Session 𝓝inety-Nine

Session 99:

“The Truth”

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“She’s going to hurt Kaia?” My mother echoed my previous words, a concern laced into her tone.

I couldn’t get any words out.

All I could do was cry, shaking my head as I buried my face in the crook of my arm.

“She,” I forced out, but I couldn’t get anything else besides that word.

My throat felt tight.

I also felt like I was about to throw up all over the leather interior of this backseat.

“Kaia bragged that I was with my therapist,” I tried my best to say.

My words sounded echoey in my ears.

I felt dizzy.

Like someone had picked this car up and started spinning it like a basketball on the tip of their finger.

“Kaia knows she can’t say anythi—”

“She didn’t know,” I cut my mother short, shaking my head. “I should’ve told her—I didn’t think…”

I trailed off, drawing in a deep breath.

“I didn’t think she was going to do that. I swear,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes closed. “It was random people—I never expected it.”

I heard my mother let out a sigh, and I knew that meant she was conflicted.

“It’s my fault, isn’t it?”

“Yes and no,” my mother didn’t hesitate to say, “You know how dangerous the Leclairs are. It was worth mentioning to Kaia, especially for her safety,” she briefly explained. “But in the same breath, you couldn’t have expected she would’ve told something like this to a group of strangers.”

I let out a shaky breath, feeling good and bad about her words.

She was right.

“You’re human. You make mistakes. Take this as a serious lesson, Liberty, especially if someone does get hurt,” my mother spoke again.

“So if she,” I went to speak, but the idea of what I was about to say made my chest tighten. “If Monroe does do something, it’s on me?”

“Monroe’s actions are her actions. They could’ve been prevented, but you also can’t control what another person does,” my mother emphasized. “But I think whether you like it or not, this will feel like your fault.”

I nodded wordlessly, “Yeah,” I forced out brokenly.

It’ll feel like my fault regardless of whether I explicitly told Kaia not to say anything.

 Monroe is my girlfriend.

I’m the reason any of my friends and family are in the orbit of the Leclairs.

Regardless of what I do or how I handle any of these situations, this is on me.

“She’s coming,” I suddenly said, noticing the figure of Monroe approaching the car.

It made my heart rate speed up and my chest sink at the same time.

Kaia isn’t with her.

“Can I call you back?” I asked my mother.

“Yes, keep me updated,” my mother didn’t hesitate to say, making me nod a few times before I promptly ended the call.

“What did you do?” I asked as soon as Monroe pulled the door open.

I didn’t even wait for her to get in the car.

“I handled it,” was all she said, sliding into the backseat beside me.

I glanced down at her hands, looking for any signs of bruises or blood.

There was nothing.

She looked normal?

“Where’s Kaia?” I whispered, quickly wiping the stray tears under my eyes.

Monroe didn’t say anything as the SUV naturally drove away from the curb.

All she did was glance over to me, her blue eyes freezing on my face.

She looked at me for a moment.

I mean, really looked at me.

There was so much behind her eyes.

She was nestled deep into her thoughts, I could tell.

“Come here, sweetheart,” she softly whispered, tilting her head as she gently grabbed the side of my neck.

“Where’s Kaia?” I asked again, resisting against her touch, pulling me in.

Monroe softly kneaded her fingers into the side of my neck.

It made me relax whether I liked it or not.

“She’s alive. I assume that’s what matters to you, darling,” Monroe clarified.

I unconsciously let her pull me closer, furrowing my brows as I rested my head against her chest.

“I don’t like making you cry,” she whispered softly, gently caressing the back of my head with her other hand.

Tears blurred my eyes, pressing my cheek further against her chest. “I did this—it was my fault. I should’ve told Kaia not to say anything.”

“What I chose to do isn’t on you, Liberty,” Monroe said, making me furrow my brows.

“And what did you do?” I asked in a forced whisper, pulling away from her chest.

“Nothing that you need to worry yourself about,” she determined, making me grow even more confused.

