The Immortals

Chapter 7

     About 40 minutes later Vanessa had showered, taken some aspirin, and was sitting at her kitchen table with a plate of eggs, bacon, and waffles in front of her. Her stomach felt so empty and she knew she should eat, but even looking at the food was making her nauseous. She sighed and took a tiny bite of eggs.

    “Ok, so where are we starting?” Kelsey asked, “You still have to read your note, or I guess we could just tell you what it said it you don’t want to read it.”

     “You know, you’re not supposed to read letters addressed to someone else.”

      Tiffany shrugged, not feeling remotely guilty, “Yeah, well, this isn’t a normal circumstance. And the guy didn’t give us much to work on.”

      “Yeah I know, and I appreciate everything the three of you are doing for me. I love you guys.”

      “We love you too. So are you going to read it? Also you should speak to the police soon, and your parents. And what about a doctor? I know a doctor supposedly checked you out, but it might be good to go to your own.”

      “As soon as we get everything settled we’re installing cameras in here. It’s creeping me out knowing all these strange people were walking around here without us knowing,” Vanessa shuddered, “Ok, let’s just get this all over with. The sooner I can be done talking about it the better. Ben, can you contact your friend Nick and see if a cop can come here after breakfast to take my statement?”

      Ben was impressed. He knew Vanessa was terrified, but she was handling herself beautifully. “Of course, Nessa, let me call him now.” Ben stood up and stepped out of the apartment to make the call.

     “Ok about my parents and the doctor. I guess you’re right I probably should go. I know he didn’t get to touch me, but we should verify there’s no lasting effects on the drug, and have it documented I went. I’m not sure how much good this will all do though. He made it pretty clear last night his dad is pretty powerful.”

      Kelsey and Tiffany glanced at each other. They had already talked about it last night. Ryan Levine had gone out on bail so fast it would make your head spin. And Nick had told them last night he was already spewing stuff about being tortured and set up by a British guy. With Vanessa already being gone from the alley by the time they arrived, and the cameras only showing Vanessa and Ryan entering, but no one leaving, the case was already weak.

    Vanessa shrugged, her mind had processed all of that already. But she would still do what she can and go through this. “I’m going to read this letter and then call my parents. My dad has a lawyer I feel like I may need. They’re going to want me to come home.”

     “Do you want to go home?”

     Vanessa thought about it, “No, for some reason I feel I need to be here. Plus I am not leaving school and my program. I don’t give a crap about that asshole, he is not ruining my career or my life because I’m scared.” She took a deep breath. “Alright let me see this damn letter. He better have a good excuse for why he was gone before I woke up.”

      Kelsey handed it to her quietly. Since she already knew what it said, she was curious what her friend would make of it.

                Vanessa,

                I should not be writing this letter, but I could not leave you to wake with no explanation. I know you’re probably confused and scared, but I promise you it will all be explained soon. There was nothing I wanted more than to stay with you last night and be there when you woke up. But there is something much bigger than this that is happening. You, your friends and family, every one you ever cared about could be in danger, and I can not jeopardize that happening regardless of my feelings for you. I feel you will understand very soon.  I can just hope you forgive me for leaving you.

                I know you will wake up confused and scared and not sure exactly what happened. But what I can tell you is believe in your abilities. Believe in yourself. You will be stronger than all of us. Please let your friends and family take care of you, and just know I am here and will always be here for you. I am looking after you both in your dreams and out. Protecting you is my top priority, and the fact that I couldn’t do that last night will be a failure I live with for the rest of my life.

                You will understand everything soon and I will see you again shortly.

                Best regards,

                Caleb Black

     “Um…ok…”

     Tiffany laughed, “That was pretty much our reaction too.”

    “That answered basically nothing. And why the hell does he talk so formal? It’s almost like he’s from another time.”

     “The question now is what do we do about him? Should you tell the police?”

    Vanessa hesitated clutching the letter in her hands.  “Well this affects you guys also, so you have an opinion but I would rather wait. I know he is following me, and knows all about us, and can get in our apartment apparently, but I don’t know why, something is telling me to trust him. Plus, are we even sure the cops can find him? But since this directly affects the two of you, if you want me to tell the police I will.”

     The two girls looked at each other. They had already discussed this. “We’ll wait Nessa. You’re right, he’s not exactly an easy person to get a hold of anyway. But the jury is still out on if I trust him. And we reserve the right to tell the police whenever we feel like we should.”

     Vanessa nodded and played with her food she barely touched. That was fair.

    “Alright, you need to eat sweetie, the cops will be here any minute.”

     Glaring at Kelsey, Vanessa shoved a large bite of eggs in her mouth and chewed deliberately loud. Kelsey just grinned. “Good girl.”

      Vanessa rolled her eyes but kept eating. Three minutes later there was a knock on their door. Vanessa stood, and holding hands with Tiffany and Kelsey walked into the living room. “Let’s get this over with.”

