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"Alright… Now will someone explain to me what's going on?" Ben finally asked with a frown, sitting on one sofa. "And why am I dressed in white?!" He pointed at his Society uniform in disgust.
Not surprising, since he hated white more than anything… In fact, seeing him all disgusted over wearing that uniform was relieving!
All at once, Hassleberry, Bastion, Jaden and I exchanged quick looks. Jaden seemed to be rather amused by my cousin's reaction to wearing white. Bastion and Hassleberry looked like they wanted to say something, but stayed quiet.
As soon as I helped him stand up, we led Ben to the renovated part of the Slifer dorm. He didn't ask any questions on our way there. But, now that we were inside… I still didn't understand how come he didn't remember anything about his brainwashing.
I understood how he was feeling right now though. Amnesia was well known to me… Not having your memories just made you completely disoriented! I may have recovered some of them, but a huge part was still missing…
"How about you let us sit down first?" Bastion spoke up calmly, apparently going for a tactful approach. "Fine, fine." My cousin sighed. I sat down next to Jaden on a sofa on Ben's right. Bastion and Hassleberry sat on a sofa on Ben's left. I could see Ben looking at all of us back and forth.
"Well?" He finally spoke up. "You really don't remember anything, soldier?" Hassleberry asked in disbelief. Ben shook his head. "You were brainwashed by Sartorius." Jaden suddenly spoke up.
The moment he said that, Ben's head turned in his direction. He was staring at him as if he had grown two more heads. He then looked at me. "Serena, what is he talking about?!" He demanded with his eyes wide. I let out a sigh and covered my face with hands.
Not only was the whole situation insane-sounding, but now he was asking me what that was about… Why ask me out of all people?! I didn't even have time to properly form in my mind what I wanted to say… Just throwing information at Ben would make him even more confused!
However, I decided to just suck it up and continue with the thing. There was no point in trying to explain it from the beginning, since Jaden had already told him.
"He's telling the truth." I took hands off my face and looked up at Ben seriously. He then looked at me as if I had grown two more heads as well. "You were part of the Society Of Light." I added.
The response I got was another stare from Ben. It was as if I were a patient from mental asylum… I couldn't blame him. It had been hard for me to accept the whole thing as well… Hell, I had been convinced earlier all of those people weren't brainwashed, but insane!
"Society Of Light? Isn't that what Chazz used to talk about?" He demanded in confusion. "The exact same one." Bastion nodded. Ben's green eyes then darted from him to me. "Mind explaining to me what Sartorius has to do with any of this? The last I remember; we were only aware he had been on the island…" He trailed off with a raised eyebrow.
I could see the others' eyes landing on me as well. Naturally, they didn't know about what happened the night we searched for Jaden. "What is he talking about?" Hassleberry wondered.
"The night Jaden went missing, Ben and I found out Sartorius had been on the island earlier. I accidentally stumbled upon one of his Tarot cards." I briefly explained, not wanting to get into details. There wasn't much to explain either, really…
I then looked at Ben. "Sartorius is the leader of that sect. He's under the control of some evil force, so are the others members of the Society." I told him. I knew that statement was blunt, and sudden. Not to mention it sounded just crazy coming out of my mouth… But I couldn't exactly sugarcoat the plain truth! We were all in this madness, whether we liked it or not. The sooner I dropped the bombshell, the better.
By now, Ben's eyes were so wide that they were near to popping out of their sockets. "And you're telling me that I was a part of that… Sect as well? I was under that force's control?" He gaped. I nodded with a frown. His eyes were still wide… "What's the last thing you remember?" Bastion spoke up.
A frown appeared on my cousin's face. "I went to get those newspapers from Dorothy. But then…" He suddenly grabbed his head with a groan. "Are you alright?" I quickly asked worried. "I'm fine," He waved it off with his left hand.
