Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 33

***TRIGGER WARNING- drugging mentions***

Rolling over, Sara reached her arm out next to her. She felt a cold spot where Damien had been. Opening her eyes and sitting up, she saw a note.

S-
Don't forget what you are to do today. You didn't put enough in there last week, make sure you give enough this time. I'll be waiting for you.
-D

Sara smiled, thinking of Damien and what they will eventually accomplish. AJ is going to be so fixated on his sick wife that he won't be able to make musicals. All he'll focus on is Gwen.

Sara got a shower and got dressed. She sent a text to Nate saying she would be over in a bit with cocoa and coffee for all of them.

Remembering their argument the day after Gwen felt sick at the restaurant, she knew she had to make every move precise.

Hearing a knock at her door, she answered it. "Nate. I wasn't expecting you today. Come on in."

Nate stepped inside.

"Can I get you anything?" Sara asked as Nate stood in the living room.

"No, thank you."

Sara stood in front of him.

"Sara, I'm concerned with what has been going on. Lately, Gwen has been getting sick any time you've been around." Nate was trying not to accuse, but a lot was stacking up against Sara.

"So you think it's my fault? You can't prove anything! I have been nothing but nice to the both of them! I've brought over soup, I've made dinner, I've even stayed away at your request! How can you blame me?"

"I don't know what else to think! Gwen has never had any issues before with anything she'd eaten. She only had water at the restaurant before she felt sick. AJ said Gwen told him her water tasted off. You were alone at the table. Did anything happen to her water?"

"What exactly are you accusing me of, Nate? Drugging her? How could I possibly have done that? She only felt nauseous! Maybe she wasn't fully recovered! Maybe there's another issue going on with her, but don't blame me!"

Nate took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. There could be other explanations.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I am very protective of both of them. AJ is like my brother and Gwen is like my sister. I don't ever want anything happening to them. Gwen has already been drugged by a so-called friend of yours, so you can see where I would be cautious."

"I told you, I don't talk to Damien anymore. Not after he did that to her. I couldn't believe he would stoop so low as to try to drug her. I don't even know the purpose of it. She's married. She is very much in love with her husband. She never would be interested in him at all. I even told him that when she started his class and he told me all about her."

Nate closed his eyes and sighed again. "I am sorry for getting upset with you." He pulled her into a hug. "I want to be able to trust my girlfriend and her friends. I am glad you don't talk to him anymore. Who knows what he could have done to you."

"It's okay, Nate. Nothing has happened to me. Nothing will." She looked up to him and kissed him.

"I'd better go. I have to finish editing. I'll call you later. I'll let you know how Gwen is feeling." Nate turned and went out the door.

Sara called Damien after she received the drinks.

"You know what to do. Empty half of the container into her drink. She will feel nauseous, so you leave shortly after that."

"I know, Darling." She pulled in front of Nate's house.

"Okay, I'm here."

"Okay, so pour it in."

Sara's hands were shaky. "Crap! I dropped it!"

"Well, just get it out."

"But what if I put too much in?"

"Just give it to her, Sara. It isn't hard."

"But-"

"AJ cares for her too much to let anything happen to her. She'll be fine."

Sara sighed and fished the small container out. "I'd better go. I'll call you later." Sara hung up the phone without waiting on a response.

Taking a deep breath, she exited the car with the drinks.

Turning her key in the lock, she plasters on a smile and enters.

Nate was coming down the stairs. "Hi." He walked over to her and gave her a kiss as he took the drinks from her.

"Hi." She looked around. "Are AJ and Gwen joining us?"

"Yeah, they'll be down momentarily. They were up working late this morning.

They headed to the living room and set the drinks on the table. Nate had already made some pancakes and bacon for all of them.

AJ and Gwen came downstairs. Sara smiled at them and grabbed their drinks. "Hot cocoa for you guys, and coffee for Nate and me."

Gwen looked at AJ, then to Nate. Nate nodded, saying it was okay. Gwen drank the cocoa and thought it tasted off. "What umm, what flavor is this?"

"It's a new flavor, for a limited time. I can't remember what it's called. I thought you might like it. I didn't get the same for you, AJ, cause I didn't know if you'd like it or not."

Gwen drank more of her hot cocoa. "I actually wanted to finish up the dress I was working on, so I'll eat in a bit. You guys start without me." Gwen walked into the den and sat down. She grabbed a water bottle she had on her desk and drank some water. The cocoa had a strange taste, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Pulling out the fabric she had been working on, she pinned up a side seam. Finishing off the cocoa as not to offend Sara, she then threw the cup away. Sighing, she finished pinning the seam and then pulled her machine towards her.

Twenty minutes later, AJ came in to check on her. She was so engrossed in her work, she did not realize how much time had passed. "Sorry, Baby, I lost track of time. I'll be in there—" her face grew pale, and she rushed to the bathroom.

AJ's heart broke for his wife. She just couldn't catch a break. She seemed to be getting sick a lot lately.

"Gwen, Honey are you alright?" AJ softly knocked on the door and opened it up when he heard her groan in pain.

Gwen looks up at him, miserable. "Baby... it hurts..." Tears were streaming down her cheeks and a bit of blood was dribbling from her lip.

"Oh crap! Gwen! Nate, get me my phone!"

Nate grabbed AJ's phone, and he and Sara rushed in to see what was going on.

Sara looked at Gwen with wide eyes and was panic stricken. Blood. There's blood. What have I done?

"I uh— I..." Sara stammered, staring at Gwen.

Nate, seeing AJ comforting his wife, called for the ambulance. "Yes, I need an ambulance at 1329 Prescott Street. Female, 33, vomiting blood." Nate continued speaking with dispatch to advise any other information.

AJ was sitting down with Gwen, holding her. "It's going to be okay, my love. We'll get through all this." He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

Sara slowly backed away, grabbed her purse and left the house while everyone else was preoccupied with Gwen.

What have I done? She's vomiting blood! What is going to happen? Is she going to die? I don't want her to die! What have I done?!?