Office Intertwined⚝

Chapter 33 - No way home

Jason knocked gently on Kass's bedroom door, his heart heavy with concern. 

There was no response, just a heavy silence that had enveloped their home for the past few days.

 Kass had withdrawn from the world, barely emerging from her room. Not even Anne's gentle persuasion could coax her out.

In those rare moments when she did leave her room, Kass's appearance was haunting. Her eyes were empty, the spark of life that had once defined her dulled. Dark bags clung beneath her eyes, a testament to the sleepless nights she endured. She moved through the house like a ghost, only stopping briefly to eat a meager meal before retreating to her self-imposed isolation. Her once warm and affectionate gaze had been replaced by a distant, unfamiliar stare. When Jason tried to comfort her with a hug, she winced and recoiled, as if in pain.

The weight of helplessness pressed heavily on Jason's heart. He confided in Anne, his voice trembling with worry. "I don't know what to do, Anne. This has hit her so hard, and I can't bear to see her like this. She looks at me as if I'm a stranger." His voice cracked with the pain of witnessing Kass's suffering.

Anne, recognising the gravity of the situation, offered her counsel. "Jason, we need professional help for her. We can't navigate this on our own. I'll help you find a therapist who can support her through this."

Jason took Anne's advice to heart, spending hours searching for the best therapist he could find. Within three hours, a therapist named Sebastian arrived at their doorstep, prompted by Jason's frantic messages. "Are you Jason?" Sebastian inquired as Jason anxiously greeted him at the door. "Yes, that's me. Please, come in," Jason replied, resisting the urge to hurry the therapist upstairs.

Once they reached Kass's bedroom door, Sebastian requested that Jason give him some space to work. Anxiously, Jason descended the stairs, every passing minute feeling like an eternity. After half an hour, Jason's phone buzzed with a message from Sebastian: "Come upstairs." With a glimmer of hope, Jason rushed through the hallway and up the stairs to face whatever lay beyond Kass's locked door.

Jason entered the room, shrouded in darkness due to the closed curtains. A familiar fragrance hung in the air, Kass's perfume, a scent she'd been using, perhaps for comfort. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed Kass sitting on the bed, huddled with her knees drawn close to her chin. Sebastian had placed a chair beside the bed and occupied another, gesturing for Jason to sit in the empty one.

As he took his seat, Jason gently closed the door behind him, leaving only the soft glow of a small lavender-scented candle to illuminate the room. Kass didn't look at either of them. Sebastian, in a soothing voice, addressed her, "Kass, are you comfortable sharing with Jason what we were discussing?" After a moment of silence, Kass replied softly, "Yes,"though she seemed to struggle with the words.

Sebastian encouraged her to speak, and Kass began, "I know it's not my fault or your fault about what happened. Sebastian has helped me see that it's no one's fault apart from... them." She hesitated and avoided eye contact. ''I've been shutting everyone off- i- it's because i ..'' Sebastian finished her sentence gently, "She was afraid that you would leave her. She thought all this danger would make you reconsider being with her and risking your safety for her."Jason couldn't hide his surprise and sat up straight. "Kass," he said earnestly, "I told you that I'd never leave you!" Sebastian placed a calming hand on Jason's arm as a silent signal to remain calm.

As Jason settled back in his chair, he added with genuine concern, "I had no idea you were going through this. It must have been horrible." Sebastian nodded in agreement before suggesting that they spend some time alone to communicate their feelings. Kass nodded her consent.Once Sebastian left and closed the door behind him, Jason rushed toward Kass. At first, she stiffened, but she soon realized his embrace held nothing but love and safety. It was the first hug they'd shared in days.

 Kass turned her head slowly, watching Jason tear up. She didn't speak at first, only listened to his sobs and the depth of his feelings. 

Finally, Jason pulled away from the embrace and Kass watched him, hesitatingly reaching out to return the hug. "It's okay," her voice quivered, "It's alright." She hugged him back, offering comfort and understanding.

Jason sobbed harder when he head her speak those words. He had failed to protect her, the one he vowed to safeguard. Security was supposed to be his job, but they were no match for the invaders' skills. "It's my fault," Jason's voice broke, "I should have done a better job at security." He couldn't bear the thought of what might have happened if he hadn't arrived in time.

Kass's voice was firm, "It's not your fault, don't say that. '' She hugged him tighter, trying to reassure him. ''It's not our fault." 

In the darkness, the two of them clung to each other. 

No words were exchanged for a while; there was no need.