Chapter 53
A/N: Part 2 - added 08/26/2024
Part 1 - 08/11/2024
It was Bryan's suggestion since he didn't want to rush back. Everyone agreed to stay overnight except for Janet who understood the reason for the sudden change of plans. Ethan and Bryan didn't. They don't need to know why. It's personal. But if they knew, they too would be wondering if a divorce would be better.
"How long has it been?" CJ asked since she herself has lost track of how many months they've been sleeping apart.
"Too long" Holly said.
Even Holly can't remember. "What do you think we should do?"
"Xanax isn't going to work. Psych help will only make it worse. No one would want her then. I think we should have her hook up with someone else before she goes insane."
Holly isn't a doctor but she is a nurse and has given a lot of good suggestions. This is the best one yet. "I agree" CJ yawned loudly even though she got enough sleep last night but did so deliberately to show that she too is tired of this nonsense.
"I'm serious." Amy now realizes that everything she said wasn't able to convince CJ, not even Holly whom she didn't think would joke about this.
"I know you are. That's why I'm worried…" CJ continued with what she noticed since it might be the only way to get her to see what's wrong. "You've been swearing a lot…like, a lot." Everyone changes with age but this type of change is not good especially for someone who never likes to. It's not just a word. That's what she said before. For those who use profanity in every sentence, that shows their level of intelligence. For those who swear occasionally, that shows they have anger management issues. It's showing that she does since she didn't have the tracker wrapped like she was told to and instead burned it and broke it into pieces which made it impossible to prove that it's not a listening device yet she still believes it is. "Have you been sleeping well?" Probably not last night even though she looks fine. But she is again behaving abnormally. "Where're you going?"
"To prove I'm right" Amy said since they're not listening. The only one who will is Anthony. Maybe Scud will too. CJ doesn't believe it because she doesn't care. Holly has been thru a lot so she probably doesn't want to believe it. As for Faith, she cares too much, so much so she's eavesdropping again! "You-" Amy was about to tell her to stop doing that until she learned why Faith came over. It is important. It is urgent. It can also prove that she's right. It didn't take long to get to Lucy since it's just right next door. But this is not what she's expecting to see. Faith said Brie is here but she didn't say Brie is having an argument with Lucy.
"You ungrateful, selfish, arrogant, self-centered ass!"
Any louder, the neighbors would be able to hear even with the door closed. "She can also be stupid and naïve like I was." Amy said before asking if it was a tracker, listening device or both and whose idea it was. Questions weren't answered. Help to get Will out of that house was requested instead. No wonder Lucy is still standing here, doing nothing. It's because Brie's explanation is even more ridiculous than the one she gave Lucy yesterday. Will is sleeping with his neighbor? That's impossible. It's not impossible that the woman has other intentions for wanting to sleep with him. A divorced, single mother needs all the help she can get including money. It's possible that her ex would do something to Will if he's the crazy, jealous type. But Will hasn't been there that long. "How do you know?" If Will told her, then Will must have a good reason.
"I saw them. Now can you just tell him to get over here?"
Lucy isn't moving for a good reason. She's not going to fall for that again. "What exactly did you see?" Amy asked since Brie sounds like she's lying again so detail is important.
"What's the matter with you? I'm just asking you to talk to him. He won't listen to me." Brie said.
What's the matter with us? No wonder Lucy has nothing to say. It's difficult to talk to someone with dementia because she clearly has forgotten what she did yesterday. Even CJ had enough. She's leaving without being asked to. Holly is too but it seems that Faith has either fallen for Brie's lies or is jealous that Will has already found someone since she wants to know more about the divorced mother. How old is she? Is she a blonde? These are simple questions but for Brie to say 'what does it matter' could mean only one thing. "It matters because she's not his type. You've never met her, have you?" Everyone lies. But what is her motive? She already found out where Will is.
Brie didn't answer the question nor has she given up. The apology for the tracker sounds sincere but it still could be a lie. The next question is offensive. Did Faith find it offensive? She must and is probably holding the urge to say what's in her mind to keep the conversation from turning into an argument since no one knows more about Will than her. So why does Brie think that she does? Hope did used to have a lot of tattoos. Does Faith know why? Most got tattoos for attention, self expression, or make themselves look tough. Some got it to celebrate the most important part of their lives or to remember the loss of a love one while others do it because they're forced to. This can't be the reason. It's not. It's to cover the scars? Without the ability to feel pain, Hope got more than necessary. Without the ability to feel pain, Hope also didn't know she was bleeding after stepping on broken bottle glasses. Accidents like that can happen anywhere, even at home. That is a good point but she failed to understand this. "Will is not Hope."
"I know that but they're not that different. Can't you see?" Clearly, she cannot. It's now becoming clear why. She used to be more understanding than her partner but it seems that the lie from yesterday has made her suspicious of everything…including me. "You don't know, do you?" If she does, she wouldn't have asked the question earlier. She wouldn't have refused the simple request to call Will. But this isn't her fault.
"Know what?" Amy asked but didn't get an answer and instead got a surprise that no one else is expecting especially the one who got hit with the sofa cushion, then jumped on. Oh my god. Brie did look like she wanted to punch Lucy earlier but she didn't think that Brie would actually try.