                ****

     Two hours later, Vanessa, Kelsey, and Tiffany all sat on their small couch face timing Vanessa’s parents, Maria and Michael Gibbons. The girls had sent Ben out for a bit, wanting a little time without him hovering.

    The conversation went just as badly as Vanessa expected. All four women were in tears while her father was furious. He was torn between murderous rage against the bastard that tried to hurt his little girl, and the urge to drive to New York, load all three girls up in his car and drive them back to his house where he could protect them, regardless if they were his daughter’s or not.

    “And the police can’t do anything?” Maria asked for the third time.

     “They are doing something mom. We already filed a restraining order. They arrested him, and pressed charges. They had me go down to the clinic and get drug tested before the drug leaves my system. They’re doing what they can. I just don’t know how far it will go.”

    “That little bastard is just walking the streets now. I don’t give a damn if his dad is a judge, how the hell did they let him out on bail?”

     “It’s just the way it goes dad. It’s ok.”

    “It’s not ok!” He screamed. “I want you to come home.”

    Vanessa knew this was coming. “No dad. I need to stay here. I’m not going to let him drive me out of my life. My job is here, my school is here. I’m not scared of him.”

     “School? Doesn’t he go to the same damn school? In your classes? You can go to college closer to home.”

     “Dad, this college has the best program in the country and you know it. I can’t get my internship or have the research opportunities back home. Dad, please, I want to stay.”

    “We’ll talk about it later. Once everything has settled down. Your mother is coming there for a few days though.”

     Vanessa started crying again. She didn’t realize how much she needed her mom until that moment, “Really?”

     “Of course sweetie, I’m packing as soon as we get off the phone and will stay as long as you need me.”

     “Thanks mom. I love you.”

     “I love you too. We will get through this.” Her dad was still sulking next to his wife.

    “Dad, it will be ok. Please trust me.”

     “You know I trust you Nessa. And I am so proud of you. I just hate that I couldn’t protect you.”

     “I know, but I have to learn to protect myself, and I did that.”

     “I love you Sweetie.”

    “I love you too dad.”

    Vanessa hung up from her parents wiping her eyes. “When my mom gets here, we’re having a girls’ night. Sorry Tiffany, but no p*****s tonight.”

     Tiffany shrugged, “That’s fine. I’ll tell Ben to stay at his apartment tonight. I could use a good girl’s night.”

     Kelsey looked concerned, “What’s going to happen if something happens with ‘you know who’ when your mom’s here?” Vanessa had decided to leave Caleb completely out of the story to both the police and her parents. When the police asked her how she got home she admitted to remembering a man in the alley helping her but not much after. She had a feeling they didn’t completely believe her, but she would worry about that later.

     “Honestly, I don’t really care. I don’t know what his deal is. And if he’s going to be cryptic then I’m not going to worry about it. I need my mom here. Today is a p***s free night. That includes incredibly sexy, cryptic, stalking, British dream men. If something happens then I’ll figure it out.”

    The girls agreed and spent the rest of the day relaxing until Maria Gibbons came. Vanessa did her best not to think of Ryan, or the restraining order, or what will happen when she went back to school. She knew she would have to deal with everything eventually, but not tonight.

     A few hours later, the doorbell rang. “That’s probably my mom, I’ll get it.” Vanessa opened their apartment door and was immediately engulfed in a huge hug by her mother, Maria.

     “Oh sweetie!” Maria choked out as tears immediately began to fall down her face.

    “Hi mom, I’m so glad you’re here, but can you let up a bit, I can’t breathe.”

    “Oh, sorry,” Maria pulled away from her daughter and carefully examined her face.  Her poor baby looked exhausted. What she went through was every parents nightmare. But Vanessa was strong and she could already see the strength and determination in her daughter’s eyes.

    “Hi Mrs. Gibson,” Kelsey called from behind Vanessa.

     “Oh Kelsey, sweetie! It’s so good to see you! I’m so glad you and Tiffany were here for Nessa!” Maria made her way into the apartment and brought Kelsey in for a hug. “Oh Tiffany!” Maria called as Tiff made her way into the living room. After more hugs and more tears, Maria finally put her bag down and began to settle in.

    After a few minutes of small talk and successfully ignoring the reason for Maria’s visit, Kelsey stood up, looking at Tiffany, “Tiff and I are going to head out for a bit, give you two some time together. I was thinking we’d have a little girls night? We’ll pick up some wine and snacks and some cheesy movies, and we’ll order pizza? Are you up for it, Nessa?”

    Vanessa nodded as she squeezed her mother’s hand. “Yeah it sounds good. I could use to get my mind off of all this crazy. Thanks guys.”

     “Of course sweetie,” Kelsey said, as she leaned over and hugged Nessa and her mother goodbye. Tiffany also gave Nessa a quick squeeze. The two girls grabbed their bags and a few minutes later headed out leaving Vanessa and her mom alone.

    Maria turned on the couch so she could look her daughter in the eyes, grabbing Vanessa’s hand she asked, “How are you really Nessa? How are you holding up?”

