Rebecca got up from the covers and turns off the radio after hearing the news. She picks up her phone from the nightstand and dials Claire's number as Billy places his hands on her shoulders.
"Sorry. . . I'm sorry." He continuously apologizes while soothingly rubbing his hands on her, though he is not sure if he is doing it to comfort her or himself.
"Do you have anything to do with those two?" Rebecca asks him almost sarcastically. Billy shakes his head. "Then it's not your fault. Stop apologizing for something you didn't do. I'm just worried about their kid. She's from our school. I think Claire and Jill are her teachers too."
She hears Claire pick up from the other line. "Rebecca?"
"Have you heard-"
"It's on TV. I'm planning to check on her." She rummages through her bag, searching for the small notebook where she already listed Sherry's home number and address.
"We are very sorry to hear about the news but we are here for you, whenever you need help you may tell us, OK?" She says as she looks at Billy. He gives a reassuring nod.
Claire smiles a little bit knowing who Rebecca is pertaining to when she said 'we' and 'us'. She finds the notebook she is looking for. "I'm glad you and Billy are in good terms again. I'll text or call you later. Bye."
The call ends and Rebecca sighs as she places her phone back on the nightstand. Billy can only wrap her in his arms and hope for the best.
After Claire ends the call and she starts flipping through the pages.
"Claire, you don't have to go all the way there. I can try to call Barry at the station, see if he can just give us updates." Chris suggests.
"Who knows where she might be or how she must be feeling now?" She replies without taking her eyes off the notebook she is scanning.
Chris and Jill looks at each other. "Claire, that woman, Alexia, she's dangerous. You can't keep dipping your hands in her mess."
"How could you say that right after telling me what happened to that girl named Lisa? She killed herself because she was drugged, drugged, Chris. My goodness. Drugged supplied by Sherry's parents then she was filmed having sex with some man who she probably didn't even know."
Her hands started to shake just as the words come out of her mouth. The mere thought that it happened a long time ago made stomach turn wondering how many times it could that incident happened in the very school she teaches at.
"I can't believe it. I knew something was wrong but I didn't do anything. I was too passive about Sherry and now look what happened."
"Claire, they are not kids. You are not her only teacher. Your students are teenagers, young adults." He exhales deeply and just pulls his sister for a tight hug. He understands what's happening but he hates the feeling of it. He knows that he won't change her mind. "I'll drive you there. Try to call her."
Claire's muscles and nerves slightly relax and she hugs him back.
"What kind of a brother am I if I will let you go into the battlefield alone. We are team in this." He pats the top of her head.
"Thank you. Let's go." She quickly heads towards the main door and Jill trails behind her.
"Where are you going?" Chris confusedly asks.
"As you said, Claire is not her only teacher and we are a team." She gives him a soft smile and tilts her towards the door before following Claire outside.
Chris exhales once again. Lost for words and feeling like he has two of most wonderful women in the world. How their hearts are so pure yet fragile. He'd bash the skull of anyone who would try to hurt these two. He knows he's got a job to do and he's gonna see it through.
Claire has dialed Sherry's number numerous times. Jill had to insist driving midway to Sherry's location so that Chris can focus on talking to his friend Barry on the phone and ask for updates in the police station. However, when they reached her house, it was surrounded with a few police cars. Claire inquired to one of the policeman the whereabouts of Sherry but even he was honest that they haven't found or even heard of where the young lady might be.
So there they are, roaming around the streets of Raccoon City while trying to figure out what they should do. Should they call it a day or keep looking? Claire is at the backseat typing what feels like her fifth text message to Sherry and lost count how many times she ringed her phone.
"Hey." Chris calls her attention, looking at his wristwatch that reads 12:07 AM. "I don't think Jill can keep her eyes open and drive. Barry said the Birkins will most likely be in jail due to the evidence they found. That's the last update he can give us tonight."
He sees her lips quiver, like she was fighting the urge to cry. Claire swallows the lump in her throat, takes a deep breath and clears her throat.
"Maybe I should drive. I can drive both of you home and then I think I can still keep searching for her for another hour or two" She offers but they both just shake their heads.
