Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 46

***TRIGGER WARNING- drugging and violence mentions***

"Oh no. What happened?" Gwen was worried for Cat.

"I... I have a little bit of a theory, but I have a question first. That girl Nate was dating. Do she and Damien know each other?"

"Sara? Yeah, she claimed she and Damien had dated, but after they broke up they remained friends." Gwen looked at her quizzically. "What's your theory?"

"That day the altercation between Sara and Mira Lynne occurred... When I came home, Damien gave me a drink, and I didn't think much of it... He had drugged me. So severely, I was in the ICU, and nearly died. While I was in and out of consciousness, before the ambulance came, I heard him mumbling about 'getting too close to the truth.' It haunted me... And it follows me to my sleep... But I think he called the ambulance, which makes it worse..." She shivered.

"How horrible!"

"He's such a two-faced person... Because he made me feel like I was the world to him some days, and other days I was nothing..."

"I am so sorry you have had to deal with that. No one should have to go through that. But I want to tell you- you are not nothing! If someone is telling you that, you need to get away fast. I know it's easier said than done. But it's not worth losing your life over."

"Thank you. It means a lot that you say that," Cat said. "I caught him cheating a little while ago and cut the ties the best I could... But he said if he ever found out I took off the ring he'd... Well, never mind. I suppose you all know the rest of the story. Damien came back and threatened Nate and I, and now I'm here. Gwen, I am so, so, sorry. If I had known what he was doing, I would've stopped him..."

"Cat, no, you're not to blame. Please know none of this is your fault. At all. Please tell me you know that." Gwen looked at Cat, hoping she'd at least give a little eye contact to acknowledge her.

Cat hesitantly looked up at her. She made eye contact and she nodded, smiling as a few tears welled up in her eyes. "I know now... Thank you." She wiped away the tears, and took a deep breath. "Do you have any questions?"

"Who did he cheat with?" Gwen quietly asked, fearing she already knew the answer. "Also, why would he target you?"

"I think it was Sara. I can't remember. I was just so angry... And I truly believe that Damien targeted me, because he wanted to know what he had to do to get to you. I'm not sure if we're similar in personality or what, but... I don't know. I was a test subject..." she shivered.

"Oh, Cat. I'm so sorry." Gwen was heartbroken for Cat, but another side of her was getting mad. Poor Cat was just a pawn in his schemes, she didn't even need to be involved.

"I... Is Nate alright?" She whispered.

"He probably just had a late night. We really don't keep a normal schedule, so he probably just went to bed a lot later than us." Gwen heard him coming down the stairs. "Speak of the devil."

Nate rubbed his face as he walked to the kitchen. He got his coffee and sat down in the living room. "Morning everyone."

"Hey Nate," AJ answered him.

"Hello, Nate. Did you sleep well?" Cat looked over at him and smiled.

"It was alright, thanks. Did Mr. Meowse wake you? He tends to do that with his incessant yowling when we have guests over."

"Even when we don't," Gwen quipped.

"Oh, that little ball of white fluff? No, I woke up and then heard his yowling." Cat giggled.

"Yeah, he's definitely a fluffball. He's a snuggle bug too." Gwen smiled knowing how cuddly Mr. Meowse could be. "Now, the P'nelope on the other hand, she's vicious."

"Only to those she doesn't like," Nate defended. "Penelope is perfectly fine with me... most of the time." Nate gave a look.

"I tend to have good luck with cats." She smiled.

"Cat, I do want to thank you for entrusting us with your story. You may want to call Mira Lynne and tell her what all happened last night though, because she was very suspicious of me when I talked to her. Rightfully so, of course," Gwen said.

"Oh my goodness, I nearly forgot! Yes, I should be on my way out... But if I may, I have a question before I leave..."

"Of course, anything."

"Why is Damien after you?"

"Short answer? YouTube. We make video game musicals, and I guess Sara and Damien make video game song covers. He is upset that we are doing so well, and he thought hurting Gwen would pull AJ's focus away from the videos, then the quality would go down," Nate explained.

"You're kidding me. That's such a stupid reason! On a lighter note, what's your YouTube? I'll subscribe."

Gwen smiled. "We're Random Encounters. If you search YouTube, we should be the first channel listed on the page."

Cat pulled out her phone and searched. "Random... Encounters... Gotcha! Looks like a fun channel. I'll give some of your videos a watch soon. Now, I'd best be on my way to Mira Lynne's..." She trailed off as Mr Meowse jumped on to the couch next to her, meowing. "Or maybe giving this guy some attention first!" She laughed, petting him.

After Mr. Meowse had some attention from Cat, he walked over to AJ to get more attention. Cat called Mira Lynne to let her know she was alright and that she would be heading to her soon. Gwen still offered to go with her and have Nate or AJ follow to make sure nothing happened, but she declined.

"We should at least exchange numbers. I want to keep tabs on you and make sure you're safe. Please. It's the least we can do," Gwen said.

"Oh, okay! I'll let you know if anything happens." Cat took out her phone.

Gwen told Cat her number, and Cat sent a message to Gwen so Gwen had Cat's number. "I appreciate it. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything. We will try to help you out as best as we can."

"Will do. You do the same. Even if it isn't Damien related."

"Same for you. I'm glad we got to know you, Cat! You be careful going to Mira Lynne's, and please thank her for us too for keeping you safe."

"I will. Thank you. For everything." She hugs Gwen, and then walks out to her car.

"She seems nice. I miss her already." Gwen did her best "Mustard" voice.

AJ chuckled. "You're just quoting our musicals now, aren't you?"

Gwen giggled. "Have to do something to keep it lighthearted around here."

"Well, we still need to be careful ourselves. Damien is still out there. Should we talk to Officer Mobus again to let her know about Cat and her situation?" Nate questioned.

"Without Cat to actually report it, we can't," AJ said.

Nate gave a look. "I had better get back to editing. I'll see you guys later." He stood up and went to his room.

Gwen sighed and stood up. "I have some fabric I wanted to get. I'll go get dressed, then I'll be back in a bit."

"Okay. Did you want me to come with?" AJ started getting up.

Gwen hesitated. She knew she needed to be able to go places alone, but she wasn't ready yet. "Please, if you don't mind, Baby?" Gwen leaned over and kissed him. "I need to get dressed. Are you coming up now too?"

"Right behind you, Honey."

She helped him up, then they went upstairs and got changed, Together they headed for the fabric store.