He then looked up. "I remember now…" A frown appeared on his face. "I was about to go to Dorothy, when I heard a voice calling me. I followed it straight to the forest," My eyebrows furrowed, as that sounded quite familiar to what had happened to me before… "And then I came across Sartorius." He finished seriously.
A slight feeling of dread washed over me. I could already presume what happened to Ben, based on what he was telling us…
That was when another thing came to my mind. The voice called Ben to come, and then he just happened to come across Sartorius… Coincidence? I think not. The similar thing happened to me, with a voice calling me, and then me finding that Tarot card!
Based on what Ben had just said, I guessed that voice was most probably Sartorius. Then that meant he was also behind that trance… There were too many coincidences for it not to be true…
"Then he started acting all weird," Ben folded his arms with the frown still on his face. "He started talking about how I had to see the Light." His eyebrows furrowed as he slowly looked in my direction. "He didn't seem to care at all when I mentioned how worried we were about his and Sarina's disappearance."
I simply nodded to him. That was expected… "Then he challenged me to a duel… The last thing I remember is losing to him." My cousin finished. "What happened since then?" He then looked up curiously.
"Chazz started brainwashing the whole Obelisk Blue dorm. He even painted it white." Bastion folded his arms. "What about Alexis?" Ben asked slowly while looking around the room. "She's brainwashed as well. That's when you joined them." Hassleberry spoke up. Ben let out a sigh and put a hand on his face.
"Not long after that, Sartorius enrolled here as a new student. By then, the whole Obelisk dorm was the part of the Society." I continued. "We had a field trip at Domino City. Syrus and Hassleberry were kidnapped during it and taken to Kaiba Land." Jaden spoke up. "Sarina told Jaden, Aster and me to go there as well. It's there that she revealed what happened to her and Sartorius." I stated.
Ben kept looking at all of us in surprise. "What happened?" He questioned. "I'll explain everything in details to you later," I promised. "Just let us explain the general." He nodded.
"Not long after, Chancellor Sheppard returned to the island, announcing a tournament. It's been lasting for a while now." Bastion spoke up. His grey eyes looked in my direction for a few moments. "During the first day, Sartorius managed to win a destructive satellite from Prince Ojin from Misgarth." He then added.
Once again, slight feeling of dread washed over me. No doubt my theft attempt was going to be brought up in this conversation… It made me feel nervous, since I already knew what Ben's reaction was going to be like. He was going to be absolutely furious…
Bastion's explanation earned him a wide-eyed look from Ben. "The newest satellite from Misgarth? The one which can destroy life?!" He demanded in astonishment. "I take it you had read about it?" The British guy presumed, earning a quick nod from my cousin. "What happened since then?!" He quickly asked.
"Well," Bastion briefly looked in my direction for a few moments. Finally looking up, I was still quiet. I then nodded to the British guy, encouraging him to tell Ben about my stupidity since he was already talking. He would have to know sooner or later. Besides, I didn't want to tell him myself…
I could see Ben looking between the two of us back and forth in confusion.
"Serena sneaked into the White Dorm and tried to steal it from Sartorius." The moment Bastion said that, Ben looked at me wide-eyed. I covered my face with hands and looked down, wanting for this to pass as quick as possible.
"Unfortunately, it didn't end up well. Sartorius walked into the room just as she tried to take it." "What happened after?!" I could hear Ben asking in shock.
At that moment, I felt a hand on my left shoulder. "He's asking you that, Serena." I could hear Jaden telling me.
While I really didn't want to talk about it, Ben asked me… It would be stupid of me not to tell him, no matter what his reaction was.
I took hands off my face and looked up at my cousin. "It failed. I got three of my ribs broken, and I got some bruises." I spoke up coldly. Ben's eyes immediately moved to my arm.
Since a few days have passed since then, the handprint bruises weren't red and so swollen anymore. They had become blue, and were pale green right now. They were slowly healing…
"He broke your ribs?" He asked in horror, looking up at me. I shook my head immediately. "No, I broke them myself." I explained with a frown. By now, Ben's jaw dropped to the floor. "You did what?!" He shouted, making me flinch at how loud his voice was.
