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CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN-
"the aftermath"

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AS I SLOWLY EMERGED FROM the darkness, my eyelids creaked open, like rusty gates scraping against their hinges. The sunlight was a brutal awakening, a thousand daggers of light piercing my brain, making me wince in agony. My head throbbed with a dull, insistent ache, a drumbeat that echoed the frantic rhythm of my heart. I raised a hand, shielding my eyes from the light, and tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to pause, gasping, on the precipice of consciousness.

My stomach churned, threatening to unleash a torrent of nausea. What had happened last night? I tried to remember, but my memories were shrouded in a thick fog. Fragments of laughter, music, and Valen's concerned face floated in my mind, but the details refused to come into focus.

As I struggled to anchor myself in reality, my gaze wandered around the room, searching for a lifeline to cling to. But the familiar landscape of my bedroom had been transformed into a war zone, with my bed a tangled, sheet-twisted battleground, and my clothes strewn about like the discarded armor of a fallen warrior. My hair, once a silky cascade, now hung in knotted, snarled tangles, like a bird's nest ravaged by a storm. My skin felt grimy, as if the very fabric of my being had been sullied by some unseen hand. And yet, despite the chaos that surrounded me, my mind remained a complete and utter blank, a vast, echoing void that swallowed all memories, leaving me with nothing but the faint, lingering scent of terror.

I tried to speak, but my voice was barely a whisper. "What had happened?" I croaked, my dry, scratchy voice unfamiliar to my own ears.

I waited for an answer, but none came. I was left with only questions and a pounding headache.

I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, planting my feet firmly on the ground. The room suddenly spun around me, a maddening vortex of colors and shapes. I grasped the bedside table, my fingers closing around it like a lifeline, as I desperately sought to anchor myself to reality. My eyes, wild and unfocused, scoured the room, searching for some shred of understanding, some shreds of memory that might explain the aching void within me. But like a mirage, all answers vanished, leaving me with nothing but the dull, throbbing ache of uncertainty. I sank back onto the bed, my movements tentative, as if I feared the floor might give way beneath me.

Just as I sat there, suspended in a sea of confusion, the sound of footsteps echoed outside my room, a gentle, tentative tread that spoke of concern and caution. The door creaked open, its hinges sighing softly, and Allison's face appeared in the doorway, her features etched with worry and compassion.

"Hey, Carla," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"

I shook my head, still trying to clear the cobwebs. "I. .I don't know," I admitted. "What happened last night?"

Ally's expression turned grim. "We'll talk about it later, okay? For now, let's just focus on getting you feeling better."

I nodded, still feeling dazed and disoriented. With Allison's guiding hand, I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, where the cool kiss of water on my face was a balm to my frazzled senses. I stood before the mirror, my reflection a stranger's, with eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets and a tangled mane that resembled a bird's nest after a storm. As I attempted to tame the knots, Allison's patient hands assisted mine, her touch a soothing solace.

As we prepared to leave the sanctuary of my bedroom, I grasped Allison's arm, my fingers closing around it like a vice. "How did I get home?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as the memories of the previous night remained shrouded in a thick, impenetrable fog.

Allison's smile was a delicate, rose-petal thing, fragile and easily bruised. She offered it to me like a gift, a gentle, reassuring gesture that spoke of her concern for my fragile state. "The boxer guy, Valen," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "He brought you home."

My response was a mere whisper, a faint, trailing thread of sound that dissolved into the silence like a wisp of smoke on the wind. "Oh. . ." I murmured, my eyes fixed on Allison's face as I trailed behind her, a leaf blown on the breeze.

As we made our way downstairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and cooking bacon wafted through the air, making my stomach stir with life. My belly growled, a low, protesting rumble, but my hunger was quickly eclipsed by a wave of anxiety that crashed over me like a cold, dark tide.

How would I face Mom and Uncle? Had they already discovered my secret, my clandestine escape into the night? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a tiny, tremulous thing that threatened to blossom into full-blown panic.

But Allison seemed to sense my unease, her eyes locked onto mine with a deep, compassionate understanding. She wrapped a reassuring arm around my shoulders, her touch warm, solid, and comforting. "It's okay, Carla," she whispered. "They don't know."

My mom turned around from the stove, a look of concern etched on her face. "Carla, honey, how are you feeling now? You didn't come out of through the night."

I forced a weak smile onto my face. "I'm. .I'm fine, Mom. Just a little tired."

Uncle, seated at the kitchen table, looked up from his newspaper. "You sure you're okay, kiddo? You didn't look good yesterday."

"Yeah, I'm good now."