     “I’m ok mom, honestly. I’m more confused and shaken up than anything. There’s big gaps in time that I can’t account for and that freaks me out.” Vanessa had decided to hold off telling her parents about anything regarding Caleb. It was just too strange and confusing, and she was afraid her parents would make her tell the police about him. So, she didn’t tell her mom about the letters and was only going off what she could actually remember from the night.

      “That’s normal honey. You said the doctor said that it might be a few weeks before some of those memories come back to you, if at all.”

     “I know. I just hate not being in control.”

     “I know. You’ve always been like that.”

     “I don’t feel physically hurt, and the doctor confirmed and the security footage from the alley was able to confirm I got away before anything could happen, but I can’t help thinking about what could’ve happened. I was so careful mom. I did everything you and dad always told me to do, and yet I still managed to get drugged.”

     “Vanessa, look at me. Nothing that happened was your fault. You need to understand that. Sometimes there are just awful people in this world, and no matter what you do, no matter what precautions you take, those people will still be awful and do terrible things to you. Only that jerk is to blame for what happened, no one else.”

     Vanessa wiped some tears from her eyes. “I know you’re right. It’s still hard though.”

    “It’s going to be hard for a while Vanessa. This is not something you can or should get over in one night Nessa. Your dad and I were talking, and maybe you should see a therapist? I can call Dr. Anderson for you.” Dr. Anderson had been the Gibbons family go to therapist for years now. She was the one to help Vanessa manage her anxiety attacks as a child.

     “Yeah, that might be good. Can you make the appointment for a couple of weeks from now though? I don’t think I’m ready to talk about it yet.”

    “Of course sweetie. Did you eat anything today? Do you want me to make you some lunch?”

     Vanessa shook her head. “I’m ok mom, thanks. Actually I think I’m going to lay down for a bit. Take a little nap before girls night.”

                “Ok, Nessa, go rest. I’ll see you in a bit.” Vanessa leaned over and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek and then headed to her room, leaving her mom sitting on the couch looking at her daughter worriedly.

     Later that night, after more hugs and tears, the wine and snacks were brought out and the girls had a proper girls night. They told stories and laughed and watched cheesy movies. And just for that night, they pretended not to notice how Vanessa never took a sip of her wine or the silent tears that fell down her face throughout the movie. They knew she needed that night without the constant reminder of what happened. A night with her best friends and mom, and tomorrow will be back to reality.

    That night, Vanessa had a restless night of sleep, but for the first time in weeks she had no dreams of the man.

                ***

     Vanessa’s mom stayed for three nights. Vanessa wanted to go back to school right away, but her parents convinced her to take a week or two off. She spoke to her dean and was granted a temporary leave. Dr. Seller’s also gave her some time off of her internship as well. Earlier in the day before her went back home, she met with the lawyer her dad arranged for her.

    Vanessa sat in the office of her new lawyer, Julia Rodriguez, Maria sitting on one side or her, while her dad, who met them at the office, sat on the other.

    Julia Rodriguez specialized in special victims’ cases especially domestic violence, child abuse, rape, and s****l assault. She also had a reputation for being viscous. She very rarely settled out of court and always pushed for the strongest possible sentence.

     “Vanessa, I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve already been approached by Mr. Levine’s lawyer to settle out of court. I’ve also gotten three calls from my supervisor as well as an email from the Captain of the Police precinct putting pressure to settle this quietly.”

    “So what? The bastard who tried to rape my daughter and quite possibly succeeded in raping other women out there, will get to walk away for free? We’d just get money and should stay quiet?”

    “Mr. Gibbons, I’m not saying that we should settle, I’m saying that the powers that be want me to. But I’m not one to fall in line. Vanessa, if you did agree to settle, besides the substantial monetary settlement you’d receive, I would insist that the restraining order stay in place. I would also push for Mr. Levine’s expulsion from your school, he is currently suspended pending investigation. That way you can continue with your studies without the worry of running into him. But yes, he would not have any legal charges against him, if you made that decision.”

    Vanessa was quiet. She really wasn’t ready to make that decision right now. She didn’t want Ryan walking the streets and have the potential to do this to another girl, but she didn’t know if she had the energy right now to go to court and fight him. Also, the whole thing with Caleb was in the back of her mind, and she had a strong feeling that something much bigger would be happening soon.

     “Can I think about it? Do I have to make the decision today?”

     “No you have some time. The police are still investigating and I can hold everyone off for a few days. You deserve some time to think about it. But I do advise you make your decision soon.”

     “I will. Thank You. I really appreciate everything.”

    “Of course Vanessa. I want you to make the best decision for yourself. Don’t worry about anyone else. If you want to pursue charges, I will do everything and anything I can to make sure those charges stick and he gets jail time.”

    They all thanked the lawyer and said their goodbyes. Her parents insisted on driving her back to her apartment before they headed back to their house. Her dad checked all of the locks and windows and let them know he was ordering security cameras that would be installed later that week. After more hugs and tears, her parents headed home and it was just her, Tiffany, and Kelsey in their apartment again.