-Chapter 15-

Everyone but the boys gathered in the room to say goodbye to Serena. They knew she'd have a hard time adjusting to the sudden change in environments, and to staying with Darien. But perhaps if she stayed with him, she could overcome her fear of men.

"Where's Andrew?" she asked.

Shocked by this comment, Mina told Andrew to come in.

Serena hugged everyone, including Andrew, in turn. She knew what was happening; she wasn't stupid. They were going to make her stay here "for her own good" as they'd phrased it. Unfortunately, they weren't ready to hear she was pregnant, so since Darien and Andrew were the only boys who knew about it, it probably was best if she stayed with Darien. He could pick up her prenatal vitamins and take her to the doctor.

It was actually the first time they'd gotten to see her eye, the one that previously had an ice pack over it. The only reason they hadn't noticed it much before was because they were too busy with the whole "plan". Seiya had gotten that eye pretty badly. No one knew what had happened, but her eye was black and swollen shut.

Later that day...

Everyone had gone. Serena sat huddled in a corner in her little room. She'd thought of escaping through the window, but Darien's apartment was way too high. On top of this new kind of torture, she hadn't had a single meal yet. Her stomach was angry at her. It felt like her stomach was on the verge of eating itself.

Grrrrr... Grr-Grrrrrr...

Her stomach was relentless. All Serena could think of was food. Tacos, cheeseburgers, ice cream, chicken, rolls, apples. Everything you could think of, she thought of. Suddenly Darien's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Serena, if you're hungry, I'm making dinner right now. It's spaghetti with meatballs. Do you want any?" he asked her.

She wasn't compelled to answer him, so she stayed as quiet as she could, even holding her breath.

"Well, I'll leave some in your room if you want any." he told her.

Still no answer came from Serena. She didn't want to speak to him, fearing she might say something wrong, or worse: something that made him angry.

Darien was in the kitchen. He was dressed in jeans and a gray T-shirt. He hoped the casual appearance would make Serena less wary around him.

He stirred the spaghetti one more time, then proceeded to drain the water from the pot. He added all the ingredients, meaning the sauce, and set out two plates. Obviously, one was for him and the other was for Serena. He sprinkled a dash of Parmesan cheese on top of the mounds of noodles. He took one plate to the table.

Darien carried the other plate to Serena's room. It was an unused bedroom that originally was meant for guests. There was a medium-sized TV, a small nightstand, and a bed. There was also a dresser, but that was about it. One feature he thought Serena might like was a fan attached to the ceiling. There was a decent light structure as well, working air conditioning, and a modern wall color that looked good with the furniture.

He set the plate down slowly, searching Serena facial expressions and eyes for any sign of excess fear. There was no other fear than the one that had been in her all day. "Here you go." he whispered.

Serena glanced at the food, a sign she wanted it, but didn't take the food until she was sure Darien was gone. Then she got up, walked over to the food, picked up the fork that was already in the spaghetti, and started eating. It wasn't very long before she got done. The entire plate was cleaned of its contents. She huddled back into her corner, exhausted from the long day.

Darien came in an hour later to find Serena's plate empty, and to find Serena asleep on the floor, right next to the corner she'd been sitting in since everyone left. Surely that couldn't be comfortable... He picked up the plate and took it outside, then came back in. Serena was still sleeping. His plan was to lift her up and put her on the bed, but when he got within ten feet of her, her eyes snapped open. She screamed unintentionally and stood up, backing up to the wall as she did. Terror was written all over her face. She was breathing hard, as though she'd just ran ten miles. Darien turned back around, but told her he wasn't going to hurt her. Then he walked out of the room.

Serena didn't sleep again until about 3:00am. She dreamed that there was two dragons, one blue and one red. There was a dragon circling above her, a white one. It was the dragon scene from the dream she had earlier. This time, though, the dragons kept telling her she should trust them, and once again, the white dragon shielded her, say, "No! I'm not going through this again, Serena!"

The next morning...

Serena woke up to the sunlight shining through the curtains. She looked at the clock. It was 8:14am. Deciding she should stretch, now that she was pregnant, she got up and pressed her hands against her back. She heard a 'khek' and felt better immediately after. Then she stretched her arms and legs. She blinked a couple of times, and then she remembered where she was. Fear returned. She got out of her little corner.

Several locks were unlocked and Darien came in. The bed was still the way he'd left it; Serena had slept on the floor. He looked over at Serena, who scuttled back to the corner, as though to say, "I'm being good, see?" The fear was still in her eyes. She was a long ways away from getting over this whole thing. Darien didn't blame her, especially being as it wasn't her fault, but he hated the idea she had to get over anything.

But this poor girl didn't have just one thing to get over. She had lost her family in a car accident, she had to live with her boyfriend that abused her, and now she has to get over her fear of men. Though, not being scared of Andrew was a good start. But there was also a new problem at hand for her: Where was she going to live from now on? Surely she wouldn't want to stay here with him. So where would the homeless blonde go? Once she got out of this apartment, who would she turn to? Her friends, perhaps?

Thinking that acting as a friend may quell her fears, even a little would be fine, he said, "Hey, c'mon morning breath, we have to get some breakfast. You want some pancakes?"

Serena didn't respond. She didn't want to. She kept getting the feeling that the white dragon in her dreams was trying to tell her not to trust something, which were probably what the red and blue dragons stood for.

