Chapter 13: I'm fine

The moment I make it into camp, I beeline straight for the showers. I swear I can still feel the film of filth from Paul’s touch. My cheek burns and I am truly convinced it’s infected. How could it not be? The asshole cut up my cheek with his grubby fingers and then licked me, no doubt with a mouth just as foul as his tainted mind. I shudder, remembering his words, the promise to take advantage of me.

I turn the water to the hottest setting it will go, standing under the stinging stream as steam surrounds me, clouding me with its warmth. No amount of soap can make me feel clean enough, so I choose to sear the dirt away. It doesn’t matter that it hurts and I have to grit my teeth to stop from gasping in pain. The reality of what happened slowly seeps back in with the warmth and a whimper escapes my lips.

I knew becoming a rogue would be hard. It would mean leaving behind everyone I love and everything I have ever known. I knew I would need to look out for others to avoid and to keep