My Sister Threatened To Have Me Kicked Out If I Didn’t Leave Her Room…

A Midnight Threat

He was worried about my absences but seemed okay with my plan to catch up. Sarah texted me as I left his office. “Someone’s knocking on the door”

“Not answering immediately” Texted back. “Good keep it closed on my way.”

My pulse raced as I rushed across campus. Had they discovered us?

How? The dorm hallway was deserted when I arrived.

I opened the door and saw Sarah pallid on the bed. “They knocked for like 5 minutes” Said, then they slipped this under the door.

I unfolded the folded paper fearing the worst and it was from the RA. “Mandatory floor meeting tonight at 8:00”

Unknowingly I exhaled. “It’s dorm stuff no worries”

Sarah nodded but seemed worried. “I thought it was them I believed they found me”

I joined her on the bed. “A student ID is required to pass the front desk even if they know my dorm you’re safe”

I knew she rested on my shoulder. “My fear persists”

I knew that emotion well since I’d lived in terror of my parents’ next punishment for years. I attended the floor meeting that evening while Sarah kept locked in the room.

It was just the normal dorm announcements about quiet hours planned activities and a recent burglary. Nothing essential.

Sarah was on the phone with Aunt Jessica about moving to Colorado when I returned. They discussed local schools activities Sarah would like and other topics.

It was good to hear Sarah sound enthused about the future. After she hung up I caught up on homework while Sarah organized her evidence.

I got an SMS from an unknown number almost midnight. “I know where you are both this concludes”

I gazed at the message my blood freezing. Only Jon would send anything like that.

Sarah blanched as I showed it. “He got your new number how he knows where we are how”

Shaking my head I tried to think. “He’s faking he must be he couldn’t know which dorm we’re in”

But I wasn’t sure as I said it. Jon was always adept at manipulating us.

What if he traced Sarah’s phone? He may have been searching the school for us.

“We need to leave,” Sarah replied taking her backpack. “Right now?”

“Wait,” I murmured attempting to relax. “Let’s think if we panic and run we may be in danger this dorm is secure not just anybody can take you”

Standing Ground

Sarah wasn’t persuaded. “What if cops are called what if they report me missing and cops search”

She had a point. If the cops got involved things would become messy fast.

“Okay” I responded. “Call David from legal aid see his advice”

It was late but it was an emergency. Thankfully David answered.

I carefully explained. David began, “Don’t answer the text if it’s your dad engaging merely confirms location”

“What if he knows where we are” Sarah asks.

“Even if he did” David said. “He can’t legally compel Sarah to go without police show the police your proof if they become involved the abuse threats everything”

“But I don’t want to talk to the police” Sarah objected.

David answered, “I understand but I’ll be there with you if necessary you won’t confront them alone”

After hanging up Sarah calmed down. “So we stay put”

I nodded. “But let’s be ready”

We spent the next hour assembling our most crucial documents and proof, making sure everything was easily accessible if we needed to leave fast. In the morning, no more threatening messages or unannounced guests.

Maybe Jon was kidding after all. But as I got ready for class, my phone called an unknown number.

I paused then answered. My stomach fell as Jon said, “Hello Emily I’m on campus we must discuss.”

I informed Sarah. “On campus” “He’s here.”

And hung up. I held Sarah’s shoulders as she hyperventilated.

“Our building is unknown to him dorm’s number in the dozens we’re okay”

Nodding to regulate her respiration. “We do what”

“I’ll call Lily and ask to stay at her apartment for a few days” I thought immediately.

Run to Safety

When I phoned Lily immediately agreed. She lived off-campus in a small apartment with her roommate Sophie.

It wasn’t ideal but it would be safer than the dorm if Jon was searching the school. We packed only the essentials and our evidence and waited until most students were in class to make a run for it.

We made it to Lily’s apartment without incident. She and Sophie were in class but Lily had left a key under the mat as promised.

After locking the door we sank on the couch tired from tension. “Will they arrest him?” Sarah abruptly asked.

Shrugged unsure. “Maybe”

We jumped at every sound outside at Lily’s all day. When she returned home from class she saw our faces and realized something was wrong.

“Okay,” She whispered between us. “I think it’s time you told me what’s really going on.”

We explained. Not everything but enough for her to understand why we were hiding.

Lily listened without interrupting her face growing more frightened with each revelation. She said, “Jesus,” after we finished.

“Of course you can stay here as long as you need and if anyone comes looking for you I’ve never seen you in my life.”

Her instant support made me cry. “Thank you”

We sat up late chatting that night feeling uncomfortable but glad to share our experiences. Lily and Sophie were kind and helpful providing practical advice and emotional support.

For the first time in weeks I felt that Aunt Jessica David Lily and Sophie may support us against our parents. David called the next morning.

The Arrest

“Your father was detained his company’s report and your evidence were used by the police”

I glanced at Sarah in disbelief. “Arrested really”

“Yes” David said. “Multiple counts including child sexual assault the bail hearing is tomorrow”

“What does that imply for us” Sarah asks.

“There’s an official police inquiry so your father can’t get near you a temporary restraining order is automatic”

Sarah cried after hanging up. “It’s unbelievable I feared no one would trust us”

I grabbed her tightly. “People believe us and Jon will pay for his actions”

David called the next day concerning Jon’s bail hearing. “The court ordered bail at $200,000 your mother is collecting the money but it may take a while”

“He’s still jailed” Sarah inquired hopeful.

“For now sure” David said. “The restraining order remains even if he makes bond he can’t approach you”

That was comforting. I still didn’t trust Jon to obey court instructions.

Sarah didn’t either as she checked the locks many times before bed. Jon was in jail for a week unable to post bail.

Rachel had been phoning family for loans but few were willing. Sarah’s emancipation hearing was in a week and David was certain it would be granted especially given Jon’s criminal accusations.

A Mother’s Performance

Once approved Sarah could legally go to Colorado with Aunt Jessica. Things were looking good but then the next blow came.

I received an SMS from Sarah in class. “Rachel is outside the dorm crying and causing trouble”

Despite my professor’s confusion I gathered my stuff and rushed across campus praying Sarah had shut the door. I arrived at the dorm to find a small throng outside.

My mother was in the center crying about her ill daughter who needed to come home. Campus security was attempting to calm her down.

I pushed through the crowd furious. “Why are you here?”

Rachel turned to me her expression instantly changing from distress to manipulation. “Thank God Emily help me get your sister her health is poor she must return home so I can care for her.”

She performed well but I knew better. “Sarah has a restraining order against you,” I said. “You’re not supposed to be anywhere near her.”

Rachel’s face stiffened briefly before tears returned. “It’s a misunderstanding dad never injured anyone Sarah is confused and lying”

“Stop it” I spoke out. “Everyone now knows the truth in prison John no more”

We were separated by campus security. “Ma’am we’re going to have to ask you to leave university property” A cop told Rachel.

“If you have a restraining order against you being here could result in your arrest”

Rachel told me, “This isn’t over” before letting security take her away.

I ran to the dorm room where Sarah was shivering on my bed. “Is she gone” she inquired when I entered.

“Yeah security took her away”

At her side I said, “Are you okay?”

I could see she was shaken as she nodded. “She screamed my name saying I needed to come home and was sick and confused”