“But I am worried, Monroe,” I pointed out, shaking my head when she tried to lean in for a kiss.

“Liberty,” she said, her blue eyes sinking so deeply into mine.

All I could do was stare at her, searching for more.

Searching for my girlfriend.

Not the product of what her parents created.

“What did you do?”

My words were lowered, nearly laced with horror as I eyed her face.

There was no empathy.

What did she do?

“I’m protecting you, darling,” she whispered, gently cupping my cheek. “You’re not in the right state. You’re self-blaming right now.”

I shook my head.

But also… maybe she’s right.

I am self-blaming.

“I still want to know,” I pushed further on the topic.

“She’s alive, Liberty. Untouched,” Monroe emphasized, pulling me back closer to her by my waist. “Now let me take care of you, darling.”

I let out a conflicted sigh, inevitably letting myself lean down to her lap, where I rested my head.

Monroe gently caressed my curls away from my face, “My beautiful girl.”

 I didn’t say anything.

I just stared forward, clinging to her words.

She always told the truth.

Kaia is alive.

Untouched.

She didn’t hit her or anything.

But she did something.

I know she did something.

Monroe’s not going to tell me—that’s clear.

But maybe I shouldn’t know?

Clearly, I’m self-blaming.

I might spiral if I go searching.

Or is that her trying to get in my head?

I can’t tell.

God, she’s already in my head.

She’s always in my head.

There’s no way I could get her out if I tried.

That’s why my head is lying in her lap right now as I let her gently caress the side of my face.

She did god knows what to Kaia, and somehow I’m paralyzed here to Monroe.

I need to get out.

I need to at least make sure Kaia is okay.

Right?

Going near Kaia in general sounds like a terrible idea, but I also think it would be fucked up not to check on her.

She was my friend for years—and friends aside, I know something happened, the least I could do is check on her well-being.

Monroe surely isn’t going to tell me.

And if she does, it won’t be the full truth.

I would have to go see for myself.

I’m just not sure how.

I might have to lie to my girlfriend.

I haven’t in so long, but she won’t give me any details.

I think she might’ve manipulated me a little, too?

Fuck.

I’m not sure anymore.

My brain felt like a ball of tangled yarn.

I didn’t know where my thoughts began or ended.

I was a jumbled mess.

I could barely walk into Monroe’s house on my own.

She led me entirely, and I followed.

She talked, too, I think, but I was so in my head trying to figure out my next move.

“I’m really hungry,” I suddenly said, watching as Monroe set the glass of water in front of me. “Can you make something?”

I didn’t even know what the fuck I was doing.

I just knew I needed to be alone.

I needed to distract my girlfriend.

And then also distract the security lining her house.

I have no fucking idea how I’ll make it out of here without her knowing.

And there’s no way she’ll let me leave on my own, especially with her parents in town.

There’s no excuse in the book that lets me leave here all alone.

She would want to come with me at the very least.

“What do you want, sweetheart?” Monroe asked me, opening one of the fridge doors.

I eyed the side of her beautiful face, illuminated by the fridge light.

“Uh, pasta?” I hesitantly asked, knowing that it might take her a moment.

“Any pasta?” my girlfriend clarified, gently closing the fridge.

“Yes, please,” I murmured, suddenly backing away from the kitchen island. “I think I’m going to take a shower too.”

Monroe nodded once, “Okay, darling,” she murmured, her blue eyes trailing my face. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I said.

Until I realized that was too easy of an answer.

“Sort of? I don’t know, I think a hot shower might help after tonight,” I whispered hesitantly, blinking a few times.

“Of course. I’ll warm up some towels for you in the dryer,” Monroe didn’t hesitate to offer, easily drawing me back in.

It was such a small yet thoughtful offer.

It also took away from my alone time.

Fuck.

“Thank you,” I forced out, smiling to hide my disappointment.

Then I quickly turned away, not wanting her to lay eyes on my face for too long.

She would know I’m up to something.

I purposely went up to her main bedroom—the one that didn’t look lived in.

