ABLOCATE ▇▇▇▇ VOLUME TWO
━━ ❛ 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒆 ❜

chapter no. 048!

❪ 𝚃𝚆⠀ : ⠀ 𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝚅𝙸𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴,
𝙼𝚄𝚁𝙳𝙴𝚁, ⠀⠀𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙵-𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙼,⠀𝙰𝙽𝙳
𝙳𝙴𝙿𝙸𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 ⠀  𝙾𝙵 ⠀ 𝙱𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙳. ❫

❝ MARK MY WORDS. ❞
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﹙ JUNE 15TH, 2016 ﹚

     COARSE HANDS GRIPPED HER BICEPS, DRAGGING HER TOWARD A WOODEN CHAIR. Eyes flashing to the man holding her, she narrowed them into slits. She wheezed out a cough, glancing away. Feet away stood Johnston and Shirzad next to a familiar camera and tripod. Whatever was about to happen was being made into a spectacle. There was no other reason why they would be recording her.

     Suddenly, she was shoved into a chair and her wrists and ankles were strapped to it with zip ties. Three swaying lightbulbs dangled above her, casting eerie shadows across the room.

     "Cooperate and this'll go by a lot less painfully."

     Cara blinked, meeting Leone's mischievous smirk with an indifferent expression. It'd been days since she'd spoken to any of them, and she was planning on keeping it that way. She wasn't interested in having conversations. If they were going to kill her, she wanted them to get it over with already. However, she knew that wasn't likely. The Founding Fathers were going to drag this out as long as they wanted.

     A kiss was planted on her forehead before Leone backed away, giving her a sly wink. It made her stomach twist in distaste.

     "You were a member of the F.B.I.'s Behavioral Analysis team for six months. You bonded with them, got close. What did you tell them about us?" Shirzad called, stepping around the camera and leaving Johnston's side.

     With a face void of emotion, Cara simply stared at him.

     "A deal was made. The F.B.I. and American federal government would never take in a Canadian drug trafficker as their pet without contingencies. Not unless something was in it for them." Johnston added, nodding at Leone, who'd joined him.

     Shirzad's chin upturned. "According to the contract you signed with them, you were permitted to go work for the F.B.I. given that you aid them in locating Ross and us. If you agreed, you'd have to live in the same apartment building as one of the team members as a security measure— Doctor Spencer Reid— adhere to a monthly drug test— which you always passed— and stay out of contact with anyone affiliated with the Red Scorpions— rude.

     "Then, you had to only use the phone they provided for you unless it was a phone from one of your beloved team members, and when you weren't working, adhere to a curfew from six in the morning to ten at night. A curfew, might I add, you didn't follow often. Of course, there were no repercussions for that. But you sure did enjoy those few nights out with Dr. Reid, didn't you? Not to mention, those days you went into work so God-awfully early that it almost pains me to imagine doing."

     If this was Shirzad's way of telling her that she'd been under surveillance by the Founding Fathers for quite some time, he was wasting his breath. She already knew. Ever since she stepped foot outside the Vancouver Police Station for the first time since her arrest in October, she knew she was being watched.

     All it took was looking out of the black SUV windows and seeing Stephen Leone dressed, head-to-toe, in black clothing with a red bandana for the warning to be heard. The threat she was under never once faded and remained true every day. For each day that passed, she was reminded that her departure only neared closer. And eventually, that rang true.

     "You agreed, obviously. Even though Supervisory Special Agents Derek Morgan and Jennifer Jareau were initially against the prospect of you joining." Johnston said, motioning for Leone to finish setting up the camera. "Turns out that you'd grow quite close to them and everyone else. What'd you tell them? Hmm?"

     Again, Cara blinked.

     "Come on, princess. No one likes a tease."

     Nothing.

     Shirzad rolled his eyes. "This silent treatment is getting old, Val." That was a recent nickname he'd coined for her. She wasn't a fan.

     A low whistle came from behind him. It was Leone signaling that Hennessy had arrived with the surprise. The recording began now.

     Nodding in agreement with Shirzad, Johnston folded his arms. "What did you tell them?"

     Silence.

     "If you don't start speaking, things will get ugly." Cara remained still at Shirzad's words. "All right. Bring him in."

