She shook her head to clear whatever memory she'd just gotten trapped in before she continued.
"My dad was yelling at my mom, telling her to do something. I'd never seen him like that, and I remember being shocked by it. He called her some hateful names, each one hitting her in the chest almost like he shot her. By the time they were done fighting, I could see all the fight had drained out of her. I yelled and screamed for her not to give up, to fight, to just wait, but she was vacant, an empty shell. She stood there with a blank look in her eyes. I can't get it out of my head. She looked right at me and said, 'I love you, sweetheart. Be strong.' And then…" she paused, gathering herself. Her breath hitched, and I wondered if she'd hit the wall, unable to move past anymore today.
"Hey, it's okay. If you need to stop, we can," I offered.
Shaking her head, Imogen held my eyes as she said the next part, urging me to understand, to share in her pain.
"The sound was so loud as it cracked through the empty warehouse. I flinched at it, shutting my eyes tight. At first, I thought it had been for me, but when no pain came, I peeled my eyes open. I hadn't even felt the wetness that had sprayed onto me. But as I blinked, I felt the sticky liquid on my face. I couldn't wipe it since my hands were tied, but somehow, I knew. I knew it was her blood. She laid in front of me, her eyes open, unblinking as the blood pooled around her. I remember thinking it was darker than I thought it would be and how fast it spread. I didn't even know I was screaming until the sound returned, and my throat was raw."
Imogen's tears streamed down her face as she recapped the horrors she'd witnessed. Her eyes had almost gone distant, removing the emotions as she told me this part. She was there, but she wasn't. Squeezing her hand, I tried to bring her back to the present. I didn't want her trapped in the past. Almost as if my squeeze was a shot, she jerked back to the present, focusing on me.
"Do you want to continue, or are you at your limit today?"
Imogen watched my face, searching for the answer. I kept it neutral, offering her whatever she needed. This wasn't about me; this was about her and what she was ready to process. I didn't want her to scar herself by thinking she needed to please me by sharing more.
"I think just a little more," she decided, and at my nod, Imogen continued.
"Time goes funny after that. People came and went from the place, and I guess, I was in a state of shock. My body did that freeze thing you told me about. It just locked down, and I was motionless as everything around me happened. At first, my captors seemed to prefer it to the crying and screaming. But eventually, they got annoyed and started doing things to me to get a response. I barely had food, minimal water, and had been tied to a bedpost they had in a separate little office. The mattress was disgusting, but it's where I stayed mostly. I was so gross by then, having little access to the bathroom or shower."
"Where was your father during this?" I asked.
"I didn't see him for a while after he'd shot my mom. It might've been hours or a few days, but one day, he was back, and he was happy. At first, I thought it was for me. Maybe I'd done what he needed me to do and was there to take me home now. But when he shook hands with the main guy and left without even glancing at me, I knew that wasn't the case. I'd been part of some… some deal instead. He wasn't coming back for me. I was truly alone with those monsters."
Not being able to take it anymore, I pulled her into my arms and held her. The move seemed to be the last thing holding her emotions at bay because as soon as I wrapped my arm around her, she fell into my chest and began to sob. Patting soothing strokes through her hair, I tried to offer her comfort the best way I could.
"It's over. You're not there anymore, sweet girl. You survived it, Imogen. You are strong, just like your mother told you to be."
Over and over, I shared those words with her trying to make them a mantra for her to sear into her brain. A knock at the door brought me out of the bubble we'd fallen into. Confused at the uncommon sound, I didn't know who could be at the door interrupting my session. I didn't immediately say anything as I sat there staring at it.
Imogen wiped her eyes and blew her nose on the tissue I gave her. Another knock sounded, and this time, she looked at me.
"It's probably for me. If you don't answer, they'll come in on their own," she chuckled in a depreciating way.
Getting up, I walked over to the door, wondering why they'd interrupt us. When I opened it, I hadn't expected to find Nicco on the other side.
"Nicco, um, what are you doing here? Never mind that, I'm busy at the moment. I'll talk—"
"It's okay, beautiful. I know now. I'm here for Immy. I was just getting worried. It's thirty minutes past her session."
Looking at my watch, I realized he was correct. Sheepishly, I blushed. "Oops, I guess we lost track of time, Imogen. Do you care if this brute comes in? It seems he's worried."
"Yeah, better let him," she sighed, smiling. "He'll only get more annoying the more you make him wait." Imogen joined in on my game. It helped dislodge the emotions we'd shared by putting Nicco on the spot instead.
"Hey, I'm not that bad," Nicco defended, coming up behind me, putting his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. "Besides, I think you like it when I'm a brute," he purred into my ear. I tried to remind my body I was at work and in the presence of a client. The flush of my skin and the goosebumps erupting disagreed with my plan.
I watched as Imogen looked at me in a new light, and I realized she didn't know I was seeing Nicco. Pulling away from his embrace, I stepped closer to Imogen, wanting to make sure she was okay with everything. Grasping her hands, I peered into her eyes before I spoke. "Are you okay with how we ended?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks for checking, though."
"Of course, Imogen. You're my concern, and I want you to be in a good place when you leave. We can pick it back up in our next session if you want, or we can even take a break and work on some thoughts. It's your choice. You're the guide here."
"I'd like that. Thank you, Loren. Um, so off-topic, but how do you two know one another? Hmm?
"Oh, well." I blushed. "We met a couple of weeks ago and are dating. I didn't realize you guys knew each other. Is this okay?"
"Ah, so you must be the girl he won't shut up about."
"Yeah?"