"We can always continue tomorrow." Jill says. "Have you ever tried contacting any of her friends, maybe she's at one of her friend's house?"
Claire sighs and admits she can't really cross out that possibility. Maybe she is just being too paranoid. Who really would want to go home after finding out that both of your parents are arrested? But shouldn't she be at the police station testifying? Anything?
Her phone rings and she flips it open. "She's at the park near the Raccoon Zoo."
Claire couldn't thank her brother and friend more for tolerating and baring with her the entire night. There she sighs in relief as she sees the young girl sitting alone on the bench. An unsettling feeling runs through her spine after thinking how long she must have been there, in the middle of the night and all alone.
"Sherry." She says softly before sitting next to her.
"Hi. Miss Redfield." She answers with her head lowered down and hands on her lap, fidgeting with her fingers.
Claire can obviously tell that she is uneasy. "That car over there. . . That's just my brother and my friend Jill, you know them. Don't be scared, no one else is here apart from us."
"They must be looking for me."
Knowing very well that she is not feeling good at the moment, she skipped the part of asking her how she is doing and said the first thing that comes to her might. "You know, it's cold here. Just come with us and spend the night at our house. You can deal with everything tomorrow, it's really late." She says as nonchalantly as she can. As if she is not asking her student to come have a sleepover because her parents will be going to jail soon.
"I don't want to trouble you Miss Redfield." She looks up at her, hesitation etched in her face, puzzlement as well. Not only lost for words but lost in general. She is just a senior high school student baffled with what's suddenly thrown to her.
"Again, you may deal with everything tomorrow. At least for tonight, I just want to make sure you have a room where you can sleep at." She gives her a small smile. "And a warm shower since it's really cold."
Claire stands up from the bench and holds out a hand for Sherry. The young girl takes her hand and slowly stands up, the surge of tears finally trails down her eyes. Unsure if it's because she is sad but angry at the same time about what's happening to her or if it's happiness and that she relieved to have such a caring teacher. She couldn't stop the tears she was trying hard to hold back and couldn't help but cling to Claire as well. Claire hugs her student back, gently running her hand on her hair and assures her that everything will be fine sooner or later.
They made it to the Redfield's house and Jill was convinced to spend the night as well to avoid the long drive. It wouldn't be the first time she would sleep next to Chris anyway.
Sherry offered to just sleep on the couch but Claire was more resilient and firmly stated that she can spend the night in her bedroom since she has a pull out bed ready. Claire has utilized that bed since she was a high school student and would often invite Elza or sometimes Cindy.
Sherry has finished cleaning up and now sits at the bottom bunk. Claire enters the room after brushing her teeth then takes a seat at her bed as well.
"You know, I'll listen if you have anything to tell me, kid. I won't ask you to tell me something you are not ready to tell though." She says while looking down at her.
She is quiet for a moment, she has been wondering her gaze around Claire's room for a while now. "They are good doctors, Miss Redfield. You can even say that they are married to their job." Sherry mumbles.
"I can't imagine what you are going through." She empathizes. "If you need any help tomorrow. Don't ever, and I mean ever, hesitate to come here or contact me again, OK?"
"Thank you." Sherry manages to smile for the first time tonight since hearing the news from the convenience store earlier.
"Also, good thing it's Thanksgiving break, right?" Claire says then Sherry nods. Though Claire is not sure if Sherry would decide to go back to school after Thanksgiving break in the first place. "Do you have any place you can go to?"
She ponders at her options. She'll turn 18 soon, hopefully graduate as well. She doesn't really have any relatives nearby, barely knows where any of them are in the first place. Since her parents are always at their work, it's rare for her to meet other people other than people her parents work with, sadly she never got the chance to meet any uncles, aunties or cousins. She has a part time job at the Raccoon City library but even that won't be enough source of income for her to live by herself.
"I'll get by." She tells her a white lie. She is hoping she would get by.
"Spend the Thanksgiving with us for now."
Chris plops his butt down the couch and stretches his neck. After driving all three girls back, he should feel relieved that Sherry is safe. But he knows some shits might still be on their way. It's not a sin to celebrate small victories though.