As we settled into our seats, the meal unfolding before us like a still life, I felt myself drifting into a haze of detachment. The food, once a sensory delight, now tasted bland, a flavorless void that left my senses unfulfilled. The conversation, a gentle hum of words and laughter, blurred together into a maddening cacophony, a jarring discord that grated against my frazzled nerves. I felt trapped, a wild bird beating its wings against the bars of its cage, desperate to escape the stifling atmosphere that threatened to suffocate me. My mind was a maelstrom of questions, a whirlpool of uncertainty that swirled around the dark, gaping void of my memories. What had happened last night?

Just as I thought I couldn't bear it anymore, my phone pinged, its screen flaring to life like a firefly in the darkness and my heart skipped a beat as I saw the name on the screen: Valen. His text was a gentle, probing inquiry, a soft whisper in the darkness:

Frosty, how are you? Are you good?

Without hesitation, my fingers flew across the keyboard, the keys clacking out a staccato rhythm as I poured out my desperation into the digital void. My words tumbled out in a frantic, urgent cascade:

We need to talk. It's urgent. I'm going crazy.

The message hung in the air, a fragile, flickering thread of hope, as I waited with bated breath for Valen's response. The seconds ticked by like hours, each one a tiny, agonizing eternity, as I waited for Valen's response. My eyes were glued to the screen, my heart racing with anticipation, as the silence stretched out like a thin, taut wire.

And then, suddenly, the phone sprang to life again, the screen glowing with a new message. My heart leapt into a frantic, racing beat as I read the words, my eyes devouring the text like a starving woman.

Meet me at central park. I'll be waiting.

I felt a surge of relief, a wave of gratitude washing over me like a cool, soothing balm. Valen was coming. He would help me make sense of the chaos, of the fragmented memories and the aching void within me.

As soon as I finished eating, I sprang to my feet, my heart racing with anticipation, catching everyone's curious glance. We were still seated at the breakfast table, the remains of our meal scattered before us. My mom's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression a mixture of concern and inquiry.

"Carla, where are you going?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I couldn't tell them about Valen, not yet. "I. .I just need some fresh air," I stammered, trying to sound casual.

My uncle's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Okay, kiddo. Just be careful, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a twinge of guilt for deceiving them. But I knew I had to see Valen, to unravel the tangled threads of my memories.

My mom's face relaxed, her features softening like a warm, golden light spilling across her skin. She nodded, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled. "Okay, dear. Just be back soon, okay? It's still New Year's, and we have to celebrate as a family, together, under one roof."

The words struck me like a slap, a sudden, stinging reminder of the festive season that had slipped my mind like sand between my fingers. How could I have forgotten? The fireworks, the champagne toasts, the warm, golden glow of twinkling lights – all of it had faded into the background, eclipsed by the dark, looming shadow of my own secrets.

I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude toward my mom, her words a gentle, soothing balm that calmed the turbulent waters of my mind. And then, with a quiet, mumbled promise to return soon, I slipped out of the house, leaving my family to their breakfast, the warm, comforting sounds of their laughter and conversation fading into the distance like a distant, fading melody.

As I stepped out of the house, a shiver of trepidation danced down my spine, like a whispered secret in a dark, deserted alley. The morning air was crisp and cool, but I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. It was as if the very fabric of my reality was about to be torn apart, revealing a truth that I might not be ready to face.

What would Valen reveal to me? What secrets had he uncovered in the dark, mysterious hours of the previous night? Did I really want to know, or would it be better to remain in the blissful ignorance of the unknown? The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, a whirlpool of uncertainty that threatened to pull me under.

As I walked through the park's entrance, the morning sunlight filtering through the trees cast dappled shadows on the grass, like a thousand tiny fingers grasping for the sky. The air was alive with the sweet, melodic songs of birds, their trills and chirps weaving a vibrant tapestry of sound that filled my heart with a sense of longing.

Ahead of me, Valen stood by the park's central fountain, his back to the water, his eyes scanning the surroundings with an air of quiet intensity. He was a tall, imposing figure, his broad shoulders and chiseled features a testament to his rugged, athletic build. His eyes, a deep, piercing blue, seemed to bore into my very soul, as if searching for answers to questions he dared not ask.

As I approached, Valen's eyes snapped onto mine, his face etched with a deep, abiding concern. He took a step forward, his long strides eating up the distance between us, and then he was beside me, his arms wrapping around me in a tight, crushing hug.

"Frosty, oh my god, I've been so worried about you," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"

I felt a lump form in my throat as I hugged him back, his warmth and solidity a comforting balm to my frazzled nerves. "I'm fine," I whispered back, my voice barely audible.

But Valen's expression was skeptical, his eyes narrowing as he searched my face for answers. "What happened last night?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Valen's gaze darted around the park, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a sense of unease. "Not here," he whispered, his voice low and urgent. "Let's get out of here."

Without another word, he took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine in a warm, comforting grasp. He led me to his car, parked nearby, and we slid into the cool, dark interior, the engine purring to life as we pulled away from the curb.