     Behind the band of assholes, the door to the room opened and Ross Valentine was shoved through. Blood coated the left side of his face, seeping from a large gash on his forehead. Handcuffs bound his wrists together and he wore a dirt-covered white shirt with ripped jeans. A loud thud echoed as the door slammed shut.

     At the sight of her father, Cara's stomach dropped and her eyes widened. It'd been years since she'd seen him... years. In a way, he looked the same, but at the same time, he looked as if he'd aged a thousand years. His brown hair was long and almost touched his shoulders. The bags under his eyes sagged significantly.

     "Cara, don't tell th—" Ross couldn't get much else out when Hennessy cut him off with a blow to the face. Doubling over, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

     Abruptly sitting up, Cara's eyes flashed from Leone, Johnston, Shirzad, and Lu to her father. They couldn't be serious...

     "Let's try this again. Either tell us what we want to know, or the old man gets it." Johnston warned, curling his fingers into fists. "What did you tell the F.B.I.?"

     "We have you on tape speaking when you were instructed not to. What did you say?" Shirzad asked, watching as her wide and uncertain blue eyes wavered over to her father. It'd been years since they last saw each other. Too bad this reunion wasn't the one they'd probably wanted.

     Johnston sighed dramatically, annoyed at the perpetuating silence. "Do it."

     Forcefully shoving Ross onto the floor and on his knees, Lu grabbed him by the back of his head and yanked it back. His throat was exposed and strained. A knife was quickly pressed against it and the presence of it alone spiked enough panic in Cara for her to sit up and gulp, eyes wide.

     "What did you tell them?" Shirzad demanded, glowering harshly at the blonde. "What did you tell them?!"

     Finally, she shifted her stare. If they were going to threaten her father's life, she had to answer. "What makes you think I told them anything of significance?"

     "Well, well, well... Someone finally found their voice." Lu sneered, wearing the smile of a madman.

    "Do the words, "Just because you caught his daughter doesn't mean you will catch the truth," ring a bell? Because they certainly do for us." Johnston motioned to his partners.

     Cara rolled her eyes. "Of course, they do. I said them, but why does that matter?" she inquired, darting her eyes between the group of men. "It was only a matter of time before the F.B.I. figured out who my father was. Better to dangle a meaningless puzzle piece rather than reveal the full picture."

     Johnston took in a sharp breath. "It matters because you were supposed to stick to the plan."

     "I did!" she shouted, allowing her frustration to take control. "I did everything you asked me to do! I said every stupid line. I taunted, mocked, and distracted them just as Jarrod instructed me to."

     Shirzad scoffed. "If you stuck to it, explain why you confessed to Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid that you recognized the photographs from the Abbotsford Auto-Mall attack?"

     At the brown-haired doctor's name, Cara froze. It was inevitable that they were going to use Spencer against her, but it still stung every time. All his name did was remind her of the life she wanted and the life she could have had, but chose to sacrifice so he and the team were safe.

     "You didn't think we wouldn't use him against you, did you?" Lu raised an eyebrow.

     "No." Cara choked out, briefly averting her attention to the ground. "I knew you would. I knew you were watching him just as you were watching me."

     "What else did you tell him?" Shirzad asked, giving her a glare of warning. If she didn't answer truthfully, there was going to be hell to pay.

     Cara's profile hardened. "Nothing."

     "Don't lie to us."

     She scoffed. "If I had told him anything, I would not be here right now," she snapped.

     "We know you told him something."

     Johnston re-entered the conversation. "What did you tell him?"

     "Nothing." Cara barked, her eyes flashing back to her father to see he was already looking at her.

     Heavy breaths tumbled from Ross's mouth when the knife pressed harder against his neck. "Don't think I won't hesitate to slit his throat." Lu threatened, tilting his head to the side.

     "I'm fine, Cara," Ross reassured her, and Cara inhaled deeply.

     Shirzad cleared his throat, causing her to glance at him. "What did you tell Spencer Reid?"

     "You have five seconds." Lu pressed his knee against Ross's back, making him sit up straighter.

     Shaking his head, telling her not to do it, Ross swallowed harshly. "Starlight, I'm fine. Don't—"

     "Five." Lu cut him off, not bothering to give either of them a chance. It was time for him to enact his revenge. This was the time to get what he deserved.

     "I already told you: I didn't tell him anything!" Cara yelled, feeling her chest tighten with hysteria.

     Shirzad snorted. "You're lying."