"Aren't you going to sleep?"
He looks to his left and sees Claire. "Aren't you?"
She sighs and takes a sit next to him. "Where's Jill?"
"Where's Sherry?"
The younger Redfield just clicks her tongue and glares at him.
He grins a bit then ruffles her hair. "Jill is in my room, getting ready for bed."
She pulls his hand away from her head. It seems like her brother really got it bad, even letting Jill have her privacy in his room. It's like he just let himself bare and couldn't care less what she might find in his surely unorganized room. "Sherry's already asleep."
"You should sleep too. I know it's a weekend tomorrow but it's been a long day." He pauses then yawns. "For all of us."
"Why didn't you get angry or upset at me when you found out about me and Piers Nivans?" She curiously asks.
"Did you seduce him?" She just jabs her fist on the side of his waist and he grunts. Obviously, he wasn't hurt but he must get the message. "I'll take that as a no."
She crosses her arms and leans back on the couch then he places his arm on the headrest right behind her.
"I think there's a tendency for some students to have a crush on their teacher. I know I did. Who am I to forbid my players to like a specific person?" He explains with a shrug.
"I guess not. Even I don't do that to you." She slowly shakes her head "I think I would never. Too bad it's not just a simple crush now. Some bitch got involved and messed with us." She can't help but frown in disgust.
"Things will be better soon." He assures her.
Steve's phone rang early in the morning and he answers the call without getting up from his bed or opening his eyes. "Hello."
"Hello, Mr. Burnside."
His eyes shot open so quickly, it hurt his vision and had to turn away from the window. He would like to check if he is dreaming but he doesn't know how to do it or how to start. "Hello, Miss Redfield?"
"Hi. I know it's early in the morning but I was planning to tell you something since last night."
Piers' mother opens the door and is greeted by Steve. "Hi. Mrs. Nivans?"
"Yes." The woman greets him back then observes him.
"I'm Steve, friend of Piers from school. I'm not sure if he told you but we were planning to go to the arcade today." Steve musters up the courage to tell another lie.
"Oh. . . He has never told me about you before." If she were to be frank, Steve looks a bit older than a normal student but she can give the benefit of the doubt. She can assume that he may have stopped studying or started late. The woman slightly shifts to the side and calls Piers over. "Piers! You have a visitor from school."
Steve gradually sees Piers from the doorway then awkwardly, and as low as possible, raises and waves his hand at him. He gulps as Piers frowns at him. As Piers steps closer to him, he prepares himself to explain what he is doing at his house.
"What are you doing here?" He asks in a cold tone. So cold that Steve starts to consider if he should just bail.
"Did you forget that I asked you to go with me to the arcade and try that new geography puzzle-like and open world video game?" He swears he did thrice better when he was practicing earlier in the mirror. Placing emphasis on the words 'geography' and 'world', Piers kind of feels like there is something that Steve wants to imply but can't understand it yet.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Let me just get dressed."
Steve's pre-owned jeep is the only treasure he has bought with his own money so far. It's not even fully paid yet but if he is going to go back and forth from his hometown and Raccoon City during vacations, might as well buy something that will make it a little convenient for him. The jeep managed to get them to Arklay Mountains after he bought a case of canned beers for them.
Piers stayed quiet during their ride. He figured that if there will be booze then he might as well take advantage of it. Also, the view of Raccoon City from the passenger's seat is not that bad either. His body has been craving outdoors without him noticing it. His mother has been scolding him for not getting out of his room and always telling a lot of excuses not to go to school. The combination of fresh air and cold beers sounded too tempting to reject, he behaved and stayed polite enough during their drive.
Steve opens his can of beer then clinks it to Piers's drink. "Cheers, I guess." He takes a large gulp to prepare to address the elephant in the room.
"Why are we here?" He asks without even sparing a glance at him, just staring at the windshield.
"Claire called me." He figures they should just drop the honorific since it's just them and they both know what she is for them.
Piers almost crushed the can he is holding after hearing how could he simply address his teacher by her first name. "If you fucking dragged me here to rub that in my face-"
"She called and told me she is worried about you."