As we drove, the scenery outside my window blurred into a kaleidoscope of color and sound, my senses overwhelmed by the sheer velocity of our movement. I felt like I was being swept away on a tide of uncertainty, with Valen as my only anchor, my only lifeline.

And then, suddenly, we were turning off the main road, onto a winding, tree-lined driveway that led us deeper into the heart of the countryside. The trees grew taller and closer together here, casting deep, emerald-green shadows that seemed to swallow us whole.

We pulled up to a beautiful, rustic summer house, its wooden facade weathered to a soft, silvery gray that seemed to glow in the morning light. The house was surrounded by a lush, vibrant garden, the flowers and trees a riot of color and scent that seemed to envelop us in a warm, perfumed hug.

Valen turned off the engine, his eyes locked onto mine with a deep, burning intensity. "We'll talk here," he whispered, his voice low and urgent. "We'll figure this out, together."

As we stepped into Valen's summer house, I felt like I was entering a serene, lakeside oasis. The warm, golden light of the afternoon sun spilled through the large windows, casting a honey-colored glow over the plush, cream-colored couches and the rich, dark wood accents that adorned the walls. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle lapping of the lake's waves against the shore, creating a soothing melody that seemed to wash away all my worries and fears.

Valen guided me to one of the couches, its soft, velvety cushions enveloping me in a warm, comforting hug. I sank into its depths, feeling the tension in my body begin to ease, as Valen sat down beside me, his eyes never leaving mine.

A soft, insistent knock echoed through the summer house, shattering the tranquil silence that had settled over us like a warm, comforting blanket. Valen rose from the couch, his movements fluid and unhurried, and made his way to the door. As he opened it, a shaft of golden light spilled into the room, illuminating the figure of a middle-aged man with a kind, compassionate face and warm, gentle eyes that seemed to hold a deep understanding of the human heart.

The man's smile was a soft, soothing balm that seemed to calm the turbulent waters of my emotions. His eyes, a deep, rich brown that seemed to hold a world of wisdom and compassion, met mine with a gentle, reassuring gaze.

"This is Dr. Lee," he explained, his words dripping with reassurance." Valen's voice was low and soothing as he introduced the man. "This is Dr. Lee," Valen explained. "He's here to help you, Carla. He's here to make sure you're okay."

Dr. Lee's soothing voice calmed my frayed nerves as I stared at both of them with confusion. "Hello, Carla. I'm here to check on you."

My gaze drifted, my thoughts foggy. Why was a doctor here?

Dr. Lee, sat beside me on the couch, his eyes locked onto mine with a warm, compassionate gaze. "Carla, I'm here to help you," je said softly. "I know this is a difficult time for you, but I want to assure you that everything we discuss will remain confidential."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. Valen came to sit beside me, his hand wrapped around mine in a warm, reassuring grasp.

Dr. Lee smiled again, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm going to ask you some questions, Carla, and then I'll need to do a physical examination. Is that okay with you?"

I hesitated, feeling a surge of anxiety. But Valen's grip on my hand tightened, and I knew he was there to support me.

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay."

Dr. Lee smiled again. "Good. Let's start with some questions. Can you tell me what you remember about last night?"

As I inhaled deeply, the air filled my lungs like a gentle breeze on a summer day, calming the turbulent waters of my mind. I closed my eyes, allowing the fragmented memories of the previous night to slowly resurface, like whispers from a distant past. Dr. Lee's gaze was a steady, comforting presence, his eyes locked onto mine with a deep, empathetic understanding. As I began to recount the scattered details I remembered, my voice was a hesitant, faltering melody, but Dr. Lee's attentive silence was a soothing balm, encouraging me to continue, to unravel the tangled threads of my memories.

When I finished, Dr. Lee nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, Carla. Now, I need to do a physical examination. This will help me determine if you've been injured in any way."

I felt a surge of anxiety again and my eyes darted to Valen but his grip on my hand tightened. "I'll be right here with you, frosty," he whispered.

Dr. Lee smiled again, his eyes warm with reassurance. "I'll be gentle, Carla. I promise."

With Valen's hand still wrapped around mine, Dr. Lee began the examination, his touch gentle and reassuring. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that I was safe, and that Valen was there to support me every step of the way. But as Dr. Lee checked my vital signs, my thoughts swirled:

What happened last night? Why do I hurt?

Dr. Lee's eyes locked onto hers, filled with compassion. "Carla, can you tell me where it hurts?"

My voice barely escaped my parched lips. "Everywhere."

As Dr. Lee concluded his examination, I felt exposed, vulnerable and confused. His voice became a gentle breeze on a summer day. "Carla, we'll need to discuss treatment and recovery. But for now, rest."

Valen thanked Dr. Lee, his voice low and sincere, before escorting him out the door. As the door closed behind them, I felt a surge of anxiety, my mind racing with unanswered questions.

