* 2022-10-21

Sorry it's late and short, but life (AKA psycho) decided to shit on my parade… Had to dig deep to keep a cool head. I'll try my best to have another chapter up by next week if not sooner as my eldest is riding my back for the next chapter already. As is, imagine a fully grown teen pulling a tantrum, just to get me writing… The extremes our kids go to, to get their way… For which she is not sorry but at least you'll benefit!

Also, for all of you following this story, thank you, immensely. As it's not a typical romance or adventure story, I'm really grateful to you for taking a chance on it.

Now that the setting is set, let's rumble! Or not… Either way. Enjoy!

I'm trying hard to keep this PG16 but be warned that my stories contain mature subjects. There is graphic violence, coarse language, sexual situations, and triggers as my characters deal with emotional, physical, or mental traumas.

Occupational Hazards

Chapter 04

Serena

"Ouch!" I groan stretching my wounded side. That isn't how I planned to start the day.

Lita's sprawled on the left side of the sectional; her right arm hangs off the couch while her feet are on the back. How she can consider that sleeping comfortably, I'll never understand. On the right side, Amy is sleeping like the dead with a puddle of drool on the throw pillow supporting her head. I grin stupidly just imagining the moment she wakes to the splitting migraine awaiting her. Bye-bye, miss stoic. Good old Amy will be appearing today. The Amy before…

Nope. Not going there. Reigning in my thoughts, I force myself to sit up and examine my stab. It's red, inflamed, slightly pussy, not to mention burns like acid. Fuck. The damn doctor was right. It's infected.

Taking a huge step over Rei's sleeping form on the floor, I head to the bathroom. Grabbing Amy's backpack, my hand freezes before it touches the handle. My eyes scan the room until they land on the huddled sleeping form of Mina. She's curled on herself, wrapped tightly in a blanket on a lazy boy, in a corner far from any window or door. Relief floods me as I ease out a long breath and enter the bathroom.

The rustic hand-crafted decor is back in full force in this room, with low lighting, but it's bright enough to show the light sheen of sweat on my skin. 'Darn it!' repeats itself again and again in my head as frustration mounts at not being able to run this morning. The thought sobers my mood. Not that it wasn't already with being in some stranger's house, slash pub. On a forced vacation. With no timeline or directive or explanation…

Pealing the bandage, I disinfect, treat the wound, and reapply a new dressing. Combing my fingers through the messy strands, I pile my hair up in a messy bun before splashing my face with freezing water to cool my skin. In less than ten minutes, I'm out the door, and down the stairs. Only to find the psychologist slash pub owner sleeping on a hammock on the big back porch. As quietly as I can, I make my way to the pub deck on the water needing privacy for what I knew I couldn't put off longer.

Goosebumps cover my arms at the cool breeze as I reach the edge and take a moment to lean on the railing to enjoy the view. The weather should warm soon as the sun breaks over the horizon lighting the small waves on the lake. There's a thick mist hovering over the forest and mountains surrounding the lake. The water is gently lapping, the air is crisp, and birds are singing away. It's nothing like the rush and noise around the shelter. It's serene, quiet, almost magical.

It's the kind of peace I've only dreamed about or seen in movies. And yet, here I am, taking it all in, falling for it though I know better.

Pulling out my cell from my back pocket, I sit on one of the beautifully carved chairs. I consider going back to get a blanket but don't get a chance as Doc answers on the first ring even if it's the middle of a busy afternoon in India.

"Wasn't expecting this call so soon," she answers smiling affectionately on the video call.

"Oh please, Setsuna. You knew I'd call first thing this morning."

"Is that Bunny? Put her on speaker!" voices called over in the background of the call.

"All right. Stop the fussing," Setsuna snaps as two other heads appear on the screen.

I shake my head and laugh as my two adoptive aunts get on the call. "Bonne après-midi, Michelle. Nice to hear your voice, Amara. Now that the formalities are out of our way, how about we get to the point? What the hell!?" All the affection is gone from my voice as I don't like to be blindsided. And I'm totally blind since yesterday's phone call about our situation.

"Now, now, Serena. Watch your tone," Amara reprimands.

"Did something happen? Are you guys in danger," questions simultaneously Michelle in her pronounced French accent.

"I'm no longer a kid, Boss. If you care to remember. And no, nothing happened other than Amy stumbling drunk in with a local at five A.M."

"Seriously?" Michelle questions, biting down on her bottom lip to prevent the smile that's trying its best to surface.

"Don't distract me. You guys know exactly where we are. Amara, you're not as good at hacking as Amy but I bet you've checked this place out. Why did you ground us here? And more importantly, now?"

