Chapter Thirty-Six

Together Again

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"Yah. At least the basics right now. That way we can hold Nichole longer before trial." She nodded. "I will need the whole thing before court."
"Well I can just tell it all now. Well what was it, September fourth; I was on the phone with my aunt when I felt a prick in my arm. I suddenly couldn't move and was then blindfolded. A lady carried me to a van, and the van took off. When I was able to move and talk, I started to ask what was going on. The lady told me to be quiet or they'd go back and get Darien and kill him while I watched." She said, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. Darien wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she continued. "Then we went to a house and a male led me to some room while the lady got some stuff. He then tried to rape me. That's when he told me that he and his wife could read minds. Before he could, his wife, the same lady, came in and started screaming at him. That's when I found out her name, Nichole. She never told me it. I heard a loud smack and then we left. I think she did something to her husband. We then went to the van and she said that she'd be right back. She left, but before I could get away, or even attempt, she was back. We drove for hours, so I thought we had left the state. She handcuffed me and locked me in a basement. She rarely fed me, and she beat me everyday a countless number of times. Then she started doing it all night on the weekends. I was getting really weak and tired. That's when I decided to try and save my strength to try to get away one day. Then yesterday, Nichole said she was going to visit her son and would be back later. That's when I decided to make a move. I lifted the blindfold and saw the basement of my old house." She paused. 'How do I explain this?'

'I already told him about us being able to do this.'

'Oh, okay.' "Then I just told Darien. The lady heard me or whatever and then came back and beat me. I don't remember anything after that being that I passed out. I woke up when she was telling you something is some weird place. I kicked her and tried to crawl away, but then I passed out again. Then I just woke up here."

"What do you mean you told Darien?" Dr. Mizuno asked.

"We can talk telepathically." Serena answered.

"Okay."

"Thanks, I'm going to go file this. I'll inform you of any updates." Detective Bruter said getting up.

"Thanks so much Detective Bruter." Serena said.

"I'll tell you what I told the others. Call me Dan." He said.

"Okay, thanks, Dan." She smiled. "Oh, but before you go, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What happened with Jarrett?" Serena asked. "I mean about the…incident."
"Oh, right. Well we determined that when you returned, we'd have more of a chance to put him away longer. So we just tried him for kidnapping Darien."

"What about trying to kill both of us."

"We didn't have your statement on file so we couldn't use it."

"Can I press charges now?"
"Yes. We still have your statement on file of the kidnapping on file, so you won't have to give it again. As for the attempted murder, I'll have to get that again from you."

"Well I was walking to school when he stopped me. He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said I had fallen in love with someone else. I was looking at him when he lead me to a valley and then out of nowhere started to stab me."
"I was walking and my chest started hurting, I'm thinking that Serena and I have some physiclogical bond, so I followed where it lead me and saw her laying on the ground soaked in blood. That's when I ran to her and felt something in my lower back."

"Okay. That'll do." Dan paused for a minute. "Oh, Serena. Did Nichole ever mention anything to you about your parents?"

"My parents? No. Why?"

"Well she sent your phone a text message saying" He paused and flipped through his notebook. "'I've got her. She ruined my family, so I ruined hers. I didn't get the pleasure of killing her brother, but we can't all have what we want. Now it's her turn to suffer.'" He quoted.

"S-She's the one?" Serena whispered.

"It's okay, Serena." Darien said pulling her into a hug.

"Is that enough of a case against her? Can she go to jail for that?"

"I'll have to ask the district attornery, but I'm pretty sure it'll hold up in court."

"Then I want to press charges on that too."

"Well that's all I needed to ask. Thank you guys."

"Thank you so much Dan." Serena said.

"Anytime." He said. "I'll be seeing you later." He waved.

"Bye." The three voices said. Darien got up so Serena could lie back down.

"Now, Serena. We've decided that you can be moved to a private room now. You're recovering fantastically." Rose said.

"That's so much for everything, Rose."

"You don't need to thank me. Now let's get going."

She grabbed the IV bag that was connected to Serena's arm and rolled her out of the recover room.

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"Where's Serena?" Mina asked walking into her old room.

"Miss Tsukino?" They nodded. "She was moved downstairs."
"Thanks. We can go find my mom. She can tell us what room she's in." Amy said.

"She's in room 915." Rose peaked her head in the room. "I'm off soon if any of you want rides, but my car is only so big. Let me know."