Valen returned to the room, his eyes locked onto mine with a deep, abiding concern. I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. "What happened to me Valen?" I asked, my eyes searching his for answers. "Valen answer me, I want to know and don't delay, please."

"Carla—"

"No, I have to know. The last thing I remember is talking with Austin and then being in your car. Everything else isn't clear. What did he do to me?"

Valen hesitated, choosing his words carefully. His expression was somber, his eyes filled with a deep regret. "Frosty, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice low and husky with emotion. "I should have been there to protect you. I should have kept you safe."

I felt a surge of anger and frustration, but Valen's words were not accusatory. They were filled with a deep sorrow and regret, and I knew that he was blaming himself, not me. "What happened?" I repeated, my voice firm but shaking with emotion.

Valen took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto mine. "Austin drugged you," he said, his voice flat and hard. "He put something in your drink, and then. . .he tried to take advantage of you."

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, my mind reeling with the implications. I tried to remember, but my memories of the previous night were hazy and indistinct. Valen stepped forward and his palms wrapped around mine in a tight grip, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "But I stopped him, Carla," he said, his voice low and deadly. "I got to you in time, and I stopped him."

"No..." I whispered. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. Austin? Drugged me? Tried to...? The words swirled in my mind, a toxic cocktail of shock, horror, and denial.

Valen's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as I felt like I was going to shatter into a million pieces. "I'm so sorry, Carla," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I should have been there sooner. I should have protected you."

I felt a tidal wave of anger and fear. Austin. How could he? Why would he? The questions swirled in my mind, a maddening vortex of confusion and rage.

Valen's grip on me tightened, his arms holding me close as I felt like I was going to implode. "We'll get through this, Carla," he whispered, his voice a steady, reassuring beat. "We'll face it together."

As Valen's words hovered in the air like a malignant specter, a cold, hard fury began to simmer within me, its icy tendrils wrapping around my heart like a vice. My eyes narrowed to slits, my jaw clenched in a fierce, teeth-grinding snarl, and my fists coiled into tight, angry balls, as if ready to unleash a torrent of pent-up rage. Memories swirled through my mind like a maelstrom: Austin's sly, predatory smile, the party's raucous din, the suffocating darkness. . .

I shoved Valen away, my palms flat against his chest, as if pushing him away could somehow undo the horror that had been done. "How could he?" I hissed, my voice a low, venomous whisper, each word dripping with vitriol and outrage. "How could he do that to me?"

Valen's eyes locked onto mine, his expression a mixture of concern and caution. "Carla, I—"

But I cut him off, my anger boiling over. "No, Valen, you don't understand. This isn't just about what Austin did. It's about me. It's about how I let my guard down, how I let him get to me." My voice rose, my words tumbling out in a furious, sarcastic torrent. "I'm such an idiot, Valen. I'm so stupid for thinking I could trust him."

Valen's eyes never left mine, his expression a steady, reassuring presence in the midst of my stormy emotions. "Carla, stop," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "This isn't your fault. You didn't deserve what happened."

But I just shook my head, my anger and shame and fear swirling together in a toxic, poisonous stew. "Just take me home, Valen," I muttered, my voice barely audible. "Take me ho—"

Valen's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. But then, in a sudden, swift movement, he reached out and pulled me into his arms.His lips crashed down on mine, silencing my angry words and stilling my turbulent emotions. It was a fierce, possessive kiss, a kiss that claimed me as his and promised to protect me from all harm.

For a moment, I forgot about Austin and the party and the shame and fear that had been eating away at me. All I could think about was Valen, his lips on mine, his arms around me, holding me safe. But as the kiss deepened, I felt a spark of anger ignite within me. I pushed Valen away, my eyes blazing with fury.

"Don't think that kiss is going to fix everything, Valen," I spat, my voice low and venomous. "Don't think that you can just sweep me off my feet and make me forget what happened."

Valen's eyes locked onto mine, his expression a mixture of surprise and concern. "Carla, I—"

But I just shook my head, my anger and hurt and fear swirling together in a toxic, poisonous stew. "Just take me home, Valen," I repeated, my voice barely audible. "Take me home and leave me alone."

Valen's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. But he nodded, his face grim. "Okay," he said, his voice low and even. "I'll take you home."

And with that, the day seemed to shatter into a million pieces, leaving only shards of anger and hurt and fear in its wake.

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A U T H O R' S  N O T E:

This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Carla's journey, and I want to acknowledge the weight of her emotions and experiences. If you or someone you know has been affected by similar situations, please know that you are not alone. There are resources available to support you, and I encourage you to reach out for help when you need it.

I hope you're all doing okay after that intense scene. Carla's journey is about to get even more complicated, so buckle up! Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter!💕

—Jessie💕🦋