THIRTY SEVEN: SCORNED WOMAN

My entire Sunday was spent unsuccessfully trying to escape the watchful gazes of Sunshine and Mercy. My pills were promptly issued at exactly the time the doctor ordered, a cocktail designed to numb me. If I couldn't feel anything, then I couldn't feel manic or depressed. Truth be told, there was a time when I relied on my manic episodes to push me through life, but that was before I was surrounded by people who cared for me with an intensity that bordered on obsession. I was not one to judge how other people choose to act on their feelings, but I was forced to hold my tongue for the hundredth time that day as one of them bumped into me because I slowed down for a second.

I had tried to do some research on Mathew in the study, but Mercy, who was practically on my lap, kept rubbing my shoulders and my back. Needless to say, I did not remember a single thing I looked at for two hours. When lunch rolled by, Sunshine, who was also carrying my chair on her lap, insisted on spoon feeding me until every crumb on my plate had disappeared. From the moment they woke up, having successfully restrained me from leaving the bed, they had proceeded to ensure that at least one of them was by my side at all times. I knew they were only concerned for my safety given my breakdown, but with that gate far away, my mind had some semblance of control over my day-to-day life. I, of course, mostly stayed away from triggering things, but it worked, and I did not want to knock it. It had not worked, but out of sight, out of mind seemed to be working for now, and I would take it. 

That Sunday was shaping up to be an excruciatingly normal day until a new article that was breaking headlines caught my eye. Although a week had passed, the video we had released as part of Brian's torture finally came to light, getting the attention it deserved. The video, which had only been released online, had gathered enough attention worldwide, forcing the police to act on it. The evidence was not damaging to the perpetrator's image; it carried evidence of real offences. My heart dropped to the soles of my feet as the consequences of my ill intentions came back to potentially bite me in the ass. 

Aside from the atrocious crimes that were committed against numerous victims. The fact that the abusers who were the key suspects in the case, on account of how frequently they appeared in multiple videos in this case, my brother and his three friends, were already suffering different forms of retribution. The remainder of the day passed with the three of us poring through every article and going through every comment section that alluded to the involvement of a third party. My heart dropped with each right guess strangers had online, but I consoled myself with the quick and wrong replies that shot down those theories.

Towards the end of the day, the consensus was that Karma had dealt with them. The second most popular theory blamed their demise on their reckless lifestyle. Either way, the police had caused one of the three musketeers to attempt suicide while attempting to pick him from the psychiatric facility resorted to tracking down the other perpetrators. There were fifty men identified who had assaulted twenty victims. In most cases, the assault was carried out b]y several individuals often time. I took a deep breath, grateful for the pouring rage that was sparked by this case. Justice was going to be served for the other victims as well. 

I still felt horrible about Claire, even the thought of her name brought me fresh pain, but I was once again feeling grateful to be alive. I had not been able to protect Claire by myself, but I had an insane companion who would help me get her justice. Until that day carried it was my duty to stay alive even if it meant diminishing what she truly meant to me. Dinner was a much more lively affair, having had a surprising yet welcome conclusion to one chapter in my life. Everyone who had contributed to my unforgettable sixteenth birthday was now fighting for their lives against both real and imaginary threats. None of them would ever have a normal life; they were currently living in a hell of their design, and I would make sure to remind them until my last breath or hopefully theirs. 

The weather outside was still warm and inviting despite nothing but the memories of the setting sun and the promise of its rising the following day. Sunshine lays out the sisal mat before piling duvets on top of it, creating a warm and soft sanctuary. Once again, Mercy set up the projector, and we spent the next two hours following the journey of Katniss in The Hunger Games. I found her story inspiring, being an underdog myself. I understood the appeal of watching someone rise up and succeed against all odds. 

 I smiled a little when Mercy gave up all pretenses and climbed into my lab. A small chuckle escaped my lips when Sunshine, having verified that I won't flip out from contact, positioned herself above the two of us. She gave me a questioning glance, but I said nothing, satisfied with existing in the moment. By the time the end credits rolled by, Mercy was dead to the world, fast asleep. I moved to wake her, but sunshine impeded my hand in her a few centimeters from my target. I looked back to see her intention, and was rewarded with a hot, wet kiss as her lips captured mine in a heated embrace. 

The perfect weather, the bottle of wine, and the tranquility I had gotten from closure had me leaning into the kiss with a passionate moan. If I were to be honest with myself, then none of those reasons truly mattered except her warm hands leaving a trail of hot lust as they confidently traced their way to my breasts, capturing my nipples in her hands. She gave them a gentle pull before lightly pinching them, and my vagina betrayed me with a swell of pleasure as moisture began to pool between my legs. The memory of Claire tried to fight its way into my conscious mind, but was quickly swept away when Mercy shifted in my lap, rubbing her hand against my crotch. I arched into Sunshine's touch even as our tongues brushed against each other, causing Mercy to fall off my lap. 

I heard her huff as Sunshine grabbed the base of my neck, pulling me further into the kiss when I attempted to break it off to tend to Mercy. I was already feeling lightheaded on account of my ability to breathe being severely compromised, but her hand kept me in place. It was Mercy's loud groan of protest that finally caused her to pull away. Seeing her chance, Mercy latched onto my lips, climbing fully onto my lap in the process. Now, free Sun's hand returned to my unattended breast, giving it the attention it deserved. 

With our backs turned to the blank projector screen and the dark ocean unfolding front of us, reflecting the billions of starts that shone above us in the midnight sky I felt a whisper of heaven. With Mercy feeding from my lips and Sunshine needing the mound of my woman hood I felt paradise. The warm weather, the clear sky marred only by the breathtaking skies, the passion of youth and the forbidden enticement that was our union. Perfect seemed a shallow word to describe the intricacy of that moment.