Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 56

***TRIGGER WARNING- violence mentions***

After AJ ascended, Becca looked to Nate. "Are you okay? I know this isn't the homecoming you wanted particularly..."

Nate smiled at her. "I'll be fine. Coming home was great. I got to be with you."

Becca smiled. "I'm glad I was here for you. It couldn't have been easy seeing Sara that way. I know you did care for her. It's okay if you have mixed feelings."

"I— I don't like seeing her hurt. I didn't even know. You would have thought I would have noticed..."

Becca brings her hand up and caresses Nate's cheek. "Nate... don't do that. Please. You didn't know because she hid it. He hit her in places where she didn't have to worry about it. He let it get out of control. Don't blame yourself for not seeing it." She put her forehead on his.

Nate sighed. "Okay. I just... it makes me feel like I wasn't paying attention enough."

"Nate, she didn't want you to know. Just like Cat didn't want anyone to know. These things come out though. You can't hide them."

Nate shook his head. "It just baffles me how much one person has affected all of us. He really is a dangerous person."

"He is. But we don't have to live in fear anymore. He's in jail now."

Nate took a deep breath. "It certainly does make me breathe easier."

Becca smiled at him. "I had better head home." She leaned up and kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you. Text me when you're home."

He opened the door and walked her to her car. Once she was in and drove away, he looked around. Things had changed. He felt the weight off his shoulders. But that fear still lingered.

The next day, Gwen called Cat.

"Hey Cat! It's Gwen. I wanted to call and check up on you. How are you feeling?"

"Gwen, hello! I'm okay. How are you all doing?"

"We're doing alright. Nate is home now, so that's a relief."

"Thank goodness!"

"Yeah. So, Sara stopped over here yesterday."

"S-She did?"

"Yes. She was— well, she didn't look good. Damien had gotten to her a few days ago."

"Oh gosh... How bad was it?"

"From what we could see, he slapped her very hard on the face. But she was also holding her side, so I think he did other damage too." Gwen paused a moment. "Cat... did— did Damien— I mean, are there more things that happened than what you told us?"

"...Is there a reason you need to know?" Her tone told Gwen she was nervous.

"Cat, if there's any chance to really get him to stay in jail, the police would need to know the whole story. If you don't want to tell us, that's okay, but please at least tell the police."

Cat took a deep breath. "He... He had wanted me to do something..."

Gwen stayed silent, letting Cat continue.

"I... I can't remember what. He just kept rambling about how he needed this and that from me. I refused, because I didn't want to, and he... He... He locked me out of my apartment. In the dead of winter, with no proper attire, I was stuck in the cold..."

"Oh my! What happened? How did you get back inside?"

"Well... I just kinda stayed out there until he opened the door, which was a few hours later."

"Hours?!? You're kidding!"

"I wish I was!"

"How did you react? What did he say when he let you in?"

"I was angry at first... But then I got really cold... When he opened the door, he panicked because he thought I'd find somewhere else, and he got me warmed up pretty quickly. I had a nasty fever the next morning."

"Oh my goodness!" Gwen hesitated. "Can— can I ask a personal question?"

"Sure."

"Why did you stay?"

"Growing up, I was really isolated from the rest of the world. He showed me affection no one else did, and the red flags in my head, I blew off, because I just kept thinking 'Oh, he loves me. He wouldn't hurt me.' Until... he did... And even then, I still had it in my head that he had just had a bad day..."

Gwen's heart broke for Cat. She had never been in that situation. "Before you knew it, you were too deep in to leave, weren't you? It wasn't safe."

"There was a week where I managed to get away... But I had to come back eventually..."

"He knew that too," Gwen said. "He knew you had no one else at that time. But you always have us now."

"Gwen... Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"If I go to the police with more information... Can you be there with me? I know you're super busy with you channel and stuff, and it's okay if you say no-"

"Of course I'll go with you Cat. I'd be happy to go."

"Thank you... So much. I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Oh, you're very welcome." Gwen paused a moment. "How are you, really?"

"...Not great."

"I'm sorry you've had to go through all this. No one should have to. Is there anything else we can do?"

"Not really. I think it's finally all just... Hit me, and I'm in a bad mood."

"Aww. Anything I can do to help you get out of the bad mood? I'll send you some of my favorite RE videos if you want."

"I don't know. I might just go for a walk to clear my head, but I shouldn't be alone."

"Can Mira Lynne go with you, or did you want me to join you? I don't mind."

"Would you? I'd hate to bother Mira Lynne. She's really tired."

"Of course! Give me about a half hour to get ready, then I'll head over. What's the address?"

Cat gave Gwen the address. Pulling up GPS on her phone, she saw it wasn't too far away. "Okay, got it. I'll see you in a bit! I'll text when I'm on my way."

"Alright. Thank you so much, Gwen. I can't thank you enough."

"It's not a problem at all Cat. I'm happy to help out friends. I'll see you soon!"

"Same here." Cat lingered over the "end" button for a moment, then pressed it.

Gwen went to find AJ. He was working on his computer. She leaned over, wrapping her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Hi Baby."

"Hi. What are you up to?" He turned around to face her.

"Not much. I just got off the phone with Cat." She told him what all Cat had told her. "She asked me to go walking with her, so I wanted to let you know where I'd be."

"Okay. Be careful. Let me know when you get there. Even if Damien isn't out there, I still worry about you."

Gwen smiled. "I know, Baby. I'll let you know. I love you."

"I love you." He pulled her in for a kiss. Breaking away, she went to get a shower and changed for her walk.