Setsuna sighs deeply and then muffled voices come over the phone as she drops the phone out of sight. I wait them out. Not like I have a choice. Well, yes. I could go against their orders and have Amy book our flights back. But I rather not. There's always a reason behind everything they do.

"I would rather do this in person, but both Amara and Luna checked out the location. You guys took out yesterday the only crap in that area. Plus, it's off the radar. Literary the perfect small-town setting. You're safe there and so is your anonymity. That's why I'm asking you to stay there." Setsuna pulls off her glasses and methodically folds them before hanging them on the breast pocket of her doctor's coat. "As for why now… I left my medical career in London in my thirties after my husband passed to create this shelter. To save lives where it's needed. Michelle loved volunteering in third-world countries as a nurse. When Amara retired, she wanted to continue to protect people. We all followed our passions and goals. I got lucky when they both ended up partnering up with me to run this place. But they also ended up happily married."

"What Doc is trying to say is, what are you passionate about Kiddo?" Amara asks, her teasing tone gone, instead, she's looking at me like a drill sergeant.

"You know what I'm passionate about!" I reply defensively because they helped me achieve it.

"I'm not asking why you're running the security firm. I'm asking what your interests are. Your hobbies? What do you like to do on your days off? Basically, who are you when you aren't working?" Amara presses and I feel my brows scrunch up.

"We get it, Bunny. We get why you and the girls did what you did and why you do what you do. But it's been almost fifteen years. Your life is only starting… And the question we just want to make sure you girls ask yourself is, what do you want to do with the rest of your life?" Michelle calmly states, holding Amara back by the shoulder.

"But why do we need to change? Why should we? After what happe…" I try only for Setsuna to cut me off.

"Serenity. Can you honestly, one hundred percent, tell me straight up you want to dedicate your life to fighting human trafficking?" she pauses. "You survived, you got free, and you have dedicated your life to helping and saving others. You are as selfless as they come, honey. But I don't want you to wake up one morning and realize you missed out on the things you really wanted." Now it's her brows that scrunch as unshed tears try to surface in her eyes that hold me captive. "You only get one chance at life sweetheart. Do you think I can't see the way you take care of the young ones? That I don't see how many nights you stay up cradling and humming to the babies. You do realize we all witness you reading or watching cheesy rom-coms. Let's be honest, they're not just an escape. They're your most secret dreams. And your biggest fear as you've never experienced it."

"Kiddo. It's okay for you to find someone to fall in love with. To want a family. We're blessed to have found each other and then even more so when we adopted Hotaru. It doesn't detract us from our work. Our goals. Our vision. It means we get to share our good and hard times and have support when we need it," Michelle explains.

"I get it… I do… It's just, if I consider that as an option, what…" I can't finish this sentence. The guilt of leaving the girls is unbearable.

"Do you think it's healthy for Mina to continue this line of work? To be reminded again and again of her trauma. Shouldn't Rei actually start living? Choose for once what life she wants as a free woman. Does Lita need more violence? Doesn't she deserve some peace? Didn't Amy get sucked into this world when we all know she could be doing something brilliant? I'm still praying she'll consider going to medical school. She'd make an excellent doctor," Setsuna huffs, frustrated that we got pulled into the underworld, instead of being free of it.

"Sure, except she doesn't have any social skills," I try to deviate from the conversation.

"That's why we want you to take this time. For yourselves. To really think things through," Amara pointedly looks me down, scolding.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I get what you're asking. You girls are a lot of things, but you aren't a danger to others. Just make sure no one touches Mina," Setsuna calms my greatest fear. Knowing me better than I do myself. It's why I'm beyond grateful to her for adopting us. "I want you guys to live as normal girls, fret over silly problems, make friends your age, think about going back to school, or maybe choose different careers. I don't know. Just experience what else life has to offer. Now that you're all old enough to take care of yourself, it's time to figure your lives out."

"Why couldn't we do this at home?"

"Because you need to do this on your own. Without distractions. And if you need help, you can ask that nice man walking toward you with… Is that a mug of coffee? See, already a good start!" Amara teases, a wicked grin on her lips as she eyes whoever is behind me through the video call.

"How long?" I insist, voicing my biggest worry.

"I can't tell you that. It could take a month like it could take a year. Each one of you will know when you've figured things out. Take your time sweetheart. Keep us posted often or I'll send Artemis," Setsuna shakes her finger at me, looking nothing like the strict mother she's always tried to be with us.