For the first time since they stopped and took a break, he glances at Steve for a second. He can't really decipher what's his expression, whether it is defeat, lonesome, admiration or all of the above.
"Now she didn't really call to tell me she is worried about you. She ended up telling me that after we talked. And then she asked me a favor." He drinks the rest of the contents in his can.
"What favor? What did you talk about?" Piers is quick with his questions.
"I doesn't matter what we talked about, what matters is her request. Go back to school, Piers." His tone is firm and final. "Don't make her worry. Don't make her feel guilty."
Piers feels sweat building up around his neck. He takes slowly deep breaths to calm himself. Has he been making Claire feel that way? He is suffering too though, it's been difficult for him too though. Why is it that she has to feel that way too when she is the one who downright rejected him.
"She knows you must hate her now but she did that for your own good. She told me she thinks she's the reason why you are skipping school and she wouldn't forgive herself if she will be the cause of your failing grades." Steve explains as he opens another can of beer, reminding himself that it should be his last since he will be driving back soon. "Have you heard the news recently?"
"The crime about Miss Ashford and the Birkins? Yeah." Piers slowly nods.
"You would have been tangled in that mess too if Claire and her brother didn't take matters into their own hands." He couldn't help but smile a bit at how proud he is that he was there to help them. It's not that much of a big contribution or help but it still feels exhilarating. "She was just protecting you. I think it's pretty obvious that she cares about all of her students and only hopes that you would all enjoy spending time at school, with friends . . . have a memorable high school and a good future."
"Why did she send you?" Piers clenches his fist.
"We both like her. She knows that now. Maybe she was hoping that we'd both understand each other more? Hoping that one might convince the other not to hold grudges. I am clearly the underdog in this battle." He chuckles, if including the ex-boyfriend she has mentioned as well he is still at the bottom of the food chain. "Have you told her how you felt?"
Piers drinks the rest of his beer. The taste of cold bitter liquid that fills his mouth could reflect the cold and bitter feeling in his heart. Yet, he says his answer with pride. "Yes, I did."
"That's brave of you. I never got the chance though. But I guess we all do stupid things when we are blinded with love."
Piers's chest slowly tightens at how reckless his actions were. If his coach is nice enough, he might still be in the team after not going to school for an entire week. If he is fortunate enough, his grades may still be enough for him to keep his scholarship. Why is he skipping school in the first place? Because he doesn't want to see her? Avoid her at all cost? He couldn't tell any of his friends because the mere thought of him talking about falling for teacher is not really a good topic to talk about. Does he have an idea how long he is planning to continue what he is doing now? He was so consumed by hurt that he lost track of the days.
"She could have just told me about it." He sniffs and he could feel the tears forming around his eyes but he blinks it away. "I would have understood he rather than deal with what she chose to do."
"Well, The Ashford Twins are kicked out from school. Maybe you should go back and clarify things with her." Steve suggests before starting the jeep and driving back to Raccoon City.
Rough day is not enough to cover Sherry's entire endeavor, rough week is clearly an understatement. Truth be told, she has been struggling to deal with family matters but surprisingly and thankfully got a good social life at school. This is mainly because she tends to stay at school longer than she stays at home. It had been difficult to always show a happy face and keep her cover though. Now that the entire school, hell the entire city knows what happened in her family, she knows that she can no longer relish in her high school life.
After spending the night at the Redfield's house, she handled the matters that she personally doesn't even want to face if it wasn't for Claire's support and words of encouragement. The final verdict, it wasn't a surprise. Her parents would have to spend years in prison.
Due to that fact, she decided to drop out of school and move to Washington. She will be moving right after she finishes fixing her papers at school. Once she moves away, she needs to immediately look for a job and bypass studying for now. She would just save money first and enroll next school year if she gets the chance to.
"Are you sure you would be fine living there by yourself?" Claire asks her the third time for the day as they enter the Redfield's house. As per their prior agreement, Sherry would be spending the Thanksgiving night at their place before she moves away.
