Heaven, Hell, and Earth

Chapter 23

By the time Alastor came back with the other agents, Vaggie had calmed down and was able to leave Angel and go with Millie to get cleaned up. While that was getting done, Solomon spoke to the boys about what had happened.

"I don't know a thing." Alastor said. "I heard screaming, woke up, and saw Vaggie crying in Angel's arms."

"Then do you know what happened Angel?" Solomon asked him.

"Something scared her." He answered. "Not scared her, terrified her. When I came in there she was screaming and smashing her mirror. And she was ready to kill me but it was because she thought I was somebody else."

"Who?"

"I don't know. She didn't tell me but she kept rambling about somebody finding her. She just kept saying things like 'He found me.' And 'I thought I got away.' I don't know what the hell that means but it's obvious that it can't be good."

A worried look crossed Solomon's face.

"Solomon do you know something?" Alastor asked.

"I wouldn't say know exactly." Solomon said. "More like suspected."

"Suspected what?"

"I can't say. Not yet. I need to talk with her first."

"Is she going to be okay?" Angel asked.

"For now she'll be fine. She just had a fit. We'll talk more about it in the morning, for now you two just get some sleep."

"Can we see her before we go?" Alastor asked.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. You'll see her in the morning."

After Solomon dismissed them he requested a private meeting with Vaggie and he asked Millie to be present. He made certain that they were the only ones in his ooffice and that no one was close enough to hear them.

"I'm sorry about the trouble I caused sir." Vaggie said in a regretful tone. "Did I...Did I hurt Angel?"

"No he's fine. You're not in any trouble but I want to talk you about something."

"What is it?"

"Vaggie I know this is not going to be easy for you to discuss and I wouldn't insist on this if it wasn't for your own good. I know you're going to feel embarrassed and ashamed but you have no reason to be. Is that right Millie?"

"Yes." Millie said. "Honey we care about you and we want to help you and whatever you tell us, it won't change anything."

"What are you talking about?" Vaggie feigned ignorance, she knew where this was going.

"Vaggie I'm going to ask you a question and I want an honest answer. And I promise you that whatever you say, will not leave this room without your consent. But I have to know this before anything else happens."

Vaggie nodded. 

"For am oment he hesitated. He really didn't want to put her in this position, but her breakdown this evening was proof that this needed to be done. For her sake.

"Vaggie were you molested as a child?"

She couldn't answer at first. She could only stand there and tremble again.

"Vaggie I am familiar with the effects that child molestation has on an adult. When I served in the Vatican, we shelter many people, men and women, who had suffered from it. They would have flashbacks, panic attacks, they were usually triggered but nightmares or touch or if someone got into bed with them. Growing up, you exhibited all those symptoms. I never asked you about it because I didn't want to upset you and I hoped that someday you'd tell me on your own terms. But these fits can't go on, especially now that you're grown and Angel told me you mentioned someone finding you."