Chapter Seventeen: Traumatizing Shock

*When Serena awoke in the morning, she felt light. She felt good. She felt… loved. For the first time since she had been born she felt a tranquil and euphoric ascension she had never believed possible. Practically skipping, she turned on the shower and let the tiny beads of water trickle over her lithe form. She was even hungry this morning, a very good way to show the doctors she was getting better.

Last night she had promised Hiiro as they were walking back that she would get out of the hospital as soon as she could. Though it meant finally opening up and revealing her dark secretive past to the doctors, she would do it for him. She had also made a silent promise to herself to gain weight. She had seen his face last night when they had spoke about how thin she was, and knew that he had been worried about her.

Stepping out of the shower, she dressed in her usual white and stepped into the world of the mental hospital with a fresh outlook on everything. As she made her way down to the cafeteria, she silently continued to laugh and smile at everything that had happened last night.

“Good morning Serena. Ready for breakfast?” Asked the nutritionist Jake.

“Ready for two helpings as a matter of fact. I’m starved!” She smiled brightly at him. Then she felt a twinge of guilt when she saw his jaw drop. “I’m sorry if I startled you. I’m just hungry this morning is all.”

“You’re hungry?” The man asked, his eyes still wide.

“Yes, actually.”

“Well alright! Double helpings for the gorgeous blonde in the front row!” He cheered enthusiastically. Serena smiled half heartedly as the food was placed before her. So many calories… it was so bad for her… maybe she would only eat one helping today, and move to two tomorrow. Or the next day. Or even the next. Hell, why not wait till next week?

“Serena, I knew you were anorexic bulimic, but I didn’t know how sick you were. You’re so thin.”

“I never wanted to remember my father calling me his little piggy.” She shuddered.

“I felt as if I was going to break you, like you were a piece of glass.”

“I’m not that fragile, I’ve been used rougher before Hiiro.”

“But I didn’t want it to be rough. I was so worried about hurting you.”

“Hiiro, I can’t help it. I’m being forced to eat more, but…”

“Promise me you’ll get better Serena? That you’ll fight anorexia bulimia?”

“I…that’s a big promise Hiiro.”

“Please? I want to cuddle with you and know I won’t break you.” His face had a goofy grin written on it, but his eyes were serious.

“I promise.”

No. She was going to eat two helpings today. Swallowing hard, she stuffed the first bite of waffle into her mouth and chewed it mechanically. Swallowing, she realized it wasn’t so bad. And she didn’t want to break her promise, or hurt Jake’s feelings… down the hatch it went, calories and all.

“Serena, if you don’t mind me asking, what made you change your mind about eating?” Jake asked.

“I promised a good friend I would get better and visit him outside of this nuthouse. And I always keep my promises.”

“He must be a very special friend.” Jake winked at her.

“He is.” She nodded. Then she blushed. What was she doing? Acting like a little schoolgirl over Hiiro? Though, she had to admit, that was exactly how she felt. Still, she was a little too old for that. “He’s a good friend who’s been there for me. I owe it to him.”

“I’m glad he made you promise it.”

“Know something? Me too.”

>>>)(<<<

“I’m sorry. The police brought her in; you cannot just take her out. I’m sorry. There is no easy way to tell you this, but Mr. Tsukino, your daughter Serena is certifiably insane. She has very serious medical conditions that she cannot leave unattended to. Otherwise, she might never get well.”

“Medical conditions? Medical conditions? What the hell are you talking about you little bastard? My daughter’s healthy as a horse, has been since the day we brought her home from the hospital. Now let her out!”

“Sir, I assure you, Serena is not well. Not only is she an anorexic bulimic; she is also dealing with anger management and deep depression. Sir, as hard as it might be for you to deal with this, you must understand. Your daughter tried to kill herself. She tried to over dose on alcohol and Excedrin. She is not well.”

“From what that whore of a wife tell me, she’s been in the goddamned place for three fucking months! If she’s not cured by now, she can’t be cured. Let her out! I’m not paying any more money for you to keep her locked away when she’s perfectly healthy!”

“Mr. Tsukino, your daughter is very sick. It will take a very long time to help her. In fact, I doubt she will ever be quite healthy ever again. She’s already ruined her heart and her ability to have children. Don’t let her ruin something else as well by taking her out from under our care here.”

“Children? Children? Good! Now I don’t have to waste money on birth control for the little bitch! It’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to her! Now I don’t give a damn, let my daughter out of this nuthouse!”

“Sir, I’m sorry. We can’t let her out.” Carl sighed. He’d been at it with Serena’s father for almost a half an hour, and the man was driving him crazy. He was beginning to picture what Serena’s home-life must have been like growing up. An abusive drinking father, a cheating mother… none of it sounded too pleasing. And birth control? Why would her father need to buy her birth control pills? Carl felt very uneasy about the day he would be forced to release Serena back to her family.

“I want to see my goddamned daughter! Where the fuck is she?” The man roared. Carl sighed.

“Very well, you may see her. Under supervision.”

“Supervision my ass. I want her, now!” Carl pushed a button on his phone at his desk.

“Cathy, please send Ms. Tsukino in.”

“Yes sir.”

