Venus Cursed! - Chapter 67

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by Saless
Chapter 67

"What the hell is that?!" Sarah exclaimed angrily after a long moment gazing in shock at Jill's painting.

"This is the memory you've been hiding from." Jill replied. "It's time you stopped hiding."

Sarah shook her head violently and jabbed her finger at the painting. "That is no memory of mine! My mother would never do something like that!" Sarah yelled angrily.

Erica was looking in shock from the painting to Sarah and back again. "You didn't say anything about how you were dressed." Erica said softly.

"Huh?" Sarah said, looking in confusion at Erica.

"Sarah, you're wearing your mother's dress!" Mike exclaimed. He never would have imagined seeing something like that, but the details were too perfect to not be accurate.

"It's just a picture Jill drew, it doesn't mean anything!" Sarah replied stubbornly. "Why would I be wearing my mother's dress? It's ridiculous!"

Jill went to put a hand on Sarah's shoulder but she shrugged it off. Jill sighed and said, "Sarah, I don't know why you were wearing that, but you were. I don't know why your mother was treating you like that, but she did. This is your memory, as you remember it. I didn't embellish anything. I made this as accurate as I could."

Sarah snorted, "Yeah, right!"

"Sarah!" Erica said softly, "she's telling you the truth. That's the memory I got from you! Please stop denying it. I promise you that it doesn't change anything for me. I love you for who you are! I don't care if you cross dressed, or if your mother was a monster, or anything else!"

"But…but…" Sarah stammered, looking around her in a panic.

"Look, Sarah, what Erica said goes for all of us. We're not going to hold anything against you. You're our friend! You've been my best friend for years and I'm not about to turn my back on you now!" Mike said earnestly.

"That's right! We're family, remember? We love you no matter what!" Jill added.

Sarah laughed at that with a tinge of hysteria to her voice. "Family doesn't love no matter what! They only love if you're what they want you to be!" she yelled. A lone tear rand down her cheek.

Erica shook her head, "No! That's your parents! Real family will accept you and love you for who you are, like we do! If your parents couldn't do that, that's their loss!" Vash purred and butted his head against Sarah's hand to emphasize Erica's point.

"But…" Sarah tried to protest, but her voice was getting weaker and more tears were following the first.

"But nothing! You're a wonderful person, who happens to have been mistreated by the woman who should have loved you the most. That's not your fault! Your mother is the one with the problem, not you!" Erica said.

The tears poured down in earnest now, and Sarah hiccupped as she said, "Bbbut…I'm a freak! And he…he tried to…to rape me…just like she said! She was right! And…and they'll kill me!" She tried to say more after that, but her hiccupping and sobbing turned it into an indecipherable jumble. Erica pulled her close and held her for a long time, much longer than it took for the tears to stop.

"You're not a freak, you're a beautiful person! I love you so much, please don't put yourself down like that, okay?" she murmured into Sarah's hair.

"Sarah…I'm really sorry." Mike said sadly. "I should have realized."

"Huh?" Sarah asked weakly, still in Erica's arms.

"Your dad, he said the kids at school were beating you up all the time. For some reason, I never really thought about why you got into so few fights after I met you. But he was lying, wasn't he?" Mike said.

"He said that?" Sarah asked, confused. Mike nodded. "Why would he say that?"

"I…I think he was covering for your mom, or himself. When he realized that I was keeping the other kids from hurting you he realized it couldn't go on anymore without being discovered. That's why it stopped happening. Right?" Mike replied.

"What stopped happening?" Sarah asked with a confused look.

Jill sighed, "Oh Sarah, Vash and I have known your father beat you for a while now. I know that memory isn't as well repressed as the other one was!"

"WHAT?!" Erica yelled angrily, rounding on Jill. "You've known something like that and didn't tell me?!"

Jill winced but held her ground. "Yes, I did. Mostly because I didn't want you or Mike going after him." she replied as evenly as she could.

"Mike?!" Erica said, confused.

"That's right, he didn't know either." Jill said.

Erica looked over at Mike and noticed he was looking rather red and seemed to be grinding his teeth. "That was probably a good idea." he rasped, clenching his fists. Erica was startled to see his right hand had shifted into a claw that looked like his first dragon form's claws, except for the size.