I can't stop the laugh as I nod and disconnects the call. The idea of Mr. Artemis in the countryside is just preposterous. I just can't picture him in his Armani suit and thousand-dollar shoes on a dirt road.

"Hope I'm not interrupting," apologizes Kunzite as he hands over a huge mug of coffee and a plate with sugars and creams. "Heard the murmurs and thought you might need this."

"Thank you. And no, I'm done. Sorry if I woke you. And for the house invasion."

"It's no problem. You guys are a rare novelty around here," his genuine smile calms my unease about hanging out with a stranger.

"It's hard to tell if that's a good or bad thing."

"Depends on the circumstance," he winks at me before settling down beside me to enjoy the view. "You girls staying then?"

I take a moment to reflect on this. But honestly, there's not much to think about. It's about time we deal with and think about the future.

"Looks like it…"

"You missed quite a show last night. Zack and Amy were taking shots for every weird law fact they could remember. V, Mar, and the guys tried to keep up… But those two really went all out! Zoisite passed out in his car in the parking lot after he threw up all over my lawn." He laughs remembering the spectacle.

"Not always fun running a pub, huh?"

"Nah. I love it. It's always entertaining."

"Not many psychologists run pubs."

"You're right! One-of-a-kind," he laughs, pride puffing his chest as he sips his own coffee.

"Dare I ask why?"

Keith gets a faraway look as a mirage of emotions filters through his eyes, but all too quick to catch. He shakes his head, before crossing his arms behind his head and stretching out his legs. "Rough childhood. Violent father. Long story. This pub is the only place that brings back good memories. I started working here as a teen with my Ma. Talking to people and learning how to deal with my own baggage got me interested in psychology. The rest is history."

"Thank you for the frankness. Not what I was expecting. But if you didn't have a good life here, why stay?"

He turns to me all serious now. "Because I have good friends who have my back, because my mom loved this place, because I really do love the small-town vibe. And most importantly, just because I had bad memories, didn't mean I couldn't make great new ones here to take their place."

I can't help but ask. "Have you?"

"Work in progress," he winks again, sipping his coffee. Which I wonder if it's spiked since he had to close the bar late and it's not even seven yet.

"Damn. You really are a shrink down to the bones. You sure you studied psychology and not philosophy?" He laughs raising an amused eyebrow. "You studied both!?" At his nod, I join his laugh.

It's amazing how talking to normal people doesn't feel as awkward or intimidating this morning. Or maybe it's just him.

"I don't mean to pry but last night, no matter how the guys asked, your girls didn't divulge any information on themselves other than your first names. Which I'm not even sure are your real ones. Can I ask why? And why did Lita ask Mina if she could touch her to carry her upstairs?"

Now it's my turn to look away. How to answer that? I look back at him, considering. His eyes don't waver, he doesn't shrink from my scrutiny, just waits me out.

"Sorry I asked. I didn't me…"

"The answers to those questions died the day we were either sold or kidnapped into the human trafficking world with our old identities. As for Mina, that's her story to tell."

He sits up, his relaxed aura vanishing. He opens his mouth only to close it several times.

"Now I'm sorry I asked… I didn't mean to bring bad shit up..."

"Nah. It's cool. You shared some basics with me, just returning the favor. But can we please keep this to ourselves? I don't want our past to affect how people see or interact with us."

"Yes. Of course. Again, I'm…" his hand brushes through his loose white strands as he shakes his head trying to grasp what happened to us.

"Don't apologize. If I didn't feel like sharing that info, I wouldn't have."

"So how exactly did you go from that to running a security firm?"

"Got away. We formed it as a means to fund and cover up what we really do."

He frowns when I won't elaborate. Then as if the answer came to him, he sits closer to the edge of his seat. "You take down trafficking rings."

"We try. Save and free as many as we can. But more surface…"

"Then, what exactly are you doing here? Is there a…"

"God, no! We came here because our lawyer's client needed her daughter extracted and at the same time, she wanted the underage porn distribution stopped in her voting demographic. The reason why we stayed is that the women, who saved and raised us, want us to figure out what we want. We've been so focused on payback that we lost track of life. We got free but stayed in that world. And now that we're all getting close to the big three o, it's time to see what else life has to offer."

"Shit. No pressure there," he tries to lighten the mood. "At least you'll be doing it in beautiful surroundings. Although Jed's chalet is really nothing more than a shack. I don't think you girls will be comfortable there. Wish I had spare rooms…"

"You know you're weird, right? Here I am just talking to you about human trafficking, and you're worried about where we'll sleep."