Darien tried getting her to talk, but acting friendly wasn't helping. He was doubtful about giving her a command. Seiya would always give her commands, and that was probably the only way she would do anything. He didn't want to relate himself to Seiya. The reason her friends brought her here was so she could start over. Acting like Seiya wouldn't help squat.

"Serena, I'm not like Seiya. I'm not going to tell you what to do unless it's important. You're safe with me. And if I start acting like Seiya, in any way at all, just tell me to stop and shut up, like you used to, okay? And I'll stop."

Serena still wouldn't bring herself to answer or reply unless absolutely necessary. She'd picked up on that not too long after being forced to live with Seiya. It was best just to shut up and deal with anything said to you. Most of the time, the pain was less severe if you stayed like that. That was how Serena thought of it all, anyway. Also, look away and be as submissive as possible! You may just get away with no beating! Never look your abuser directly in the eyes. It irritates them. Never say it hurts unless you're told to. Don't eat anything until you are told to eat. Don't do anything or go anywhere until given permission. Never ask questions or try to run.

These main rules came in very handy with Seiya. Now using them with Darien, she was unsure of how to act around him. Was she supposed to shut up, or did he want her to talk? She already knew to be submissive. Should she show respect by looking him in the eyes, or should she show respect by looking away? She already knew not to run. The door was kept locked! That obviously meant he didn't want her running away.

No matter which way she put it, Darien was a bit different. He never told her to eat, he just gave her food. He hadn't harmed her at all yet, but if he really wanted her to be happy, then he'd set her free. Ah, freedom... She still didn't have it, and probably never would get it. Seiya was chasing her down right now, as she knew. And she wasn't going to stay hidden for very long with Seiya roaming around, asking questions, and tracking her down. Nothing would stop him. He always got what he wanted. And what he wanted was her.

Sadly, and knowing there was no more hope, she couldn't help but think, 'I'm going to die.' Tears started streaming down her face as soon as Darien was gone. She knew good and well he could hurt her. He could kill her, just like Seiya. Why wasn't he hurting her yet? What did he have planned?

Darien was right outside the door, listening to Serena's almost inaudible cries. He hated seeing her like this. If Seiya hadn't come along, she'd be that same old bubbly Serena. Now she seemed like one of those stuffed animals you didn't wanna play with anymore so you threw it out. Actually, that described Serena so very well. She saw how muscular he was, and it had scared her. She stayed huddled against a wall all day and night, afraid to move for fear of his ability to harm her.

He knew he wasn't capable, in his heart, of hurting any girl physically. Yet this girl had had her very soul twisted and tortured. She'd been through it all: cooped up, abused, raped, pregnant, lost her family. It was no real shocker that she now harbored a deep distrust and hatred towards men. A man had hurt her in ways Darien couldn't ever know. She'd suffered day in and day out, and she'd endured it all with a smile on her face. She'd masked all that pain so well for too long. She refused to tell anyone for fear of another beating by Seiya. What more did she have to lose?

Oh! That's right! Serena's friends had left her a gift they thought would help her get over everything! Darien took out a small locket. It was heart-shaped, silver, and plain. He laid a hand on the doorknob.

Serena shot her head up and smothered the tears when she heard the knob move. It turned and allowed the door to open. Darien came through it.

"Serena?" he said softly. "I have a gift for you. Your friends left it here and wanted me to give it to you."

She did not answer. She hardly responded, feeling the need to protect herself. Adrenaline was rushing through her veins, making her alert and ready to do anything to survive. But she didn't look him in the eyes. She didn't speak. She didn't attract much attention to herself.

Darien took several swift steps toward her. He was about seven feet away now.

She flinched at the unexpected sudden movement, hoping she could just die now of a quick and painless heart attack. Her entire body tensed with another swift step and she soon felt a steady stream of chills going up and down her spine. It was a nightmare for her. Another swift step and she stood up, ready to face the pain she was sure would come.

Even though Darien had no intentions of hurting her, he knew he'd have to be more mindful when she stood up in fear. She was tense and alert, her eyes wide and still lifeless, watching his every move. His heart sank right at that moment. Maybe if he was really slow...

Serena watched, still tensed up, as Darien inched toward her. He was moving very slow, but she didn't buy it. Every twitch of a muscle, she saw. She was just that alert. She watched as he came closer to her than he had since she got here. She wanted him gone, and felt like punching him where he stood. However, she knew better. Her body had had just about all it could take! Plus, so overwhelmed by fear, she couldn't lift a finger. Serena felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Darien was extremely mindful and aware. He knew he might only make the situation worse by doing this, but he had to give her this locket. It would be so precious to her... It would come to mean so much to her... He was hardly getting anywhere, but if he went any faster, he was afraid the already-terrified blonde would pass out or suffer a heart attack. That would be the last thing he wanted.

Serena watched. She didn't make any movement to show that slowness was working. The entire sight was just pitiful. She knew it, but didn't care. Life was live or die to her.

Darien realized he wasn't going to be able to come any closer than he already was. He looked down, knowing there was only one way left to give her the locket. He clenched his fists. The locket was raised slightly into the air as it was tossed to the near-fainting blonde girl.

Serena let the locket fall. She couldn't move a single muscle in her whole body. Only for a second could she bring herself to just barely glace at the silver heart-shaped locket. She would not move until Darien was gone.

Then it hit him. A new way to help Serena get used to him. Perhaps if she got used to him, then she wouldn't be nearly as wary as she was currently!