Breaking chains
2644 Words
Scene 1: A Deeper Dive in Therapy
(The scene opens with Redempta sitting in Zeddy’s office for her third therapy session. She’s more comfortable now, sitting cross-legged on the chair, but the weight of her struggles is still evident in her tense posture. Zeddy sits across from her, pen in hand, ready to guide Redempta through another tough conversation.)
Zeddy:
(Softly, her eyes warm with understanding)
"You’ve come a long way since our first session, Redempta. Last time, you mentioned resisting the urge to contact Latinae. That’s a big step. How did that feel?"
Redempta:
(Takes a deep breath, thinking back to the moment, her voice calm but with a tinge of anxiety)
"It felt… terrifying, to be honest. I didn’t know what to do with myself afterward. It’s like everything inside me was screaming to call her, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t let myself do it."
Zeddy:
(Nods thoughtfully, her tone encouraging)
"That’s a good thing. Even though it felt uncomfortable, you made a choice not to go back to something that hurts you. What did you do instead, after resisting?"
Redempta:
(Shifts in her seat, fidgeting with her hands)
"I cried. I cried for hours. I didn’t realize how much I was holding back until then. And then I just sat there, numb. I didn’t know what to do with all the emotions that came flooding in."
Zeddy:
(Leans in slightly, her voice gentle)
"That’s understandable. When we stop using unhealthy ways to cope, all the feelings we’ve been avoiding come rushing back. It’s overwhelming. But sitting with those emotions, even though it’s hard, is part of the healing process. How do you feel now, looking back on that moment?"
Redempta:
(Looks away for a moment, then back at Zeddy, her voice quieter)
"I feel proud of myself… but also scared. I don’t know if I can keep doing it. It feels like a constant battle, and I don’t know if I have the strength to fight every day."
Zeddy:
(Giving her a reassuring smile)
"You don’t have to fight every day alone. Remember, you’re not doing this by yourself. And sometimes, the strength to fight comes in moments, not all at once. What you did last night, resisting the urge, was a huge victory. It shows that you’re capable of change, even when it’s hard."
Redempta:
(Sighs, rubbing her hands together)
"But it doesn’t feel like a victory. I still miss her. I still miss the drugs. I still feel like a part of me is… broken."
Zeddy:
(Shakes her head softly, her tone patient)
"You’re not broken, Redempta. You’re healing. But healing takes time, and it often feels like breaking before it feels like growth. Missing her is normal, because she’s been a part of your life for so long. But that doesn’t mean you can’t move forward."
Redempta:
(Looking up at Zeddy, her voice full of vulnerability)
"But how do I move forward when everything still hurts?"
Zeddy:
(Leaning forward slightly, her voice compassionate)
"By taking it one step at a time. Let’s talk about what the pain is telling you. What’s at the core of the hurt that you feel?"
Redempta:
(Takes a long pause, her eyes filling with tears)
"It’s… it’s the loneliness. I’ve always been alone, even before Latinae. She just made it easier to ignore. With her and the drugs, I didn’t have to face it. I didn’t have to feel it. Now, without her, it’s like I’m drowning in it."
Zeddy:
(Nods slowly, understanding)
"It sounds like the loneliness has been there for a long time, even before Latinae came into your life. She was a distraction from that deeper wound. But now that you’re letting go of the distractions, you’re left facing that loneliness head-on."
Redempta:
(Wiping her tears, her voice trembling)
"Yeah. I don’t know how to live with it."
Zeddy:
(Gently)
"Loneliness is one of the hardest emotions to face, but it’s also a part of being human. What we can do is explore ways to cope with it in a healthy way, ways that don’t involve running back to the things that hurt you. Have you thought about building new connections? Maybe reaching out to Comfort more or finding new communities where you feel supported?"
Redempta:
(Shakes her head)
"I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet. I feel like a mess. Who would want to be around me?"
Zeddy:
(Looks at her with sincerity)
"Comfort already wants to be around you. She’s been there for you, hasn’t she? And there will be others, too, as you continue to heal. But you don’t have to rush into that. Take your time. Right now, it’s about finding ways to be okay with yourself, even in the loneliness."
Redempta:
(Nods slowly, taking in Zeddy’s words)
"I’ll try. I don’t know how, but I’ll try."
---
Scene 2: The Confrontation with Latinae
(A few days later, Redempta is in her apartment, pacing nervously. She hasn’t heard from Latinae since their last encounter, but she knows that silence won’t last. Her phone buzzes, and her heart skips a beat when she sees Latinae’s name flash on the screen. After a moment of hesitation, she answers.)
Latinae:
(Smirking, her voice dripping with familiarity)
"I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me."
