The road to hell

[Seer]

<<PRESENT>>

<< Chamberlain Police Department.>>

<< Interview 1 room. 2 hours later.>>

<< Special Agent Alycia Barnett is now interviewing Dr. Karen Victoria, Psy.D>>

<< Doctor Victoria is older than Alycia but no less beautiful. The woman is regal, polish, poised and easily intimidating with her intelligence or look of elegant disdain.>>

<< But as she sits across from Alycia, gone is any pretense of "presentation". Karen looks and speaks as a woman who is haunted by deep, PROFOUND regret.>>

 

[Artemis]

Meeting Karen Victoria

:: Alycia's interview with Michael was explosive, telling but very productive. She had to admit to herself that she HAD expected the survivors to be whiney and self indulgent but she was wrong.::

:: her mind CHURNS as if she were caught in a RIPTIDE of disbelief::

::OH she was so wrong.::


:: Michael BELIEVED what he told her and DESPITE the reports of local media and the police chief, the physical evidence she'd personally examined and surveyed so far bared his story out! There was no doubt about it. So if he wasn't lying...::

:: Between his interview and her next person...she had to stop and take a minute to compose herself. Was she BELIEVING this story about a telekinetic teenage girl wiping out a school and 400 people in ONE NIGHT!?::

:: She had to keep investigating. Keep diging.::

:: She expected Dr. Victoria to play mind games with her. The woman was a HIGHLY respected psycho therapist as well as a reputable administrator for the Chamberlain school district. Under her watch, Ewen Highschool had one of the highest graduation rates and test scores on the East Coast and was proof that public education was still a valuable gem in society. She expected this woman to either be a snob or use her considerable talents as a psycho therapist to try to one-up in this meeting. But from the moment Karen arrived, she could see the woman was cold and totally disinterested in any game of pretense. THis was a good thing.::

Dr. Victoria.

:: receiving Karen with an even, cordial tone and hand shake::

I'm Special Agent Alycia Barnett but please, call me Alycia.

Thank you. And you may call me Karen.

:: Karen's voice was elegant...but definitely icy.::

:: as they settled in their seats...Alycia noticed Karen's lingering gaze at the picture of Effie Stone that Michael had placed on the table. The woman's blue eyes showed such SADNESS. There was no point in beating around the bush now...::

Karen...

Effie Stone was a stone at your highschool, correct?

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Talking to Alycia

<< Sitting poised with her legs crossed at the knee, Dr. Karen Victoria studied the picture of Effie Stone, not even caring what her eyes or her facial expression betrayed.>>

<< even now, in the aftermath, the girl HAUNTED Karen, who thus far, had not been able to forgive herself for her role [real or imagined] in all of this...>>

Karen...

Effie Stone was a stone at your highschool, correct?

Yes...she was.

<< Karen didnt wait for Alycia to lead this "interview". As a therapist, Karen knew sometimes it was better to dispense with any formality or structure in a conversation and to let things FLOW as they will. That was when truth and clarity often came at their best.>>

She was a student of mine....and I utterly FAILED to protect her. Because of that...she's dead...and so are 100 other students. Not to mention 300 other people in this town.

<< Karen said with cold, unyielding bluntness.>>

 

[Artemis]

A starting point

Ok....another live one here.

:: Alycia didn't know whether to appreciate this or not. First Michael, now Karen. The force of their emotions drove their every response and yet...they were no less clear OR direct. They werent trying to lie or hide anything. But with Karen, Alycia IMMEDIATELY saw that HER guilt was magnified by something MORE than JUST "suvivor guilt", which is itself a traumatic thing to bear::

Doctor....Karen....

I'm sure you're aware of "surivor guilt."

I want to urge you, as we move further in this discussion, to KNOW that you are NOT a suspect in this investigation. And quite frankly...

:: reflecting Michael's testimony today as well as the written statements that Sharon Kelly and Alison Marble had submitted to the Police several weeks ago::

It appears thus far that you went above and beyond to try to intercede on Effie's behalf.

While I am certainly interested in learning from the only surivors of this "Black Prom" incident exactly what happened...I am NOT here to see anyone be blamed for something that is not their fault.