"It's all your fault! He's like this because of you!" Brie continued with the hitting and slapping until her waist was grabbed onto, then pulled off from the one she is straddling. She had no intention of hitting anyone else but the reflex kicked in so she didn't realize the one she accidentally hit behind her is….Will? This time, it's not the left eye. It's the right. It's just the corner so it's not serious. "That was stupid. You should have said something." It was. Everyone else might not think so. Everyone is staring. "How did you…?" Did they call him? The question can wait. Will, for some reason, cannot. Brie followed after her wrist was grabbed onto and pulled up the stairs into a bedroom. Is locking the door necessary? "What-" Brie was about to ask what he's doing until her wrist was let go. It's because he doesn't want anyone to hear. The bed is the farthest away from the door. He's no longer covering the eye. It would look better if he did. That's not a look of sadness or loneliness. That's the same look he had from yesterday when he realized his location has been discovered. This time, it's because he found out that his moment of intimacy with his neighbor has been discovered. Lying is wrong but it was necessary to make them see the seriousness of the situation. Last night may have been just a dream but it doesn't mean they didn't hook up. "I saw her mother when I was taking out the trash last night. She really likes you." Of course she would. He fixed the leaking kitchen faucet for free. "and then this morning, she asked me if Emily is with you. Now why would she ask me that? huh?" Probably because she's been at his place overnight before! He's not even denying it. This is why he came. To find out how I know. "How could you? She's a mother. She has a child. She's your neighbor!" If he doesn't see that's a problem, that's a problem. "You can't do that. If her ex finds out, he's going to kill you. He might even kill her. You understand?" No ex would be able to stand it especially a man. He might even think that she was cheating with him long before the divorce. That's not one of Brooke's numerous 'what ifs' last night but she was right about the dessert. It was Vancouver's popular 'sex in a pan.' If she knew she was right about Will, she too will agree with this. "You need to move." In the dream, it was too late to stop him. It's too late now but not too late to prevent anything else from happening . "Don't go back. Okay?" Hope is stubborn. Will isn't any different. She knew it wouldn't be this easy but she didn't think he would have a good reason to explain why he won't. Emily is not the divorced mother? She's single with gorgeous blue eyes? No wonder they don't believe it. Now there's no reason to persuade him to move out other than "What does she do?...How old is she?...Are you going to keep seeing her?" Just like Hope, he's walking away whenever he feels like it. "Wait" He's not going to answer any questions about Emily. Will he answer this? "Does she…love you?" It may be too soon to tell. But she must be attracted to him. He's a good looking guy now. It can't be a mistake. She wouldn't have made the dessert if it is. She wouldn't have asked him to go fishing. So this can't be just a fling.
"She doesn't care what I am."
What? That's a horrible answer. What does that even mean? "So you slept with her…because she doesn't care what you are?" Brie intentionally enunciate each word so that he'd know what he just confessed to. Nothing to say? Anyone would be offended. "I just don't want to see you get hurt." Nothing can persuade him to move so there's no need to try anymore. "Do whatever you want" Brie said, later regretting it after her wrist is again held onto, then pulled back towards the bed as she was walking towards the door because this time it hurts. "You're hurting me" This is what happens when he's been lied to. He's not going to fall for it again. He let go but he didn't apologize for it. There's a good reason why he didn't. It's because he heard what was said about him earlier before he intervened. This is why he used his hands instead of using words earlier. It was wrong to let others know but it just came out at that moment of anger. This is why he wants to talk privately. This is why he was so upset…and is now. "not you, Hope"
"Hope doesn't"
Talking about Hope as if she's someone else is odd. It seems that he doesn't remember everything after all….or is he denying it because he doesn't want to admit it. No one would admit to addiction, especially sex addiction. If he truly doesn't remember, then there's no need to remind him. If he doesn't want to admit it, then at least now, others know and hopefully they can get him help. "Take care of yourself" The hug didn't last as long as the last time. No tears are coming out this time, just a long deep breath of exhaustion because she didn't sleep well last night. Fatigue must have affected her hearing too because she thought the squeaking came from outside until she heard the groaning. It's not the eye. Is it the leg? He did got hit earlier but he didn't complain about it. It's not the leg but he needs to lie down on the bed. "What's wrong?" It's not his head but his hand is shaking. "What are you looking for?" Whatever it is he's looking for in his wallet, there's none left. Pills? He doesn't look as bad as that time when Hope had a headache but he just ripped his buttoned shirt. "Are you hot?" His forehead isn't. His chest is a little warm. He looks like he's in pain. But he can't feel pain. Can he? "I'm going to get help"
"Don't"
Meanwhile
"sss…" The antiseptic stings. Lucy kept her arm on the table to allow Faith to put the bandage on over the scratches.
"that was really stupid" Faith said, still wondering why she just sat there protecting her head instead of fighting back. She could've easily grabbed hold of Brie or move Brie off.
"I didn't want to hurt her." That's one reason. The other is because in that instance, getting jumped on, then slapped reminded her of Ezz. It did feel like Ezz was hitting her so she allowed Brie to continue. The harder, the better. Faith doesn't need to know why. She needs to stop making bad decisions. Amy wouldn't have came if she didn't tell her. Now, she's probably reminded of the past because of what Brie said. Brie might have been referring to Will but Amy had also once said the same thing. (Do you have sex addition?) Now, she's never going to get over it. (sigh) "What are you doing?" Faith is again looking like she's not going to mind her own business. So they've been up there for awhile. So what? Sounds of footsteps are normal. Voices could not be heard before but not anymore. Brie is at it again. So what? Door slamming means it's over. Brie is coming down very fast. Faith made a good decision to stay out of her way since she looks as pissed as before. Now it's necessary to be nosy because Will just came down without his shirt. Strangers would think that he did something to her. Brie isn't crying though. She's swearing and she's letting him have it.
"Have a nice life. You two deserve each other."
With a different tone, that would've been nice. That doesn't sound nice. Faith is not minding her own business. There's no need to stop her this time because Brie doesn't sound like she's lying. "Who's Emily?" Lucy asked since according to her research, the divorced mother is not Emily unless that's a nickname or some other neighbor.
It's not. The mood, hours later, is also not what she's expecting. Lunch time isn't quiet. Everyone is laughing after Will finally gave in to everyone's curiosity and concern. It was just a joke, according to Will, because he was offended by Brie's claim. Several months of living together, yet Brie still thinks that he would sleep with anyone who's willing. That is ignorant. But pretending to be in serious pain is cruel but no harm done and it did what he wanted. Like Faith said, there's no need to worry. He knows how to take of himself. Yes, he does. He sure does.
"She's not going to be bothering you anymore." Lucy said, knowing that she interrupted Will's enthusiastic talk about the 20 year old drama major neighbor who needed his help with line reading. "Unless she finds out the truth, so don't tell her." No one here will. "She'll get over it. If she finds out later, she'll know you care" Lucy continued eating even though she's aware that no one else is because no other sound could be heard other than the noise she herself is making.