Redempta:
(Clenching her jaw, trying to stay composed)
"I haven’t forgotten. I just… I’ve been trying to figure things out."
Latinae:
(Laughs softly, clearly amused)
"Figure things out? Babe, there’s nothing to figure out. You and me, we’re the same. We always come back to each other."
Redempta:
(Taking a deep breath, her voice steady but strained)
"No. Not this time. I… I can’t keep doing this, Latinae."
Latinae:
(Scoffing, her tone dismissive)
"Oh, come on. Don’t start with that again. You say that every time, and then you’re right back in my car, looking for your fix. Why pretend it’s different this time?"
Redempta:
(Her voice growing firmer, though her hands shake)
"Because it is different. I’m trying to change. I’m seeing a counselor. I’m trying to get better."
Latinae:
(With a mocking laugh)
"A counselor? Seriously? What, you think talking about your feelings is going to make everything better? You know what makes you feel better, Redempta. You know where to find it."
Redempta:
(Tightening her grip on the phone, her voice pained but resolute)
"That’s the problem, Latinae. What makes me feel better is killing me. I can’t keep doing this with you. I need to let you go."
Latinae:
(Her tone sharpens, growing cold)
"You think you can just walk away from me? After everything we’ve been through?"
Redempta:
(Tears welling in her eyes, but she stays strong)
"I’m not walking away because I don’t care. I’m walking away because I can’t survive like this anymore."
Latinae:
(Growling, her voice venomous)
"You’ll come back. You always do. You’re nothing without me, Redempta. You’ll see that soon enough."
Redempta:
(Closing her eyes, her voice a whisper)
"Maybe I’m nothing now, but I’m trying to be something. Goodbye, Latinae."
(She hangs up before Latinae can respond, her heart pounding in her chest. She collapses onto the couch, the weight of the moment hitting her like a tidal wave. For the first time, she feels the finality of her decision sinking in.)
---
Scene 3: Reaching Out for Help
(That evening, Redempta sits alone in her apartment, the silence heavier than ever. She feels the familiar pull of loneliness creeping in, the urge to pick up the phone and call Latinae almost unbearable. But instead of giving in, she picks up her phone and dials Comfort’s number.)
Comfort:
(Answers after the first ring, her voice full of concern)
"Redempta? What’s going on?"
Redempta:
(Tears in her voice)
"I… I ended things with Latinae. For real this time. I told her I can’t keep doing this. But now… now I don’t know what to do.
Reaching Out for Help (Expanded)
(That evening, Redempta sits alone in her apartment, the silence heavier than ever. She feels the familiar pull of loneliness creeping in, the urge to pick up the phone and call Latinae almost unbearable. But instead of giving in, she picks up her phone and dials Comfort’s number.)
Comfort:
(Answers after the first ring, her voice full of concern)
"Redempta? What’s going on?"
Redempta:
(Tears in her voice, her breath shaky)
"I… I ended things with Latinae. For real this time. I told her I can’t keep doing this. But now… now I don’t know what to do. Everything feels so heavy, Comfort. I feel like I’m falling apart."
Comfort:
(Softly, concern laced in her tone)
"I’m so proud of you, Redempta. You did something really brave. It’s okay to feel like this. It’s all part of the process."
Redempta:
(Sobbing quietly)
"I don’t feel brave. I feel like a mess. I can’t stop shaking. And there’s something else… something I haven’t told you."
Comfort:
(Pauses, her voice gentle)
"You can tell me anything. I’m here, Redempta. Always."
Redempta:
(Takes a deep, shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper)
"There’s… there’s something I’ve been hiding. From you. From myself. And it’s eating me alive."
Comfort:
(Slightly worried, but patient)
"What is it? You can talk to me."
Redempta:
(Closes her eyes, ashamed, her voice trembling)
"I’m… I’m not just addicted to the drugs or Latinae. I’m addicted to porn. And it’s not just that. You and I… the things we’ve talked about, the way we’ve been with each other sometimes… it’s all tied up in this mess."
Comfort:
(Falls silent for a moment, processing the confession, her tone cautious but kind)
"What do you mean, Redempta? Are you saying…?"
Redempta:
(Struggling to speak, her voice thick with emotion)
"I’m saying that for a long time, I’ve used porn as a way to escape, just like the drugs. And sometimes… the way we’ve talked, the things we’ve said to each other late at night, it was more than just talking. We were being nasty. I know you’ve felt it too, Comfort. I didn’t mean for it to go that far, but I—"
Comfort:
(Interrupts, her voice soft but firm)
"Redempta… I know. I’ve known for a while. And I didn’t stop it either. I guess I didn’t think it was a big deal at first. But you’re right… it was more than just talking. We’ve crossed lines. We need to face that."
