Chapter 191
Serena was in yet another state of shock. She had just left Darrien's apartment, had run several blocks and then stopped because she was out of breath. She just stopped and looked around the street she was standing on. It was then that she felt the haze setting in, a haze she didn't understand, but she found herself wandering down the street, not really thinking about anything in general. A few passerbys cast curious glances at her, but she kept going with a stupid look on her face.
She walked several more blocks before she stopped again on top of an overpass.
"Where am I going?" She asked herself and stared at the cars passing under her.
"I've been here before," she muttered. "The last time,"
The memories came back to her of the time when Darrien left her because of his fears over Serena's life.
But that was different, he had a good reason..this doesn't sound like him at all. Then again I'm no good at understanding him. What is he thinking? Take a break? You don't take breaks...I really should go back and talk to him...but I can't do that...he just...
She clenched her fist.
"Why doesn't he ever get it!" she shouted. Several more people looked at her.
"Go ahead stare, see if I care!" Serena said and started cackling. "You all have to live in this madness with me!"
She abruptly stopped.
"What am I doing?" She said and sniffled.
Wiping some tears from her eyes she started off again heading down the street mumbling to herself.
So what do I do know? How do I find out what he's thinking, what he's doing? How? And why? Why would he even question that our relationship is working? I just don't understand...what possible reason could their be...he's not an idiot. Maybe he thinks I am..no he couldn't..who is he kidding? He loves me..or he did..or does he? What is going on anyway? It can't be both ways..can it? No...how am I going to figure this out..who has the answers."
"Well..he might.." she said to herself. "But I can't go back there..but I should..that's the only...way..or is it..I don't know.."
She continued to move along still crying slightly.
Why? Why..now..why not later..or earlier...what makes him do it now? What is up with him anyway..I can't date a guy who finds some excuse to leave me each year, I don't care how desirable he is. Yeah..I'll show him...wait am I supposed to do that? If he wants to break up with me then I shouldn't..just to annoy him..but wait...why does he want to break up with me!
She started breaking down and took off at a run trying to find a friendly
face before she completely lost it.
"I don't know...Steve was very nice.." Lita said. "I hope we'll be able to stay friends."
"It's always a risk that when you date you can't go back," Raye said.
"Still...when you think about it, we hardly did date."
"Good point."
"There's something bothering me though," Lita said.
"What?" Raye asked.
"Well..I don't know..it's just that I..don't know..what it is..I think I'm going to go on a trip though to clear the air."
"Okay..if you think that will help whatever your problem is," Raye said.
"Guys..we have a problem," Amy said appearing the doorway.
"What?" The two asked.
Serena slumped towards them crying profusely.
"Serena what happened?" Lita asked with immediate concern.
"It's Darrien.." Serena moaned.
The group all were stunned.
Mina emerged from the adjoining bathroom to see the state of affairs.
"This isn't good news is it?" She asked.
"Well here we are," Steve muttered. The three guys were sitting around a garage in different stages of annoyance.
"So Rick..any idea when you're going back to Raye?" Steve asked.
"Not yet that's for sure. You see Raye is like a rose.." Rick said.
Mike and Steve both saracastically clapped.
"What?" Rick snapped.
"Raye is like a rose?" Mike asked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean as I was saying, that she is beautiful...." Rick said.
"Oh..but she can also cause great pain if you grab her in the wrong place right?" Mike asked. "Hit him.." Rick said.
"Got it," Steve said and did so.
"I deserved it! Fair catch," Mike said and made a gesture.
"Raye can be nice, interesting, smart, and strong, but she can also be very very irritable," Rick said. "So...that's the problem, yet I love that girl...after all you guys never thought I would settle down did you?"
"We really didn't care," Mike said.
"I cared a little," Steve said. "But it's not like I bet money."
"Yeah you did," Mike said.
"Oh..yeah..I lost ten bucks."
"Listen!" Rick snapped. "Guys...all I'm saying is I have to be careful and you two should be too. Girls can be wonderful creatures, they can also be trouble."
"We know," the other two answered.
"With this Serena stuff going on we have to be especially careful, who's knows what repercussions this may bring."
"Yeah," Steve said. "Of course then again, I'm out of that loop. It's too bad too. Lita was a nice girl. She understood me, I mean the real me, not the one you see playing sports, and blowing up rockets.."
"By real me what do you mean?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I thought that was the real me," Rick said. "I mean the real you."
"Did I mention we're not different people" Mike said.
"Don't bring that up again," Rick said.