"Why do I get the feeling…you want her to know?" CJ asked since no one else did but they all looked confused too.
"We all would have done what she did" Lunch is not completely done but she's no longer in the mood. She's not expecting anyone to stop her from leaving. No one did. She is expecting everyone to understand. They should. Will should. But it might not be enough to change his mind. Time might.
It's not going to happen today though. Twenty minutes have already passed. Gray clouds are forming but the view is peaceful. Many times, she had seen this but today it reminded her of Reyjavik. Should I have told you? Forgiveness had been given but she can't help thinking if the outcome would be different if she had told Ezz her real identity years ago. What would you have done? No one will ever know but she knows this. Will's situation is different. There's still time to stop him from making the same mistake. Lucy grabbed the phone, intending to call him over until the phone rang. No one else is around so it's safe to pick it up. It wouldn't be if Amy were here because she would be even more upset if she finds out. There's no reason for Adalyn to call but this time, there is a good reason. Hiding it from Amy is no longer possible because she's standing outside the door. Whether she heard or not, it doesn't matter anymore because there's no need to hide it from anyone. In fact, they all need to know especially Will so that they all know what he did was was wrong.
"We have to go. Now!"
He can call on the way there. Brie is not picking up but Adalyn said there's no need to think that she's in danger since Brie told Brooke that she's fine. But Brie's car location is what prompted Adalyn to call to find out what happened because there's no reason for Brie to go to Doc's house. Doc is not picking up either so something is going on. Keep texting. Keep calling. Will can't since he's driving. But if he could, would he apologize?
"I'm sorry." Lucy sent the message using Will's phone.
If he could, would he tell her the truth about Emily?
"Emily is a cat." Lucy sent the message.
Or would he think that she's crazy? "oh shit"
"What?" Will asked as he kept his eyes on the road. "What did she say?"
Brie didn't. Adalyn did. She and Brooke are at Doc's house now. "She locked herself in the bedroom with Doc."
"What is she doing?" Will exhaled a long deep breath in frustration.
What is she doing? Brie is not crazy but if she's willing to sacrifice herself for Will, she will kill for Will. He doesn't know. Should I tell him about that night? There was no reason to but now there is so that he knows how Brie feels and be prepared because he might be the only one who can persuade her.
-at Doc's house-
Because Brooke can't. What…the hell happened? The window in the back of Doc's house is broken. Adalyn broke it with the lug wrench since Brie was unwilling to open the door. That makes sense but what about the shattered wine bottles and glasses? The carpet can easily be replaced but the wall will need a new drywall and a new paint job. Brooke seems to have given up. Adalyn hasn't and is getting nervous and is prepared to knock down the door with a hammer.
"I'm here. Open the door." Will said.
Apparently, the talk earlier didn't change how Will feels because why would he talk to Brie in that monotone like he knows she's not going to do anything? Can't he see why she's doing this?
"AARGHH!"
If not, he should now know she's not kidding. That's one painful scream from Doc.
"Stop what you're doing. Open the door." Will said.
If he keeps telling her what to do like she's a teenager, Doc might faint from the pain. She's screaming again.
"That's for Hope!" Brie said.
He should now know why Brie came. She's taking revenge for Hope because she thinks Doc brainwashed her. Drugs were necessary to keep Hope alive but she thinks that Doc was drugging her long before that day she fell into a long coma and the drugs are the cause of Hope's sex addiction. What? Even Will is too flabbergasted to speak. Brooke is too because Brie also blamed Doc for Christian's cheating. Oh shit. Does Adalyn know? If not, she does now since Brie thinks that Brooke would still be with Christian if he had not cheated on her. He did because he was lured. He did because it was Doc? Oh…my...God. Is that true? Will said he knows why Doc didn't want to look for that woman who robbed her. It's because Christian brought a woman home too. Will didn't say that woman is Doc. That's one accusation that even Brooke and Adalyn are shocked by. Mumbling can be heard. The next accusation is loud and clear. It's not from Brie. It's from Doc who's obviously regretting it since she's screaming in pain again. Is that true? Brie slept with Hope? That's what Doc said. I didn't lure you or force you to sleep with her. It must be since Will just made the decision to take the offered hammer from Brooke. They both have had it. The longer they wait, the more secrets would be out. Anyone would be afraid of that.
Lucy took steps back along with Brooke and Adalyn. With Will's changed strength, all it took was a few strikes and two kicks to kick the door opened. Ohh. MyGod. No wonder. Doc is drunk? Drugged? Both? Brie is not and is determined to make her suffer and feel what Will can't. But in the head? That can kill her or paralyze her.
"Put that down." Will said.
"She did this to you. She admitted." Brie said.
She admitted? Before or after torture? Lucy quickly took hold of Will's forearm to stop him from taking one more step. Brooke must feel the same way since she did the same, holding onto Will's other arm. Will might not think that Brie is capable but Brooke does. No one knows Brie more than her. All it will take is an electric shock in the head to kill Doc and no one would be fast enough to prevent her from doing that. Words might. The truth might. A confession is a good start.
"I didn't tell you because I know how much you like him. I don't blame him. But whether he did or not, it doesn't matter because I love her, not Christian, not anymore. Our relationship has nothing to do with her. I would've been dead a long time ago if it wasn't for her." Brooke said.
Taking the blame away from Doc is a good idea. "It's my fault, not hers. I left Hope at the hospital. I didn't make sure. I-" Lucy had more to say if Will didn't interrupt, taking the blame. But he also admitted to being drugged. Why? Is he trying to get Doc killed?
"…Maybe it was necessary. Maybe it wasn't. It doesn't matter anymore. This is me. This is who I am now. I'm happy now. I've never felt better."
That's good to hear but that's a load of bullshit. That's as unconvincing as the story that Brie told earlier about his fling with the divorced mother. Brie doesn't know everything but she has a good point. He can't feel now. That can't be better than when he could. But why does she keep saying that Doc made him a sex addict? That's worse than being called a drug addict and Will is showing how much he hates that term by telling her to stop saying that.