"Are you okay Mike?" Jill asked worriedly.

Mike took several deep breaths and forced himself to relax. His hand returned to normal and he sighed, "Yeah, I'm okay now. It's just…he acted so happy that I was watching out for Sarah, and all along he was the one doing all the damage!"

Erica put her hand on Mike's arm and smiled weakly at him. "You were just a kid yourself, Mike, don't beat yourself up. Save that for Sarah's dad!" she said. Even she wasn't sure if she was joking or not about beating up Sarah's father.

Mike smiled weakly back, the smile crumbling quickly as tears streaked down his face. Erica felt a little uncomfortable with this, as she wasn't used to seeing men show their emotions so openly. She wasn't totally surprised, though, as Sarah had said he never held back when he was amongst friends. When she thought of that she actually felt honored that Mike trusted her that much.

Jill hugged him to her and he cried on her shoulder. His obvious empathy for Sarah was more than she could handle and she ended up crying on Erica's shoulder again. By the time they'd composed themselves Jill and Erica had shed quite a few tears as well.

Sarah looked around at her friends, all with red, puffy eyes and tear stains on their cheeks and said, "We're all a right mess, aren't we?" They all looked around as Sarah had and soon they were all laughing. The laughter went on for a long time.

"So…" Jill gasped, trying to get her breath back, "do you believe us now?"

Sarah shifted uneasily and glanced at her friends. "I don't understand." she said softly.

"What don't you understand honey?" Erica asked.

Sarah smiled wanly at Erica and said, "Why are you guys still here? Mom was right, I'm just a freak and don't deserve friends like you."

Erica pulled Sarah to her chest and held her. "You're not a freak, Sarah, you never were. We're here because we love you. Your Mom was wrong." Erica said lovingly.

"Would you tell us what your mother said?" Jill asked. "What happened?"

Sarah burrowed into Erica's arms, but nodded. She began speaking in a very small voice and the others had to lean in to hear her. "Obviously, she caught me wearing her clothes. She had never even raised her voice to me before that, but she was screaming at me the moment she saw me. I backed away until I ran into the wall. Somewhere along the line I picked up Jaime, but I don't remember doing it. I was holding her against my chest when Mom suddenly grabbed me by the throat and lifted me up. I dropped Jaime and thought I was going to die. Mom said, "You're not a girl! I don't want to ever see you in my clothes again! If I ever see this again I'll have your father treat you like a girl and see how you like that, you freak!" She didn't say it outright, but I knew what she meant. And it happened, just like she said it would…" Sarah trailed off as a new bout of tears shook her. Erica rocked her back and forth and whispered encouragement in her ear.

Mike looked helplessly at Jill and she held his hand in hers. Don't blame yourself. You had no way of knowing. Jill told him.

But, I was at her house dozens, even hundreds of times! How could I have missed everything that was going on? Mike protested.

From what you've said it all ended soon after you met her, and because of you no less! You may not have known what was going on, but you made the situation better just by being her friend! Jill replied.

Mike snorted, Some friend I was! My best friend was in so much pain all this time and I never even had a clue!

You've been a wonderful friend, Mike, don't blame yourself! This is all my fault! Sarah thought sadly.


 
To Be Continued…

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Comments

Another self-worth issue

Something that is likely all too common in this circle. You can try and protect the ones you love, but it is one against many. This is so-o painfully real. I just hope that Sarah can come to accept what Mike and the others tell her, that she is a wonderful person, valued as a friend and a lover/partner.

m

Damaged people are dangerous
They know they can survive

Re-traumatization in these stories

While these stories are very well written, and moving, I will say that some of it is too real for me. My Therapist is concerned that they may be dragging me back into the past and injuring me again. I am working very hard not to go down the rabbit hole right now. I love the stories but may not be grown up enought to read them.

I'm so sorry to hear that!

And I forgot the Caution tag again! :( Anyway, I'd miss you reading this story, but I don't want my story to hurt you, either. Please do what you have to to take care of yourself!

Thanks Khadija, and take care!