It was on the second floor compared to her other bedroom on the third floor.

It also had a window in the bathroom.

I wasn’t sure how I would get down from such a high level, but I was determined to figure it out.

So I grabbed some of Monroe’s clothes and made my way into the bathroom.

I didn’t bother getting undressed or starting the shower.

I didn’t want to waste the water, and I also wasn’t sure how long it would take Monroe to be up with the warm towels.

I just needed to work fast.

All I needed was five minutes.

I didn’t waste any time sliding the window open and taking the screen off.

It was there in that moment, as I was looking down, that I realized how fucking insane this all was.

How insane I am for not trying to formulate an excuse to leave.

But I know my girlfriend.

An excuse wouldn’t work.

This really is my only option if I want to check on Kaia’s well-being.

I let out a deep sigh, lifting my leg over the window ledge.

Then I drew in a deep breath, trying not to look down.

It was taller than it looked.

Or at least that’s what I tried to tell myself.

There was no way in hell I was jumping.

Not unless I wanted to snap my neck and make the Leclair’s life a lot easier.

My eyes darted to the slim black balcony railing just a few feet to the left.

It was decorative and useless for anything other than looking pretty, almost like the iconic Juliet balcony.

And right now it was my only chance.

“Fuck,” I mumbled under my breath, inching my way out of the window.

At least until both feet were planted on the narrow stone slip outside the bathroom window.

My palms were slick against the frame, and my heart pounded so hard I swore it might shake me off balance.

Don’t look down.

Don’t.

Look.

Down.

I shifted sideways on the ledge, my Nikes scraping against the cream cement.

My hands fumbled for anything to grip until my fingers grabbed the cold iron curve of the nearby railing.

It rattled under my weight, the hollow clang echoing through the quiet night air.

My stomach dropped, but I didn’t stop moving.

One more step.

Then another.

My thighs burned from the awkward shuffle until finally—

I hooked my arms over the balcony railing and swung myself onto the tiny nearby ledge.

The front of my legs smacked the iron with a dull thud, but I fought the yelp that wanted to escape.

For a second, I just stood there, my lungs burning from how out of breath I was and the cold air combined.  

From this angle, the drop didn’t look like a death sentence anymore.

The vines growing along the side of the house stretched down to the garden below

They were precise and clean.

Like Monroe had them clipped a certain way.

They were thick enough to cling to.

Or at least I hoped they were.

It was reckless.

But it was better than being caught up here like this by Monroe.

So I drew in a deep breath and wrapped both hands around the vines, unsteadily climbing down each thick vine.

By the time my feet hit the grass, I was shaking.

I could feel my pulse hammering in my throat.

But I was down.

I did it.

Now I needed to get out of the backyard.

Security was at the front.

I could climb the gate.

Only it looked nine feet tall, probably a privacy fence.

Jesus, Monroe.

Why, why, why?

Okay, the gate was smooth, but the frame wasn’t, which was good, sort of.

It had black metal posts that held it together at the corners, and if I angled myself right, I could use them.

My chest tightened at the thought.

 If I slipped, the sound alone would give me away.

I wiped my palms against my leggings, sucking in a deep breath before I jumped.

My hands quickly caught the cold edge of the post.

The metal burned against my skin as I pulled myself upward, the muscles in my arms screaming at me.

My feet scrambled for some kind of surface to press against.

Then I pushed the bottom of my feet against the gate—

And finally wedged myself against the ledge where the panel met the frame.

“Come on,” I breathed out, desperately trying to pull myself higher.

The top came faster than I expected.

And suddenly I was straddling the edge, balancing myself between freedom and completely ruining all my progress.

I couldn’t believe I was actually sneaking out of my girlfriend’s house.

I let out one last breath.

I also looked back at the dimly-lit house, knowing Monroe would open the door to an empty bathroom any minute now.

She might’ve already had.

I quickly pushed off at that thought, landing hard in the grass of a random backyard.

But now I could sneak out past their fence to the front, knowing there’s no security.

