Screaming broke the night's stillness. Peter leapt up from the desk in the living room. The screen of his laptop provided enough light for him to run to the bedroom in the back. His girlfriend was thrashing violently on the bed, tangled up in the blankets. Her cries rent the air. Quickly, Peter jumped on the bed and gathered his girlfriend in his arms.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. You're okay, sweetheart," he murmured soothingly. "It was just a dream."

She clung to him and buried her face in the front of his white V-necked shirt. Rocking her back and forth, Peter tried to still her trembling.

"I'm here, all right. Nothing's going to hurt you. I promise."

Slowly, Peter was able to calm his girlfriend until she steadied her breathing enough to speak.

"I was smothering," she whispered. "He was on top of me, and I couldn't breathe."

"He can't hurt you. He won't ever touch you again."

Peter stroked his girlfriend's silky hair. She had cut it short a few weeks ago, and the thick strands fell over her face. Gently, Peter brushed back a few locks and caressed her cheek with his fingertip. Pain swelled in his chest, blocking his throat up and making it difficult to breathe. He wanted nothing more than to give his girlfriend a dreamless night. She hadn't slept quietly since that terrible night. Kissing her forehead, Peter leaned back against the pillows and pulled her next to him.

"I took you from your work," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "You have to turn it in tomorrow."

"It's okay. I can finish it later."

Peter rested her head on his chest and put his arm around her shoulders. She curled up in a small ball next to him. The warmth of her body spread over his skin, and he pulled up a blanket over both of them.

"You don't have to stay. I'll be okay now."

"No, I needed a break anyway." Peter yawned and settled down farther into the pillows. "I'll go back in a little bit."

"You mean after I've fallen asleep." She cuddled closer to Peter. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you from working."

"It's not your fault," Peter replied.

"Yes, it is. I'm sorry. I've made you stay up late for weeks. You left your job interview early to come back for me."

"I chose to do that. You didn't make me."

"I never meant for this to hurt you." She lowered her head. "I'm just so sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" Peter asked bewildered.

"I'm sorry for being so clingy. I'm sorry for needing you to stay with me every night. I'm sorry you have to leave a light on for me like a child before I can sleep. I'm sorry that I can't go out with you anywhere. I'm sorry that you had to sit in court and watch me try not to fall apart."

"Stop!" Placing a finger under her chin, Peter tilted her face up so her bright green eyes met his hazel ones. "Don't ever apologize for any of that again. You understand? None of that is your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for."

Tears trickled down her face as she nodded slowly. Peter clasped her small, soft hands.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he repeated.

Softly, Peter opened his girlfriend's hand, kissed her palm, and placed her open hand against his face. She closed her eyes and leaned forward so her forehead was resting against his.

"Thank you," she breathed.

Laying her back down, Peter tucked the blanket around her. He held her hand, waiting for her breathing to become deep and steady. A bright teardrop shone on her cheek, and Peter brushed it away without waking her. She seemed so young and innocent when she was asleep. A rush of anger swept over Peter as he thought of the man who had done this to her. Clenching his fists, he spat out a few foul names under his breath. She stirred in her sleep, and Peter stopped muttering until she grew still again. The flash of hatred burned out quickly and left only the heaviness of guilt. Peter buried his face in his arms. Nothing that he said or did would make a difference at this point. If only he had been there that night. If only his interview had been scheduled for a different weekend. If only his flight had been canceled. If only...

*****

Gingerly, she picked up the filthy black dress and put them into a plastic bag. Sealing the zipper, she placed the bag onto the counter.

"I'm going to leave your clothes right here, okay?"

The girl nodded without saying a word.

"My name is Melinda, but everyone calls me Lin. I'll be the nurse who is taking care of you."