"I am not. Hope's not. Come over here and I'll tell you why."
Nice try but Brie isn't falling for it. Instead, it gave Brie another reason to blame Doc for turning him into her slave like a cult member who would protect their cult leader at all cost like what he's doing now. It's now obvious that she doesn't believe that Emily is a cat. She's accusing Doc for using Hope as her sex slave too. Oh my God. No way. Even Will couldn't stand it anymore and decided to put a stop to this by explaining what Hope was feeling. It's because Hope couldn't feel anything. Having sex was the only way she could. It's not an addiction. It's not a means of survival. She did to help the prostitutes because they all said being with her is better than being with a man. She did to help herself because it's the only way she could feel normal, feel loved. She killed those who hurt them. That was her purpose to continue living? Ohh my god. Will. I'm so sorry.
"…then she found another reason, someone who loves her… but it wasn't meant to be."
What? Why? Is it Noel? Lucy didn't ask and instead continued to listen since Brie is listening with full attention. Tears can be seen.
"...then I found someone. She cares for me, she likes me…but she will never…never love me…for me...so I left."
Whaaat? He didn't leave because he wants to forget. He left because of her?...Or is he referring to Faith? I'm so so sorry…if that's the truth. If it's not, it's a damn good lie since it got Brie even more upset than she was before. Talking about Hope as if she's another person does sound like what a lunatic would do. But even if he didn't, Brie is not going to let Doc go so easily since she's now blaming her for breaking up Hope's relationship, Brooke's and…Amy's? What drug did she give her? Truth serum? Happy pills? Doc is not denying it. She's laughing and defending herself by saying that everything she did has a good outcome. Brooke is happy. That's true. Will said he's never felt better. That could be true. But what about Amy? If Amy were here, she would have something to say.
"I saved you, your sister, all of you. You should be thanking me"
"Thank you for what?"
Where..? Not where but how long has she been here? Lucy didn't try to hold Amy back since Amy looks more pissed than Brie. Letting them all know doesn't seem like a good idea now. CJ and Faith are here too.
"Thank you for breaking us up so she can help you look for the key. That is your goal. Isn't it?" Amy said as she walked closer to the bed, then complimented Brie on getting Doc tied up nicely on the bed which would give others the idea that this was her plan. It's not. She had no idea and she doesn't care what anyone thinks because she's here to find out if Faith is right. Things are not always what they seem. That's what Faith said during the ride here. She also once said Doc could be a master manipulator, one who uses others to do the work for them and those wouldn't have a clue that they've been used since they all have the same motive. In this case, it's Adalyn and Christian. What happened in New Jersey could be Adalyn's idea but it's also possible that Doc gave her the idea. Fake death, get new identity, move to another country and save Brooke. But for Doc, saving Brooke isn't as important as saving herself.
"No. There's no need for it now. She's fine."
Still denying it. Amy gave the stop gesture since Brie wants to use the stun gun again. That would work. But it's not necessary, not yet. "Then why tell her about your past? You wanted her to tell me. You want me to leave her." Faith might be right. The signs of a manipulator is showing. That's a mocking laugh. Laughing is to stall. She's thinking of what to say.
"You're here. Aren't you?"
That is a good point. But it doesn't mean that's not her motive. "I'm here because I want to know everything. Tell us, how did you two meet? Where was it? A bar? Which bar? Hospital? Which hospital? What did you talk about? When did you sleep with her? The first day you met or the next day? Or was it 10 days later? Twenty? How many times? Was it in a hotel? Which hotel? What did you say to get her to sleep with you? How long did it take you to get her to finally give in? Did she enjoyed it as much as you did? How old was she? 20, 21?" Amy paused for a moment to see if Doc has anything to say. Even if Doc does, she would still continue since she a point to make. "That's old enough. That wouldn't be rape…unless of course, you drugged her and you, being a doctor would know what drugs to use. Or was she drunk? Unconscious? That would explain why she can't remember you. She was traumatized. No one who's traumatized would want to remember. And you, being an expert in hypnosis, could've easily remove that part of her-
"AARGHH!"
Memory. Amy took a few more steps back away from the bed while aware that everyone else is confused except for CJ and Faith. That's because they came up with this and only they could because they read Ezz's book. They did because the male character portrayed as Lucy in the book is conniving, narcissistic, opportunistic, secretive, mysterious, manipulative, sick and twisted. They did because they are also very familiar with the quote 'The abused becomes the abuser.' It was shocking to learn that's what Ezz thought of Lucy. It may be fiction but this proves it's not impossible because Lucy thinks it is. A stun gun would hurt more. A tight grip around the neck would work too. Just don't kill her. If Will didn't pull Lucy back like he did with Brie this morning, it would've worked. But that's okay. You can cough.
"I would never hurt you. Never. Nev- (cough)"
You can stall. You can think. A master manipulator would be able to come up with a good explanation easily because she would have thought of this beforehand. It seems that Faith is right. It took less than 10 seconds. Doc came up with one. But what do those crazy people at the capitol have to do with me?
"She's one of them. She was brainwashed. You have to leave her. It will happen again."
"What the hell are you talking about? I wasn't there." Amy said.
"You wanted to, didn't you? You have been having nightmares, haven't you? Anything unusual happened? memory lapse? (cough)...bruises...scratches, and you have no idea how you got them...sudden interest in things that never interested you before, things that you would never do…"
Like Faith said, Doc will deny it. Asking for details is the only way to know if she's telling the truth. But that might not work if she refuses to answer them. She will try different manipulation tactics such as gaslighting, lying, criticizing, shaming, and blaming. Faith didn't say what Doc will say since she has never met Doc until now and she doesn't know everything. But she did say whatever it is, it's not going to be easy to tell if it's a lie. She's wrong. "This is best you can come up with?" Amy interrupted before taking the stun gun from Brie.
"AARGHH!"
It's just the thigh. It's not going to kill her. Amy pulled back the stun gun so that everyone can hear. "You drugged her! Then you raped her! You wiped her memory. Then you tried to wipe her memory again and again because you're afraid she will remember what you did!"
"NO! AARGH!"
