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Chapter 23: Evil
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2022-09-30 02:53:39Related chapters
Bone Thin Chapter 24: Tiger
Chad gets off me. The world is wicked. I'm exhausted, cold, and frozen in time. What just happened? Did I freeze? Is this a dream? You should have run, you idiot.I hear footsteps downstairs."Natalie? Are you here?" Collin yells.My voice is trapped inside. I can't speak. I can't say a damn word.Chad grabs my hair and forces me to look into his steely eyes."It's your boyfriend. Let's go greet the bastard," Chad smirks.My jaw quivers. My body quakes. I. Am. Nothing."Hello, Collin. Remember me?" Chad taunts Collin."Chad, let Natalie go," Collin demands as he makes his way up the stairs.I sense a confrontation. I'm not worth it, Collin."Go away, Collin," I whisper."You heard the bitch. It's time for you to leave. Natalie and I have some unfinished business," Chad says, pulling my hair harder."Let her go, Chad," Collin threatens."Is that a threat? From four-eyed Abernathy?" Chad taunts again."Last warning, Chad," Collin says, not backing down."You want her, come and get her,"
Last Updated : 2022-09-30Bone Thin Chapter 25: My Boyfriend
Two weeks have gone by since the Chad incident. I don't talk about it. I think about it. Relive it. Remember it. I bite myself. I purge. I want to stop purging.Aunt Tara is concerned. I don't blame her. I'm not me. Aunt Tara has delayed the start of my eating disorder recovery program. School is over. Aunt Tara got me out of homework. I only had to attend class. I didn't have to do finals.My parents cried when they found out. They came together again for another Natalie Ashman drama.Sammy cried. She hugged me. We had a girl's night and ate chocolate. It helped her feel better. It didn't help me.I haven't told Selah. I like having someone think I'm not tainted. I haven't called Collin. He understands I need my space.The eating disorder recovery program will begin after my trip to Italy. We are still going. My Aunt Tara explained my situation. She still has guardianship of me.She's traded bedrooms with me. I can't stay in my old room and see the spot where the great incident took
Last Updated : 2022-09-30Bone Thin Chapter 26: Ally
I haven't seen Selah in ages. She always finds out about my drama last. That's not fair to her. But it's reality. Reality is a bitch.Collin has been with me at my aunt's house for a while. Sammy gets home from the Penna Bakery. I haven't worked there in a month. I don't miss the smell of purge donuts, dirty dishes, and a sweaty Mrs. Penna. That lady needed deodorant badly. Chickens must have raised her.Aunt Tara met with Mrs. Penna and my parents and discussed the great incident. Mrs. Penna is giving me the summer off. I'm glad she's understanding. I hope to be a better employee when school picks up again. I can't seem to focus on anything for too long."Want to go to the Tavern?" Collin asks."Sure, sounds fun. I belong in the dark ages anyway," I reply."I can make you a smoothie," he offers."No, the black plague coffee will do fine," I say."Great, let's go," he says.The clouds are hiding the sun. The sun doesn't like my town. It disappears in winter and plays hide and seek in
Last Updated : 2022-09-30Bone Thin Chapter 27: Out of Trenches
Italy is two days away. I never thought I'd make it to Europe. Europe was for those other people. Those rich people, I wasn't lucky enough to be.Aunt Tara has paid for me to go. Collin's family is rich by nature. The Abernathy's own three taverns in town and a hotel. Not sure what their income is, better than most, I'm sure.The Abernathy's have an apartment above the tavern I go to. They also have a house. It's the house Collin took me to to roast s'mores. He really is out of my league.I'm glad I don't have to worry about school and homework. Thank God, it's summer. I can focus on the brightness of the sunshine—the freedom its warmth brings to earth.I don't have to worry about the Penna Bakery. Thank heaven, I don't have to work over the summer.I'm not looking forward to therapy. Not only do I need therapy for my eating disorders, but now I have to get cleansed from the great incident. Chad damaged me, and adults want to fix me with their useless chatter.Not enough therapy in th
Last Updated : 2022-09-30Bone Thin Chapter 28: Welcome to Rome