The girl silently nodded again. Lin tried to smile encouragingly, but she could feel the corners of her mouth trembling. The girl was close to the same age as her daughter, and her vulnerability, as she stood in the middle of the room completely naked, touched Lin's heart. Her slender body was trembling slightly while Lin and Clarisse measured the multicolored contusions and abrasions on her legs and buttocks. Lin kept speaking in a calm, measured tone even though she knew the girl could not process her words. After Clarisse took photographs of every injury, Lin picked up a soft flannel blanket and wrapped it around the girl.

"Did you sign the rape victim papers?" she asked gently.

"Yes," the girl spoke in a quiet, hoarse voice.

"Okay, you can't put your clothes back on because the police are going to need those, but I've got some other things for you to wear if that's okay."

Opening a cabinet, Lin pulled out a pair of grey sweatpants and a dark blue sweatshirt. She helped the girl slip into the clothes before reaching into a drawer and taking out a comb. Clarisse held out another plastic bag as Lin began pulling filth from the girl's hair.

"What is it?" the girl whispered.

"What's that, honey?" Clarisse asked.

"What is it?" the girl said. "What's in my hair? What is it?"

Her voice grew louder and more frantic as she continued speaking. Frantically, she clawed at her head pulling out a handful of hair with pine needles. Lin stopped cleaning the girl's long, black hair and stroked her face lightly.

"It's nothing, sweetheart. Just flora and fauna," she said in the most soothing tone she could muster.

"Just flora and fauna," the girl repeated.

"That's right. Just flora and fauna."

Lin kept up her comforting words until they had combed all of the debris out of her hair. Using a warm, wet washcloth, she cleaned the dirt from the girl's face and hands. The door opened softly, and an intern entered the room with a tray.

"Thank you, Jesse. You can put that on the table," Lin instructed.

Clarisse helped the girl sit on the bed while Lin handed the two sealed bags to the officer standing outside the door. Coming back into the room, Lin rejoined Clarisse and the girl.

"I have to go take care of another patient. Are you good here?"

Lin nodded, and Clarisse left the room. The girl leaned back against the pillows and curled her legs close up against her body.

"Do you think you can eat something?"

Lin picked up the tray and brought it closer. The girl shook her head, but Lin picked up a bowl of oatmeal and handed it to her.

"Can you try to eat just a few bites? It might help you feel better."

Picking up the spoon, the girl stirred the thick oatmeal. Slowly, she ate a small bite and swallowed.

"That's great. See if you can eat some more."

After she had eaten half of the oatmeal, the girl looked up at Lin. She seemed to have collected herself, and when she spoke, her voice was composed and steady.

"Can I leave?"

"Yes, I'm sure the police will be contacting you soon. For now, go home and rest." Lin patted the girl on the back. "I know that it sounds impossible too, but try to go on with your life. I promise you that it will get better one day."

Picking up the girl's shoes, Lin knelt down and pulled the boots on her feet. After she zipped up the sides of the boots, Lin picked up the girl's gold necklace from the counter and fastened it around her neck.

"Thank you."

With a practiced nurse's touch, Lin helped her off the bed and through the hospital waiting room to the exit where Clarisse was standing with a tearful college student.

"We found your sister," Clarisse said. "She's been looking for you."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," the young woman wept.

"Hey, hey, it's going to be all right. It's not your fault." The girl looked over her sister's head at Lin. "I'm going to be okay. It was just flora and fauna. Now come on. Let's go home and get some sleep."

Choking back the last of her sobs, the younger sister dug through her purse for her car keys.

"Charlie loaned me his car so I can take us home."

The girl turned back to Lin and Clarisse.

"Thank you for everything."

"Of course, honey. Take care of yourself, all right?" Clarisse answered as she hugged her.

Lin wrapped her arms around the girl. She wished with every fiber of her being that she could hold her close enough to erase that terrible night and all the pain that would soon follow.

"Stay strong," she whispered in the girl's ear.

As the two sisters left the hospital, Clarisse sighed. "That poor child. At least, she's got smarts though. She'll be able to think things through quicker than most."