"Yes you did! You hypnotized her. You used Adalyn to confuse her mind so she can never remember what you did. You made her think you're her ex so she would trust you. You wanted me out of your way so you can rape her again. You sick…FUCK!" Amy again placed the stun gun against her thigh, then pulled back before Will interferes since Doc is calling him for help. "You know how I know?...She…hates…doctors."
"No, I didn't."
"I'll give you 10 seconds to answer all my questions and if I think you're lying, I'll put this in your eyes so you can never hurt anyone again, then I'll put this inside you for all those you raped. One!…two!…three!…"
"AAHHH!"
Part 2
Counting is to distract her so she can't think of a lie. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it's because the person you're torturing knows too much about you. But in this case, it's the others. It would've worked if no one else was around.
"I wasn't going to." Amy said.
"You burned her face." Faith said. It would've been more serious if Brie didn't pull her back.
"She moved." Amy said since it's the truth. It's just a light touch. She deserves it. Amy kept that to herself because if Faith heard, she would probably believe Doc now that she knows about the experiments with coma patients. For someone who has never been in this type of situation, she would be easily conned. But CJ must have so why is she still asking 'What do you think her motive is?' Doc might have denied looking for the key but it's obvious she was lying since she wouldn't have risked her life for Brooke. To her, Brooke is just a patient. To her, Lucy is more important. "She wants her and the key."
"Sso…you really believe she raped her?" CJ asked.
If Doc is a man, would CJ still ask? If Doc is creepy, CJ would use the same words, sick and twisted, to describe Lucy's character in Ezz's book instead of "she doesn't look like that type." Looking like a beauty pageant contestant doesn't mean she can't be a rapist. This should convince her. "Her last partner wanted to break it off but she couldn't because she's afraid of her career and her."
"Does she have bodyguards?"
What? If someone else asked, it would have made sense. This doesn't because CJ herself worked as a bodyguard so why did she still asked? Even if Lucy had bodyguards, they wouldn't be with her all the time. Certainly, not inside a hotel room or apartment. Besides, "She didn't have her bodyguards when she was with me. Scud knows about us. He doesn't know her. Why?"
"I agree with you. She could've wiped her memory. But rape? Who raped whom?"
Is she accusing Lucy of raping Doc? That's what it sounds like. If Lucy were here, she would be offended because CJ is comparing her to the teens who had sex with their female teachers which would be considered as rape but not by CJ since guys brag about it. Guys wanted it. It doesn't hurt them. They have nothing to lose except a stupid thing called virginity which guys want to get rid of as fast as they can with anyone. That's true. But Lucy is not a guy. Lucy does have a high sex drive but Lucy wouldn't.
"The student becomes the teacher. The abused becomes the abuser."
There's the quote again except for the first part. Maybe Lucy did learn some things from Doc. Maybe she did set up a trap for Ezz's boyfriend to get him in trouble, then offered Ezz a deal to get him out of it. That does sound like what Lucy would do but forcing Ezz to sleep with her as part of the deal? No way. Even if Lucy offered to pay for the house and said the same thing the character did (We'll come up with a deal that would benefit both of us), that doesn't mean the character in the book is Lucy. It's just a story. It's fiction. It's a male character. This is getting ridiculous. CJ seems to have forgotten the most important part. "She can't remember her. She can't remember being abused. She didn't rape anyone." Amy continued letting them know that Ezz forgave Lucy for leaving, not for rape. No rape victim would. "What?" Amy asked since CJ and Faith are looking at each other for a quick moment and now looking confused.
"You didn't notice the wine bottles?"
Of course I did. There's one on the coffee table in the living room. Some were on the floor. Some were shattered. It looked like the aftermath of an out of control party. Doc smelled of alcohol. She was obviously drinking but not enough to lose her mind since she was still able to come up with a lie that made them sympathize with her. Some drink to celebrate. Some drink because they're depressed. Doc did because she can't find the key so why does CJ think she was raped? At least she doesn't think Lucy did it. But even if Doc was, it doesn't mean she didn't rape Lucy years ago.
"Wait, where're you going?" CJ asked since she was told to look after her which is not difficult to do but taking her home is since she's unwilling.
"Find out what Brie knows." Maybe Brie knows why she was drinking. Amy continued walking towards the entrance in the back of the house since it has been ten minutes. Whatever Will had to say to Brie, he should be done by now. Lucy would need more than 10 minutes with Doc to find out the truth. With Adalyn and Brooke there, she's not going to be able to use torture. With Faith here, it's difficult to concentrate since she's asking about that night.
"So you did have nightmares?" Faith asked even though the answer is neither yes or no. It's 'Don't fall into her trap' so that's enough to assume that she did. "How often? What were they about?" This isn't a good time to ask but later won't make a difference. "I don't believe the crap she said. Okay? I just want to know if you've been sleepwalking again." No answer is given but this time, there's a good reason. It's because Will just came out, looking very upset. Everyone is running after him. What's wrong? She didn't have to ask because Will isn't hiding it. The explanation is short, just one sentence, and it explains why he's telling the former blonde agent when she didn't ask. They think he's dangerous too. He's leaving. Brie is following and apologizing. Uh ohh. "Breathe, calm" Faith said, then stepped aside after getting told to stay out of it.
"You think I would hurt you?" Amy directed the question to Lucy but also knew what the answer would be. It's a long NO with a But. There is a But because of what happened that night. It's also because she got Doc to admit that she was lying. They're not lovers. It's not a patient/doctor relationship either. They met at a hotel bar because of a conversation that she might have overheard?
"I couldn't remember her because…I just don't." Lucy knew that wouldn't be convincing since it didn't convince herself either when she heard. The details did. It's because she had been in a hotel room with a prostitute many times before. It wasn't for sex. It was to see if they wanted help. She can't remember Doc because Doc was pretending to be one but her motive wasn't money. It was to find out what she heard and who she is before killing her. Saving the prostitute from a man who wanted more than the negotiated deal was a lie. There was no fight that night but there was a lot of noise, enough to make her bang on the wall and complained about it which became the reason for those in the next room to go after her. Someone was killed that night. She had no idea. She can't remember Doc because Doc changed her appearance and because nothing unusual happened. "She used to work for an organization, a foreign agent." Amy doesn't know. She doesn't look surprised so she must have thought that was a possibility. "They thought I heard them. They thought I would expose them." Killing me would have given them more problems. Doc made the right decision not to. "Nothing happened between us." Lucy said again since it's important.