The plane smells like vomit. We have almost landed. Luckily, it wasn't Collin's vomit or mine. I didn't eat the plane food. I brought squeezy apple sauce for myself. I'm like a preschool kid at snack time.The plane lifts its wheels. I feel the bump of the plane hit the runway. Welcome to Rome!I don't know Italian. My Aunt Tara has a basic Italian language book. It has simple phrases for shopping and eating inside."We made it," Collin exclaims."Yes, we did. I'm so excited," I say.Maybe I can become a new person overseas. The old tainted me can die, and I can become anyone I want. I can be anything I choose to be. Italy doesn't know Natalie Ashman. Let's keep it that way. I can just be Natalie, girlfriend of Collin."We made it, darling," Aunt Tara says.I'm excited to be here with my aunt. No therapy. No homework. No chores. No parents. Just summer vibes, no obligations, and relaxation."Natalie, I'm glad you're here. You too, Collin," Selah says."Thanks," Collin says.We get off
Last Updated : 2022-10-01Bone Thin Chapter 29: The Labyrinth
"Chad assaulted you?" Selah repeats.I can't believe my best friend had to find out like this."Selah...I didn't want to tell you like this," I say.I want to cry. I want to fall into a hole. Is it possible to disappear or die of embarrassment? Quite sure it is."Why didn't you tell me? I'm your best friend. Where the hell was I? All this bad shit keeps happening to you. Do you not like me anymore? First, you don't tell me about Collin. Then I find out you're dating. Then I'm the last to hear about your cave incident with Chad. And now you've been assaulted. Are you fucking kidding me? Why don't you like me anymore, Natalie? Why don't you want to tell me about your life anymore? Do you hate me this much? Does Collin know?" Selah asks."I was there," Collin says."You were there. What the fuck? And you let it happen? Go fucking figure," Selah says angrily."That's not how it happened. My aunt left her house, and Chad broke in. Chad took advantage of the situation. I was lucky Collin sh
Last Updated : 2022-10-01Bone Thin Chapter 30: Venice Day
Three days pass. Selah and Collin are becoming better friends. Italy is a country full of everything wonderful America won't have. Exotic food, ancient culture, and the cuisine that will make your mouth water. Even the pigeons are sexier. Today is going to be the best day. Today, we get to explore the wonders of Venice, Italy.My abuse is running rampant in the back of my mind. Pushing it down makes this trip less magical. Talking about it makes this trip miserable. Will I ever be me? Will I ever go on and face the days of my life as I once did?Venice is the city of theater masks. The city of aquatic roads. I want to hide behind a theatre mask and become the Phantom of the Opera. That would be the life. No one would abuse me then.We walk through the city. Pigeons chase us and peck at my head."Shoo, asshole, " I shout to the pigeon.A bird shits on my sundress. Lovely."Perfect. Fucking great, " I say."Oh, don't sweat it, Natalie. We can find you a new one in the market. You can ch
Last Updated : 2022-10-01Bone Thin Chapter 31: Purging Sucks
It's 5:38 am. I turn over and see Collin asleep next to me. I'm still naked. Woah, that wasn't a dream. I had sex with Collin. I HAD...SEX... WITH...COLLIN!!"Are you okay, Nat?" Collin says, half asleep."I'm fine. I think I'm going to shower and leave. I don't want Aunt Tara to worry, " I say."Wait, don't leave. Stay for 30 more minutes, " he begs."Alright, but then I'm leaving. My Aunt would freak out about us having sex. And thanks...for being gentle, " I say."Anything for you. I love you. And hey, no pressure on having sex again. I can wait, " Collin says."How can you be so polite all the time?""What do you mean?" He asks."You never expect anything from me, " I reply."I don't own you. Besides, I respect you. Love isn't real without respect. That's what dad used to say anyway, " Collins says."I guess. Well, I appreciate it-more than you know. Not to bring him up, but Chad was never like that. That's what I like about you.""I love you too, Natalie. I'm going to keep tellin
Last Updated : 2022-10-01
Latest chapter
Bone Thin Chapter 40: Open Door
