XIV

                                    

                                          
Roberu watched Reine sleep. At times like this, Anya and Moona were always there to help him with Reine. But because of what happened and what they did, no one was there. They were alone. No one would help because no one would understand. 
Roberu thought of contacting the two girls but decided against it because he had no more face to show them. He was disappointed of himself but he realized all of his wrongdoings a bit too late. 
He should've listened to them but he was nothing but a young boy. Someone unexperienced with love, he thought giving Reine what she wanted would make her at least like him. 
Reine was not fine, they were all aware of that. She needed to take meds for her to calm down. She had to undergo a lot of therapy, had to go to different doctors, had to drink different medication to treat her. 
She didn't have a normal childhood to adulthood transition. Reine, well... you could say she had a villain awakening arc or whatever you call that. 
"Don't let anything stop you from getting what you want, got it?" 
"But why? What if I hurt them?" 
"It doesn't matter what they think, if they can have it, why can't you? Don't you think that's unfair?" 
"I... I guess." 
"Now watch." 
The man turned around and grabbed the woman's neck, aggressively shoving her against the wall. 
Reine's head was filled with voices. This was normal, this was fine, this was okay. She stared into the wall without muttering anything, her eyes duller than usual. Roberu managed to make her take the pill but it wasn't helping. Even if it was, the effects were so little it was unnoticeable. 
"Reine? How are you... uh holding on?" Roberu asked, reaching for Reine's hand and squeezing it. He was offering comfort, he was offering company.  He wanted to deliver the message that he was there and he was not leaving, unlike before. 
Reine had no one before, she lived in a house not a home. She had a mother and a step-father with her, the mother was alive but she didn't want to be, she was waiting for death to knock on their door. The step-father watched over little Reine. Did it turn out good? Of course... not. 
"You motherfucker! Useless whore!" He slapped her hard on the face. The woman was motionless, tears were streaming down her face but her eyes held no emotion. 
On the other side of the room stood a small child. She saw what he did and didn't think anything of it. Her mother was doing nothing for them, therefore she deserves to be punished. 
"Don't be merciful, Reine. Being merciful is being weak. They will control you if you are weak, don't let them make you their puppet." 
And she believed that, she believed what the abuser told her because he was the only parental figure inside her house. 
Roberu sighed, it hurt seeing his friend like this. He was blaming himself for not noticing earlier even after all the years. If they noticed what was happening to her, they could've reported them earlier. A lot of lives were thrown away just like that, it was devastating and depressing. 
Reine always had a bright smile whenever they played, Reine always showed kindness to those in need. She was raised in a toxic family, but she knew when to stop when her heart tells her to. She was aggressive, she was violent. 
They saw how easily she gets frustrated and mad over losing a game but she never did try to hurt anyone. If she did, it was never intentional and she would apologize quickly. She would hurt herself whenever she hurt others, she would punish herself for causing someone harm.