"You remember?"
Apparently the reasons aren't good enough to convince her. "No, but-
"Then how do you know she's not lying again? You were hypnotized. You wouldn't know. You don't know what she did."
"I know because back then, I would never go to a hotel room alone. Someone would've been waiting for me in the next room. I would've let her know I wasn't alone." Lucy didn't want to tell her about the hotel room but also knows there is no way to hide it because Doc is inside and Amy would want more detail. And there she goes. "Wait"
Amy didn't wait until she heard Brie's screaming. At least Brie believes in Will. CJ and Faith must feel the same way as Lucy since they're blocking the way. "So what are you going to do? She wants you to leave me."
"I'm not going to do that."
That's good to hear. She's not falling for it. That's what it sounds like until she said there will be a change in the living arrangement. Faith and CJ don't mind moving in with Nadia and Holly but why is there a need to? Why is there a need for laser alarm sensors if she doesn't believe Doc? "Are you going to handcuff me to the bed?"
"Of course not. Handcuffs would hurt. A tie would be…no, I don't mean, I wasn't serious." Lucy said after Amy headed the other way. That was stupid. Faith and CJ might not have said anything but their look showed that's what they're thinking which is not helpful at this moment. "I don't believe her!" That sounds like a lie even to herself. Will is leaving too. Bringing Will here now seems like a big mistake. "C'mon. I wasn't serious." It's too late to prevent Amy from going with Will. Follow. That's the plan until Will's car stopped. She changed her mind? She's not coming out. Maybe Will changed his mind.
Lucy ran to the passenger side of the car. The door is still locked. The window is rolling down. The answer she's been waiting for for months, she just got it. "You're not serious." Yes, she is. There she goes. It's over.
Amy rolled the windows back up while knowing that Lucy might follow. The only one who might be able to stop her is Faith. CJ can find out what else Doc said since Lucy had to be hiding something. It seems that Will has been too. It's not the nightmares. It's not sleepwalking. It's a secret that he has been keeping to himself because there's no need for anyone to know until now because it made more sense now. Doc was trying to kill me?
"I stopped him. I didn't know why I did then…until after I remember you."
So the shot wasn't for Blake? That's one question that even Will doesn't have an answer to since he couldn't find the other sniper.
"Then she told Hope to look after you."
"because she found out who I am?" Amy asked. Will doesn't know but thinks it's very possible. It would be easy to find out. Just ask CJ to ask Doc. CJ won't mind. In fact, CJ is more than willing to be the messenger.
Can this day be getting any worse? Lucy kept her eyes on the road instead of looking at the phone since there's no need to see who just sent a message. It has to be Amy. Will's car is out of sight but there's no need to follow so close to know where he's heading to. It's either his house or Amy's. If she plans to move, she'll need clothing. If she wants me to move, that's not happening. "Not now" Lucy picked up the call anyways since there's still a long way to go. Anthony must have found out. CJ still works for him. "Hello" He doesn't know? "yes…busy, driving…okay" It must not be urgent since it can wait. Nadia's call must be because there's no reason for her to call. "Hello" She knows. Oh crap. Amy called her to pack for her? "Okay. Listen to me. Don't!" That's not why she called but that's what she can do to help. "Hide them. Lock the door. Do whatever you need to. Don't let her leave. Okay?...I'll explain later." Nadia won't be able to but she can stall. Holly would be able to help if she's there.
After reaching to the destination, Lucy realized there's another unexpected helper. Ethan. But why is he coming out with the luggage? Oh no. She's moving to Anthony's house with Ethan. Is that why Anthony called? That's worse than moving in with Will. "Take that back" Lucy said to Ethan before hurriedly going inside the house. Nadia's voice can be heard. Everyone must be upstairs. Everyone is except for Amy and Will. What the hell. "What you doing?" It seems that Nadia misunderstood the instructions. She's helping Amy pack. "Put that back." Nadia didn't. Amy just came out of the bathroom and not looking surprised at all. She's expecting this. She's taking her time. "Can we talk?" That's the hint for Holly and Nadia to get out so why aren't they moving? Any bedroom will do then. It's wrong to take hold of Amy's forearm by force. Amy didn't resist so she must want to talk privately too. "I'm sorry" Lucy had more to say if she didn't get cut off with one question.
"She didn't tell you? " Amy asked.
How the hell…must be CJ. This is the reason she stayed behind to look after Doc. "I thought she was a prostitute. I mean. I must have thought she was a prostitute. I would never do that."
"Never do what? Sex with a prostitute or one night stand with a stranger?"
"Never! She's lying."
"She also said you weren't happy. That's why you were there, in a hotel bar, drinking alone." It's not hard to believe that Lucy would since she did that before years ago, staying in a hotel room alone because she didn't want to go back home to see Kristin. Last time, she kissed Alexis. This time it's more than just a kiss. "She said she didn't know who you were. That's what she was trying to find out. She found out you weren't simple because you told her you can take care of all her problems. Is that what you say to all the prostitutes?"
No. Not like that. Lucy said in her own mind instead of responding because it would then showed that Doc wasn't lying.
"Did you touch the prostitutes when you were with them?"
Sometimes, touching can't be avoided.
"Did you take their clothes off when they told you to?"
They took it off themselves, most of them.
"She said she told you to hold her and you did. She told you to touch her her and you did. She took it all off but you didn't say Don't. Then you fucked her against the floor to ceiling hotel window because you wanted to, because you noticed her birthmark, right here, just like Brooke's so don't tell me nothing happened." Amy pulled her hand back after being grabbed onto.
It's just a poke on her upper chest. It doesn't hurt as much as what Amy must be feeling right now. "She's lying. I would never do that with a prostitute. Never." Lucy said in a low voice since she can't think of anything else to say and saying it loudly would get Amy even more upset.