:: She had to at least SAY IT. She knew she was not going to be able to "lead" Karen in this conversation as she had lead Michael...but at least now, she'd laid the ground work for Karen to hopefully understand that she didn't need to castigate HERSELF in this interview.::

Michael Armstrong has told me about the bullying and abuse Effie endured at the hands of her peers as well as her religious zealot mother. He also told me that he, Miss Sharon Kelly and yourself stepped in to try and stop it.

Let's start from there.

:: and so....Alycia and Karen begin to talk...::

 

[Seer]

6 months earlier

<<FLASH!>>

<<Ewen Highschool>>

<<The principal's office. The office of Dr. Karen Victoria, Psy.D>>

<< A weary Effie sits in the reception lounge just outside of the inner office where Karen, Sharon and Michael have an urgent meeting about the incident that has occurred in the girls locker room.>>

<< Effie hears bits and pieces of the discussion but her mind alternately wanders in and out of focus on where she is and where she'd rather be...or IF she'd rather BE AT ALL.>>

<< as she sits in the recpetion area. Another bell rigns and students begin their next class exchange. Outside in the hall way, students walking back and forth, stopping at their lockers, chattering etc.>>

<< Two large, handsome young men- Connor St. James and Nicolas King - are walking down the hall chatting on the way to their next class when they pass the picture window of the reception area in the Principal's office. >>

<< Connor spots Effie sitting inside and LOUDLY bangs on the window to startle her before Nicolas yanks him away, warning him to avoid provoking the WRATH of Dr. Victoria...which they BOTH agree is something to avoid at all costs.>>

<< As they continue on their way, they are not yet aware of what happened in the Girls gym class but they'll soon find out.>>

<< For now though, we return our sad gaze, to the young girl sitting inside the principal's office reception area.>>

<< For now at least, she has another respite...but after this...what then?>>

<< She doesnt realize that now the three best possible people are rallying to her side. She doesnt know to appreciate it...she just wants to be somewhere else...ANYWHERE else.>>

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy sat there, tapping her foot. Why were they putting her through even MORE torture? Why couldn’t she just be left ALONE? Adults thought they knew everything, but they knew NOTHING about how the world really is. She just wanted to be normal. She wanted everything to be normal.

Suddenly there was a loud bang and Effy jumped a mile. Looking up, she could see Connor St. James’ face staring back at her through the window, making faces. He shouted at her through the glass.

Creepy Effy!!

Smacking his hand against the window once more, he backed away, laughing, to go about his business. Whatever mindless thing that was.

Ape…

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The principal's office

<< Karen sat her large desk, having just heard the report of what happened in the girls locker room.>>

<< The look on her face said it all. Disgust. But unlike Sharon's momentary flash of disgust toward EFFIE, Karen's was ALL toward the GIRLS responsible.>>

<< Michael and Karen both sat in stunned silence. Even for Michael, this seemed particularly cruel.>>

<< Michael was seated in a chair on the other side of Karen's desk while Sharon, still highly charged by the situation, paced around room slowly.>>

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!

<< Karen finally bellows. Loudly enough so that even Effie and the secretary in the reception area could hear that.>>

You'll get no argument from me on that. But Karen...the thing is...when i first saw what was happening...when I first saw her like that...I FELT what the girls were feeling. THe whole thing....it made me want to take her and shake her too...

<< Sharon turned to face Karen and Michael. Michael, who always enjoyed a view of Sharon's shapely form, couldnt help but notice a trace of blood. Effie's blood...on Sharon's shorts. It was an awkward thing to behold.>>

Sharon...for god's sake! You're the health teacher. You're a WOMAN. You should UNDERSTAND that it can happen to ANY of us [women]...sometimes NOT on the marked day of our calendar.

<< looking down at Effie's file>>

and...judging by the previous incidents...coupled with that....that MOTHER of her's....she's OBVIOUSLY under an incredible amount of stress!

Her body is more than likely reacting to that stress in the only way it can...PHYSICALLY.

<< Karen was a doctor and it helped to have insight into things like this.>>

But I draw the line HERE. I will not tolerate this kind of barbaric cruelty in my school!

<< she looks at Michael and Sharon.>>

I WILL NOT!

This girl needs our HELP and we're going to step in and STOP this. ALL of it!