"Okay, thanks." Lita said.

"Darien's car is here, so we'll be good." Kevin said.

"See you later." She said leaving.

"Bye." The others said.

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"So that's why you called me that day and then said you were fine." Darien said.

"Yah, I'm sorry. I didn't want them to do anything to you. He said he'd kill you, and I couldn't bare it if they ever did anything to hurt you." She said.

"It's okay. You have nothing to be sorry for." He said wrapping her in a hug.

"Hey, we interrupting something?" Mina asked with a laugh.
"No, I was hoping you'd find me." Serena greeted.

"You seem extra happy now. What's up?" Lita asked.

"Well, while Rose was bringing me down here, she said since my recovery is going so well, I can go home sooner."

"That's great!" Stephen said.

"Yah, I can't wait to get out of this hospital bed. It's really gloomy in here." She said.

"Yah." Amy agreed.

"So do you now what you're going to do about school? I mean you're behind by a few months." Zac pointed out.

"Oh yah, school. Honestly, I haven't thought about it." Serena said.

"I'll call the school and set up an appointment with the principal for when school goes back in." Yella said.

"Okay. That'll work." Serena said.

"I hope I don't have to go to summer school." Serena sighed.

"I'm sure we can find a way to make it so you don't have to." Yella reassured.

"Yah, we all have out strong subjects." Amy grinned.

"And we can give you extra help in study hall." Josh said.

"We're all here to help you." Darien said.

"Thanks." Serena smiled.

"Anytime." Zac said.

"My mom is off now. If you want rides, we have to get going." Amy said.

"K, bye Serena." Lita gave her a hug.

"See you tomorrow." Mina said, giving Serena a hug as well.

"Bye." Amy said.

"Bye." Serena, Yella, and the guys said.

Serena laid her head back and sighed.

"What's wrong Serena?" Yella asked.

"I just want to get out of here."

"And we want you home." Yella said.

"You'll be out before you know it." Darien said.

"Yah." Zac agreed.

"I'm just glad to be back." Serena said.

"And we're glad to have you back." Darien said walking over to her again.

"Yah. HEY, WAIT A MINUTE. Yesterday was Christmas right?" Serena realized.

"Yah, why?" Yella responded.

"I need to go Christmas shopping. What do all of you want? She asked surprising everyone.

"Having you back is our Christmas present." Darien said.

"Oh well you have until I leave the hospital to tell me what you want. I want a list with ten names and what each wants for Christmas or I'll just have to pick it out myself." She demanded.

Kevin took an army salute. "Ma'am yes ma'am."

"Good. Now at ease soldier. Serena giggled. "And I want to know what you want for your birthday." She said looking at Darien.

"I'm not going to win the 'you don't need to get me anything' argument, am I?" Darien sighed.

"No. So don't even try."

"Fine, I'll have to think about it."

"Okay. Did anyone call Raye yet?" Serena asked.

"I knew I forgot to do something." Kevin said.

"I wanna do it. I'll surprise her." Serena said. "Can I use your cell Darien?"

"Sure." He said handing her his phone.

"Hey Darien. What's up?"

"I don't know. You'd have to ask him." Serena giggled.

"SERENA, is that you?"

"Ya-"

"OH MY GOSH, are you okay? I've missed you so much. Where are you?-"

"Whoa, whoa. Raye, calm down. Yes I'm fine. I've missed you too. And I'm at the hospital where Amy's mom works."

"When did you get there?"

"Yesterday."

"That's so great. I'm coming home tomorrow and I'll come visit."

"I can't wait. See you then."

"Bye."
"Bye." Serena said before hanging up the phone and handing it to Darien. "She wasn't happy at all." She said sarcastically.

"No, we couldn't hear her shouting over the phone." Josh said rolling his eyes.

"That's my Raye. Kevin snickered.

"She's coming home tomorrow."
The guys filled Serena in on all that happened when she was gone. Serena soon fell asleep.

"What do you think Serena?" Josh asked looking over at the sleeping blonde.

"Maybe we should go." Stephen whispered.

"Good idea." Zac said.

"I'm going to get going too. I'll see you guys later." Yella said walking out the door.

"Bye." They waved.

"Yah, lets get going." Darien said. "Sweet dreams my sweet." He whispered as he bent over and kissed her forehead.