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Unfortunately true

For instance, I still have trouble believing my writing is that realistic, even with people like yourself saying it is! So, you know, you could just keep saying it and maybe I'll be convinced one of these days... ;)

Thanks Withheld!

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

WOW!!!

Very powerful scene. I'm glad Sarah's got Mike, Jill, Vash and Erica as friends. Lots of raw emotions here as the memories were released. I am looking for where the story goes from here. How does this unblocking affect the "curse"? The way the story is unfolding, the curse appears more and more like a blessing. Sean became the person s/he was meant to be-Sarah.

Are Sarah's friends going to bring justice to her parents?

I enjoy the main and side stories. Keep up the entertainment.

Saless, while I enjoy the 'Kitty Hawk' saga, I relate better to Sarah and friends. This story line is intriguing and offers more creative flexibility for your muse. (My opinion only.)

Hugs,
Trish-Ann
~There is no reality, only perception~

Hugs,
Trish Ann
~There is no reality, only perception~

Thanks Trish-Ann! ^_^ You

Thanks Trish-Ann! ^_^ You know what, I'm pretty curious where things are going from here, myself! Well, I know a lot of it, but I wasn't planning on this revelation coming so soon so I'm not sure how that's going to change things. The story might end up being shorter than I expected, though there's still a lot left to do. I have absolutely no doubt that I'll be breaking the one hundred mark before I'm done, but I'm not sure about two hundred anymore...

I can understand relating to Sarah and friends better, they're a little more...normal, I guess. Kittyhawk is a little larger than life, like most super hero types are. And VC certainly provides an endless source of material to work with. I still have lots of thoughts for KittyHawk, though, so there'll be more of it, but not at the expense of VC. This will remain my first priority.

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Curse

I agree that it is a blessing in disguise. In fact, as I have mentioned earlier, I have my doubts as to whether it was ever actually intended as a curse.

Anyhow, every time they tried to find a cure, they could either find no curse at all, or she simply appeared that everything is as it ought to be.

I think that unblocking those memories will be a big part of Sarah accepting herself as she is.

Also, hopefully, her devoted, loving, magical, and mind-reading friends will be able to help her heal from her PTSD.

Sarah's Parents Had BEST Be Nice

When Her friends pay them a visit. I wonder if Sarah could change them into something such as mice for a hungry cat? Or into toddler girls, sent to an orphanage?

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine
    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

Well, I dunno

I don't recall any age regression effect from Sarah's smackdown; but given their attitude, just changing Dear ol' Dad into a female and Lovin' Mom into a male oughta do just fine. "Now, Mom and Dad, do we want to discuss who's a freak now? Hmmmm?"

m

Damaged people are dangerous
They know they can survive

Too cruel...

but tempting! ;)

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Might be good, though

Athena N's picture

Changing their sex might start them thinking about how their child felt and what they did to her, while at the same time give some satisfaction to Sarah. There are not too many ways to deal with this situation that could actually rehabilitate the parents, but this option sounds vaguely promising. Much better than pounding them into pulp in the way of vengeance, anyway.

Sarah the Avenger?

Age regression shouldn't pose a big problem; Sarah could portal into some age regression story universe and copy one of their spells. There are even some suitable magical items around.

But somehow, from what I've read about her personality so far, I can't see Sarah taking revenge. While she's sometimes able to defend herself (and might get better at that when she starts working on her own past), coldly planned revenge seems to be beyond her, and I don't think that's about to change.

On the other hand, Erica and Tiffany certainly seem capable of revenge, maybe even Mike and Jill. But they haven't developed any gender changing powers yet ...


By the way, there's something I've been wondering for a while: if there was ever a time when they weren't constantly snowballed with new problems, and they could spend some actual leisure time together, would any of Sarah's friends want to experiment with a temporary gender change? After all you don't have to be transgendered to be curious about the other sex - or, if that's sufficient to be transgendered, most people probably are. And I can't image an environment that's much safer for experimenting than having Sarah around as a friend when she has resolved some of her issues from the past.