I quickly tugged my phone out of my pocket.

I knew it was stupid to bring it, but Monroe was going to find me whether I had my phone or not.

I need this to make sure I can get an Uber, and also for overall safety.

It’s night and I don’t have a car.

I couldn’t leave my phone if I wanted to.

I won’t have long at Kaia’s, but that was never the priority.

I just wanted to see her and ensure she was one hundred percent okay.

Monroe should’ve told me the details of what happened with Kaia if she didn’t want me to check on her.  

But she didn’t, so I’m choosing to use that in my argument.

Hopefully, that works.

I’m not thinking far enough ahead.

I let out a relieved breath the moment my Uber was confirmed for three minutes away.

I placed the pin at a nearby café.

I didn’t want to drive by Monroe’s house whatsoever.

Not with security out there monitoring everything.

I’ll get stopped in the Uber before I even make it to Kaia’s.

Luckily, the café wasn’t too far away.

I was a couple of blocks away, and I was also roaming the neighborhood belonging to the one percent of Seattle.

I felt somewhat safe, to say the least, but I still made sure to be aware and look around as I walked.

By the time I made it to the closed café, the Ford Fusion Uber was already waiting.

I made sure to check the plates first before sliding in.

If I’m being honest, I used to check the plates, but not always.

Now that I know the Leclair’s, I’ll be checking the plates every time.

Kaia’s apartment was fifteen minutes away.

And not even five minutes into my Uber ride, my phone lit up with a call from Monroe.

I quickly put my phone on Do Not Disturb, trying not to overthink what I had done.

It was too late.

I did it.

I left, and I’m in the Uber now.

I just need to think ahead.

Like what I’m going to tell Monroe—or how I’ll ensure Kaia is okay.

Will any of it be obvious enough?

What if she’s not even there?

What if Monroe didn’t harm her, but she removed her from Seattle?

No-no, I can’t think like that.

I really can’t think like that.

Fuck, was it hard not to, though.

Once that thought crossed my mind, it was hard to get rid of it.

I swear it made the drive feel slower than it already was.

Once the Uber stopped in front of Kaia’s loft building, I made sure to look around, wondering if my girlfriend had already beaten me here.

But there wasn’t any trace of those usual tinted SUVs.

Or her Bentley.

I made it here before her, which meant I had a few minutes max.

I think?

I wasn’t sure where her head was at.

I hadn’t answered her calls.

Still, I rushed into the familiar building—nearly running up the stairs, skipping every few steps.

I was panting out of breath, and even got my workout in by the time my fist came into contact with the white front door painted with small pink hearts.

I counted the seconds.

Each one that I passed, I had determined that Kaia was forced to leave Seattle.

She wasn’t here.

But then—

The door swung open.

And there she was.

Kaia.

The woman I shared nights I can’t remember with, made reckless decisions, and even had desperate sex with.

She looked on edge.

The way her brown eyes widened at my appearance told me she was scared.

“Leave-leave,” was the first thing she said, glancing past me almost out of paranoia.

I was confused.

There weren’t any bruises on her.

Visibly, she looked fine.

Just as Monroe said.

But mentally?

Emotionally?

Kaia was shaken.

Monroe had done something here, but I wasn’t sure what yet.

Kaia won’t even fucking look at me.

“Ki,” I quickly said when she went to shut the door. “Wait, she—what did she do?”

Kaia quickly shook her head. “I,” she went to speak, furrowing her brows.

Then she wrapped her arms tightly around her own torso, squeezing herself tightly.

Almost like she was hugging herself as an attempt to calm down.

“I broke the NDA. I’m sorry-I’m sorry,” Kaia forced out, her words broken and barely coherent.

What NDA?

She never signed one?

Unless.

Monroe did something.

Mentally.

Kaia thinks she signed one.

Monroe made her think so.

“It hurts,” Kaia nearly pleaded, making me furrow my brows.

“What hurts? What happened, Ki?” I quickly asked, eyeing all over her body for any bruises.