     "Four." Lu deadpanned, moving the knife an inch. A small trickle of blood slid down Ross's neck and he winced in pain.

     Struggling against the straps that held her in the chair, Cara shook her head desperately. "I'm not!" These sons of bitches were really going there.

     "Three."

     "I love you, Cara."

     Cara's face dropped at those four words, tears welling up. "Dad—" This couldn't be happening... It couldn't.

     "Two."

     "I didn't tell him anything!" she protested, continuing to thrash.

     "One."

     Jaw-slacking, Cara gasped as the blade smoothly sliced against her father's skin. Blood splattered everywhere, painting Lu and Leone, for they were the closest to Ross.

     Sounds of gurgling and Ross choking on his own blood filled the room. He was red in the face and convulsing in Hennessy's arms until he was dropped to the floor. A loud smack echoed as his head hit the concrete, but his eyes remained open. He and Cara were locked in a never-ending staring match while she watched in horror, incapable of reacting to what she was seeing.

     Only a few seconds passed until all noise came to a stop. The rise and fall of Ross's chest halted and he stilled.

     Ross Valentine was dead.

     And it was all Cara Valentine's fault.

     That resounding thought played on a perpetual loop as Cara stared at her father, silent tears streaming down her face. Before she knew it, the zip ties around her wrists and ankles were cut and she was running to the left corner of the room. Crashing to the floor, she ignored the pulsing shots of pain that shot up her legs. All she cared about in that moment was her father.

     Cara grabbed at him desperately, cradling his body to her chest. "No no no," she whispered, shaking her head. Bright red blood dyed her navy blue button-up, seeping through the rips in the fabric of the sleeves. "Dad? Dad. S-Say something."

     Empty brown eyes reflected back at her, unchanging. He was staring right through her. No response would ever come from him again.

     "Dad... Daddy," she whimpered, lips trembling. In an attempt to self-soothe, she gently rocked him back and forth. All of her visible skin was stained crimson; she was almost bathed in it. "I'm sorry," she continued to rock him, brushing his hair out of his face and leaving behind streaks of blood. "I'm so so sorry."

     Never would the two of them have a conversation again. She would never be able to tell him about the brief time period when she had a life outside of the Red Scorpions. He would never get to call her Starlight. And they could never be a family again.

     This was all her fault. She killed her family.

     "You know what I find interesting..." Hennessy sighed dramatically, twirling the knife with his fingers. "If this was about Sánchez rather than your beloved Dr. Spencer Reid... you would have told us the truth." He lowered himself to the floor, squatting. "You would tell us everything and your father would be alive..." With the tip of the blade, he scratched the blonde's arm, smirking at the blood that immediately poured out. "What happened today is on you."

     Bloodshot blue eyes met deceitful brown and Cara's face hardened. She hadn't felt the cut. Tears continued to pour down her cheeks and her chest rose up and down laboriously. "I'll kill you," she threatened through forked sobs.

     Hennessy caressed her cheek, smearing Ross's blood across it. "When we're done with you, you won't even have the strength to open your eyes," he hissed, gripping her by the jaw tightly. Her vision became more obscure at the pain she felt shooting across her jawline and down her neck. "Mark my words."

     Suddenly, Hennessy's touch left her and she gasped. Alarm bells sounded in Cara's head, her eyes wild and crazed when they flashed open. Her chest was rising up and down in a rapid fashion with her breath coming out in raspy wheezes. Every inch of her was covered in sweat; her pulse was racing on the heart monitor, but she failed to hear it.

     Where was she? Where was her father? She was just holding him... What happened to the lights? Why were they so bright? Where was everyone? Why was she in a bed? She was just in a chair and then on concrete. She hadn't felt the comfort of a bed in ages; she couldn't even remember the last time...

     Blinking rapidly, she tried to get her eyes to adjust quicker to the lighting. It was then that she saw someone looming over her. Flashes of Johnston, Shirzad, Leone, Hennessy, and Le plagued her mind. The sound of her name echoed, but it sounded light-years away. Fingers wrapped around her arm, and she felt someone pull at her.

     Panic turned into horror and horror turned into fear.

     Adrenaline flooded her nervous system and everything that happened next was a blur. All Cara knew was that she was pushing away the hands touching her. The physical contact had been enough to bring her back to the surface and she could now hear the sobs and screams leaving her lips.

