I was grabbed from behind, a hand being clapped over my mouth before I could even scream. I struggled to get free but it was no use.

‘Well, Chambers, I see it’s true that you’ve gone all potty. Hey, that’s funny–potty Chambers, or p’raps it should be Chamber potty!’ He gave out a guffaw of mocking laughter. I recognised the voice instantly as belonging to the bullying oaf, Quinn, and I burst into tears. ‘My mate, Kev Ball, ’phoned and told me you were pretending to be a girlie an’ ’ad got him grounded f’ra month, an’ ’e also said you were gonna to meet his stoopid sister at Angela Williamson’s house s’afternoon.’ Suddenly I became very aware that some other person–I presumed a boy–had put a hand up my skirt and his fingers were exploring my body through the thin cotton material of my knickers. Thank goodness I was wearing a sanitary pad––!

My first thought’s had been relief that I was still alive and the burning desire to call the police and report the rape. The longer I sat and considered it though the idea of what that would result in was somewhat unappealing. No one except Eddie, my mother and of course William knew my secret.

Reporting the incident would open up a whole can of worms, some that I did not want to escape.

I felt like a pregnant woman. I held my stomach (which felt enormous) with both hands, and took small, waddling steps toward the kitchen. With every step, I let out a little grunt, groan, or whimper.

In this chapter, Carl visits the psychologist Brianna has been seeing over the summer. After a brief chat with Carl, the psychologist brings in Brianna, who asks her older brother a question that could have a profound effect on both of their lives.

Brianna's Big Brother - Chapter 5
Copyright 2008 by Heather Rose Brown
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LISA’S DREAM

By Susan Heywood

"But what if it isn't?" I asked her. "What if it's not going to be alright?"

She took a deep breath and said, "Then we deal with it. Whatever that means."