"I just want to know, were you thinking of Brooke when you're with me?"
What! Never did she expect to get the same question as Ezz's. "Of course not! Never!" This time, it needs to be loud so it would be more believable. "You can't believe her. You know what she's trying to do."
"I don't believe her, not like you. Not all of it. But she's right about one thing. You'll never be able to let her go. Even in your sleep."
What! That again? "It's just a dream. I can't control it." That was so long ago. Why is she still talking about it? Lucy later realized why. It's because it happened again.
"You kept saying 'sorry, sorry.' Who were you apologizing to? Me? Brooke? Ezz? Another ex?"
It has been months of sleeping apart. The last time was when she... "When was this?" If Faith and CJ were here, they would have the 'stupid question' look again. It is stupid. Amy wouldn't lie about this. Amy needs to know that she did too, even worse. "I didn't tell you because I don't care who you thought I was. It was just a dream. We all have-" Ow. The slap on the face doesn't hurt that much but it still hurts. Maybe I should've kept that to myself.
"You knew and you let me continue."
"I didn't know until you started choking me." Oh shit. Bringing up that night again is definitely a bad idea. "I didn't mean, babe, c'monn...It was just a dream." Oh crap. Everyone is standing outside. They must have heard, some if not all. That's not important now. Stopping Amy is. Lucy quickly followed down while knowing there's nothing she can do except "You're falling into her trap!" She said it herself. It doesn't seem to be working though. She's standing in the main doorway with the door opened by Will.
"Maybe she's right."
"No, she's not. She's a liar. You're right. Please, don't do this." Lucy knows where this is heading to but the words that came out of Amy is totally different from what she expected. It's not 'It's over' but it means 'It's definitely over.'
Meanwhile
Going to Doc's house wasn't preplanned. All Brie had wanted to do was take a nap after a light lunch since she didn't sleep well last night. If it wasn't for Brooke's inappropriate texting with the image of Vancouver's popular dessert along with a comment (This is what we're eating now. This is what we'll be doing later), that ridiculous dirty dream never would have happened. Sex-in-a-Pan somehow created sex-on-the-floor. The serious Hope who always had a good reason for doing things, even if it's inappropriate, somehow turned into a complete jerk like a frat boy. And Doc is partly responsible. That's what she was thinking. It was impossible to take a nap at that point. The thought of looking for Doc was there. The decision to go was made after she picked up a call on Adalyn's phone that was was left on the kitchen counter. She had no idea why Doc wanted Adalyn to go to her place nor did she tell Adalyn since Adalyn went out with Brooke and Hope(the dog). To find out why wasn't the reason she went. To find out what Doc did to Hope was. Now she wished she did not.
"I don't want to talk right now!" Brie said since Brooke won't stop knocking on her bedroom door.
"The longer you wait, the longer the pain will last. I can't help you but can you help me? The faster you open this door, the less stress I'll have. My heart can't take another hit. It's just starting to heal. So please tell me-"
"This has nothing to do with you!" Brie said loudly again but it didn't stop Brooke from blaming herself again. "ughh" Brie got off the bed to open the door since it's the only way to get Brooke to stop. "Stop crying. You're making this worse."
"I'm not. A bug flew into my eye. See, it's dead." Brooke extended her hand after wiping her left eye.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not trying to be. It's too tiny. You just can't see it." Brooke said. Her comment is ignored but she knows that Brie can still hear even with the pillow over her head. "And sometimes, it's so big. It's right in front of you. You still can't see it."
(sigh) Brooke is at it again just like last night with her silly metaphors but this one isn't silly nor is it hard to figure out because she and Adalyn didn't say anything to defend Will when Doc said that Will too will have no control of himself at certain times. She doesn't blame Brooke since she too was shocked by Will's confession. But she expected Brooke to know that Doc can't be trusted especially when Will had lived here for months without issues. "Hope is not a monster. She did it because they're bad. They're all bad."
"That's not what I'm saying."
"Then get to the point." She's not in the mood to talk because there is a lot to think about and she has a lot of questions. The answers won't help but she desperately wants to know. It seems that Brooke has no interest in knowing because she just suggested to move to Ontario. "There's nothing wrong with him. He wouldn't hurt us." Brie said after taking the pillow off her head and sitting up on the bed.
"not intentionally"
"Stop it! You don't know him. You don't know Hope. Hope almost died, trying to find you. She did that because of me. She never hurt me. Never!" She knows that won't be enough to convince Brooke since Brooke has never met Hope. Adalyn hasn't either. Adalyn isn't here but if she were, how would she feel? Brooke had said before that Adalyn doesn't know what she did when she was 13 years old. Letting her know won't help but the main reason to keep it from her is for her own sanity. Nightmares were impossible to control. The only way was to forget? She forgot that I existed? She never said that.
"That's why I didn't look for you." It took 11 years to remember her. It took a near death experience to get her forgiveness.
"Why didn't you say that before?"
"It wouldn't have made a difference. You still wouldn't want to talk to me."
"You still should have told me." Brie said, remembering the moment when she got so angry after finding out the truth. She never asked Brooke why she never looked for her after that because it was obvious. Who would want to remember the pain of living in an abusive family? Who would want to remember how her parents died? It was an accident. That's what she had thought at 9 years old since no one told her that it wasn't. Not until Brooke showed up did she realize why Alabama is ranked as one of the least educated states. How did they not know the fire wasn't an accident? How did they not know there were only two dead bodies, not three?
Corruption, misuse of government funding to public education, high poverty rate, incompetence, it's a keep-them-stupid state so the rich can continue living lavishly and do anything they want.
That's what Brooke said which would explain why no one knew about the abuse. It happened in a small town. No one cared about the poor. She's right. Whether it's one year or 11 years, that wouldn't have made a difference because the reason is what she did. If she could hide that, she probably would too. She's talking about it now because she knows how it feels.
"So take it from me. I'm not a monster either."
(sigh) Sometimes it's difficult to understand Brooke's motive. She could have just said 'Will needs more time to heal.' She may be right but she's definitely wrong about this. "He's a friend. I care, as a friend, that's it."
