Escapism (Thursday Afternoon, July 12th)
"We couldn't get anything out of her," Dr. Roberts informs. "She won't even speak to me. The most she's said is that she can't drink water." He turns Belle, "We have been giving her milk and meat sandwiches for meals. Is that enough?"
"For now." She turns back to the glass and gasps as she places a hand to her heart, Mal standing in front of her with glowing eyes.
"And then there's this," the grey-haired doctor evenly answers. "She can see us."
"But the glass," she stresses.
"Is one-way," the doctor confirms, "but she can't hypnotize us. I'm unsure whether it's the type of glass or the width, but she can't do it while we're out here." He faces her, "The hypnotism has been a problem. Any time we try to go in, she makes us leave. The first time she actually hypnotized someone to let her leave, but luckily we caught up with her." His concern grows, "However, it's going to be hard determining the treatment plan needed for her if she refuses to answer our questions."
"Ask me," Belle turns back to him.
"Excuse me?" he inquires.
"Do you need to know why she did this?" she asks.
"And her family history, any known illness, or substance abuse," he adds on.
Belle glances down before meeting his blue eyes and disclosing, "Mal's an alcoholic." He nods in thought. "Would it be possible to safely detox her from the alcohol so long as she is in here?"
"That would take longer than seventy-two hours," Dr. Roberts informs. "I would recommend that the minimum of her stay to be extended to a week, should we do that."
"Yes," she accepts.
"As her listed guardian, you will need to sign your permission."
"Yes," she agrees. "Of course."
"I will get the papers, but before I do," he continues, "is there anything else I should know?"
Belle lets out a breath before facing him, "Mal also has a history of abuse and, um, rape." She uneasily says, "It's possible that when Ben got close to her, it may have triggered something." Her eyes lower, "It may very well be why she's in here."
"She needs therapy," the doctor opinionates.
Belle meets his eyes, "I've gotten to know Mal a fair amount this summer. She likes to work past things. When she delves into her problems, she only obsesses over them more."
"Rape victims often think it's their fault," he counters. "She needs to know it isn't."
"She's never going to be able to forget it," Belle counters. "The more she is forced to remember it, the harder it will be for her to set it aside."
"This isn't a bad book," Dr. Roberts asserts. "This is her mind. She can't just set it aside."
"I don't see why not." Belle frowns, "I've set things aside."
He falters, "How have you been? Any worsening symptoms?"
"I'm perfectly fine," she reassures.
"And your reading?" he inquires.
"I have fully embraced my reality," her voice strengthens. "I am no longer retreating to the point of neglecting those who depend on me."
He nods, "That's good to hear. You've made a lot of—"
"Is that all?" she interrupts.
"Belle," he frowns. "Escapism is—"
She checks her watch, "I'm supposed to be supervising Ben's friend's visitation. May I just sign the papers, so I can leave?"
"About Ben," the doctor cautiously comments. "I've been meaning to talk to you."
She observes him, "What is it?"
His frown deepens, "Ben has missed his last three appointments."
"He hasn't seen you in three months?" she concerns.
"Nearly four now," he informs, and she places a hand to her head. "I don't want to worry, but this is very uncharacteristic of him."
She faces him, "Are you available today?"
He nods, "I can make time for him."
"I'm going to get him," she says, but before she can leave, he stops her.
"Wait. Don't you want to sign the papers first?"
Belle turns back to him, "Right." before she thinks. "Uh. Perhaps—Evie can't be hypnotized—maybe you would let her try to get Mal to cooperate?"
Dr. Roberts nods, "Bring her when you bring Ben. She can talk to her while we speak with him."
"When was the last time you slept?" Chad's brows furrow.
"Um," Ben thinks. "Why?"
"You did the math wrong," he points out. "Seven plus two is nine, not eleven." Ben looks at the spreadsheet. "And you got two extra digits here."
"Chad," Ben frowns, and he faces him. "Thank you."