"Maybe." Lin gazed after the girl. "But knowing something in your head is different than knowing it in your heart. She's got a long, difficult journey ahead of her."

*****

"Shots! Shots! Shots! Shots!"

Throwing his head back, Barrett downed his shot of vodka and slammed the glass on the table. The fiery liquid traveled down his throat and warmed his stomach. Barrett could feel the heat rising to his face. He whooped loudly and high-fived the other people standing around. After multiple beers and a few shots, he was feeling reckless and bold. The pumping music roiled through his blood with the alcohol. Barrett began swaying with the music. A few girls were dancing on the table in the center of the room.

"Hey, you should join them!" Vince clapped Barrett on the back. "Go on, man!"

Jumping up on the table, Barrett moved behind one of the girls with short, blonde hair. She was dancing with a group of her friends, her back turned toward him. Placing his hands on her hips, Barrett pressed his body against hers and moved slowly from side to side. The blonde girl pulled herself away from him and crossed to the other side of the table. Barrett grinned wryly to himself. So many girls liked to play hard to get nowadays. He followed the girl and began dancing in front of her. She rolled her eyes at him as she hopped down and walked across the room.

"Lela, come back!" Her friends waved to her, but she shook her head at them and stayed where she was.

Barrett stepped down from the tabletop and gazed at the girl called Lela. She was standing against the wall by herself. Slicking his blonde hair back, Barrett gulped down another beer. She was probably just waiting for him to approach her in a more private area. Freshman girls were usually shy about flirting with guys in front of their friends. Barrett waited until Lela had turned her back before he made his way to her. Leaning against the wall behind her, he put his arm around the front of her waist, turned her towards him, and brought his lips close to her face. Just as his mouth was getting ready to touch hers, Lela pushed him back and stalked off. Barrett shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want to waste his time on a tease anyway. Maybe her friends would appreciate his attention more. One of the girls with curly red hair was falling off the table. She managed to catch herself at the last moment.

"I think that I need to sit down," she slurred.

Quickly, Barrett ran over and held up his hand to help the girl down. She grabbed onto his arm and dropped to the floor. As soon as she reached the ground, Barrett pulled the girl off to the side. She was holding a hand over her stomach.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I don't feel well."

"See if you feel better after this."

Leaning forward, Barrett fastened his lips onto the girl's mouth. Immediately, he felt her body jerked away from him. Lela was standing in front of the red haired girl, glaring at him.

"Come on, Shara. Let's take you back to your room."

Barrett watched as the blonde girl took Shara back to her friends. They walked over and opened the front door to the porch. Huffing in frustration, Barrett followed the group of girls outside. None of the women at this party were interested in actually being romantic. They just liked to lead guys on. Barrett slammed the door behind him. He'd just go back to his room and go to bed alone then. Looking out at the front yard, Barrett growled under his breath. Lela and Shara were with their friends leaving the party. They were waving at a girl who was standing on the front porch. She had clearly had too much to drink and was stumbling down the steps in a haze. Barrett was starting to pass her when he realized he had seen her earlier that night. She was the one in the backyard who had been swinging in the hammock. He remembered the way she had tossed her long, black hair away from her face so she could see him better. Running back up a few steps, Barrett took her arm and steadied her.

"Hey, let me give you a hand."

She looked up into his face, and Barrett could see her green eyes definitely brightened as she recognized him. Leading her down the stairs, Barrett drew her close to his body. She smelled strongly of alcohol and swayed unsteadily.

"Hey, do you wanna go back to my room?" Barret asked.

The girl groaned and staggered again. Barrett placed his arm around her waist and began leading the way to the side of the fraternity house. From there, they could climb a small hill and reach his dormitory. When they had gone about halfway up the hill, she collapsed again. Barrett tried to catch her, but his foot slipped, and the two slid down the grassy slope. Laughing, Barrett rolled over on top of the girl. Her eyes were shut with her head tilted to one side. A strand of black hair was lying on her neck. Barrett brushed it away. His fingers tingled as he touched the soft skin of her throat, and the sensation continued all over his body.

