His words were like a venomous snake,
constricting my throat.
Why? Why was he doing this to me?
I hadn’t done anything wrong. Neither had my
family.
<
While I was still in shock, Ethan set up a
livestream.
I realized what he was doing and started
crying and pleading.
“Ethan, please, I beg you, let me go.”
I knelt on the floor, banging my head until it
bled.
I just wanted him to stop, to spare me this
cruel humiliation.
But he just continued setting up the
equipment, his expression blank.
“The rapist’s sister. Everyone should enjoy the
show.”
The other guys took out their phones, the
flashes illuminating my bruised and naked
body.
“Not bad, not bad at all. Nice body.”
“You have low standards, dude. Even this?”
“She’s just a toy. Fun for a night, nothing
more.”
“Hey, Ethan, if you’re done with her, can I
have a go?”
“You’ve taken enough pictures and videos.
Isn’t tonight enough for you?”
“Hahaha…”
Their vulgar comments chipped away at what
was left of my self–respect.
Ethan, you are so cruel!
Once the livestream started, they began to
assault me.
He was streaming on a porn site. Thousands
of people flooded the chatroom.
They were all reveling in my misery.
I covered myself, begging them to stop.
But it only fueled their excitement.
Ethan watched with cold indifference,
adjusting the camera.
Close–ups, medium shots, wide shots. All of
- me.
As if this humiliation could somehow ease his
<
pain.
Finally, they left, leaving me alone in the
classroom.
I didn’t know when my tears had stopped.
Ethan, my brother paid for your sister with his
life, an innocent life. Do I have to die too
before you’re satisfied?
After a while, Sarah returned, dressed in a
pretty dress, probably ready for a date with
Ethan.
“Poor Riley, how does it feel to be betrayed
by the man you love?”
She smiled brightly, a stark contrast to my
broken form on the floor.
“Your family knows the truth,” I whispered
weakly, exhausted from hours of torture.
Sarah’s lips curled into a smile. “I know, but
so what? Your stupid brother was just a
scapegoat for our family.”
She patted my head. “But it doesn’t matter
<
what I know. Ethan has to know.”
“But do you think he’ll believe you?”
“In his mind, your brother is the rapist, the
murderer who hurt his sister. You’re not even
worth a second thought.”
She waved her phone. “Riley, you’re going to
be famous soon.”
Then she skipped out of the room.
The classroom floor was even colder at night.
The silence was deafening.
Only the drying bloodstains and filth on the
floor were evidence of the violence that had
taken place.
I struggled to my feet and put on my
scattered clothes.
The friction against the floor made my burns
bleed again.
The pain was searing, but my heart was
colder than the night air.
As I walked across campus, people stared.
I didn’t know if it was because of my torn clothes or if the video had already spread
online.
“Isn’t that Riley? The rapist’s sister?”
“God, she deserves to die.”
“What happened to her? Look at her clothes.”
“Didn’t you see the video? She was with a
bunch of guys.”
“Disgusting.”
“Serves her right. She should pay for what her
brother did!”
I kept walking, their words echoing in my
ears.
Was it my fault?
No, I hadn’t done anything.
Was it Jason’s fault?
No. He sacrificed himself for me and Dad,
becoming the Millers‘ scapegoat.
But we were the ones suffering, while the real
culprits walked free.
I don’t know how long I walked. My feet were
blistered, and my jacket barely covered me.
I passed some food stalls. Women glared at
me, and men eyed me with lust.
What were they thinking?
Probably about the video Ethan made and
posted.
Ethan, you succeeded in making my life a
living hell.
I reached the edge of a cliff. Freedom was
close.
Soon, the pain would end.
I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t protect you anymore…
I stepped forward, closed my eyes.
But a strong hand yanked me back.
I fell into a warm embrace.
“This isn’t a good spot for bungee jumping,
miss.”
