Bloody, but Unbowed
Ch.2: Aftermath
An ice-cold hand slipped down the front of her blouse…
"Shhh, just enjoy it," a voice said in response to her pitiful whimpers of shame.
"No, please…you don't have to do this," she begged.
"But I want to," the same voice replied. He grabbed her hips and thrust himself inside.
"Ben!" she screeched.
Gwen Tennyson was reliving her nightmare.
"Blimey, Gwen! What was that about? You nearly gave me a heart attack, you did!
Ben exclaimed.
"What was what? I didn't say anything," Gwen said as she looked wildly around at her surroundings.
"You were screaming Ben's name in your sleep," Kevin muttered.
"Oh, was I?" Gwen blushed. "Must have been a bad dream then, ha-ha."
"Gwen," Ben asked gently, crouching down beside her bed. "Is there something you aren't telling us?"
"No, I'm perfectly fine, thank you!" she snapped.
"Ahh, Mrs. Tennyson. You're finally awake. I thought I heard your voice," a middle-aged man said cheerfully. "Mind if I ask you a few questions in private?"
Questions? Private? Gwen was bewildered.
"My office, come on. Up you go." The man helped her out of bed and steered her into his office where he closed the door.
"Sit down, sit down," the man said, gesturing to a rather comfortable looking chaise-lounge.
"I am Dr. Tanner," the man continued. "I know all about you, Gwendolyn."
"What is it you've heard of me?" Gwen asked nervously.
"Oh nothing bad, nothing bad at all! First rate student, top of your karate class, part-time super heroine fighting alongside the great Ben Tennyson…" he trailed off.
"Yes?"
"Gwendolyn, I take it you know why you are here?"
"No."
"I know about your secret already, so there is no point in hiding it from me. I know you were raped. I knew from the moment they wheeled you in."
"Why tell me to come here with you in private if you already know?"
"I'd say you are in a state of denial right now. You don't want to accept the fact that you've been raped, and you don't want anyone to know either."
"Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do and all, but no thanks. I'm dealing with it in my own way."
"Are you contemplating suicide, Ms. Tennyson?"
"So what if I am?"
"You need support. If you aren't going to go to the police or your family because you are too embarrassed, I highly recommend Survivors Anonymous. It's a support group for survivors of rape and sexual assault."
"And no one will know I've been there?"
"It's all confidential. Just promise me you'll choose something. You can't conquer this on your own."
"Thank you. I'll try."
"It was nice meeting you, Gwendolyn. I hope you can find solace in the other survivors."
"It was a pleasure meeting you too, Dr. Tanner, and thanks again for the support!"
She hugged him and left the office.
"Well? What did the doctor say to you?" Kevin demanded as soon as she walked to the car.
"Kevin, it was private business. You have no right to ask me-"
"Whatever. Just get in the fucking car."
"Hey! Don't you dare talk to my cousin like that!" Ben exclaimed.
"Now! Or I'm leaving!"
"You know what, Kevin? I think Ben's more than happy to take me home," Gwen said quietly.
"I see how it is," Kevin muttered bitterly, clenching his fists.
"Excuse me?" Ben asked politely.
"You!" Kevin lashed out at Ben. "You've been messing with my girlfriend, not to mention your cousin, behind my back!"
"Kevin, you know it's not like that. I've never messed around with her."
"Don't," Kevin got into Ben's face, "lie to me you fucking perverted two-faced bastard!" he roared.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Kevin," Ben said calmly.
"I see the way you two look at each other. Whenever Gwen and I are hurt, you always go to her first."
"That's because you're supposed to be a man. However strong Gwen may be, she's still a woman."
"And what about the time you two kissed under the mistletoe?"
"It was an accident, ok? And we apologized afterwards," Gwen said.
"LIES!" Kevin bellowed before punching Ben in the face. Ben fell over backwards and hit his head on the pavement.
"Ben!" Gwen squealed before running over to see if her cousin was alright. Kevin shook his head in disgust as he got back in his car.