Chad eyes over him, before he glances at his father and eyes back at the computer, "Yeah. No prob." He corrects the math, "Seriously, though. When was the last time you slept?"
"Haven't you learned?" Ben half jokes, "I don't." before he eyes down from Chad's face to his neck. That tart scent makes his teeth tense, and his mouth cracks open as he sees the blue vein running across his skin. There's a rushing sound, like a stream, and steady drum underneath.
"Ben. Did you hear me?" Chad frustrates.
"Huh?" He faces him, "What?"
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" he accuses.
Ben huffs, "Thinking of what?"
"You know what."
"Chad," Ben tries to reason. "I didn't even say anything."
"You don't have to," he shouts. "I can tell by the way you look at me."
"Oh. Come on," Ben disbelieves.
"Admit it," he insists. "You're thinking about it."
"I really don't think I was," Ben denies, before he opens a drawer and pulls out a pack of fruit chews.
"You have a boner," Chad dismisses.
Ben gives him a look, "And what are you doing looking at my crotch?" and Chad fails to respond. "You know, I wouldn't criticize you for thinking anything about me. We're supposed to be friends, Chad. Are you really going to let a little thing like this stand between us?"
He frowns at him, "I just want to be seen as more than an object of someone's desires."
Ben lets out a calming breath, "Chad. You're my friend. I would never purposely objectify you." before his eyebrows furrow. "Anyway. I don't actually think of you like that."
Chad looks over him, "You don't?"
"Oh, God," Ben sighs. "One minute you're upset because you think I'm objectifying you, and the next you're sad because I don't fantasize about you in that way." Chad looks down, but he keeps eye contact on him, "I'm trying here, Chad. I really am. What do you want from me?"
Chad looks back at him, eyeing his mouth, before he turns back to his father and then stares back at the computer screen, "Nothing. I want nothing."
Ben looks over him before offering a fruit chew, "Do you want one?"
He glances at it, "I don't eat candy." and Ben quietly inserts the soft candy into his mouth. "The math should be correct now."
"Thank you," Ben whispers.
When Chad doesn't respond, his father questions, "Do you want to go home?"
He shakes his head, "No." before he glances from Ben to him. "I want to stay."
The door suddenly opens, and Ben's eyes widen as his mother strides into the room, "You haven't seen the doctor in four months?"
"Mother," Ben tries to reason.
"You know how important your appointments are," she asserts.
"I felt fine," Ben exasperates.
"That's no excuse to skip your appointments."
"What's going on?" Chad questions.
Ben wets his lips, "People can get sick just form visiting the hospital."
"So, you don't see the doctor at all?" she disbelieves.
"Well," Ben begins.
"Do you even realize how serious this is," she steps forward, and Ben looks off. "If we don't manage your condition, you could die."
Ben faces her and evenly responds, "How could I forget? It's all I ever hear."
"Honey," she sighs.
"No," Ben shouts. "You don't get to do that. You don't get to tell me I'm going to die one minute and then act all cute to get me to forgive you the next." She opens her eyes, and he narrows his at her. "I get it, okay? I'm going to die." He sadly laughs, "So, what's the point?"
"The point is for you not to die," she sternly responds.
"If the goal was for me not to die," Ben counters, "you wouldn't be forcing be to go to a place full of sick people."
She nods, "You're right. You shouldn't be surrounded by sick people." as she frowns at him. "Which is why if you miss another doctor's appointment, I will pull you out of school."
Ben gasps, "You can't do that."
"That's illegal," Chad points out.
"Not if I place you in an online program," she counters, "or better yet—teach you myself."
"You can't just keep me here," Ben shouts.
"Why not?" she evenly responds. "It worked when your father did it to me."
Chad gives a look, "You're seriously using that to justify this?"
"Chad," his father commands, "go to the car."
"What?" he exasperates.
"Go to the car," he sternly repeats, and Chad grumbles before heading for the door.
Ben catches a final glance from him, before the door closes again, and his mother informs, "I've made an appointment for you. Dr. Roberts will be expecting us."