"Yes, Miss Redfield. My mother's house there is not that big but at least I won't have to pay for the house rent." She answers and forces a smile. The reason why they live in the condominium is because it's closer to the hospital where her parents work at. But during the Holidays or vacations she and her parents usually go back to that house and spend some time off, it rarely happens but she does appreciate two to three days of seeing her parents not working.
"Please call me Claire. If you won't be attending the school where I am teaching then I don't think there is a need for you to address me too formally." She says then stops on her tracks as she smells a roasted Turkey from the kitchen. She thought it can't be Chris because the scent it too mouthwatering to be done by him. "Jill!"
"Hi Claire. You two are just in time for dinner." She greets them with a warm smile.
"Jill will be joining us for tonight. The more, the merrier, right?" Chris adds while opening a bottle of champagne.
"Yeah, it's kind of expensive to go to Japan twice a year so I told my mom I'll just skip Thanksgiving and join them this Christmas." Jill starts setting the table. "Take your seats, girls. Leave the preparations to the adults."
"Hey, I am an adult." Claire pouts but still takes a seat. Witnessing Sherry go through what she had to endure for an entire week was somehow also exhausting for her, not just physically but also emotionally and mentally.
Sherry quietly takes a seat next to her. Even though this is her first time joining them for a Thanksgiving, she doesn't feel like an outcast. Even before the news about her parents broke out, Claire has been one of her favorite teachers. She is thankful to all of them who have been very accommodating and welcoming towards her. She has a lot of things to be thankful of. Even to Chris she is thankful about that certain day . . .
"Sherry?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by Claire.
"Are you OK?" Her teacher asks and she nods her head.
"Sherry, if ever you want to spend Christmas here as well, just inform us." Chris says while filling up their glasses with champagne.
"And if ever you need help trying to look for a job, call me or send me a text." Claire comments.
"I also know a friend who lives at Washington, I can introduce you to Regina if you need any helping hand familiarizing yourself around the place or anything else." Jill offers as well.
Overwhelmed by the support she has received from her teachers, tears immediately start streaming down her face before Sherry could realize it. She puts her head down and wipes her cheeks with her finger as she sniffs. Claire reaches her hand to her and rubs her hand on her shoulder.
Thankfully, there was a knock on the door. Chris walks towards it and then opens the door. He smiles and greets Rebecca and Billy. "You two made it."
"Sorry we are late." Rebecca gives a quick hug to Chris. "The pumpkin pie took longer than we expected."
Billy closes the door and hands the said pie to Chris.
"It's fine, we are just starting. Let's head over to the kitchen." Chris brings the dessert to the dinner table.
Rebecca cheerfully greets each one of them with a quick hug, even hugging Sherry longer and tighter than the others. Billy on the other hand, stands idle at the side and watches the scene. Claire notices this and she gets up from her seat.
She hasn't talked to him about what happened and their means of communications would probably be just what she tells Rebecca. Still, she meant what she said and what she believed from the beginning. She smiles and gives him a quick hug. "Take a seat before Rebecca will nag you for awkwardly standing here."
Her remark made him sigh in relief and chuckle. "Thank you."
"And thank you." With that, she goes back to her seat next to Sherry.
Sherry is beside Rebecca who is next to Billy. Beside Claire is Jill sitting next to Chris.
After all the drama, dilemma and obstacles that they have experienced, it's finally time to raise a glass of champagne and let go of their worries for the mean time.
"Claire?"
"Hmmm?" Claire diverts her sight from the book she is reading to Sherry.
The young girl is once again sitting at her spare bed, a pillow on her lap and an indecisive look on her face. Claire convinced her to just spend the night again at their place again reasoning out that she shouldn't be alone in their house during Thanksgiving.
"What is it?" She puts the book away to imply that she fully has her attention.
"I have something to tell you." Sherry says then lowers down her head. She has been thinking about if she should tell Claire about it or not. Since it has been a final decision for her to leave school, she though that she might as well divulge something significant.
The guidance councilor's office has a far more unsettling vibe compared to being in the principal's office. It is mainly because The Principal has a better welcoming aura while Sherry feels somewhat restrained in Simmon's room, like every move she makes should be permitted by him. Maybe because he has been known to be the authoritative figure in the whole school.