"I like to focus on the here and now. I get the shit pasts. I do. Been in it, lived through it. But what I learned is that shit circumstances can either build a person, destroy, or warp them. So no, it's not weird that I'm worried about where you'll sleep. It's the right thing to think about. You're one of the ones that build. As a survivor, who became a fighter, you deserve a break."

"Does the break involve food?" Lita asks as she sprawls herself over two chairs, yawning widely.

"As you ladies left me a huge stack in the locked office," he gives me a pointed look, "feel free to use up any ingredients in my fridges. I've enough to fill three times over. Just please clean up after yourself."

I can't help but laugh hard at the indignation on Lita's face, grasping my side as pain flares at my outburst. "Don't worry. Lita here is an excellent chef and a clean freak." I scratch my chin thoughtfully. "Which is really weird as it's only her kitchen, cars, and weapons that applies to!"

I get a smack at the back of my head as Lita huffs away, mumbling something about poisoning my food. She won't as thank God I'm already injured. But poison is another of her specialties. And her twisted humor means she's cool with storing poisons and liquors in the same cabinet. Another reason we stay in her good graces. She's a mean fighter, better cook, and drink-mixer extraordinaire. Shit. The drink mixer is Mina, and Lita is our fitness guru but the two are inseparable, so their skills overlap sometimes. Just like Rei and Amy are both the silent type. But for different reasons. Amy is lost in thought and ponderation, while Rei scans and counts everything for details. Talking about the girls, they all join us, but Amy is shielding her eyes and wavering on her feet.

"I hate B-day," she mumbles massaging her temples.

Everyone tries to hold back their smiles, even Lita as she comes back holding a tray of steaming cups of coffee and tea. The girls don't hesitate, but Lita pulls Amy's tea and replaces it with kombucha.

"You'll thank me later when the food stays down," she chimes cheerfully at Amy's resentful grumble. "This guy knows his food. So, what will it be, egg benedict, fruit salad with waffles, or an American breakfast that'll take a day to digest?"

Mina, Rei, and I stare each other down, having a silent conversation. But as our eyes lock on Amy, we all grin mischievously. "Def the American. Lots of bacon and sausages! And don't forget the beans! Maybe with maple syrup!"

We watch as Amy changes shades of color but keeps sipping her cool drink giving us the death glare.

"Please leave me some, I'll be dying for food after getting back from the gym but won't have time to cook something that good before my first appointment," Keith pleads to Lita as he gets up, finished with his coffee.

"Depends. What kind of gym?" Lita folds her arms, getting serious.

"Uhm, the usual… It's a boxing studio turned into a mixed martial arts gym, but it's also got all the machines and fitness classes. We train there every morning with the guys."

"What time is your appointment?" Lita demands.

"Nine am, why?"

"I'll have breakfast ready in half an hour, you can pack some for later before the vultures descend on it."

"Hey!" Mina calls outraged.

"Call it as I see it," Lita answers indifferently. "Then you can show me to the gym, I need to get that out of the way before we head up to god knows where."

"Fine by me. I'll go start taking things out," Keith offers.

"Sure, be right there, just give me two minutes," she calls out after him, gaining another frustrated grunt out of Amy. But then everyone's gaze lands on me. I crack my neck, then rest my elbows on my knees before breaking the news to them.

"You serious?" Mina asks, as her chest rises up with deep inhales and longer exhales. At my nod, she gets up to pace by the railing. Rei looks off to the mountains, a pensive expression on her face. Amy, well it looks like she passed out again after hearing the news. Which doesn't surprise me as she probably took a minute to figure out a plan to occupy herself. Lita is grinding her jaw. Not a good sign. I'll probably have to pay to replace a punching bag in that gym. But other than that, they don't react.

"Please tell me someone has Tylenol or Advil, or better yet, morphine," Zack or Zoisite or whatever they called the lawyer mumbles as he makes it up the steps of the deck and heads in our direction.

"I'll bring some down after I'm done making food," Lita answers as she heads inside not meeting my gaze.

"You're an Angel," he calls after her to which we all laugh.

"That's not something she's called often," Mina supplies.

"Doesn't matter. That's what she is this morning. I need to get my head on straight as I have mediation between a divorcing couple at eight this morning."

"Will food and painkillers help you through that?" Amy lifts her pounding head long enough to quelch her curiosity. When he nods, she examines him a minute longer before dropping her head back and covering her ears.

"I think dealing with bickering couples is easier than trying to outsmart you," he tries to tease her, but only gets flipped off. Yup. There's old Amy! I smile brightly at his shocked face and enjoy the rest of my coffee as I wait for Lita's scrumptious breakfast.