"Since Sartorius tried to break down the door, I jumped through a window to escape. I tried to grab a tree branch, which obviously wasn't successful…" I stated, not wanting to get in more details at the moment.
Ben was staring at me quietly for a few moments. His eyes then landed on my arm. "What about that on your arm?" He spoke up in a serious tone. "Well, he grabbed me harshly, and I got another one on my back… But that's what I got for being an idiot and trying to steal that thing." I shrugged my shoulders.
"You weren't an idiot. You panicked." Jaden looked at me. "We can't deny my actions were idiotic. None of you would have done that." I reminded him before turning my gaze back to Ben. "Anyway, that's what I got for my stupidity." I then repeated. "He still hurt you… What were you thinking?!" He glared at me.
I knew it was only a matter of time until he got angry…
"I know I shouldn't have done that." I responded while folding my arms with a sigh. "Then why did you?!" He looked even angrier now. "Ben, chill out." Jaden spoke up. "How do you expect me to chill out," Ben turned to him with a scowl. "After what she had done?! She got hurt because of something that could have been avoided!"
"Soldier, it could have been even worse." Hassleberry spoke up. "She shouldn't have attempted it nonetheless." Ben argued, his angry eyes turning back to me.
I knew he was reasonably upset. He didn't know about anything that had happened. Hell, he didn't even know his own mother was under that thing's control… Yet, at the same time, I was annoyed. He only reminded me of how Sartorius had to save my butt from my own stupidity… However, if I hadn't barged in to steal that thing, then Ben wouldn't have gone after me, and I wouldn't have finally got him out of that sect! No matter how bad it was, I could still see positive aspects in there…
I didn't want to argue with him, but I also didn't want to be near him if this was the only thing he wanted to talk about. I doubted he would feel great if I kept reminding him of something stupid he had done in the past…
"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit? Not even Aster was as angry as you." I spoke up icily, standing up. "Overreacting?" Ben's face was mixture of both anger and disbelief as he walked up to me.
By now, Bastion, Jaden and Hassleberry were staring at us back and forth.
"I've been brainwashed by my mother's friend, I don't remember anything about that," He started counting on his fingers. "Then I find out he hurt my cousin because she tried to steal a destroying satellite!" The more he said, the angrier he sounded…. "I find out it went that far she broke her ribs… And you're telling me I'm overreacting?!"
"It's my fault I got hurt," I reminded with a scowl. "Besides, it would have been even worse if Sartorius hadn't saved me." I added a bit more quietly, folding my arms and looking away. "Saved you?" Ben demanded in surprise.
I looked up at him. "If I hadn't tried to steal that thing," I spoke up, ignoring his words. "He wouldn't have sent you after me. You wouldn't have challenged me to the duel, and I wouldn't have freed you from that thing's hold."
By now, Ben was staring at me. I wasn't done though. "Seeing you two in that thing's clutches was bad enough. Then Aunt Maria showed up as well…" "Mum's here?!" He gaped. I nodded with a frown. "She's under that thing's control too." I responded bitterly.
My cousin sat on the sofa, staring at me in utter shock. "What else happened that I'm not aware of…" He finally grabbed his head with a groan.
I kept staring at him, not knowing what to do. I wanted to tell him everything, and comfort him, but he was technically mad at me…
"Sorry, but I need some fresh air, and to get out of those stupid clothes." Ben then stood up, glancing at other guys. He pointedly refused to meet my gaze. "Do you want some company?" Bastion asked. A small smile appeared on Ben's face. "That would be nice." He told the British guy who nodded and stood up.
"Ben…" I started, not knowing what else to say. "Please, Serena, just… Leave me be for a while. I need some time to think." He replied, still refusing to look at me directly. I looked away with a frown, not surprised with his reaction at all.