"Are you thinking about a pep rally or a halftime routine?" Mr. Simmons asks her after noticing she is close to daydreaming.
"Mmhmm" She just nods thinking that it would be better to make that as her excuse rather than admit what she is really thinking and feeling at the moment.
"Don't worry, you'll still be able to attend all of those after this. It doesn't automatically mean that you are about to be suspended or expelled when you are invited in the guidance councilor's office." He smiles as he stands up.
"I really didn't mean to be involved in that fight." Pertaining to what happened between Piers and Steve.
"OK, I do understand. However, you must bare in mind that you shouldn't bother yourself trying to rectify such nuisance." He walks towards the door and Sherry could swear she hears the door being locked. "You can just leave the men and boys handle those matters. We don't want one of our precious cheerleaders have an injury or something, don't we?"
She just gulps and suddenly feeling conscious of how short the blue skirt she is wearing right now. She tugs it lower in attempt to cover her skin to her knees.
"Students here are quite fond of you." He adds and waits for her to say something. Much to his disappointment, she didn't say any word. Perhaps he needs to be a little more direct. He stands behind her. "You seem to enjoy spending time in this school. That's good. Too much time in some days, I wonder what your parents think about."
Sherry stands up but Simmons places his hands on her shoulder and urges her to sit once again. Her hands begin trembling as she feels his fingers press against her. She is conflicted with the idea if she should just downright disrespect him or still be polite, convince herself that he is just comforting her and making her feel at ease. Suddenly it's harder for her to breathe.
"Oh, right. Your parents at quite busy doctors." His thumbs start trailing on her shoulder blades, even up along her neck. "Not just being doctors but being drug dealers as well."
She quickly shifts away from him but unfortunately not quick enough as she could feel his arm around her neck.
"Don't shout. You don't want your parents to accidentally lose their job at the hospital, right? One call to my friend and their license will be revoked."
"Please let me go." She begs and squirms.
"Your parents dug a grave by themselves a long time ago and just can't seem to escape their dirty business." He places his mouth closer to her ear while talking. "Specially when clients keep on coming and the demands keep on getting higher. A lot of students are really into drugs these days."
She could feel his other hand on her waist, slowly running up towards her chest. In her years of being a cheerleader and being one of the well-known students in her school, there have been some incidents where some of her fellow classmates would tell her pick-up lines, green jokes and even whistle but she has never experienced being touched inappropriately without permission. She can't say no either but why can't she muster up the courage to say 'no'? Is it because she is afraid of what he can do to her parents? Afraid that she might cause a scene in the office but no one would believe her? Afraid of what he is capable of doing to her in the office as she is all alone? She is unsure. She just wants him to stop doing what he is doing to her.
"Simmons!"
A loud knock on the door made him grunt and let her go. "Don't tell anyone. . . Or else." He tells her before opening the door.
"I told you Simmons, if you are going to send one of my players to detention, inform me before practice and not during practice. He was-" Chris storms in the room, already talking about his complain before noticing Sherry. "I'm sorry, Miss. Birkin, we're you talking to Simmons earlier? Did I interrupt anything?"
"I was just leaving." Like a reflex, she stands up and also surprised how she half-shouted her answer.
"Oh, I see." Chris holds the door open for her.
She exits the room without glancing at the man who just tried to take advantage of her. She heads to the bathroom while thinking what she should do. Should she report what happened? To who? What will happen to her if she ever will? What will happen to her parents? Who will believe her in the first place?
She enters the bathroom and locks herself in one of the stalls then starts crying.
A/N: And that ends the second to the last chapter of this story. It's hard to believe that the next chapter is already the last chapter. I can't hardly believe that I managed to pull off a long story like this. It's all thanks to everyone who has been reading this. If it's not too much to ask, if you could spare me a minute more, I would like you peeps to check my profile since I have a poll up there. It's something that I have been thinking off a few weeks ago. I would really appreciate it if you would share your opinion to me for me to decide because it's your opinion that vital. If you can't give a quick visit, I understand as well. I do wish all of you are safe and doing well. Until then, see you in two weeks for the conclusion of this story.