"Listen guys, you don't know what the real me is like, see Lita brought that out. Sure it wasn't impressive, but she did it," Steve said.
"So what she saw was the real you, but then she let you go, see I on the other hand am all set," Mike said.
"Whoopdie do, lucky you," Steve said.
"Yeah..well..that's the thing about Mina, she's a wonderful girl you know, energetic beautiful, uh....nice...most of the time..uh interesting, probably insane," Mike said.
"You think she's insane Mike?" Rick asked.
"Sure, or else she'd laugh at more of my jokes."
"But we don't laugh at your jokes, are we insane too?" Rick asked.
"No, no, you two aren't supposed to laugh at my jokes," Mike said.
"And why is that?" Steve asked.
"Because if you did that would defeat the purpose of me telling them in the first place wouldn't it?" Mike asked.
"Hit him," Rick said.
Steve did so.
"Uh..never mind," Mike said. "Anyway..Mina's a strange girl, but she knows whats best for her. Yeah, I'm in complete control. See she knows that when I'm in the mood I'm the biggest lothario on this side of the river."
"What river?" Rick and Steve asked.
"Hah hah...try and find out..suckers!" Mike said and raced out of the garage and hopped down the street.
"He really needs to be...uh...somethinged," Steve said.
"Well said," Rick said.
"I'm having a rough day."
"I bet," Rick said.
"So he dumped you...that jerk! What is he thinking," Raye said.
"Tell us what happened Serena," Lita said.
"Well you guys know I haven't seen him weeks," Serena said.
The four nodded.
"Well.I went to see him and when I came in he started talking about something I don't remember, then I asked if he was dumping me?"
"You asked him?" Raye asked in surprise.
"Yeah, and he said he wanted to take a break.."
"A break?" the other four girls asked. "You can't take a break!"
"Right..that's what I said, so I ran out..and he's gone again," Serena said and began sobbing.
The four girls looked at each other with concern.
"Serena, I'm sure there's another reason involved,"Lita said.
"Yeah that seems very strange of him," Raye said.
"There may even be evil forces at work," Amy said.
"You think so?" Serena asked.
The three nodded. Mina looked around and then nodded too.
"You guys must be right...but what if you're not?" Serena said.
"Serena you should rest..we'll find out for you," Lita said.
"Yeah leave it to us," Raye said. "Why don't you rest here and we'll do what we can."
"Thanks guys," Serena said.
The four girls stood outside on the porch.
"We should go see Darrien," Lita said.
"Wait a sec...first I'm curious, what do each of you think is going on?" Raye asked.
"This is highly irregular," Amy said. "Still, Darrien has been quite busy, I believe he's working on a very important project, maybe by taking a break he meant just not date while he works."
"Still..waiting weeks to tell Serena that.." Lita said.
"Yes it's not like him, he would make at least a little time to talk to her," Amy said. "If he were that worried."
"Not necessarily," Mina said.
The other three looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Raye asked.
"Well if he was really into whatever he was doing, he might have become consumed by it, Amy you know what it means right?" Mina asked.
"Certain things can draw you in, but I've never gone as far as I think I wouldn't be able to tell someone I truly loved how I felt," Amy said blushing slightly.
"Amy's right," Lita said. "There must be another reason, maybe he actually is caught up by an enemy force."
"I doubt it," Amy said. "But I felt it would make Serena fell better, ironically."
"It's a possibility," Raye said. "Still..what if Darrien met someone else?"
The others looked at her curiously.
"Well he is at a college with girls his age, if one of them caught his fancy...I mean let's be honest, Serena is very nice, but against say someone who was as intellectual as Darrien was.." Raye said.
"Good point," Mina said. "Still that's no reason for Darrien to dump Serena."
The three looked at her.
"How do you mean?"
"Well...uh..I mean..that...uh..you know destiny is supposed to bring those two together."
"Maybe eventually," Amy said.
"What if they're too early," Lita said.
"Maybe Darrien has to work his temptations out of his system, as far as we know he's never dated anyone else but Serena," Raye said. "I could understand him being interested in better merchandise."
"Raye, this is no time for that," Lita said.
"Well let's be objective about this Lita, we have to get into Darrien's head to solve this one," Raye said.
"Raye has a point," Amy said.
"Yeah, that could be it," Mina said. "I agree..but we should go see Darrien."
"We should go..see him now," Raye said. "Amy...you should stay here and keep an eye on Serena."
"Right.." Amy said.
The other three girls hurried off.
