Selene, Peter, and Lucy were in a group hug on the couch. The two friends had arrived earlier, and Selene had gone into detail about her abduction and all the revelations. As she was as recounting everything, it sounded like it all happened to somebody else, like it was just a story on a TV show she was retelling. But when she was done, the tears started falling slowly and that's when Lucy reached over to hug her. Peter followed suit right after. And now, there they were.
After they broke from the hug, Selene thanked her friends for being there for her and Lucy patted her thigh. She said, "Where else would we be?"
Peter echoed the sentiments with, "Exactly. I can't believe everything you've been through in just a few short days. And then finding out about your birth family. That is mind blowing. How are you handling it? It must still be a shock, huh?"
Selene nodded and looked down as she played with the hem of her shirt. She responded, "I'm not gonna lie. It's tough. I don't know how to feel about being related to them. Especially given all I know about them. I mean, none of it is good, unless I think about the good their technology has done. But that's about it, right? And to know that my birth mother killed herself. That makes me feel really sad at that loss. I just have so many emotions inside, I don't know which one to look at first."
"That makes sense," Lucy consoled. She reassured her with, "But I know you'll get through this. You are so strong. You will take each emotion and beat it to submission! I just know it." Lucy made a fist and slammed it against her palm. That got a smile out of Selene. Then she continued, "But seriously. I can't imagine what you're going through. Maybe just rest a lot and take each emotion as it comes and feel it. I don't think there's anything else you can do. I mean, when I feel like crying, I just cry until it just stops on its own and it eventually does, right?"
Selene agreed, "That's true. I just hate that this is making me miss work. It's finals time and the work at the lab needs me, especially now. It's like such a critical time for me not to be working."
Peter sighed, "The work can continue just fine for a few days while you deal with a huge trauma and bombshell after bombshell that was thrown at you. I mean, you were kidnapped for my sake!"
The girls giggled as they always did when he said that instead of for Pete's sake.
"I get it, but…" Selene started to counter before she was interrupted.
Peter tilted his head to one side and gently lamented, "I don't think you do. Being kidnapped is such a huge loss of all control over everything. He took you away from everyone and everything that you love. He threatened to take you to another country and put you into what would essentially be a hole in the ground to live for the rest of your life. I would really like to suggest that you get counseling Selene. I really do."
Lucy nodded, "We're here for you, of course, but I agree with Peter. We're not professionals. We deal with trauma at the hospital a lot. Not from kidnappings but other types. Not that I'm saying they're the same because goodness knows they're not. But the social workers always come to talk to the patients and try to get them into counseling."
Selene said, "I'm not opposed to it. I'll see how it goes. If I can't manage it on my own, I'll go." She paused and then continued, "I guess in some ways you're right. The biggest thing right now for me is that I realized while I was waiting for you guys…I'm afraid of leaving Ben's place. I want to go home but I just can't bring myself to. Ugh. Geeze. Maybe I do need to see someone."
"Speaking of Ben, where is he?," asked Lucy.
"I asked him to give us our space so he's in his office," Selene replied.
"Oh," was Lucy's answer.
"Yah," said Selene, looking down.
Peter and Lucy exchanged a look. Peter said, "So are you guys…ok?"
Selene sighed. "I don't know. It's clear he didn't trust me enough to tell me all this. How can I be with someone who doesn't trust me? What else is he not going to tell me in the future? Of course, I still love him. I don't *want* to break up with him. But how can a relationship like that work?"
Peter gave her a hug and tapped her back gently with his hand. Then he pulled away and said, "Do you want me to beat up that asshole for you?"
Selene chuckled and responded, "If I said yes, would you really do it?" She looked at Lucy who rolled her eyes.
He stood up, straightened up his suit jacket and tie, and affirmed, "Hell ya! I'm ready right now. Just tell me where he is!"
"Okay, Okay. Calm down," Selene said while laughing with Lucy. "Sit down before I have to break up a fight between my boyfriend and my best friend."
Peter sat down and said, "If I can't kick his ass, how else can I help?"
"You're doing it right now," Selene responded. "Ugh, I wish we could get drunk! But, my parents will be here around 4 and they're staying for dinner. You guys will be staying too, right?"
Peter and Lucy looked at each other, then they said that they would.
When Selene's parents arrived, everyone, including Ben was there to greet them. Anie gave Selene a hug that must have lasted at least five minutes, all the while tears running down both ladies' faces. Adam also hugged his daughter tightly and kissed her cheeks, calling her his baby girl several times.
They were welcomed into the living room, which had couches and seating that were big and plenty enough to host everyone. Selene was tired from telling the story of what happened to her friends, so Ben explained everything to her parents, who, of course, were shocked by the revelations. It was an abridged version (without sparing the pertinent information though), so as not to upset the Serians any more than they would be already.
"My dear, sweet, child," Anie wept.
Selene put an arm around her mother and consoled her, "I'm alright, see. And I will be alright with everything else in time. I'm going to take Peter and Lucy's suggestion and see someone to talk about what happened, so you see, I'll be back to 100% in no time at all!"
Anie hugged her daughter and they held each other for a few moments.
Adam broke the silence with, "So where is the son-of-a-bitch now? Is he in custody?" Selene looked at Ben, who looked at her before looking at Adam. Adam saw the exchange of looks and asked, "What's going on?"
Ben replied, "The thing is, sir, that because we didn't go to the police to get Selene back, we can't really go to them to arrest Victor."
"So he just gets away with it?," Anie exclaimed.
"Unfortunately, for now, yes…" Ben started to say before both Anie and Adam made frustrated noises and gestures, cutting him off. He continued quickly, "But, I promise you, he will eventually pay for all his crimes."
Adam looked at Ben and said, "Come here."
Ben did as he was told and went to stand in front of Mr. Serian. Adam leaned forward and Ben leaned down, neither breaking eye contact. Adam said, "You swear to me you will get justice for my daughter." He reached out his hand.
There was no hesitation as Ben took his hand to shake it and said, "I swear."