Chapter 4

Mercedes sought the help she needed. She started counseling through Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) back home. She cried quite a few times. However, her counselor was there to help her and comfort her. Her counselor also let her cry, because it was some balled emotion that needed to be released.

Mercedes ended up telling her friends she went out with about what happened. They placed no blame or judgment on her. Mercedes was very happy for that. The four all made the time to hang out and do stuff together.

Mercedes also slowly got comfortable with her superstar friends again. Her mind was realizing that she could trust them as she had before. They would do nothing to hurt her. Especially the way she had been hurt three weeks prior.

Mercedes went up one day, giving all three members of the New Day big hugs. They were happy for the hugs. But they would let Mercedes do what she wanted to do with hugs.

Colby smiled when he saw Mercedes with New Day. He and Mercedes didn't talk much over the last three weeks. Not by text messaging, but in person. It was limited there. Colby kept his distance, because he wasn't sure what he should really do. But whenever she wanted he would stop and talk for a little bit with her. He wanted to talk more. But Mercedes did back away a few times.

Mercedes took a look over toward Colby. She saw him smiling at her. She smiled back. She slowly walked away from New Day and walked over toward him. Colby looked away with a smirk coming on his lips.

"Hi," Mercedes said.

"Hey," Colby replied.

"Can I join you?"

"Yeah. Pull up a chair."

"Thank you," Mercedes said. She grabbed onto the chair and pulled it out. She then sat down next to him.

"How are you doing?" Colby asked.

"I'm good. How are you?"

"Great. But I was really asking about…"

"…I know it has only been three weeks, but I am a little happier than I was before. I have nightmares every other night it seems."

Colby nodded his head.

Mercedes thought for a minute. Everyone knew about her rape, of course. But not everyone knew how it happened. Those who did really know how it happened kept their mouths quiet.

Mercedes knew Colby didn't know how it happened. But something inside of her wanted her to tell him. She didn't think it was a friend wanting to tell someone she cared about. But a girl who wanted to tell a guy she liked about what happened. Something she thought he would know if they were in romantic relationship.

"Can I talk to you about it?" Mercedes asked.

"Of course," Colby said. "I said that you could three weeks. That still stands."

Mercedes smiled. "Can we go somewhere else and talk?"

"Sure."

Mercedes smiled. Both she and Colby got up from the table. The two headed out of catering. They found a good spot to sit and talk.

"What's on your mind?" Colby asked.

"The night it happened," Mercedes began. "I was out with three of my best friends back home. We got dinner and then went to a bar. At the bar I met a guy. He was really nice and such. However, my friends wanted to leave, but I didn't. So while they left, I stayed behind talking to this guy. He ended up walking me home. I think I had a little bit too much, because I felt dizzy and light headed. I stumbled a little too. He then pushed me into the alley." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Colby nodded his head. Not saying anything.

"I found myself on my back down on the crowd. I fought back, but I couldn't. He was too strong for me," Mercedes said she started to cry now. "He kept me down with choking me. He took his hands away just for a few seconds with being able to do stuff. Then at least one hand was back on my neck."

Colby continued to listen.

"But he was able to get my panties off, his pants undone and then it happened," Mercedes said crying a little.

Colby closed his eyes. He tried to keep himself calm. He wanted to track down the jackass that hurt her.

"One of the worst parts about it was him redoing his pants and saying, 'Thanks, babe.'"

"Goddamn," Colby said.

Mercedes nodded her head. She wiped away tears. "I think that was a bit easier with you than others."

"I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing," Colby admitted.

"Same here," Mercedes said with a smile. "Look about what you might have said three weeks ago after I announced to the world about what happened…"

"…I just wanted you to know that I was here for you no matter what. Even if…"

"I have feelings for you too, Colby," Mercedes interrupted.

Colby smiled.

"You just need to give me a little more time."

"Yes, of course."

"But I would love to communicate via technology and not just in person. You know?"

"Oh, yeah," Colby smiled. "When you're not with someone in person talking on the phone or texting is the next best thing. That with video chat as well."

"Yes," Mercedes smiled. "But thank you for letting me tell you specifically what happened." Tears streamed down her cheeks. She wiped them away. "Something inside of me wanted you to know specifically."

"Well, I have heard and read in a few places that it is good to talk about what happened. The people around you can hopefully understand a little better about it. And it is good for the…I'm trying to refer to the person as something other than a victim."

"Survivor," Mercedes said. "It's a better term."

"Good to know," Colby replied.

"But anyway. Thank you for listening to me and understanding about everything that has been going on."

"I'll always be here for you, though, Mercedes. Just know that I am constantly thinking about it. It was that way before the last three weeks."

Mercedes smiled.

"And just know I would do whatever to protect you and take care of you. I know you need some more time and space, but just know I am an open book with you."

"You're so sweet, Colby. But yes, maybe more time and space. I was able to hug my male friends just moments ago. But it was the New Day. I have always been able to trust them. "

"Yes," Colby replied. "But do what you need to do again, Mercedes. But again know I am here for you."

"I do know and thank you again," Mercedes said.

By Colby's words she knew he really cared about her and wanted to go out. She was the same way. They had developed an emotional relationship with one another that wasn't mostly a friendship relationship. It was something out of a movie or TV show where two characters get close with each other, have feelings for each other and perhaps eventually getting together.

But that needed to be put on hold. At least for Mercedes.

With Mercedes slowly trying to recover from her rape, she wasn't wrestling. She still traveled with everyone. But she wasn't getting into the ring. All of WWE by now knew what had happened. All the bosses did.

But the WWE Universe was wondering where the Boss, Sasha Banks was. She had been pulled from events as competing. But the wrestling sites gave their thoughts on what was going on. An injury, maybe. However, Mercedes wished a press release to be released in regards to Sasha Banks.

WWE did just that. They said that Sasha Banks was taking a leave of absence from competing due to personal matters and they were not sure when Sasha Banks would be back to competing.

Mercedes knew the fans were going to make something up about her personal matters. They always did. She was actually staying away from social media for a little bit.

Another three weeks later…

Mercedes sat on the lid of the toilet in her bathroom. There was a pregnancy test sitting on the bathroom counter.

Over the last few weeks, Mercedes had been sick. She knew it had nothing to do with her attack about a month earlier. She was experiencing pregnancy symptoms. She had also missed her period. Now she sat in her bathroom waiting for the results of the pregnancy test.

She slowly got up and walked over to the counter. She picked up the pregnancy test. She closed her eyes holding it up for her to see. She then opened her eyes. The test said she was pregnant.