He was still upset with me, and upset with everything that had happened… The last thing he wanted was being around someone he was angry at. While I knew he had right to be upset, it still felt like a slap in face. I could feel a bit of anger and hurt welling up inside me.
He treated me badly during his time in the Society. I even spent some time thinking he hated my guts. Then, I got him out of there, I saved him, and how did he respond? By being upset with me? Did he even care about how I felt during all those weeks?! Did he know what it was like being all alone, and being treated as if you were some kind of trash?! Because that was exactly how the Society treated nonbelievers…
"Do whatever you want." I retorted, not caring to hide my bitterness at all. I then walked out of the room as fast as I could, slamming the door behind me in process.
Generally, lying on bed wasn't exactly productive. On the other hand, soft mattress and silence always managed to make me relax, and just try to forget all of my worries. It wasn't like I could forget them completely… It just felt nice not to think about them for a while.
I saved Ben. He didn't treat me badly anymore. But now, he was too upset to want to talk… How was it that such big change made so little progress? While it hurt, it was also relieving in a way. By refusing to talk, he wouldn't keep criticizing me… No matter what he said, he was overreacting.
Suddenly, I could hear knocking on the door. "Who is it?" I asked warily, sitting up on the bed. "It's me." Jaden's voice could be heard from the outside. "Go ahead." I responded.
The door opened. Jaden walked in and closed them. "How are you feeling?" He asked with a small smile. "What do you think?" I asked, letting my back fall on the bed while my eyes were still on him. "Ben wasn't happy to see you walking out like that." He noted, sitting on the side of bed. "His problem." I grumbled.
A frown appeared on Jaden's face. "Why are you acting like that? He looked quite sad once you were gone…" "And he decided to ignore me because he's angry. Now we're even." I replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"He's worried about you." He reminded. "He's overreacting." I corrected him coldly. "That doesn't mean you should avoid him as well…" He trailed off, running a hand through my hair. "He asked me to leave him be. He never bothered to think about how I felt during his time in the Society." I pointed out sharply.
A brief frown appeared on Jaden's face yet again. "You should talk to him nonetheless." He spoke up. "So he can keep mentioning to me how irresponsible I was for breaking my ribs? So he can keep shouting at me? No." I shook my head.
He was still running a hand through my hair. I felt like I could stay like that whole day if I wanted. It brought me comfort… I felt that, out of all people in the world, I could never get mad at Jaden. He was always there to lift up my spirits, and was never angry with me…
That was when he suddenly took the hand off my hair. "Since there's nothing I can do about you and Ben, I'd better go looking for those Ojamas…" He trailed off while rubbing the back of his head. "The bikini monsters?" I raised an eyebrow. "Yes." Jaden let out a laugh once he saw the look on my face.
"Then I'll help you look for them." I sat up. "I wouldn't mind some company." He shrugged with a smile.
That way, I could help Jaden, but also get my mind off Ben… Besides, I wanted to see what the deal was with the 'bikini' monsters. From what Jaden mentioned, they used to be Chazz's favorite monsters…
"Just let me get one more painkiller and then I'll join you." I said while standing up. "I'll wait you outside." Jaden nodded. I grabbed my water bottle just as he got outside. Then I took one of painkillers and drank them with water immediately.
I then walked out to join Jaden outside.
A shorter chapter, I know… The next chapter is still set during 'Blinded By The Light', and it's the last one during that episode.
Originally, I didn't intend to have Ben get mad at Serena and them not talk to each other. But then I realized it wouldn't exactly be realistic for Ben not to get mad… After everything that had happened so far, and he doesn't even remember it... He has every right to be upset. When it comes to Serena… She could have kept in mind he didn't remember anything and was disoriented. But, when someone pushes her buttons, or she feels they had hurt her in some way, she can become quite bitter, and even spiteful in some cases … That was why she was acting like a jerk in earlier chapters in the first place. Even though she now does her best not to show it, it's still a nasty part of her personality… And no one (except a few certain people) gets spared when she's like that!
I hope you liked it and until next time! :)
