“Excellent,” I said. “Tell me what you found.”
“There is Sara,” Hillary said. “They studied at the same university. He assaulted her when she was leaving a party and abused her. She filed a report but soon dropped the charges. She left the university and moved to another town. No contact with her ever since.”
“Try to find out where she has gone,” I said, knowing it would be futile.
“There is Katie,” Hillary said, her voice shaking. “She was not even of age yet. She went to his high school, and they dated for a few weeks. He forced himself on her, and when she pressed charges, he denied everything. Said that she was just a slut who slept around with everyone. In essence, he ruined her reputation, and she attempted suicide. The family dropped the charges and admitted her to an asylum. She got out a few years ago after her parents passed away and has been living a very secluded life ever since.”
“Are you okay?” I asked softly, noticing her shaking hands and the tremor in her voice.
“It’s just—” she whispered. “Every case that I read, I see myself in it. Every girl I think of, I see myself in them. I know how they feel. I know the fear, and torture, and pain. I know how it is to be scared, and I know how it is to feel worthless and pathetic. I know how it feels to hate yourself so much that you want to die. I know how it feels when you stare at the ceiling, internally screaming and begging God for death. I know how it feels, and all of these cases remind me of it. I feel so angry with him. I want to get my hands on him and tear him apart for what he did. I feel so helpless because I can’t help them. If Erica had never helped me, I wouldn’t be where I am. But these girls… They didn’t have anyone.”
I reached forward, taking her hand in mine. My heart shook in anger and fury at the man who had tortured her for so long, and at the same time, it trembled for the pain she felt. I wanted to pull her in my arms and bring her close to me. I wanted to kiss every single moment of her pain away, but I didn’t.
She pulled her hand away from me, and I sighed. I wanted to say something, but instead, I made a silent vow in my heart to always protect her. No matter what.
