[Nicole]
"There was no later, Nicole. She died after a few hours." Leonard said in a sad voice, and my right hand flew to my mouth in shock.
Leonard had hesitated in telling me the complete story for fear that I would judge. It was a horrible horrible thing they did to the girl, Leonard's friends, but what they did to Leonard was just as bad. I could not bring myself to judge him, not after the trauma that single experience had put him through all his life.
"What happened after?" I asked, looking at him, but he looked away. He was embarrassed and so avoided my gaze.