Silencing Mary

A college student and reporter for the college newspaper who drives the investigation into the rape case and the hacking scandal. She shows relentless determination, balancing journalistic integrity with personal risk as she challenges the campus power structure. Her pursuit of truth places her at odds with administrators who prefer a quiet cover-up over a public reckoning.

Mary’s best friend who becomes entangled in the hackers’ circle and is a survivor of sexual assault. She grapples with fear, memory, and the impact of the university’s failing response. Her experiences heighten Mary’s resolve to expose the truth and push the story forward.

A quarterback who is accused of raping Holly and becomes a focal point of the investigation. He maintains that Holly invited him and that he turned her down, raising questions about motive, consent, and the reliability of testimonies. His case illustrates how power and status can influence perceptions of guilt and innocence.

Mary and Holly’s connection to the hacking episode; Billy is involved in the campus computer breach that targets a professor’s tests. He embodies the murkiness of online misconduct and how digital actions complicate real-life consequences. His role adds a layer of tension as the investigation widens to include cyber activity.

Mary’s boyfriend who becomes a victim of the campus’s hostile atmosphere, facing harassment from fellow athletes. His experience underscores the climate of intimidation that surrounds survivors and informants. David’s ordeal fuels Mary’s determination to continue seeking justice.

The professor whose computer is hacked to steal an upcoming test, triggering the initial wave of investigative attention. His situation highlights how academic pressures and technological misuse intersect within the campus world. His involvement anchors the legal and ethical questions central to the story.