When I was around 7 or 8, my family and I were visting with my grandparents for Christmas. Usually, during family gatherings like this, my cousins and I would round up in the playroom at their house, leaving the adults to their own devices until it was time to eat.
In that room, me and two of my cousins, who we'll call K and Z, were playing a game together on an old Nintendo 64 model. After a while, K left, saying that she needed to use the bathroom. She never comes back, so that leaves just Z and I.
Z is around 12-13 at the time. After a long game, he sets his controller down on the floor. I look over at him and ask him if he's done. He nods, and then proceeds to tell me that he wants to show me something. So, I say okay and lean in to see whatever it is when he pulls his phone out of his pocket.
To explain it vaguely, I watch him search up something he definitely shouldn't be searching, especially in front of me. But I say nothing. I was unaware of the fact that it was something he shouldn't be searching. I'm 7.
I'm sure you can guess what said thing he was searching was.
He pulls up a site. I see a flash of what's on there, and I'm immediately concerned. I still don't say anything. He taps on a video and puts the phone up to my face for me to see.
The next few minutes, I do nothing but stare with confusion and somewhat fear. The sounds of it are horrendous and loud. I don't know how anybody didn't hear it. While it was playing, I just sat there, frozen, unsure of what Z would do to me if I tried to leave or call out to an adult.
After the video is done, Z grins at me, pockets his phone, and just leaves.
I never told anyone, and still haven't. I still see him on holidays. He's like 21-22 now. He's married and now has a baby. And I have to admit that I'm sort of concerned for the child.
I often wonder if he even remembers doing that, and if he does, if he ever thinks about it or is ashamed that he did it when he still faces me nowadays.