     That's why her breath was coming out in raspy wheezes. She could hardly breathe from all her screaming.

     Her body moved instinctually, backing itself into a corner. Something firm and solid was pressed against her back and neck, limiting some of her mobility. She felt another tug on her elbow and flinched. Tears obscured her vision, but she glanced down to see blood covering her arms. It was her father's blood; it was still on her.

     A loud gasp fell from her mouth and she sobbed, shaking her head. Immediately, she began rubbing and scratching at her skin, trying to get it off of her. Digging her nails into her right arm in an attempt to scrape the blood off, she felt a force press against her nailbeds. The blood was refusing to come off. Or at least that's what she thought.

     Gritting her teeth, Cara grunted as she managed to tear away whatever was resisting her. A sharp and searing sting traveled across her arm, but she didn't care. All she needed was for the blood to go away.

     "Valentine, stop!" Someone shouted, but she ignored them. Every inch of her was absolutely convinced that her father's blood was covering her and nobody could tell her different.

     Another voice yelled, "We need help! You need to get her to stop!"

     Cara switched to the other arm, oblivious to the conversation and world happening around her. The same actions played out: she dug into her skin and pulled at the blood, yanking at it until she felt that sharp and searing sting of pain. That's how she knew the blood was coming off.

     All of sudden, her movement grew sluggish and the fixed gaze on her hands and arms blurred. Blinking slowly, she felt all of her muscles relax. A wave of dizziness washed over her and black dots entered her vision. Her body went limp and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Everything went black.

────

     A BREATHLESS DEREK MORGAN AND PANIC-STRICKEN SPENCER REID STOOD IN THE WAITING ROOM. They were equally speechless. Neither of them had expected for that to happen and the fact that it did raised several red flags. It was more than a cause for concern.

     "Morgan, Reid, what happened?! Where's Dave?" Hotch demanded, marching over to his team members.

     For the first time since Cara woke up, he'd left the hospital and went to the nearby hotel the team was staying at. He needed a few hours to take a shower in a regular bathroom, wash his clothes, and sleep in a proper bed. Before he left, though, he'd talked it over with Cara and she was okay with him going. Rossi, Morgan, and Reid would be at the hospital; she would be safe. Clearly, that was no longer the case.

     "R-Rossi's with Dr. Inaya," Spencer stuttered, unable to shake the images of what just happened from his brain.

     Morgan ran a hand over his face. "I don't know what happened, man," he told Hotch earnestly. "Everything was fine. One minute she was taking a nap, the next she was having a night terror."

     Deadpanning, the Unit Chief gave him a stern look. "Night terrors don't call for sedation," he pointed out. "Rossi texted, saying she was sedated but didn't elaborate. So, I'll ask again. What happened?"

     "S-She... Cara woke up, screaming and crying," Spencer spoke up, blinking back his own set of tears. He could physically feel his heart breaking. "Morgan tried to calm her down and placed a hand on her arm since she's been receptive and okay with it the last few days. She was scared and confused. I-I don't think she knew where she was. Natalie and other nurses rushed in, and she fought back, pushing them away. She backed herself against the headrest of the bed and was suddenly looking at her arms in horror. Before we knew it, s-she was scratching at her skin and drawing blood. She ripped out her stitches, and Natalie had to sedate her. Hotch... There was no way for any of us to calm her down. I-I wanted to try, but..."

     "I wasn't here," Hotch cut him off, clenching his eyes shut. Dammit.

     Spencer gulped. "I was going to say she was too much of a harm to herself."

     "This isn't on you, Hotch," Morgan stepped in, recognizing the self-blame etched onto the man's face. "This is on the sick bastards that tortured her for two years. If it wasn't for them, none of this would be happening right now." His words did little to ease Hotch's conscience.

     A set of footsteps approached the trio, causing them to glance to the right.

     "Dave," Hotch took a step in his direction. "What did Dr. Inaya say? Is Cara all right?"

     Rossi wore a grim expression, bags of exhaustion under his red-rimmed eyes. There were a few visible signs of crying. Before he spoke, he cleared his throat. "Cara's going to be fine. Dr. Inaya had her moved to a new room so Room Fifteen can be cleaned. Her arms are being stitched up and tended to. Casts are being put back on to prevent future damage being done to her arms. Once that's done, Dr. Inaya plans on using straps to tie down her arms and legs, that way she can't hurt herself or push and kick more hospital staff."