"And if I don't go?" Ben tests.
"Then you can forget about graduating with your friends," she answers, and Ben silences. "Come now. Travis is waiting for us downstairs."
Ben stands from the desk, walks towards them, and looks over her, tears in his eyes, "I hate you so much."
She frowns, "You can only truly hate someone you really love." and Ben shakes his head before striding to the door.
After he leaves, Charming comments, "Belle." before she faces him. "Are you okay?"
She folds her hands in front of her, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Just what you said about Adam keeping you here," he uneasily explains.
"Right," she recalls, before she nods, "I'm fine."
"Belle," he hesitates, "you know I'm not one for rumors. I prefer to hear it from the people involved."
"I know," she partly smiles. "That's very honorable of you."
"I would hate to think that someone I worked with could have kidnapped an innocent girl and… had his way—"
"You can stop there," Belle holds up a hand. "Adam never… He didn't rape me as the beast. Or any time after."
"But if you didn't even want to be here," Charming counters.
"I want to be here," Belle denies.
"You do now," he frowns, "but how long did it take for you to stop fighting him off?"
"I had my reservations at first," she admits, "but then I got to know him."
"But you were alone with him?" he inquires. "You were forced to stay in this castle with him. Just because he offered you better courters, that didn't make you any less a prisoner."
"It was dangerous outside," she excuses. "Beast saved my life. Adam was just looking out for me." She thinks, "And I wasn't alone with him. I had the servants."
"But they were just animated objects," Charming counters. "People are far more inclined to make connection with other people or animals." She eyes down, and he steps forward, "Belle. I want you to be able to be honest with me. Are you a victim of Stockholm Syndrome?"
She faces him, "I believe I am, but what people forget about Stockholm Syndrome is that it not only involves the prisoner to fall for the captor, but it also involves the captor falling for their prisoner." She meets his eyes, "Adam and I may have met under less than ideal circumstances, but that doesn't make our love any less real."
"But you didn't have a choice," Charming concerns.
"Neither did he," Belle laughs. "Neither did any of us. Aurora had an arranged marriage, Snow was dowered at age fourteen, and even you and Ella met during desperate times. Does that make your love any less real?"
"I wasn't Ella's abuser," Charming calmly dismisses, "and Aurora and Phillip's love grew as they got to know each other."
"As did Adam's and mine," she compares, and his mouth opens as he eyes down. "You don't believe me."
"It's not that," Charming sighs. "You have a very rational way of thinking, and I can believe you're okay with the circumstances of your marriage."
"But?" she prompts.
"Other people wouldn't see it that way," he answers. "To them, Adam would just be another villain worthy of imprisonment."
"Well, then," her voice strengthens, "you know the solution." He doesn't speak, and she answers herself, "You keep this to yourself."
He hesitates, "You would tell me if you were unhappy—or ever become so?"
Belle frowns, "I've never been happy, but I can reassure you I am more content now than I've ever been in my life." He nods. "This stays between us, then?"
"Yes," Charming answers, disheartened. "This stays between us."
She observes him, "You're unsettled."
"I am worried about Ben," Charming discloses. "He was video chatting with me when Adam got into an argument with him. He seemed to be pretty hard on him."
"What was the argument about?" she questions.
"His bank account." Belle nods, and Charming informs, "Ben's thinking about getting a second job."
"If he can balance ten classes with being king," Belle evenly replies, "then I have full confidence that he can handle a summer job."
"He's still just a kid," he opinionates. "Ben should be enjoying his summer, especially now that he's king. He deserves a minute to relax."
"Ben relax?" Belle disbelieves. "He gives himself reasons not to."
"Maybe he feels pressured," Charming suggests.
"Or perhaps," she counters, "he likes to keep busy." Charming fails to respond, and she comments, "We're working on getting Ben's income directed to his new account." He nods, and she suggests, "We shouldn't keep them waiting."
"Of course," Charming recalls, before he steps towards the door.