Her mother will have something to say if we get too involved...and you KNOW how she is!

as much as I agree with both of you...I'm afraid Sharon is right, Dr. Victoria. If we push TOO hard, Effie's mother could fight back...with a lawsuit. The law is what shields her NOW...hiding behind her religion to practice her own brand of cruelty on Effie

<< Karen glares with discontentment. They're both right and she knows it.>>

I realize that, Officer Armstrong. But I can't just sit by and let this kind of BULLYING...this ABUSE go unchecked!

Perhaps I can't protect her from her mother...But I...WE can protect her from whatever is happening within THESE walls! I am WELL within state sanctioned power to make sure of THAT.

 

[Silver Swan]

Karen's office

...and you're going to do something....take disciplinary action. Starting TODAY?

Of course I will!

[Sharon said with certainty as she placed a list of names on Karen's desk and handed a copy to Michael. All of the girls that were involved in the incident.]

Michael, midway through the last period of the day, would you please round up the girls on this list and bring them to the gym?

<< buzzing her secretary, who is sitting at a desk in the reception area where Effie is sitting>> Miss Fielding, please notify all of the parents on this list that their children will be detained after school today for disciplinary action due to gross misconduct & violation of the school anti-harrassment policy. Also, draw up a dismissal slip for Elizabeth Stone for me to sign.

<< looking at Michael and Sharon...>>

And would you also please send Elizabeth Stone into my office now? Thank you

[A short time later, Sharon opens the door of Karen's inner office where Effie is now standing]

Come in, Effie.

[ Sharon smiles and gently guides her in]

 

[Shadow Weaver]

The principal's office

<< Miss Fielding quickly slips in past Effie and silently hands Karen the dismissal slip to sign. A copy for the school and a copy for Effie. The last thing they want is to unintentionally give her mother a reason to be even MORE unbearable than she alread is.>>

<< Karen quickly signs, handing Miss Fielding her copy. Miss Fielding in turn, quietly departs, closing the door behind her, leaving Effie standing their facing three adults who are very sympathetic and concerned for her. They mean well...but it's lost on Effie.>>

<< Karen studies the girl's face, her posture. She's so withdrawn...so closed up! Karen's heart aches for her. But there's more to this that's driving Karen...something else that is fueling her righteous ANGER toward the girls and her vow to try to protect Effie any way she can. But WHAT? THAT is a secret, for now, only known to Karen....but one that will reveal itself to be very relevant to the situation soon enough.>>

Hello, Elizabeth.

She prefers "Effie."

Yes, of course, Effie.

<< Karen smiles to try to reassure Effie she is safe among them>>

I want you to know how sorry I am about what happened to you today. That kind of behavior from any student here is not acceptable.

I have a dismissal slip here for you. You can take the rest of the day off...go home and rest and recover from this. Officer Armstrong will drive you home if you like.

<< Karen searches Effie's face...her eyes...for SOME kind of indication that the girl hears her...understands...is OK with this.>>

Effie...I want you to know that Miss Kelly and I are going to make sure that those responsible for your ordeal today answer for what they did.

 

[Silver Swan]

Karen's office

[ Sharon stands to Effie's right, nodding in agreement as Karen spoke.]

....and Effie, you're excused from Gym and Health class for a week.

[ the length of time Sharon will spend PUNISHING the girls for what they've done]

Just take study hall instead.

Would you prefer to go lie down in the infirmary for a while before leaving?

I think she'd prefer to just go home now.

[Sharon said with certainty. But like Karen, she too was hoping Effie would respond to them in some way...that she'd realize that she didnt have to face those girls alone anymore.]

[ Sharon meant well. But of course, for a teenager, even a well meaning adult is often still an unwanted adult]

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy was forced into Dr. Victoria’s office. She stood there, arms crossed, avoiding eye contact with any of the adults in there. She fidgeted, willing this torture to end.

Hello, Elizabeth.

Effy rolled her eyes.

She prefers "Effie."

I want you to know how sorry I am about what happened to you today. That kind of behavior from any student here is not acceptable.

Effy just stared at her.

That kind of behavior is accepted here every damn day.

I have a dismissal slip here for you. You can take the rest of the day off...go home and rest and recover from this. Officer Armstrong will drive you home if you like.

Effy’s eyes got wide. She looked at the policeman. THAT’s all she needed, to come home in a strange man’s car.

Effie...I want you to know that Miss Kelly and I are going to make sure that those responsible for your ordeal today answer for what they did.

“I can walk home.”