"Natalie, what are you doing?" Aunt Tara sees me on the scale. I feel sheepish for standing on one. I know she admires me for it. It's an accomplishment, and we both know it."I've gained three pounds, Aunt Tara. It's been a long road. I'm ready to be healthy again. I'm ready to feel good about myself."Aunt Tara looks at me. She hands me a bowl of oatmeal. This is the test. I used to put it down the garbage disposal. I take the bowl and eat it slowly. It takes me 30 minutes to eat it all. But I did it. "I'm proud of you. I know that wasn't easy. But you are happier. How are you dealing with your other issue?"My other mountain to climb is my rape. Aunt Tara has a hard time saying those words to me. I have a hard time hearing them. Hearing them means it was real, that it wasn't all in my head."I don't know. I feel like I keep blocking it out. I don't want to ruin Collin and me. I know we were playing with fire when we had sex in Italy. I know I wasn't ready then. I just needed to be
Bone Thin Chapter 39: Butterfly Wings
A month goes by. I still haven't forgiven Mrs. Moore. I've needed space to heal. I've needed alone time. Collin has given me space. He takes me to therapy, the beach, and the tavern.Maria Byrd is still an ally for now. We talk about eating. We talk about Mrs. Moore. We talk about movies. It's hard to wrap my mind around all these people in my life. They are beautifully broken people. We are a community of broken puzzles, coming together to make our community picture whole. Imperfection is a beautiful thing.I get on the scale. 113. I'm gaining my weight back. I count calories like a drug addict. It's fucked up thinking. I'm obsessed with the numbers behind food. I'm scared of purging. The toilet used to be my temple. Now my eyes are focused on healing. If I don't heal now, I never will.This year has taught me to trust myself, to make friends, and to love again. Meeting Collin wasn't for nothing. He balanced my inner ying-yang with his peaceful heart. It's taken me to heaven and back
Bone Thin Chapter 38: Puzzle Piece
"How was your session?" Aunt Tara asks."Better than I expected. Where's Sammy?"Aunt Tara points toward the hallway door. I open it. Sammy appears along with Selah and Collin. "Selah, you're here?" I say while hugging her."I'm here. It's good to see you. Sorry, we haven't spoken since Italy. I told my mom everything in detail about Chad, the breakup, Collin, and your therapy. She's sorry. I think you need to hear that from her."Mrs. Moore walks toward me. She looks down, ashamed to admit she was in the wrong. I'm not sure I want her to be here. But I will be the better person. The world has called me to be the bigger person. I can be that for Selah."Hello, Mrs. Moore. How was your return journey?""It was awkward. I felt awful for saying all those harsh words to you. Of course, you need Selah right now. I know I'm not a gentlewoman. I have never been. But I will try better to understand whatever it is you're going through. I'm sorry I took Selah away from you. Will you forgive me
Bone Thin Chapter 37: Ursula
Two weeks pass. Selah still hasn't said a word to me. I can't believe it. Her mother defeated her-no fair. I'm over the summer. It's been nice going with Collin to pools and beaches. But I'm ready for fall. I'm ready for the chilly air, pumpkin carvings, and apple cider.School is around the corner. I wish Collin weren't homeschooled. He could protect me in the halls. I know Selah will talk to me at school. She's probably waiting for the death of summer to rekindle our friendship. Her mother was a terrible bitch. It's not her fault.I touch the half-heart necklace. It reminds me of Selah. Wow, my birthday was shit this year. Collin and Aunt Tara took me horseback riding as promised. But without Selah, it was hopeless.My sister is glad to see me head back to school. I've been riding Carmel a lot lately. My beautiful horse takes me to all the hidden trails. I forgot about most of them.I'll be starting therapy soon. I am not looking forward to that at all. I don't want to face my ghost
Bone Thin Chapter 36: The Witching Hour
Jet lag is the single most terrible feeling on earth. It's like experiencing 18 daylight savings changes all at once. Being drunk is more fun. It's 3 am. How on earth did I nap this long?Sammy is still in the room. I'm glad she's here. I know what they say about 3 am.They call it the witching hour—the hour of ghosts and ghouls. I know ghosts are real.Mine lives upstairs in the untouchable room, my room. His name is Chad Jefferson. His physical body is in prison, but his spirit dwells within those walls.I never want to open that door again. No amount of therapy will ever make me.When one door closes, another door opens. I don't know if I believe that overly used phrase. What if my life is a hallway with millions of doors, and they are all locked? Where is the key?The door on my time with Chad has closed. I'm in a hallway, waiting for the next door to open. The next window cracked open will invite me in. Dating Collin was by chance. The door was ajar that day. It was never fully o