"You can fuck your disgusting cousin for all I care you stupid whore! As of now, you and I are done!" Kevin slammed down hard on the accelerator and sped away.
"Ben! Are you ok?" Gwen asked in concern.
"I'm fine," Ben said, picking himself up and dusting his hands on his pants.
"You're bleeding," Gwen said.
"I'll manage. Besides, it's just a scratch."
"Maybe we ought to go back to the hospital and get you check out?"
"Seriously Gwen, I've been through a lot worse than this, and I've managed pretty well. You honestly think a half-hearted punch to the face is going to do me in?"
"No, but-"
"Anyways, you can stay over at my house tonight if you want. I've arranged it with mom and dad."
"Thanks! I could need the company now that, you know, Kevin and I aren't a thing anymore."
"Anything for my favorite cousin."
Abeo Exorior!
A dome of mana enveloped the two teens and transported them to Ben's doorstep.
"Mom, dad! I'm home!"
"That was supposed to happen three hours ago…where in the world have you been?!" Sandra Tennyson screamed.
"Listen to me. I-"
"Do you know how worried your father and I were when you failed to answer the phone?"
"No, but-"
"We nearly called the police young man! We thought you had been kidnapped!"
"I was only-"
"What were you doing that was so important that you decided to ignore us completely?"
"Rescuing Gwen."
"Rescue? Gwen?"
"Yes, rescue, Gwen."
"I hardly think that is necessary. She's perfectly capable of handling any situation on her own!"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?"
"Nuuuh, want to sleep…so…tired…" Gwen groaned.
"Oh my God! Why are you covered in blood and dirt? Have you been lying on the ground?"
"Hang on, you haven't been mugged have you?" Carl Tennyson asked calmly.
"Call the police Carl! Oh Natalie is going to kill me when she finds out!" Sandra screamed hysterically.
"Guy, guys, why don't we all just calm down and ask Gwen later when she's conscious?" Ben suggested.
"What?" Sandra asked as if this were a ridiculous suggestion.
"Look at the state of her!" Ben said. Gwen was curled up on the hardwood floor shaking uncontrollably in her sleep. Whimpers could be heard ever-so-often.
"Alright, that settles it. We'll call the police tomorrow," Carl decided.
"But Gwen is seriously injured! We can't just leave her like this!" Sandra cried.
"We've been to the hospital already. They patched her up as best they could, but they couldn't find out what was wrong with her."
"Sleep is her only option now," Carl agreed. "I'll carry her to the guest room."
"No, I think she'd prefer to stay in my room tonight."
"Ben, there's only one bed…"
"I'll sleep on the floor then."
Ben gently picked up his cousin and slowly moved her up the stairs and into his room.
Later that night…
"Where am I?" Gwen groaned, opening her eyes.
"Hey cuz, nice to see you're finally awake," Ben grinned.
"How long was I out?"
"Well, it's four in the morning so I'd say a good five hours."
"And why are you on the floor?"
"Well, you know there's only one bed and yeah…I thought you should have it since you're sick and all."
"I really don't mind sharing," Gwen smiled, blushing.
"But…"
"Oh get in here, doofus!" Gwen cried. She pulled Ben under the covers with her.
"Gwen! What do you think you're doing?!" Ben yelped.
"Getting comfortable," she replied as she wrapped his hands around her stomach area.
"Gwen…we really shouldn't be doing this…"
"I just need someone to keep me company."
"And this is the only way you could think of?" Ben asked incredulously. He was very uncomfortable in this awkward position.
"You're warm and I'm cold," she pouted.
"Ok, fine!" Ben grumbled.
"Thank you," Gwen said.
"Night, Gwen."
"G'night, Ben."
Soon, the two cousins drifted off to a much deserved slumber, holding each other close.
Was that a cute chapter or what? Kevin's broken up with Gwen in a rather explosive way, Gwen's agreed to join a support group, and we may have witnessed the beginning of a stronger bond between the two cousins! Read and review please! Constructive criticism is welcome!