Everything changed on that day and Karen knew nothing would ever be the same again. Sitting there now in the counselling room she began to remember the events as if it had happened just minutes before. Her body began to tremble in fear at what had happened as her breathing grew faster and the words tumbled out.1
It had been just a normal day. School had been okay, nothing to write home about. She'd done alright in the lessons and had gotten away without any nasty comments from her supposed best friends gang. All in all as Karen left the school gates she had a feeling that the day was a good day. For some strange reason the teachers had even let all their classes off homework that night... perhaps it was because half term was coming up and they were about to pile it on for then.2
Walking home Karen began to think about the evening that lay ahead for her. The church she belonged to were practising to perform a musical at Christmas and she was going to try out for one of the solo parts. As she walked home she hummed the tune and tried to remember all the words. At thirteen years old she was one of the youngest in the group and it would be a great honour to get to sing solo.3
Arriving home Karen threw down her school bag, changed her clothes and turned on the TV for her evening programmes. She wouldn't admit to many people that she loved watching the children's show but she did and she enjoyed them. As Home and Away ended she grabbed her coat, and set off on the short walk to the church.4
It was strange leaving the house that night because her parents had gone away for a few days and her brother was staying at his girlfriends house. Karen was responsible for the house and making sure it was all locked up safely. As she walked up the nearby field on her way to the rehearsal there was a distinct smell of a burning fire somewhere nearby. It was a chilly October evening and the fire just added to the feeling of the coming winter.5
The rehearsal went really well and Karen managed to get through the whole of the solo piece without any mistakes. She was thrilled, but still surprised, to be told at the end of the rehearsal that she had gotten the part. Everyone was really pleased for her and from inside to out she beamed with happiness.6
As the others left the church one of the older couples said they would drive her home as it was quite late. Karen thought about it but had decided that while her parents were away she would keep hold of as much Independence as she could. Promising to go straight home as fast as she could she set off on the short journey home.7
Still beaming from the excitement of getting the part Karen skipped down the field and onto the path going past the Anglican Church. As she reached the small car park she noticed a small van parked in the centre of it. Not thinking much of it really because there were usually cars around at different times she continued on her way knowing she only had a matter of minutes before she would be home.8
Well thats what she had thought. A Karen walked past the van she suddenly felt a hand grab her from behind and before she knew what was happening she was dragged into the van.9
As Karen spoke these words she closed her eyes as if reliving the whole experience and tears began to fall. "It's okay Karen.... take your time" said the therapist gently reassuring her, "There's no rush".10
Taking a deep breath Karen continued with her story telling her therapist of the dreadful ordeal she had suffered whilst within that van and how dirty her attacked had made her feel. She told her of how he had done things to her that she had never even heard of and how at the end of her he threw her from the van as if she were a piece of dirt. Through Karen's tears she kept saying "it was my fault, I shouldn't have walked home alone, I am a bad girl".11
As the story continued to unfold and Karen told of the way she had gone home to scrub herself clean and not told of this ordeal for many years, the therapist gently offered words of reassurance that she had not been to blame. The talking continued through periods of silence and times of sobbing and eventually there time for that session came to an end.12
Karen stood to leave and her therapist offered her a hug which Karen gratefully accepted. The feeling of love was not something she had experienced often and she held on for as long as she could while her therapist told her over and over how she was not to blame. 13
Making sure that Karen was fit to go home and to stay safe until their next session, her therapist said goodbye and prayed in her heart that Karen would be a survivor and not a victim all her life. 14
.............15
Author notes
OKay well this is a story based on an event in my life. I chose to write it in the third person because it just felt easier for me to deal with it.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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ya i agree its easier to tell things in 3rd person sometimes. i hope u heal well.i'll keep u in my prayers.......God bless
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7/10
it wasnt exactly what I thought it was going to turn into, but it was an excellent piece and I enjoyed reading it very much, thanks for the entry, and good luck.
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This is a very sad piece of writting.. I'm sorry that it had to happen to you. However, this was a very good write, and the third person worked well. Your emotions were well conveyed and you have done a good job to get your feelings and ordeal down into well flowing words.
Good write, well done.
Thanks for entering and good luck in our contest.
xxx Delta -
wow. this piece is really good. im so sorry that something like that happened to you it is a very terrilble thing and it really hit close to home. i really hope you continue to heal after dealing with something so terrible. i understand you have to be in alot of pain. as for the short story it was really good! thankyou so much for taking the time to enter my contest and good luck with the contest and everything else in your life. keep writing.
later
sam -
This is the most sad story I've ever read.. I'm really out of words.. I'm sorry this had to happen to you, hope things are better now :]
Nour-
P.s: thx for the comment you left on An Immortal Thrust, it was highly appreciated - and I did have to look for those words in the dictionary myself ;p -
arg this story makes me mad and sad. I am really very sorry that you had to go through this. I really hope that man gets put away for a long, long time, if he hasn't already. you did a nice job here, and I appreciate you taking the time to enter.
~ Lea -
thank you.
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i have 2 agree with u there. ihope it helpd u in someway writing about this, like u say helping u heal. always thinkin of you. my boyfriends niece has got cancer n he wrote about it for several of our college projects and it helpd him cope with it all. u have many friends on here, and if you ever want to talk, u know where we are.- not literally. lol. jst message me anytime hun. luv ya
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thanks honey..... it's weird cos this feels like a safe place to actually write about the deep and personal stuff. I think it is quite a good therapeutic place don't you think
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thanks hon.. i will read that soon
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aww thanks sweetie but i am ok honest. It was a long time ago and writing this is part of my healing I think. thank you for you love and prayers!
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Oh chuck it was a brave thing to do - write about this subject. Karen it wasnt your fault, u musnt blame urself. my heart goes out to u love, u r a suvivor. thinkin of u... plz take care, much love Jenny (StillAlive) xx
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wow...nicely written...i'm so sorry for you...maybe sometime you would like to read my write...it's called my first time
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I am so scared for you. I am lost for words, please be safe and I will pray for you tonight.
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thanks hon. i sent it to my counsellor cos it is how in my mind i have played out the talking about it. it might not fit the contest really because although the attack is true I haven't actually had the therapist conversation yet. Still.. if it goes like i wrote then it will be ok!
thanks for reading and commenting -
Oh Karen, this brought tears to my eyes. You're already a survivor honey, because no matter how hard things get you fight. And you always come through. I love you so much, and really wish I could hug you right now. Well done on a very powerful write
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thanks honey.. you are so kind to me. It's a part of my life I have to learn to live with and I am sure it will be healed soon
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Excellent
OMG honey everytime I read about this part of your life it breaks my heart. I know the pain and I know it to well. I know you will be a survivor. Much love to you sweetie, always here for you throught good and bad times. I will never leave your side!
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