I think this is the biggest wish as well as the greatest nightmare of any victim: see him or her assaulter(s) punished for what they did. It happens too few.

You brought across the myriad of emotions raging in Laura well. This feeling as if everyone is staring at her and knows and judges her for it. The realization: now time has come, I must face them again, the paralyzing fear when she does. She is second-guessing her decision, but at the same wants to get rid of it. But she senses she's totally alone, even the prosecutor having betrayed her now showing her true face when before she was nice and understanding. That contributes to her mental inhibition.

That the prosecutor can't coo and hold her hand but must make her point calm and objectively doesn't occur to her and it's understandable. Laura's emotional "crutch", her protector and fighter becomes the judge who treats her so fatherly, who senses that it's unspeakable for her to relive the greatest trauma of her life, seemingly has great experience with this delicate issue.

It's only too understandable that Laura wants to get it out as quickly as she can... like ripping off a band-aid. But in real life there's no short and painless. She despairs about and hates the prosecutor for lengthening her ordeal, but it is of course necessary so the jury gets an idea about what really occurred and the greatest amount of evidence to reach a fair decision in the end.

What Laura tells was familiar and hard to read. It scrolled down like a film before my inner eye and left me sick. Yeah, it's my own fault because I read this although I should know better by now, but it's also a compliment to you that you can create words and images that cause the sickness and involvement.

The defender used the oldest, yet also most shabby trick in the sense of his clients: denounce the victim. Of course the woman asked for it because she clad like a hooker. Laura pulls this tooth impressively. This provocation is what finally makes her really stand up for herself, even more than agreeing to testify and the whole drama before. She hasn't gone through all this for that.

I once felt this change, too. It is hard to grasp and put into words, but it is there. Although that's too little to really describe it feels like the shackles tying you to "it" falling off, finally make it possible to move on. You conveyed it well.

There were a few little things, no grammar or misspelling, but rather word choice and such.

Someone intending to rape someone else don't walk their victim anywhere. Expecting defense and having to get him or her away from others quickly, they drag, push or pull them into a room or wherever they consider it safe enough for the deed. You walk people to their table in the restaurant or a bride down the aisle. See?

The paper towel. It doesn't dry in one's mouth but soakes with saliva and turns into a disgusting mash you could easily spit out.

Also I don't think that someone testifying before a court wouldn't use any degoratory language - like a** - except they repeat what the attacker said. I think prosecutors take care of it that the witness so their image for jury doesn't suffer.

The psychologist. A well-trained, experienced professional (not necessarily a specialized trauma psych) would NEVER treat a rape victim like that. They'd be aware of the dynamics behind the crime and know that it was the attacker who chose the victim and that the victim didn't want it.

I'd be pleased if you'd take a look at my port, too. Specifically I'm seeking reviews on the piece I refer to in my handle (it's in my "highlights"). It's the introduction to a new character, the MMC of my newest story "BOUND " .

My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Go Noticed" .

** Image ID #1533819 Unavailable **