TWENTY-ONE
As Ike listened to Lara telling her story, nausea rolled through him. His muscles cramped. The back of his throat hurt. He turned away from everyone and faced the wall as tears burned the back of his eyes.
He’d done this to her. He’d left her there for the savages to tear apart and violate. All because he’d been angry and afraid. Angry at himself for not being strong enough to face up to Mrs. Bello, and afraid of losing his recommendation and disappointing his parents.
He’d left the woman he loved behind when she’d needed him. He should’ve dragged her out of there screaming and shouting, if need be. She’d suffered pain because he wasn’t man enough.
He realised the room had gone quiet. Lara had stopped speaking.
He turned around. Everyone was looking at Lara. Their expressio
