Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 36

***TRIGGER WARNING- drugging mentions***

The doctor knocked on the door and walked over to Gwen. "Okay, we have the results."

Gwen looked to her, and Dr. Mahdi saw the tears in her eyes. "Let me guess- zinc poisoning?"

"Why, yes. How did you know?"

"Let's just say I got a tip. Don't worry, we're going to contact the police as soon as we're out of here."

"Good. I was going to recommend that. Seeing as this is the second time here within the past month you've been drugged."

Gwen looked at AJ. She was scared.

Becca headed to the coffee shop. She took a deep breath and went inside.

When she got up to the counter, she ordered, then put her plan into action. "Excuse me, could I ask you a few questions?"

"What can I do for you?" Her name tag read "Natalie."

"Were you working here about four weeks ago this past Wednesday? A friend of mine had an incident, and I'm trying to see if anyone saw anything."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't," Natalie said. "But Dash was." She looked to a guy behind her.

"Actually, I am about to go on my break. I can talk to you at that table there." He pointed over to the back corner. "Give me about five minutes."

"Thank you." Becca waited for her drink, then sat down at the table Dash had indicated.

About five minutes later, Dash came over and sat with Becca.

"Hello. I'm Becca Carter." Becca reached out her hand.

"Hi. Dash Conceptionne. Nice to meet you." He took her outstretched hand and shook it.

"Now, a few weeks ago, a lady and a gentleman came in here around 8. Here is a picture of the woman." Becca showed a picture of Gwen to Dash.

"She was here with him for almost an hour, he grabbed her arm before she left. Yeah, I remember that creep. He's been in here a lot before too."

"Yes, that's them. Well, that night my friend got really sick and had to go to the hospital. The hospital said that she was drugged, most likely from him. Did you see him do anything?"

"I didn't see him do anything, but a blonde came in and stood by him, then left. I didn't think anything of it, but she was messing with the drink in front of her. I did see her pick the cup up, swirl it around, then put it back down, and she left almost as quick as she came. Then the other lady came out of the restroom and took a drink. She didn't say anything, so I just thought the blonde lady just swirled it around."

Becca pulled another picture up on her phone again. "Is this the blonde you saw?"

"That was her."

Becca was angry. However, she smiled at Dash. "I appreciate all this. Would you mind if I got your name and number? Like I said, the brunette was drugged and she filed a police report. However they may need to take your statement."

"Sure." Dash wrote down his name and number on a piece of paper and handed it to Becca.

"Thank you. I must go now." Becca stood up and turned around. Looking down, she was putting Dash's info in her purse, almost running into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you—" she looked at the person and saw who it was. It was the same creep that hit on her.

"You! Stay away from me or I'll call—"

"Your fake boyfriend? I don't think so. I know for a fact he's not involved with you. Now, you be quiet or I will make you be quiet."

Becca swallowed, nervous.

"You will not tell a single soul what you just found out, or the drugging will look like child's play compared to what I can do to you. I will not only hurt you, but I will hurt your precious Nate. Test me and see what happens."

Becca blinked, holding back her tears. She didn't want Nate to get hurt, let alone get involved with this. She slightly nodded.

"Since we have an understanding, you may go. But know this— you tell anyone, I will hunt you down and take you and him out."

Nodding again, Becca left. Going to her car, she let out the shaky breath she'd been holding.

While driving home, she contemplated what her next actions should be. She knew the right thing to do would be to tell Gwen and Nate what happened. But she also was scared that the creep from the coffee shop would hurt her. In the end, she knew she had to do what was right.

Once she was home, she called Gwen.

"I have to tell you something, but I also fear for my life. However, you guys are more important to me, so here goes... I know who it was that drugged you the first time."

"What? Wait, I thought it was Damien? How did you find out it wasn't him?"

"Let's just say I've been doing some investigating. I will say you need to report this immediately."

"Who was it?"

"Sara."

Gwen went silent. "It all makes sense now. She is the one who drugged me this time too. But, she wasn't even there. How did she do it?"

"She came in when you went to the restroom and did something to your drink. Another barista saw it. He confirmed with me."

"He's sure of what he saw? I mean, it was quite a while ago."

"Yes. He's sure. I'd say go file a report as soon as you can. You have the hospital records, the barista said he would testify to what he saw if needed. I have his contact info."

"Thanks Becca. I don't even know how to respond to this. Why she is doing this to me."

"I know. I'm sorry she's treating you this way."

"We've all felt something was off. I'm just not sure why she'd go after me."

"I don't even know. I need to get off here. You guys take care. Please make sure you file that report."

"We will. Thanks."

Then she sent a text to Nate. "When Gwen was drugged the first time, it wasn't Damien. It was Sara. I have a witness."

As she hung up, Gwen let out a shaky breath.

"Baby, I need to talk to you," she said to AJ.

"I want an answer, Sara." Nate's phone went off twice. The first was from Becca. The second from AJ. He looked at the second message. His blood ran cold. Zinc poisoning? How did that even happen?

Sara looked at him. "What is it?"

"The results are back for Gwen's tests. It's treatable, but it's a good thing we caught it early."

"I have heard that about zinc poisoning. It's a good thing you reacted quickly."

Nate froze. "I never said what it was."

Sara went pale. "Y—yes you did."

"No, I never said. I just said the results were back and it's a good thing it was caught early enough."

Sara's eyes darted around trying to figure out what else to say.

"You did it didn't you? You are the one who drugged Gwen. Not just this time but before too." Nate stood and paced around. "They told me. They told me but I didn't listen. There have been too many things around you that have ended up hurting Gwen. Too many coincidences that end up unexplained." He turned to face her again. "I can't do this anymore. We're done."

"No, Nate, it's not— no!" Sara started to protest but Nate held up his hand.

"No. Give me my key. We are through."

Tears rolling down her eyes, Sara got Nate's key and gave it to him.

Silently, he left. He walked over to a nearby park and called AJ.