Quickly, Barrett glanced around. He couldn't see anyone, but he lifted the girl's body and carried her over behind a green, metal dumpster by the side of the building. Setting her down on the pine needles, he straddled her body with one knee on either side of her hips.

Just a few kisses couldn't hurt anything. Barrett pressed his lips against her mouth. He was sure he could stop himself from going too far. Besides, he knew she wanted him. His hands began exploring her skin. She had practically asked him to take her to his room. In the backyard earlier in the evening, they had all but made-out. His fingers roamed her body. If he had asked her when they had first met, she would probably have said yes. She basically pursued him by setting herself on the front porch where she knew he was going to be coming. Unfastening his pants, Barrett looked down at the girl's closed eyelids.

It's not like she was going to remember anyway.

*****

The gavel slammed down on the tall, wooden desk. Dina slumped down in her chair, her breath caught in her throat. Behind her, the prosecution's family was protesting angrily while the judge continued banging the gavel down. The defense attorney and defendant were walking past out of the courtroom. Inhaling deeply, Dina looked up at her client. The girl's eyes were wide in shock.

"I'm so sorry," Dina apologized. "I can't believe this happened."

The girl's hand was trembling as she clutched the tin foil wrapper of the chocolate her grandmother had smuggled into her earlier. Dina placed her hand on her client's arm. Gently, she lifted her up.

"Hey, why don't you go home with your family? I'll finish up here and join you tomorrow to explain everything."

"But...but he..."

The girl's voice trailed off in disbelief. Dina tightened her mouth to keep her lips from trembling. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"There's nothing more to be done. I'm sorry."

Slowly, the girl rose and joined her family who were waiting angrily by the door. They walked out together, leaving the courtroom empty. As the door slammed close, Dina sank back down in her seat. Her hands automatically began gathering her papers and placing them in folders, but her mind was still on the case. What had she done wrong? Was her closing argument too weak? Had her witnesses not been convincing enough?

Dina snapped her briefcase closed and locked the clasp. Leaning back in her chair, she massaged her temples with her fingertips. Some days it seemed as though she could not sigh deeply enough. Her head was aching. The two aspirin that she had swallowed earlier seemed to have taken no effect. The pounding of the gavel echoed in the back of her head. Picking up her leather briefcase, Dina stood up and exited the room. The front steps of the courthouse were still crowded with people from the trial. The defendant's family and friends glared at Dina while she descended the stairs. A few of the people who had been sitting in the gallery started to approach her, but Dina shook her head and waved them off. She was not in the mood to discuss the case with anyone.

Crossing down to where her car was parked, Dina clicked her key fob. The doors unlocked, and she stepped into the front seat. As she pulled away from the courthouse, she wished she could drive on forever and just escape the whole mess. Pressing a button, Dina turned on her favorite CD. Soft, instrumental music began pulsing through the speakers. Dina tried to focus on the melody and forget the disappointing end to the last few stressful months. When she parked in her driveway, Dina leaned her forehead against the steering wheel. She was so tired she could sleep for a week. Yawning widely, she climbed out of the car and walked to the front door. Before she could unlock it, the door swung open.

"Hey honey, how are you? How'd your case go? What happened?"

"Ugh, one question at a time," Dina answered. "I'm exhausted."

"I thought you might be, so I already fixed dinner. It's waiting inside. I figured you'd be hungry after an entire day in court again."

"Thank you, Matthew." Stepping inside and setting down her briefcase, Dina kissed her husband. "You know me so well."

Matthew grinned and pulled out a chair for his wife. Kicking off her heels, Dina sat down and began eating the pesto chicken and green beans.

"You want a drink?"

"Yes, please."