"Is anyone else here afraid of what we might find out?" Lita said.
The other two nodded.
Now that Greg had a better understanding of the situation he was in, it still didn't make him feel much better. After all, it was bad enough being kept away from his close friends, including his girlfriend who now turned out to be his half-sister. Furthermore his father wasn't his real father, of course in Greg's eyes that wasn't true. His father had cared for him, these several years, so that's all that mattered. But still he had to work things out. His father was sitting at the kitchen table using a laptop computer when he walked in.
"Greg...haven't seen you in a while...are you feeling better?" his father asked.
"I know the truth dad," Greg said.
"Truth Greg?" his father said.
"Yes, about who my biological father is."
Greg's father's eyes widened.
"How..did you..learn this..." he said in surprise.
"It came to my attention," Greg said.
"She told you that didn't she!"
"Who?"
"Your mother!"
"No..she didn't."
"What? What do you mean she didn't..who else could have told you?"
"My father.."
"Oh..how?"
"It was indirect."
"You called that girlfriend of yours didn't you!"
"No..she called me.."
"How dare she interfere!"
"But it is true isn't it?"
"Of course it's true!" his father said. "But don't you see, now you know because you had to get involved with her. Now see what's happened, you'll never be able to see me as your father again, and they'll take you away."
"Dad I know why you're worried because if it came to light that you weren't the real father the court may rule against you, but would mom have held that fact back even if I hadn't known," Greg said.
"No..of course she wouldn't..but...I don't know..." his father said and sat down. "I can't lose you Greg, you're the reason I keep going. Now that you know, you must think me even worse.
"No, you overreacted, I did to, but there's no one else I would call my father."
"What?" his father asked.
"Biological or not, you've been here for my entire life trying to do what's best and that should mean something."
"Still, how do we stand a chance with her biological evidence?"
"Well...the biological father is married and in jail..maybe that will help," Greg said.
"It could," Greg's father said. "Listen Greg..I don't want to keep you from your friends.but for now..just stay put okay..you can call them..but I need you at my side all right?"
"Okay," Greg said. "Thank you."
"I'm sorry to have....done this.."
"I guess I can't say it's okay..but at least I understand now."
"Uh..good.." his father said.
Serena despite being tired found herself tossing and turning and when she actually fell asleep she found herself having the most disturbing dream. She was walking down the street slowly, but this wasn't Tokyo, it couldn't be it was...different somehow.
"Where am I?" she asked herself.
"You seek knowledge of your destiny," Came a voice, she turned. There stood Sailor Saturn.
"Saturn? Are you really here?"
"Yes.." Saturn said. "I can see you are in need of assistance, however, I am unable to provide it."
"What do you mean?"
"Serena, you are afraid of what you have seen worried that destiny will not help you...you must remember that destiny is not set in stone, it has a goal, but how it reaches it and if it reaches it are not clear."
"But if my destiny is to be with him?"
"That can mean many things."
"But are they true...will me and Darrien only be toghether in death?"
"That is the problem with destiny, it does not provide such convenient answers."
"Why are you here if you can't help me?"
"Because I needed to tell you that destiny will not help you, it is up to you to decide what will happen."
"Oh...I see," Serena said.
"Farewell," Saturn said and disapeared. Serena stood watching her and then abruptly woke up.
Amy was reading. She looked up.
"Serena are you all right?" she asked.
"Destiny..Amy..it's not as simple as we thought," Serena said.
"Oh?" Amy asked.
"I'm not sure of anything anymore," she said worriedly.
"I'm sure things will work out," Amy said.
"You can't guarenttee it."
"Serena, you're not a pessimist."
"No..but it's not very hard to become one these days."
"That attitude won't help you," Serena said.
"Oh..it might..it might help me survive."
"But survival without hope is.."
"Still survival Amy."
"Serena I think you should rest some more."
"No..no..it's clearer to me now..though not clear enough," Serena said. "I am tired though...but I don't want to have any more dreams."
"Perhaps I can be of assistance then," came Luna's voice.
"How?"
"I can give you dreamless sleep Serena," Luna said.
"You can..how come you didn't do that for me anytime before,"
"Because it's not a good idea to use it a lot and I worried you might start pestering me any time you got a nightmare."
"Good call," Serena said.
"But you look like you need it," Luna said.
"I do.."
"Then here we go," Luna said and a beam flew out from the crescent moon on her head and hit Serena, Serena fell fast asleep.
"That will work won't it Luna?" Amy asked.
