I didn’t know how to react.
I just stared at the wall.
They didn’t do anything wrong.
They just wanted me to get back on the right
track.
But what did I do wrong?
Why did I have to go through this?
“I’m going to expose them!” Dad slammed his
fist on the table.
I flinched.
Mom hugged me tight.
Г
“It’s okay, you’ll never go back. They can’t
hurt you anymore.”
I tried to calm down.
I watched my parents.
I used to dream about them finding out the
truth.
But it was too late.
- 10.
I was in the shower.
I drifted off.
Water filled my nose and mouth.
<
I was back at that camp, suffocating.
I woke with a jolt, ran to the toilet, and
started throwing up.
Mom heard the noise and pounded on the
door.
“Honey, are you okay?”
I wanted to tell her I was fine, but I couldn’t
speak.
I just gasped for air.
Mom unlocked the door and rushed in.
Her eyes were still red.
She’d been crying every day
く
She helped me out of the bathroom.
Dad was on the couch.
He looked relieved to see me.
Then he perked up.
“I contacted a blogger online, a big name.
He’s writing about the victims of that camp.
It’s getting a lot of attention.”
“They’re going to pay.”
I looked at Dad’s hopeful smile.
I couldn’t crush him.
There were so many victims like me.
く
That place wouldn’t go down so easily.
I just said I was tired and wanted to go to
bed.
Back in my room, I pulled up the blogger’s
post.
I read the comments, full of support.
I buried my face in my hands and cried.
It felt good, knowing there were people out
there who cared.
The next day, I told my parents what I’d
decided.
“Let’s sue them.”
L
They looked worried, hinting, “The lawyers will
ask you personal questions. It might be
traumatic. Can you handle it?”
My heart clenched with fear.
But I nodded.
I was already broken.
I didn’t want other kids to end up like me.
Mom squeezed my hand.
“If you’re sure, we’re with you.”
My parents put everything on hold to prepare
the case.
They contacted other parents whose kids had
Г
been to the camp and explained my situation.
The parents were in denial.
But when they saw their kids, they
understood.
They joined our lawsuit.
My lawyer wanted to know what happened at
the camp.
I closed my eyes.
I couldn’t speak.
My brain wouldn’t let me.
I hated myself for being so weak.
く
The meeting with the lawyer ended.
He told my parents that the other kids were
the same.
Without testimony, the case would fall apart.
My parents were exhausted, working day and
night.
They were good to me, trying to make up for
everything.
But I still felt uncomfortable.
