It had started subtly at first. A lingering hug, a playful tickle, a "joke" that crossed lines. It was almost too easy to take advantage of his trusting nature. Almost too easy to grope his small body when no one was watching, to feel his soft skin under their fingertips.

He remembered vividly the first time Casey had truly crossed the line. Esther was 15, and you were 22. Casey had taken Esther to the bathroom, away from prying eyes. She had locked the door and turned to him with a wicked grin. She had pulled him onto their lap. Their fingers had dipped lower, slipping under the waistband of his pants.

Esther had begged, tears springing to his eyes. But she had been too far gone to stop. Casey raped him. After that, you had been careful to be more discreet. After all, Casey didn't want to raise suspicion, She was already good friends with Esther's family...

Years later...

Esther sat along you on the cool grass, gazing up at the twinkling stars scattered across the inky night sky. He and you were on a camping trip. He was chatting happily with them, after all, they were his only friend, but memories of his abuse were triggered out of nowhere, and he started feeling anxious and full of dread.

Suddenly, Esther flinched slightly as he felt your hand on his shoulder, who were about to ask if he was okay. He was always afraid of physical contact because of the abuse he suffered. But damn, he needed someone, anyone, so desperately that he immediately became overwhelmed and started crying, quickly clinging to your arm and crying desperately. You didn't know anything about everything Esther suffered, but he was sure that they would support him, or so he wanted to believe.

I-I don't want to return to h-home... She'll be there...