Ten minutes later Serena walked in the door, and the smile dropped from her face. “Daddy!” She cried, her eyes widening in fear.

“Come here you little tramp!” He barked, grabbing her wrist. “Did you think you could get away with it? Did you? I’ll teach you not to run away again!” As he spoke, his grip around her wrist tightened and she grimaced and squirmed in pain.

“Please Daddy, I didn’t run away. The police brought me here. Please let me go.” She tried to pull away, but only ended up sinking to the floor. He kicked at her.

“Bull shit! The cops wouldn’t waste their time with any little piggies like you!”

“Mr. Tsukino, enough!” Carl stood. “If you make another move, I’ll call the police in here.” Suddenly Mr. Tsukino dropped his daughter’s wrist.

“Serena? Oh baby Serena, what have I done?” He asked. Serena, who was now holding her bruised wrist, scooted back on the floor away from him.

“Doctor Carl, I want to go now…” She whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.”

“But Serena? Don’t you want to come home with me?”

“No.” She shook her head vigorously.

“But you’re my daughter… Mine!” She continued to back up as he drew in closer.

“No!” She yelped. She crawled for the door, but he grabbed her ankle and dragged her back.

“Wow, my little piggy, you’ve put on a few pounds! You’re so fat you little whore! Come here!” He yelled, his face going bright reddish purple. When he had dragged her back close enough to him, he leaned down and kissed her hard.

“Get the hell off of me! Leave me alone!” She cried. By now the doctor had not only summoned security, but he had gotten up and began to tug at Mr. Tsukino, who was being more persistent. Soon the police arrived and began to help the doctor drag Mr. Tsukino out of the room and off of his daughter.

“She’s my whore! Mine!” He yelled over and over. Serena simply sat on the ground, crying her eyes out. The doctor moved over to help her.

“No! No! No! No! Get away from me! Don’t touch me! No!” She screamed, over and over again, backing up on the ground until she was plastered to the wall. She was still violently sobbing, and her nose was now bleeding.

“Serena, it’s me, Doctor Carl. I only want to help you Serena. It’s Doctor Carl.”

“No, stay away! Say back!” She screamed. “God don’t touch me, don’t touch me! God, don’t touch me!”

“Carl?” Bertha came rushing in. “Oh my… what happened?”

“Her father tried to rape her… right here in front of me.” The doctor relayed.

“Her father!” Bertha cried out in shock. The doctor nodded.

“I’m sure he was drunk, but still… and to think this was what she’s been living with all these years… She’s so terrified I can’t get close to her.”

“Let me try, I’m not a man after all.” Bertha tried to gently inch her way towards Serena.

“God no! Leave me alone! Go away!” She screamed, her face becoming blotchy red as angry tears, fear, and anger mixed.

“It’s no use. She’s completely lost it.” Bertha backed away.

“Shall we…drugs? Enema? Shock her?” The doctor asked himself.

“Shock? No! We can’t shock her! It might traumatize her for life at this stage!” Bertha gasped.

“What should we do then? I’ve never come across this in any patients I’ve ever dealt with, or any medical books I’ve ever read.”

“A cold shower. That might shock her back into reality.”

“How are we going to get her to a shower?”

“I’m going to carry her.” The doctor and nurse both turned to face Hiiro Yui. His face was set in a harsh, unforgiving expression, and his eyes were molten pools of blue lava. Both could tell her was absolutely livid. They stood by and watched as he slowly approached the young girl who was raving on the floor.

“Serena?” He asked very gently. “Serry? Come on Serry, it’s me, Ro.”

“Don’t touch me!” She screamed again. But Hiiro was not to be deterred. He continuously got closer, and finally was able to draw her into a stiff hug.

“Serena, it’s me, Hiiro.”

“Hiiro?” She choked out, gasping for air through her tears. “Oh God, oh God, oh God! Hiiro…” She sobbed, letting him hug her tight as her arms frantically waved about in the air. “Don’t let him touch me, don’t let him touch me! Please don’t let him touch me!”

“I won’t let him near you.” He cooed. Then, with the greatest possible delicacy, Hiiro slipped his arm under her knees and picked her up princess-style. “Shower?” He asked.

“She can use my personal shower, it’s closest.” The doctor stammered. Quickly he opened the door for Hiiro, then stepped out and power walked down the hall, Hiiro and Bertha following behind. As soon as they reached the bathroom, the doctor turned the water on full blast, and Hiiro stepped into the shower, clothes and all, still holding Serena.

“Ahhhhh!” She screamed bloody murder. Hiiro winced, and Carl and Bertha nearly cried from the pain of simply watching Serena in her state of shock.

“It’s alright Serena, he can’t get you. I’m here. I promised; I’m here.” Hiiro managed to awkwardly sit in the shower with Serena on his lap under the cold water. Soon her sobs had subsided, and she only dug her face into Hiiro’s chest more as his arms wrapped around her. *

~~~Well, this is almost over guys. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but… oh wait, I take it back. I love to be the bearer of bad news… reactions are always so much more interesting! Anyway, I would ask that you PLEASE review this and let me know what you think before the end- I’d really like the comparison from this chapter to when you see what I have in store for the ending! PLEASE? Much love, Vixen~~~