Holding out her glass, Dina watched the red wine pour downwards in a steady stream. As Matthew sat back down, he raised his eyebrows. Dina knew that he was waiting to hear the result of her case.

"Remind me why I thought being District Attorney would be a good idea," she said.

"Rough day?"

"The worst."

"What went wrong?"

Shrugging, Dina sipped her wine. "I have no idea."

"You wanna talk about it?"

Dina hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. Matthew nodded understandingly, and the two finished their meal in silence. After she had emptied her glass, Dina began gathering the dishes.

"Don't worry about that," Matthew spoke up. "I've got the kitchen. You just get ready for bed."

"Are you sure?"

Matthew took the plate from his wife's hand and gently pushed her towards their bedroom. Turning back, Dina caressed his cheek with her hand.

"I love you, Matty."

Picking up her shoes, Dina walked back to her bedroom. She dropped her heels in the corner and rummaged through the drawers for her pajamas. After she slipped into the silk tank top and shorts, Dina brushed her teeth and washed the makeup from her face. The warm water was soothing on her skin and helped the throbbing in her head subside somewhat. Hanging up the rag, she dried her face on a fluffy towel and crawled into bed. Matthew entered the bedroom and smiled down at her.

"Feeling better?"

"A little."

Dina reached out and took Matthew's hand. He sat down on the bed next to her and smoothed her dark hair back. Closing her eyes, Dina tried to fall asleep, but her mind was still whirling over the day's events.

"It was such an obvious one," she whispered.

"What?"

Dina sat up and leaned against the bed's wooden headboard. "The case. It was so obvious. The jury found him guilty on all three counts. That's three felonies, and the judge only gave him six months. He'll be out in half the time for good behavior."

Throwing back the covers, Dina stood up and began pacing back and forth on the carpet.

"All that time and tension for six months. That poor girl and her family have sat for hours in a courtroom for this. She has been forced to relive the worst night of her life over and over again. Her most intimate details have been combed through and put on display for people she doesn't even know. She had to sit and listen to the defense attorney twist her words against her. And after all of that, he gets six months!"

"Dina, it was out of your control," Matthew replied. "You did your best with this case, and you did get a guilty verdict."

"But she didn't get justice!" Dina covered her face in her hands. "I didn't get her justice."

Standing up, Matthew crossed over to his wife and took her hands in his. Dina's chest heaved with pent up emotion as she leaned on his shoulder.

"Matty, what do I do? How can I make things right with her? The defense argued that twenty minutes shouldn't ruin his life. But that twenty minutes will be with her and everyone else involved in this case for a lifetime."

*****

She loaded the last box into the trunk of her silver Sedan.

"Is there anything else?"

She started slightly and turned around. Peter was standing behind her with an armload of clothes. Carefully, he laid the garments on top of the other boxes.

"That's it. I can't believe we got it all in here."

"Okay." Peter slammed down the trunk lid. "Your family is waiting inside to say goodbye."

Taking her boyfriend's hand, she walked back inside to the living room where her mother, father, and younger sister were sitting.

"All right. I'm all packed and loaded. Peter and I are set to head to Boston."

"Are you sure that you're ready?" her mother asked anxiously.

"Mina, it's time. You have to let her go."

"I know that, but I'm her mother, so I still have a right to freak out a little."

Throwing her arms around her daughter's neck, Mina hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. As soon as she pulled away, Eddy stepped in and embraced his child.

"Keep in contact," he said. "And be safe."

"I will."

She reached for her sister and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Lela squeezed back, and as the sisters parted, she forced a smile on her face.

"I love you."

"I love you too," she replied.

Opening the door, she followed Peter to the car. Her family came behind her and continued saying farewells as they pulled out of the driveway and down the street. She turned around in her seat and waved until she could no longer see them. Gently, Peter placed his hand on top of hers.

"Are you okay, Kellie?"

Shifting back, Kellie looked forward down the long stretch of road before her.

"I'm fine."