     No.

     Pure terror struck Spencer in the chest and his eyes widened. "No. No. She can't do that. Cara was restrained during her capture. If she wakes up and sees that she's trapped..." He trailed off, not wanting to even think about what the blonde's reaction could be. It would be nothing good, he knew that.

     "Where's Dr. Inaya?" Hotch asked sharply. There was no way in hell he was letting that happen to Cara. It would only make things worse and traumatize her. All progress made would be lost and she might believe she was still being kept captive. A psychotic episode could ensue and that was the last thing Hotch wanted to happen.

     Shaking his head, Rossi heaved a sigh. "I already tried, Aaron. She's not budging on the decision. You're welcome to talk—" He couldn't finish his sentence when the black-haired man stalked off, jaw clenched.

     "Maybe Hotch'll be able to convince her otherwise," Morgan said, watching as their Unit Chief disappeared around the corner.

     Spencer swallowed harshly, trying to erase the lump in his throat. Only four days had gone by since he and Cara reunited and she was sedated for the first time. Since then, things had been okay, all things considered.

     Despite the incident and mistaking Spencer for Konaam Shirzad, Cara had managed to collect herself. She apologized to Spencer, which wasn't necessary, and was driving herself to get reacquainted with the team. It hadn't been easy and wouldn't be for a long time, but she was trying and everyone could see it. She couldn't communicate well, verbally, but the team was meeting her where she was.

     Additionally, Hotch had been making sure Cara wasn't pushing herself too far and guaranteed that every day she spent time resting, sitting in silence, and coloring with him. Those were the three musts he'd identified as sources of comfort for her. It was helping, from what the team could tell. However, Dr. Inaya had warned them that things might get progressively worse with Cara's mental state before it got better. And so far, that was ringing true.

────

     THREE HOURS LATER, THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS RE-ENTERED THE WAITING ROOM. In silent unison, the team looked up to see their Unit Chief. By now, everybody was at the hospital and doing their best to be patient.

     Spencer quickly stood, striding over in four steps. "Were you able to convince Dr. Inaya not to restrain her?"

     The rest of the team was fast to join him. They were all holding their breath, praying that Dr. Inaya's mind had been swayed.

     Taking in the sight of all the hopeful stares, Hotch felt a small sense of pride. "I was," he said, and a series of relieved sighs floated throughout the group. "However, Dr. Inaya said that if Cara physically injures someone, one more time, she will restrain her as a safety precaution. Nurses can't tend to her needs and provide her with medications or food if she attacks them in the midst of having a nightmare."

     It made sense. If Cara became too much of a danger or harm to others or herself, at some point she would have to be restrained. Here's to hoping things wouldn't get there.

     "Were you able to see her?" JJ asked, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

     An unmaskable countenance of dread clouded Hotch's face. "Yes. She's awake now and all right. She doesn't remember the incident, though."

     The look didn't go unnoticed and JJ and Tara exchanged glances.

     "I'm glad," Rossi commented.

     "As am I," the latter agreed.

     Sweeping her gaze over her old Unit Chief, Blake tilted her head to the side. Something was wrong; he wasn't being forthcoming with them. "What aren't you telling us?" she asked gently.

     Hotch crossed his arms, perturbed by what he was about to share. Part of him didn't want to, but he'd reluctantly agreed to the blonde's wishes. The team was going to find out in a few days regardless if he told them or not.

     "Cara wants to see Sánchez."

     There was no other way to put it.

     The space filled with silence as looks of confusion, incredulity, and concern rippled among his agents. Spencer's eyes widened and he did a double-take. JJ simply blinked, not expecting to hear Owen's name anytime soon. Morgan ran a hand down his face for the millionth time. Penelope frowned and Tara cocked her head to the side. Blake was the only one who appeared unfazed by the news.

     Rossi raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "You're joking." He could have gone the rest of his life without ever seeing the ex-trafficker again.

     Shaking his head, Hotch held back a sigh. "No. She was adamant about it."

     "Tell me you're not going to let her see that fuckhead," Rossi groaned, exasperated at the mere thought.

     All was quiet for a moment.

     "Hotch?" Morgan and Spencer spoke at the same time, waiting for the man to say something.