There were none.

“I-I don’t know?” Kaia whispered, her brown eyes wide. “My head? My body? I can’t remember tonight.”

I drew in a deep breath, wondering what Monroe did.

What the fuck did she do?

Can she go deep enough into Kaia’s mind to leave her reeling physically?

She was only with her for thirty minutes, maybe.

How did she leave this much damage behind?

“You need to leave. I’ll hurt if you don’t leave,” Kaia rushed out, reaching out for the door again.

I quickly stepped forward to stop her, my brows furrowing deeper at her words.

I’ll hurt.

Not I’ll get hurt.

She’ll feel pain if I don’t leave, even if Monroe or someone else isn’t physically here.

Monroe got in her head for sure.

Fuck.

I feel bad—I feel really bad.

This is still the best-case scenario of what could’ve happened here, but it’s still bad.

Kaia’s hands are trembling, and she’s looking at me like I might lift my hand at any moment and hit her.

I need to call my mom.

I need to figure out what to do now.

What do I do?

Clearly, I can’t make good decisions on my own.

I need help.

I quickly reached for my phone, making Kaia flinch immediately.

“I’m just calling my mom. She’ll know what to do, okay?” I softly asked, slowing down my motions so I didn’t startle her again.

Kaia didn’t nod.

She just stared at me—probably waiting for me to leave.

But I couldn’t leave her like this.

Maybe moving forward, I could have my mother help her somehow.

I know I definitely shouldn’t be near Kaia moving forward, but someone needs to help her through whatever mental destruction she was left with.

“Any updates? Are you safe?” my mother’s familiar voice flowed from my phone speaker.

“Yes, I’m okay. Kaia-she,” I tried my best to speak, but I wasn’t sure how to say what I wanted. “Monroe got in her head. She’s not doing great.”

“In her head?” my mother clarified as I drew in a deep breath, eyeing the panic still laced on Kaia’s features.

“Yeah, you know, like hypnotherapy, I think? I’m not sure. Kaia thinks she’ll feel pain if I don’t leave,” I tried to explain. “I was hoping you could help her? I snuck out of Monroe’s house—”

“Snuck out?” my mother quickly cut me short, clearly concerned by that statement alone.

“I only snuck out because her parents are in town. She wouldn’t want me to leave alone, especially not to see Kaia,” I quickly clarified.

“The Leclair’s are in town?” my mother echoed, a rigidness weighing down her voice.

I could tell that was enough to make her even more worried.

“When were you going to mention this, Liberty?” she asked as I drew in a deep breath, glancing away from Kaia.

“Look, I need to head back to Monroe’s before she gets here, and Kaia has a breakdown. Can you help her?” I said, knowing I didn’t have time to explain the conversation I just had last night at that table with Monroe’s parents.

“You can’t go back right now, Liberty. Are you insane?” my mother asked, and I could hear shuffling on her end. “You need to distance yourself from her right now, especially with the Leclair’s in town. They’re probably listening to this phone call as we speak.”

I shook my head. “No-no, that’s the last thing I need to do. Monroe needs me right now.”

“And what do you need? I’m sure it’s not her, Liberty,” my mother countered. “She got in Kaia’s head, and it sounds like she’s in your head.”

I don’t care.

I truly don’t care if she is.

She can be in my head always.

“God only knows if she got in my head too,” my mother mumbled, letting out a deep sigh. “You can’t go back, Liberty. I’m serious.”

“I have to,” I didn’t hesitate to say. “I have to go back.”

It was almost like second nature.

I could only care about Monroe.

 “Do you not understand this is dangerous? You’re in danger, Liberty,” my mother emphasized, dragging her words out, so I understood.

“Just help Kaia, please. I love you,” was all I said, then I hung up the phone.

I can’t abandon Monroe.

Never.

I have to go back, even after knowing what she did.

Maybe she really has got into my head?

Or deeper.

She feels so much fucking deeper than that.

Maybe I am in danger.