I realised that my computer was my getaway.

I couldn’t talk to anyone in person. I wasn’t exactly extroverted to begin with. The online community provided a median to which I could let go of some of the anguish inside me. It allowed me to express my emotions and helped me gain a free flowing shower of help and info which helped me deal with what happened.

I realised it wasn’t my fault.

This might seem silly, but that realisation was the major contribution to being able to feel slightly like a – ahem – normal human being. Or at least, as normal as I was before.

I realised that my life would be split.

Before and after. Before I was a child, innocent, naive, a part of a different community. After I was part of an adult, cold, corporate world. After I was more aware of the world surrounding and the dangers lurking in every corner.

I realised I could carry on.