Bone Thin Chapter 35: Ghosts
I arrive at the airport. Sammy greets me. It's so good to see my big sister again. I almost forgot I had one. With all the drama that Italy was, I forgot other people liked me."I'm sorry your trip had to end so quickly, " Sammy says."I'm not. I'll tell you later. Bottom line..." Aunt Tara cuts me off."That Moore woman is a bitch, " Aunt Tara says."Go, Aunt Tara, " Collin says."COLLIN, " Aunt Tara barks.Collin blushes and retreats into his hoodie like a turtle going into its shell."What happened?" Sammy says."Let's just say Mrs. Moore has no compassion for anyone whatsoever. She thinks I'm a problem, and now she doesn't want Selah and me to be friends anymore. Fuck her, " I shout for the entire airport to hear."Are you ready to go home?" Sammy asks while handing all of us Starbucks."Thanks for the coffee, darling. And yes, get us out of here, please, " Aunt Tara says.We are silent in the car. We are exhausted and ready to get on with life. Today would have been another Itali
Bone Thin Chapter 34: Best Friends
My Aunt Tara changes our plane tickets. Most people would be upset to cut a trip short. I'm not like most people. I'm Natalie Ashman, and the world likes me to keep spinning. I take out a piece of Italian gum. Chewing calms my nerves. Chomp...chomp...chomp. This gum loses its flavor too fast, damn it.I repack my suitcase in Aunt Tara's room. This is fucked up. Mrs. Moore should be leaving, not us. I know she's from Italy, why can't she go be with her brother Mario and leave us alone?I'll never see Selah again. Even after hearing my god-awful truth, Mrs. Moore still hates me. What if I were your daughter Mrs. Moore? Would you care then? Probably not.I sit on the bed and spit the gum into a nearby trash can. This is bullshit—all of this. I love Selah. I know I'm not perfect, and perfect is not me. I'm okay with that. I need Selah, now more than ever. And now I will...never...see...her...again.I cry. My hands make fists on my lap. Aunt Tara comes out of the bathroom."Oh sweet, Natal
Bone Thin Chapter 33: Forever Sucks
Fighting with Selah is not how I imagined our trip to Italy would be. I've changed since we made our plans. I dated Chad back then. Since then, I've fallen for Collin, fought anorexia, and found out my parents are divorcing. As selfish as this sounds, I don't have time for friends. I want to focus on getting me right. If I'm not me, I can't be a good friend.I know having sex with Collin is playing with fire. The ghosts of my rape will find me and take me captive. I'm ignoring the sirens. Sirens are dangerous creatures that consumed the Greeks with their vocal lies.My life is a web—an intricate entanglement of the choices I have been forced to weave. I've created a web and have pinned Selah in the middle of my problems. I'm the hungry spider that feeds on the fly that she is. When my web breaks, I spin another barrier.... another lie. I wrap Selah around and around like a mummy for later consumption.These are the ways of spiders, and as for myself, I've become a black widow. If you
Bone Thin Chapter 32: Busted
My Aunt Tara looks angry. She has every right to be concerned. I'm such an idiot for coming back into Collin's room. I'm not sure what compelled me to come in here again. Other than Selah's stupid shower habits cock blocking my purging ones."Out with it, Natalie?" Aunt Tara barks."She didn't do anything. It was my fault. I hurt myself and called Natalie's hotel room for help. She came. I'm fine. I fell down in the bathroom, " Collin lies.I didn't know Collin could lie. He's so innocent. Maybe he's more complex than I thought. Collin Abernathy, you have just gotten sexier."Is that all, Nat?" Aunt Tara asks."Well, yeah. That's it. We thought you would be mad at me for helping him out.""No, why would I be mad about that?" She asks, raising an eyebrow."Well, this isn't my room, " I point out.Collin smacks the middle of his forehead with his palm. His skin turns pink from the self-inflicted slap. I shut up. God, I talk too much. This is Aunt Tara, the woman who knows I smoke cigare
