Accessory Wars

Chapter 47-Ki

            Where do I start? The news stations were all over the story like a pack of rabid dogs and it got to the point I needed to disconnect from the internet. My friends helped me through the panic attacks and the insomnia. Jay and Reagan took turns staying with me or having me stay in their apartments so I wouldn't be alone. Having them nearby helped immensely. My parents called daily and, to my later knowledge, asked for updates from Reagan and Jay over text messaging. They wanted to make sure I really was okay and not just staying I was.

When Jay or Reagan weren't around, the rest of my friends were there to distract me. Derek took me with to football practice. Mysti and Kaylee took me rock climbing more often. Trevor brought over movies for us to watch or pulled up a Songi drama we hadn't seen yet. Neither of us were real fans but we liked to make fun of the cheesy acting.

I found myself calling or texting Kami and Felisa throughout the day as a way to reassure myself they were alright. They assured me they were. Kami told me she started bringing Felisa to her gothic hang outs to give her a change of atmosphere. It was nice to see them supporting each other.

However, one person kept coming up in my mind. The victim. Benjamin. How was he coping? Did he have family and friends to help him? Was he still in the hospital? The psych ward? I knew I shouldn't have been thinking so much about a total stranger but I couldn't get him out of my head. I shared a connection with him. I'd been in his shoes. I killed people too.

The Friday two weeks after the Serenhe attack, I found myself wandering to the police station after my shift at work. Aside from the initial call from Colfry, he hadn't made contact. The only time that happened when he was buried with work or hunting down a lead. I decided to see for myself. That and I missed him. Funny how he jumped back into my life like he never left. The receptionist took one look at me and buzzed me in. They used to do that in Lestho too. I hadn't realized I'd become a staple visitor at the Bailey police department. Works for me! Less waiting around in the lobby.

I found Colfry scowling at his computer. Stacks of files covered his desk. I took a seat in his guest chair and let him finish. Whatever he worked on, it was irritating him. He was practically stabbing the keys as he typed. Wouldn't be the first time he broke a keyboard.

"I was just about to call you," Colfry remarked, not looking up from his work. "The ERT wants to fly you out to Serenhe."

I'm sorry, what?

"Me?" I balked.

"They're working on some leads right now but I guess they want more information out of the victim. Problem is he's all clammed up." No surprise there. "They figure you might be able to get him to start talking."

"They're not going to find anything." I remembered getting drilled with questions until Colfry or my parents ordered people to stop. The memory made my stomach shrivel into a raisin.

"I told them that but you know how the ERT are. Never satisfied with a damned thing. I told them it was up to you and told them not to call you until I've spoken with you."

"I'll go." Colfry stopped typing, his eyes shifting over to me. "I've actually been thinking about him a lot. Maybe there's something I can do that can help him cope. Sort of like that retreat I went on with the other submission victims." I went when I was twelve. It was nice to connect with others who had been in my position, especially with others who were a part in the death of someone else. Of course, no one was anywhere close to my level of destruction but the gathering was about sharing and healing, not comparing. It might be what Benjamin needed too.