Redempta:
(Sobbing now, her voice raw)
"I’m so sorry, Comfort. I didn’t want to hurt you, and I never meant for things to get complicated. I just… I’m so messed up. And I love you, but not like that. Not in the way I thought I did in those moments. I love you as my best friend, and now I’m terrified I’ve ruined everything between us."
Comfort:
(After a long pause, her voice gentle and understanding)
"Redempta, you haven’t ruined anything. We’ve both been going through things. And yeah, maybe we crossed some lines, but I love you too. As my best friend. I’m here for you no matter what. We’ll get through this together."
Redempta:
(Breathes out in relief, though still crying)
"I don’t deserve you, Comfort. I’ve made such a mess of everything, and now… now I don’t know how to fix it. I’m trying to get clean from everything—Latinae, the drugs, the porn, all of it. But it feels impossible."
Comfort:
(Calm, reassuring)
"You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to fix everything at once. We can take it step by step, just like Zeddy said. You’re stronger than you think, Redempta. I’ll help you in any way I can, but the most important thing is that you’re taking responsibility. That’s huge."
Redempta:
(Still emotional, but with a small glimmer of hope in her voice)
"I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I don’t want to confuse things between us again."
Comfort:
(Smiling gently, even though Redempta can’t see it)
"We’ll set boundaries. We’ll figure it out. Our friendship is too important to let this get in the way. We’ll heal together, okay?"
Redempta:
(Nods, wiping her tears, her voice soft but more stable)
"Okay. I’ll try. I don’t know what I’d do without you."
Comfort:
(Gently)
"You don’t have to know. I’m not going anywhere."
---
Scene 4: Facing the Truth
(After hanging up with Comfort, Redempta sits quietly in her apartment, the weight of her confession settling over her. She feels raw, exposed, but also lighter than she has in a long time. The shame that has clung to her for so long now feels more like a shadow than a heavy burden. But the fight isn’t over yet.)
Redempta (Inner Monologue):
"I thought the hardest part was letting go of Latinae, but it’s not. The hardest part is facing myself, facing what I’ve done. I can’t hide from it anymore. I’ve hurt Comfort, I’ve hurt myself, and I’ve been drowning in these addictions for so long. But maybe now, with Zeddy, with Comfort… maybe now I can start to heal."
(She gets up and walks to the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her eyes are swollen from crying, her skin pale, but there’s something different in her expression—determination.)
Redempta (Inner Monologue):
"I’m not proud of what I’ve done, but I can’t let it define me anymore. I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of pretending I’m okay when I’m not."
(She picks up her phone again, opening her chat with Zeddy, and types a message.)
Redempta (Text to Zeddy):
"I need to talk. There’s more I haven’t told you. I think I’m finally ready to face all of it."
(She hits send and feels a strange sense of peace wash over her. It’s not the peace of everything being fixed, but the peace of knowing that she’s finally being honest with herself and the people who care about her.)
---
Scene 5: Setting Boundaries with Comfort
(A few days later, Redempta and Comfort meet at a small café in town. The air between them is thick with unspoken tension, but there’s also an unbreakable bond of friendship that keeps them steady. Redempta sips her coffee, glancing at Comfort, who is stirring her drink absentmindedly.)
Comfort:
(Breaking the silence, her tone soft)
"So… about what we talked about the other night. I think we both know that we need to set some boundaries, right?"
Redempta:
(Nods, her voice quieter than usual)
"Yeah. I don’t want to put you in a weird position again. I don’t want to confuse things between us. You’re my best friend, Comfort, and I don’t want to lose that."
Comfort:
(Smiling gently)
"You won’t lose me, Redempta. But we do need to be honest with ourselves and with each other. We let things get out of hand before, and it’s time to make sure we don’t fall back into that. I care about you too much to let this mess up what we have."
Redempta:
(Sighs, her heart heavy with guilt)
"I know. I’m sorry for everything. For crossing those lines, for not being clear about what I was going through. I just… I didn’t know how to ask for help. I didn’t want you to see me like that."
Comfort:
(Reaching across the table, taking Redempta’s hand gently)
"I’ve seen you at your worst, and I’m still here. Nothing’s going to change that. But you need to be honest with me, Redempta. If you’re struggling, if you’re feeling tempted to go back to old habits, you need to tell me. We can’t keep secrets from each other."
Redempta:
(Nods, tears welling in her eyes again)
"I promise. No more secrets. I’ll do better. I’m trying to do better."
Comfort:
(Squeezing her hand gently)
"That’s all I ask."
(They sit in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air,
- Writer
