Our Collective Life. JD Kennedy

all that has happened with Jo and now her fracturing again, is it any wonder the whole Collective is in a state of unrest? It is no surprise that some quieter members needed the opportunity to at least venture out front within the confines of a safe environment.”

      Sam was quiet for once. Trudi did make sense, but Sam was still seething inside. She saw that her yelling had summoned Demise to the room and she was standing, ready to intervene if necessary. “Fuck off, Demise,” Sam said, the only member who would have the courage to say that to her. Demise looked at her, then looked at Trudi, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. Demise shrugged and left once more, without saying a word.

      Danielle

      Dani was surprised to find herself with the doctor. She had been before, but only stayed for a few moments – often not even long enough for him to know she was there. She never spoke to him, she was too scared of men. Jodie and Josephine said he was all right, and Di even said he was not like any other man they had known and he would never try anything. But she still remembered what happened, still remembered what men did.

      She shook her head, trying to stop the memories.

       This is our secret, isn’t it?

      She was trying to pay attention to what was happening, listening to the doctor, watching him to make sure he didn’t try and grab her. But she couldn’t focus, her head was swimming with memories, the-man-with-the-red-shirt, laughing, undoing his belt.

      Stop, stop, stop, she told herself. She felt like she was drowning in the memories, unable to breathe.

      She heard the doctor’s gentle voice, saying her name. She looked up alarmed, how did he know? How did he know her name?

      Not safe, not safe, she thought, before she mercifully slipped back within.