Chad notices him hurry down the stairs, "Ben?" and when he makes it to the foyer, Chad stops him. He sees the tears on his face, "Ben. What happened?"
"I hate her," he shakily breathes, holding his arms. "I really hate her."
"What happened?" he asks again.
"She—" Ben places a hand to his mouth and gulps, before he tightens his grip on his arms. "She seriously thinks she can trap me here, because he did to her." Chad frowns, and Ben's breathing quickens. "She said she cared. She said—"
"Ben," Chad concerns, "it's okay."
"It was torture for her," he cries. "How could she even think—"
"Ben," he interrupts. "Breathe."
"She would rather make me live in misery," he cries, "instead of me living until I die."
Chad places his hands on his shoulders and widens his greyish blue eyes, "Ben. This only happens if you don't see the doctor."
"She doesn't love me," he shakes. "She couldn't—She can't—"
Chad hugs him, "Ben. It's okay. You're okay."
"Why can't she love me," he sobs. "Just a little. Why can't she just—"
Chad feels the tears on his shoulder, "She does love you. She's just being selfish about it." He thinks, "She wants you alive for her… but she does love you."
Ben takes in deep breathes, "But she doesn't care. She doesn't care about me."
"Ben," Chad whispers. "It's okay."
"No one loves me."
"That's not true." Chad takes a moment, "Your friends love you."
Ben's breathing evens out, as he takes in the tart scent and stares at the bare neck, "You love me."
Chad feels him suck on his neck, "Ben. We can't do this."
He stops; however, the bitter taste lingers, and he knows that if he could just have more, it would make everything okay. His teeth tense, his mouth slowly opens, and he transfixes on his neck, preparing to bite. "Ben!" His mouth shuts as his eyes widen, and he sees his mother scurrying down the staircase. "What are you doing?"
Ben fails to speak, and Chad faces the stairs, "It's okay. I was the one that hugged him." His father makes it to the bottom of the stairs, frowning. "He didn't do anything."
"Chad," he stresses, "you're supposed to be in the car."
"It's hot out there," he excuses.
"Then turn the air on," his father solves, before he nods to the front door. "Go. I will be there in a minute."
"He didn't do anything," Chad yells as his eyebrows furrow.
"I said go," his father asserts, and Chad grumbles as he shakes his head and leaves.
Ben watches the ornate double door shut, before his mother steps forward and reaches for his forehead. He pushes it away, "Would you stop touching me?"
His mother sighs, "You're warm."
"I already took half a bottle today," he irritably responds.
She frowns, "We can stop for ice cream on the way to the doctor."
"With what money?" Ben frustrates.
"I have a few dollars."
"I don't want any stupid ice cream," Ben shouts. "I'd like to just not get fever inducingly upset in the first place. Shouldn't it just be that easy?"
"Clearly not," she evenly responds, "if you're unable to manage your emotions."
Ben gapes at her, sadly laughing, and Charming questions, "Can I have a minute with him? I need to discuss Chad's visitation."
Belle nods, "I'll wait outside."
After she leaves, Charming turns to Ben, "Are you okay?"
Ben reaches into his pocket, but then he sees the tic-tac case is empty, "Shit."
He hurries over to the office, and Charming watches as he rummages through the desk. Ben takes out a bottle of liquid cold medicine, and he shakily takes the cap off before staring at it. "You're not going to drink all of that?" Ben sits down in the swivel chair, and Charming reminds him, "You could overdose. You'll die."
"I really wish I could die," Ben admits, as he holds the bottle. "I'm so tired of it all." He gulps, "Of everything being my fault… out of my control."
"Ben," Charming steps forward, "you can't do this."
He gives him a look, "You're going to challenge me?" and Charming silences. Ben shakes his head, "That's the worst thing anyone could say, that I can't do it." He pours a serving into the plastic measurer, "Don't worry. I'm not going to. The will's still not made. If I do now, Father would get the crown back." He drinks the medicine, but after he pours a second serving, Charming stops him from bringing it to his mouth. He meets his eyes, "My fever needs two."
