up tomorrow before court. As the door closes, the lights to the porch go off once they're inside the car and take off, mom turns around "ok girls, showers, jammies and bedtime, we have another long day ahead of us tomorrow." Hally whined Juney stomped but they still got in the shower and still got ready for bed. I was exhausted, I lay in bed curled up in my blanket, hoping and praying that tomorrow is a win for us. Sleep took over and a shower was the least of my worries right then and there, I fell asleep.

Chapter 7: Ninetyn Vs. Jermex times 2

We all gathered at our house before heading over to the courthouse like they had arranged. We had a nice breakfast, talked, giggled and laughed at silly jokes that Cam kept telling. He always knew how to cheer us up when we were feeling down. The best big brother in the whole wide world, he was. We were on our way to the courthouse now, parked and walked across the street, we seen Aunt Tessy walking into the building with her attorney. Divoc was still in prison until they said he could either be free or have to stay there longer after the judge told us what they had decided.

We piled behind the table in our seats. The judge banged the desk hard again, I don't understand why she does that. We all stood and then were asked to sit back down. They brought in Divoc in handcuffs and unlocked them as he approaches the table where Aunt Tessy and their attorney are. He didn't dare look at us this time, thank goodness.

This sweet looking older lady brought a piece of paper to the judge, "we have made a decision your honor" she says handing the note to the judge. The judge looks it over, places it down and takes a moment to collect her thoughts. "Today ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the conclusion that Divoc Ninetyn is hearby guilty of all counts as follows: Corruption of minors 6 counts; sexual misconduct of minors 6 counts"; the courtroom erupts as Aunt Tessy screamed out, "no you can't do this, he's innocent, we have children together, what am I going to do with him gone?" The judge bangs again on her desk "order in the court, get your client under control or she will be removed from this court room!" The judge continued rambling it was all too much for me to take in. I did understand what she says next, "50 years with no chance of parole for each count. Court is adjourned, please take Mr. Ninetyn back into custody bailiff for proper booking." She steps down and walks out of the court room. Aunt Tessy screaming and crying, no one there to console her, tell her it would be ok. My parents hug us, my cousins sit crying and shaking. We won, we have finally put that monster amongst us where he belongs, behind bars so that he can never hurt anyone else ever again.

*You see, even though Divoc got what he deserved, in doing all this he made my Aunt Tessy suffer, his children suffer, his family broken. My parents, Aunt Jessica and cousins, we're all far from healing. Every week we have to go to a counselor and talk to her about how to move on from all that we've been through. We're told we're brave, but often times we feel guilty for coming forward destroying Aunt Tessy's family for telling the truth. I learned through counseling, that it's NEVER ok to keep secrets, especially when someone is violating your body. I've learned that speaking up and speaking out breaks the hold of fear that the monster tries to put on you to keep their dirty secrets hidden. So, to the world and those they know and love, they can remain to be seen as good and pure. I've learned that not each day will be easy, I will have hard days where I struggle, I don't understand why I feel the way I feel. I've learned that when this happens it's okay to seek help, it's okay to cry, it's, okay to keep a journal and describe how everything made me feel, to get all the emotions built up inside - out. It's ok to be afraid. Most importantly I've learned that no matter what, nothing I said or did made him violate me or my sisters or cousins' we never asked to be touched inappropriately by someone we should have been able to trust. I am not in the wrong, he was, it was his actions that cost him his family.

FROM THE AUTHOR:

I speak up, so that others can find their voice when they feel like it's never good enough, that no matter what they say, they will be looked at differently. I'm here to tell you that it's not true. From this day on, I speak on behalf of all women, all girls, all boys, all men, that have not been able to find the courage and the strength to speak up, to voice their hurt, to stop a predator in their tracks and allow their voice to stop someone else from being affected for actions of another person that despite what you feel, is never your fault. You didn't ask for this, you didn't want this, you don't understand this, but I promise you, you will overcome this. You will gain a real voice, strength and courage you never knew you had before, and you will be a great voice for people that too have gone through situations such as yourself. You will heal, and in time, you will grow, you will trust again, you will always have that voice in the back of your head warning you of danger yet to come. Listen to it, it will never steer you wrong. You will have panic attacks thinking back of all that you had endured, you will feel great sadness at different times that you can't explain. Open up to someone you trust, your mom, your dad, your teacher, your counselor someone, they can help you work through these attacks, please don't try to fight them on your own. It's a battle I promise you, you won't and can't face without asking for help from someone you can fully trust and open up too. Sometimes even coming down to taking medication when other methods don't work. You're not broken, you're not damaged, you're a fighter, and you're healing. Allow yourself to heal, allow yourself to grow, to become proud of who you are, flaws and all because no one in this world is perfect. Be you, the best version of yourself that no one can ever take away from you. You are unique and you matter, your voice matters. It's time the world stops and listens as our voices are no longer being silenced and we come forward and tell our truths, the truths that put the monsters amongst us where they rightfully deserve to be, behind bars so they can't hurt anyone else ever again. *

Closing

I hope this helped to understand that no matter what we are faced with, you don't ever have to be afraid to speak up and speak out when someone is doing wrong or has done wrong. You are not the problem, that someone has been fighting demons far longer than you know, don't allow their demons to affect and dull your shine. Continue to shine bright and spread positivity, love and light in this world. YOU ARE WORTHY! YOU ARE LOVED! YOU ARE STRONG! YOU ARE BRAVE! YOU ARE A WARRIOR!