"It should," Luna said. "I came as quick as I could. Artemas went to find the guys and tell them...he also wants to see what they're up to. He actually wants to become their guardian, but he's becoming more and more worried about taking on the role..."
"Oh.." Amy said. "I didn't notice."
"Well..that's the way it is," Luna said. "This is the last thing we need, the scouts are all spread out, we are dealing with an unknown enemy and Darrien decides to pull another one of his...I don't know what to call them..bone head maneuvers.."
"I don't know what Darrien is thinking. But D.V.'s close.." Amy said.
"Is he?" Luna said.
"He thinks so...but I've never seen him this frustrated."
"He doesn't know everything he wants to know, that's the problem."
"Yeah. I just hope Serena feels better and that we find out what's going on."
"Me too, and soon, we're much too vulnerable and that worries me."
Raye, Mina, and Lita meanwhile were standing outside Darrien's door knocking and ringing the doorbell.
"No answer," Raye said.
"Maybe he isn't home anymore," Lita said.
"If he was working at the university," Mina said.
"Good point," Raye said.
"Let's go," Lita said and the three headed down the hall.
The door opened a minute later and Darrien looked out before withdrawing back in.
"They don't take long do they? But I can't talk to them now.." Darrien said. "I have no idea what to say..and they don't seem pretty happy either. I don't blame them, but I just don't know what's going on with me..and until I find out...this is the way it's gotta be."
He shuddered remembering that he had said something similar the last time.
"But this is different," he said and grimaced. "But...why?" he asked himself.
Three hours later.
"Well..we checked both his apartment and university," Lita said.
"So either he isn't either place or he's hiding from us," Raye said.
"Can't blame him," Mina said.
"What do you mean?" Lita asked.
"Well would you want to be found after what you've done?" Mina asked.
Lita and Raye glanced at each other.
"See my point?" Mina asked.
"You know...life shouldn't be this difficult," Serena muttered sitting on Raye's porch. On her right sat Amy, to her left was Luna.
"I know what you guys might think..sure I've got a nice house, a good family, but that doesn't make this any easier," she continued. "The human heart is universal. Whether you're Japanese, American, Icelandic, Persian.."
"Uh.." Amy said. "No..never mind."
"Persia isn't a country anymore is it?" Serena asked herself. "No, but you get my point..everyone can feel love, everyone can be hurt by it. It just isn't easy to accept."
"Maybe Darrien had a good reason to act this way like the last time, I mean...it's not right what he did, but maybe there is something going on," Amy said.
"Amy..it just doesn't matter," Serena said.
"Well..Serena, you can't just become a whining mess...you have to pick yourself back up again," Luna said.
"Easy for you to say," Serena muttered. "But I do know what I have to do."
"And what is that?" Amy asked.
The next morning Serena was standing on a train platform. She hadn't asked her friends to say goodbye, she hoped she was back soon coming back and she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Still they seemed a bit surprise when she told them what she was planning.
"You're going to leave the city?" Lita asked.
"I'm going to live with some family friends up north for a while. It's not that I don't love you guys I really do, but I need to get away from all of this," Serena said.
"We understand," Raye said.
"Yeah, I'm headed west myself...gotta get some time to myself to," Lita said.
"This is what romance does to us, why do we even bother?" Raye said. The girls except Mina sighed.
"Well there are uh..good points..no need to be all upset about it, uh..you know what I mean," Mina said.
"You still have a boyfriend," the other four muttered.
"Uh..yeah..lucky me huh?" Mina asked. The other four tossed her out the door.
"Anyway..Serena I hope you fell better, and we'll let you figure things out," Amy said.
"Yeah, don't you worry about it," Lita said.
"Remember things usually work out in the end," Raye said.
"That's true, but how many times can I go back to him..after this.." Serena said. The other three didn't have an answer for her.
Now as she stood on the train platform she couldn't help but noticed the couples meeting and kissing either before a departure or during an arrival. She sighed.
"That figures, can't the world stop being itself for just a few minutes and give me some peace," she muttered.
The train slowly pulled out of the station and headed on it's way. Serena watched the various city landmarks and moved out into the country. She let herself be drawn in by the scenery, she had nothing to lose by enjoying the trip.
She found herself falling asleep soon after that.
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CHAPTER 185 CHAPTER 186 CHAPTER 187 CHAPTER 188
CHAPTER 189 CHAPTER 190 CHAPTER 191 CHAPTER 192
CHAPTER 193 CHAPTER 194 CHAPTER 195 CHAPTER 196