Charming reluctantly lets go, and he watches as Ben drinks it, "If making a will is going to make you feel less guilty about attempting suicide, then maybe you shouldn't do one."
Ben screws the cap back on, "I've tried it before. If there wasn't a will, I'd probably have done it right now." before he places the bottle back in the drawer.
"Is your life really that bad?" Charming doubts, and Ben eyes away at the tone of his voice. "You're successful. You have a loving family—"
"A loving family," Ben interrupts. "After everything you've seen and heard, you're still going to insist that?"
"Sure, there's a lack of communication," he accepts.
Ben stands, "Here's what I have." before he meets his dark brown eyes. "The life I have, I have to avoid my raging father, I'm crushing on my neglectful mother, all the while, living in a body I can't even stand."
"What's wrong with your body?" Charming questions. "Aside from your, uh, illness."
Ben wets his lips, glancing down, "Nothing obviously."
He watches him scratch the back of his head, "I know it must be hard dealing with… well, what you are."
Ben's eyes widen at him, "I hurt people, and I have no control over it. Nothing in my life is mine. Are you really going to tell me I don't deserve to die?"
Charming frowns, "No one deserves to die."
Ben half laughs, "Just another thing I want that I'm not allowed to have."
"Ben," he cautiously continues.
"You wanted to talk about Chad?" he intervenes.
"I'd like to finish this conversation first."
"Well, I don't," Ben counters. "If you want to talk about Chad, let's talk about Chad. He's waiting for you in the car, and I have a doctor's appointment to get to."
"Right," Charming recalls, before he faces him. "I really don't want to discuss this, knowing how you already feel."
"I'm fine," Ben denies. "Continue."
He hesitates, "I guess… I just wanted to remind you that Chad's still fifteen, and by the time he does turn sixteen… by summer you would be eighteen, moving on in life, and he'd still just be…" He lets out a breath, "Do you get what I'm trying to say?"
"Chad's not age appropriate for me," Ben realizes, before he shakes his head. "But I don't think of Chad like that."
"Maybe you don't," Charming accepts, "but you still act inappropriately with him. Age of consent is sixteen, so even if your physical interaction with him has only been about the blood, he is not old enough to make that decision." Ben eyes down, and he takes a breath, "Look. I'm not accusing you of being a predator. Chad acts very mature for his age—and maybe that's my fault for having him skip a grade and attend Auradon Prep early—but you need to remind yourself that under the law he is still a child and that whatever interaction you've been having with him, it's both inappropriate and illegal. Do you understand?" Ben gulps as he nods. "Alright, then. In the future, I'd like to have both your mother and I supervise any visits. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah," Ben sniffles, not daring to look at him.
Charming places a hand on his shoulder, "I'm glad we could have this talk. I know it's hard to own up to your mistakes, but you've always been good at coming to terms with yours. If the men I knew were half as thoughtful as you, the world would be a better place."
Ben shakily breathes, "He's two years younger than me." and the tears fall to the desk.
"Ben," Charming falters. "You've been a good friend to him. I wouldn't be offering you so many second chances if you weren't."
"Chad's done way more for me than I've ever done for him," Ben denies, before he shakes his head. "How could I have…"
"You took the same classes," Charming reminds him. "Of course, you would think he was mature enough to make the same decisions you do."
Ben sadly laughs, "Why does my life have to be so fucked up?"
Charming takes a moment, "If you ever need to talk… I'll be available." Ben continues to stare at his folded hands, and he unsurely asks, "Do you want a hug?"
"Can I just be alone?" Ben whispers.
Charming nods, "Of course." before he heads for the door; however, after he opens it, he turns back. "I know life seems hard right now, but Chad's even younger than you were when you took the throne. If you thought it was hard, it would be even harder for him."
"I get it," Ben's voice strengthens. "Don't kill myself."
"I'll be available if you ever need to talk," Charming repeats, and after a minute of silence he shuts the door.