     "I called Marvinhill and he's reaching out to the Warden at Warkworth Institution. If it can be worked out, Sánchez could be here by Saturday." Hotch replied, sliding his hands into his pant pockets.

     Spencer blinked, his head reeling back an inch. "What?" His jaw slackened. "Hotch, you can't be serious. Cara's s-still in shock, suffering from numerous injuries and complex PTSD, experiencing night terrors and nightmares every time she closes her eyes. She lives in fear every waking moment. I-I don't think she's ready for this. Hell, she wasn't ready to see most of us."

     Blake's eyebrows knitted together. "With all due respect," she began, turning to the genius, "I am of the opinion that none of us know what Valentine is and isn't ready for or capable of. She has displayed immense strength since she woke up. Only she is knowledgeable of what happened to her and what her true limits are. If she says she wants to see Sánchez, I believe, after everything she's endured, that she's in the right to make her own judgment calls. She's owed that much."

     Nodding, JJ added, "I agree. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Sánchez, but if it's possible and Cara wants to see him... We can supervise the meeting and have security and officers on standby. I doubt he would try anything, but in case he did, we have a backup."

     Squeezing his eyes shut, Spencer ran his hands through his hair. This was the worst idea he'd heard in a long time. No part of him was remotely on board with the prospect of Owen Sánchez seeing Cara.

     "But couldn't bringing Owen here put a bigger target on Rose's back and give away her location? As far as we know, the Founding Fathers don't know where she is," Penelope pointed out, fiddling with her necklaces.

     Tilting his head side to side, Morgan pursed his lips. "Local PD and the press have kept her rescue and location out of the news and offline. None of it has been documented in the case that the Founding Fathers resurface and hack into their servers, searching for information. If Sánchez was brought in covertly, it could work, but it'd have to be on a need-to-know basis. We might need to clear the floor again." Although he wasn't too keen on having the ex-leader brought there... if Valentine was adamant about it... For all they knew, this could prove beneficial. As much as that possibility pained him to acknowledge.

     "I've discussed it with Dr. Inaya already," Hotch mentioned. "She's fine with it as long as Natalie or herself are present."

     "Aaron, I don't like this," Rossi muttered, folding his arms across his chest.

     Spencer quickly agreed. "Me either."

     The Unit Chief glanced at them. "I don't think anyone does, but it's as Blake said: If Cara says she wants to see Sánchez, she's in the right to make that call. She's owed that much. Regardless of what we think."

𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆   ───   ❪ CRIMINAL MINDS ❫
act two:     𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚂𝚂,       ²
╱ ✹     ▬▬     ❛ © CARDIIAC     2023. ❜
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𓄹 ━━━ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓! ࿐ ໋₊ ˖

     hey everyone!! i hope you all enjoyed the forty-eighth chapter!

     rip valor ross valentine... not sure if you'll be missed. xoxo.

     anyone excited to see owen again in the next chapter??? just me? okay, cool.

     sooooo we had our sixteen days where things were looking up, but now the events of the last two years are beginning to hit cara. there's no "right way" to "handle" and cope with trauma; it's not linear, it's messy and unpredictable. i wanted to showcase that through cara's recovery and illustrate how her imprisonment is contorting her mind. the nightmares are beginning to bleed into the daytime just as we saw in this chapter, and that's dangerous.

     also... i apologize for this chapter being much shorter, but i mentioned a while back that the latter half of this volume will have a few chapters that are quite short. this happens to be one of those.

     ★ BONUS: the title of this chapter comes from the song ❛ anonymity is the new fame ❜ ━━ by frankel. the lyrics for the song are great and perfectly describe a lot of Volume Two. my favorite lyrics are ❝ haven't you heard that anonymity is the new fame? and didn't you know, we're on the losing end of a winning game? ❞ and ❝ tie a rose to the satellite, the petals fill the sky, and put your arms around everyone you don't want to die. ❞

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˒⠀𝑹𝑬𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹. . . ▬⠀⤸

Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to comment on this story. It means a lot and helps the story be spread to a broader audience &&& allows me to grow as an author. All I ask is that people vote on each chapter, please. As a creator, it takes time to write and develop stories. Especially ones such as this that take a while to write and dedicate time to. So please, vote on every chapter. It means a lot more than I could ever express.

Don't forget to vote & comment!

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˒⠀𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒀𝑹𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻. . . ▬⠀⤸

❝ All Rights Reserved.
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