"Sso...you slept with him…as a friend?"
"What?"
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me. I get it. Some things are not meant to be shared."
What are you talking about? Brie was thinking of asking but didn't since Brooke is on her way out and now that Brooke left, there's no need to because a thought just appeared. She doesn't know? Why did she say 'him' not 'her' if she does? Adalyn must not have told her. It could be the numerous times when she saw me coming out of Will's room at night. It could be Will's confession. It could be the chat last night and this morning. She must think I'm jealous of Emily and Faith. She thinks that I … "ewww" With both hands, she pulled the comforter over her head and closed her eyes to give her mind a rest because of the sudden throbbing pain due to the overloading of new information, the misunderstanding, and the wine that she drank earlier when she was trying to get Doc to drink more which she now regrets. (Sigh)
-same day-
"She regretted it?"
"Yes, she did."
"How do you know? She told you?"
"She didn't say anything. She had this look like she just realized something. I wasn't sure. Then years later, after meeting her again, I realized I was right. She was thinking of her ex when she was with me. Maybe that's why she doesn't remember me. Maybe she had a lot of one night stands afterwards. She couldn't keep track. Some would do that after getting dumped. It's one way of healing. Have you ever got dumped?"
"Okay. So you saw her at the hotel bar. You didn't sit right next to her because that would get her suspicious. You ordered yourself a drink, picked up a call, pretended to get dumped"
"not dumped, upset, I was pretending to be upset."
"Okay, not dumped. You told the caller you found out your boyfriend was cheating on you with a friend because you know she got dumped."
"I didn't know. She looked like she was. I made it up to get her to say something but she didn't."
"Okay. Then you told the bartender to give you something that can wipe out your memory from yesterday so you wouldn't know what your boyfriend did. The bartender found it funny. Instead of suggesting a drink, the bartender jokingly suggested getting even by doing the same thing. That's when you noticed you got her attention. You ordered another drink, pretended to be a little drunk, deliberately looked around to let her think that you liked the bartender's idea, made eye contact with her, then some guy came over and subtly let you know he wants to be that guy. He flirted with you. You flirted back. You asked if he's a cop. He said no. Then you jokingly asked for $5000 and let him know you're not a prostitute but just wanted more out of it since you have a lot of debt too. You thought it would get him to leave but he didn't and offered you his wedding band instead of cash since he didn't have that much and since he's getting a divorce, he no longer wanted to be reminded of his ex-wife. You accepted his offer to see what she would do since you noticed that she didn't like that guy. You followed him. She interfered before you got into the elevator and threatened to call the cops since that guy won't let you go. Is that correct?"
"yes"
"What's the name of the hotel?"
"I don't remember."
"But you remembered you went to her room, alone, after she made the same offer. Somehow sex happened but you weren't expecting it to happen since all you were trying to do is get info. You didn't know who she was. That's what you said. So why would an intelligent woman like you would do such a stupid thing? Weren't you afraid someone else would be in the room? Weren't you afraid she would be recording it?"
"I wouldn't have if I thought she would. She didn't look like that type. And it didn't happen right away. We talked first. She said she didn't have the money and only lied because she knows that guy was lying about the cost of the ring. She warned me to be careful. Then she ordered room service and gave me the money to tip the hotel staff. I didn't know why. She said it's to let the staff know that I'm okay because there are cameras everywhere. I thought that was a hint. I thought she knew I was pretending. So I told her I used to be a medical student but didn't finish and I have a lot of debts to see what she knows. She laughed. I don't know if she believed me. Then someone came with the money. That's for making her laugh. She said. That's when I knew she wasn't simple. That's what I was afraid of. I didn't want to. I had to. She had symptoms of depression, suicidal behavior. So I tried to make her feel good, feel loved. That's how sex happened. That's why I let her. Because if she kills herself later, it would lead to me. Her people were in the next room."
(wait)
(wait)
"Is that it?" Lucy asked after waiting for a few seconds. No noise can be heard, just sounds of static.
"Did you take a shower first? How was the kiss? Passionate? Gentle? How was sex? slow, fast, rough, oral? Where did she touch you first? How long-"
This time, there's no need to ask if that's it. Anthony just pressed something on the laptop. What happened later must not be good. It was CJ's idea. All on her own. He said. It's a good idea. Details can find flaws. But why does she want him to listen to it? "You believe her?" If he does, that would explain why Amy did.
"one time? With a stranger? You don't do that." Anthony said.
"That's what I said. She doesn't believe me."
"But you were different then…after you got dumped...and didn't you have 2 girls in your room, that time"
"They weren't strangers, they were drunk and it didn't happen in a hotel. Stop bringing that up. Nothing happened." Lucy threw the stress ball that she has been squeezing across the room at the door to show her frustration. Coming here was his request but she wasn't expecting this. "She's lying." If Scud heard, he would agree. There's no need to tell him though since there's nothing he can do. Amy is not just upset about this.
"So? What are you planning to do…other than wanting to put holes in my house?"
"give her some space" Lucy picked up the stress ball. "Then get her back." Lucy threw the ball against the target(the door knob) but missed. "It's not the first time."
"I'm glad you feel that way."
"What's that supposed to mean? You think I would kill myself? She's lying." If he thinks that, he's been conned by Doc too.
"I meant…your life is more important than just sitting on your butt. Go do something. Help out. A lot of people needs your help right now."
What the hell is he talking about? Anthony is not always straight forward. He's certainly not the type that would volunteer to help. There's always a good reason when he does. This is a good reason but he's out of his fucking mind!
"wait"
Lucy didn't wait since she saw all she needed on his laptop to know what he's thinking. If the office isn't so big, she would've reached the door before he could ask the next question(Don't you want to listen to the rest?). Yes I do. Lucy walked back while knowing that he would take this opportunity to make his case but she didn't expect him to mention Mr. P, using the same tactic Mr. P once did, calling them 'selfish.'
"She's the key."
She never expected him to use the same reason she did before.
"It's not over. It will only get worse. If we don't do anything now, it will be too late."