--- Martin

I normally don't think retribution is a good idea

But how else can Sarah's so called parents be made to answer for their crimes? Hum, though with the portals could they trick them into revealing their crimes to the law in such away they could be prosecuted after all these years? Otherwise I say it's payback time, time to go "medieval on your hinny" as Weird Al says in Amish Paradise.

Sarah said this was the first time her mom ever did anything bad to her, i doubt that. At a minimum she must have known of the beatings and broken bones her husband gave their child. And why only one child? Is Sarah even the *Dad's* offspring ? Is that why he was abused? Did mom go ballistic because she feared her husband would kill Sean if he saw him dressed that way? Or is she as sick as him?

Why didn't her mom ever call the police. I'm sorry but the *battered wife* syndrome does not cut it here. without a lot more repressed memories surfacing, say of dad beating/abusing mom.

Maybe get ahold of those cursed throwing knives of Tifffany's? Give daddy and mommy a little scratch and watch them wither away. __ Oooooh am I mean wittle kid tonight!

The knives worry me, are they just magic, cursed or worse? They must leach the life force out of a body or somehow cause super rapid aging for John to have at first seemed to be recovering then to rapidly decline, die and decompose to ashes in hours. Are they then capable of healing, of transferring the stolen life forces to another or are the knives demon possessed and a way for some evil creature to obtain it's freedom?

Great stuff though I really miss our dear kitty cat and her other mutant friends.

John in Wauwatosa

John in Wauwatosa

Knives, while called for,

Are a sure-fire indication of 'something rotten in Denmark'. If John's death was chalked up to enigmatic figure that was after him, offing Sarah's parents would clearly put enigmatic figure as either Sarah's own Stalker with a Crush (TVTropes tm) or (if abuse becomes known to general populace) Mysterious Protector. Either way, Sarah and her friends will be under a heavy surveillance canopy.

Faraway

Faraway


On rights of free advertisement:
Big Closet Top Shelf

Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!

A good point. Having

A good point. Having Sarah's parents suffer the same fate as John would definitely direct a lot of attention towards Sarah and her friends. Not that Sarah doesn't have lots of other options if she were so inclined... ;)

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Thanks John! I'm missing

Thanks John! I'm missing Cat, too, I'll see if I can't get her to put in an appearance soonish.

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

The audience

Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."

As one the audience stood , giving the author a thunderous ovation .

Cavrider----Just another " Grunt."

The author bows her head and

The author bows her head and lets her hair fall over her face to hide her nuclear blush! ;) You're going to give me a big head at this rate Cavrider, but thanks! ^_^

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

I can help with that...

Frank's picture

I'm good at keeping people grounded ;)

Hugs

Frank

Uh...

if electricity's involved, I think I'll pass... ;)

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Electricity

Watt's this? Using electricity? Such a re-volt-ing though. I think there would be too much resistance from the audience.

Michelle B

12 Points, Pun damage!

BTW, I have somehow made a context pun in my own comment!

'Knives, while called for'

And only just now noticed that!

Faraway

Faraway


On rights of free advertisement:
Big Closet Top Shelf

Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!

Two words

There are two words that come to mind when i read this story.....Top, Quality..... Enough said!!

Kirri

Aww!

You're making me blush! ;) Thanks Kirri! ^_^

Saless
 


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America


"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Surviving abuse

I can understand Sarah's wish to repress memories like the one revealed here quite well.

Being beaten by my adoptive father was a regular thing for me for about 6.5 years, although it was via a belt, not fists and feet.

It got to the point that, even in the late spring of '80, I actually had to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants to school all the time to hide the bruises. Heck, I even wore long sleeved shirts and long pants during gym classes so the bruises wouldn't be noticeable.

I have no idea why I didn't repress the memories of all of those beatings, I suppose they weren't as big a trauma for me to endure as one particular event I repressed for nearly thirty-one years, from late '70 to early 2002. I freaked when I remembered it again. I won't go into detail in this comment, but I blogged here about the beatings and events that followed those beatings back in January of this year.

It is all too common for an abuse victim to lay the blame for abusive events they experienced on themselves.

There is no justification for abusing a child, none whatsoever. I thought I might go through a flashback after I read this, but I'm okay.