 

[Arsenal]

Honestly, someone probably needed a summons for harassment and simple battery. Who in the hell pulls THIS shit?

But he knew between batshit crazy Mama and the city leaders who happened to have the kids involved that they had to be careful with what they did. Nothing worse than overplaying their hand and the kids learning nothing.

He took the list and nodded, opening the door for Sharon as she stepped out to get Effie. He pulled one of his cards and handed it to Effie.

Call me if you have more trouble and want my help, or if you decide to press charges. I am sorry about what happened.

Mike nodded to Effie and went back into the office, his mind on the task at hand. Most of the geniuses involved in today's festivities took the same couple of classes last period, so he emailed via phone to those two instructors with instructions for those students. He would be PERSONALLY delivering them to the gym midway through final period.

That done, he listened to one side as the women tried to comfort Effie.

As Effie stated she could easily walked, he responded.

I can have a female officer transport you if that is an issue. Anytime, just let me know.

Mike fumed as he considered the bullying. Even a peek at Sharon's ass did not help things as her shorts had blood on them. He discreetly texted Sharon.


Hey SK..no cool way to say this. Change shorts ASAP. Just trust me on this.

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

Effy gingerly took the card that the officer offered, keeping her eyes lowered.

“Thank you,” she said softly without looking up at him. Even if she knew she would never call him. COULD never call him.

“Can I go now?”

She reached out for the dismissal slip Karen offered. Effy wasn’t sure which was worse, school or home. HOPEFULLY her mother wouldn’t be home – or wouldn’t notice that she was coming home early. Thinking about her mother, Effy started to get agitated again. She had to get out of this office before they made her take the ride home from the policeman, or WORSE: called her mother.

She turned not so gracefully and fumbled with the door knob. It wouldn’t turn. She fumbled with it some more, yanked on it. It wouldn’t budge. Her hands went to her head – she just wanted OUT!

Suddenly the door flung open with such force that as it smacked the wall its glass pane SHATTERED.

Effy just ran.

 

[Seer]

Mind over matter

<< the door FLEW open with far more force than most normal humans would be capable of physically. but this was no physical event.>>

<<a moment of distress. of urgent NEED and suddenly, a response. a TELEKINETIC response.>>

<< But to the unknowing, untrained eye, it appeared to be a loud, unexpected accident caused by a tormented young girl.>>

<< Effy fled Dr. Victoria's office, the school, leaving 3 concerned and now suitably startled adults to try to pick up the pieces...not only of the glass from the door...but of the harsh life of a girl they now wanted to help.>>

<< the old addage goes- the road to hell is paved with good intentions. they'd soon be reminded of that in the worst way.>>

<< Effy now began her walk home. She didnt mind being alone. She seemed to prefer it that way. Alone with her thoughts...a time when she could truly be herself.>>

<< The mild breezy air outside helped to clear her head a bit as she walked through the posh, beautiful neighborhood but even now, her peace would be interrupted as a young boy from the neighborhood could be seen riding around on a bike.>>

<< Effy walks down the sidewalk, not paying attention to the boy. He weaves among the large, evenly spaced trees and once he spots Effy, he IMMEDIATELY turns around and weaves back through the trees, riding faster to catch up with her.>>

<< Finally he meets up with her and cuts across right in front of her to cut her off.>>

<< Taunting her as he rides right past her...>>

Boy on bike: CREEPY EFFY! CREEPY EFFY! HAHAHAHHHHH!!!

<< he laughs with wicked glee, so pleased with himself knowing that even if she wanted to try to do something, she couldnt reach him fast enough.>>

<< how foolish and mistaken HE is.>>

 

[Elizabeth Stone]

And finally, she could breathe. Out in the breezy air, alone, away from the school and the people it contained. She didn’t dawdle, but she didn’t hurry home either.

Peace.

Silence.

But she should have known it wouldn’t last. She should have known.

CREEPY EFFY! CREEPY EFFY! HAHAHAHHHHH!!!

Effy jumped she was so startled, so in her own world she had been. It all happened so fast, the boy taunting her, and then…

And then suddenly he was flying through the air, away from her. He hit a tree, and collapsed to the ground in a heap, bike and all.

Effy didn’t stop. She hurried herself towards home. What had just happened? Had she done that? She hadn’t meant to…could it have been her? How is that possible? But it was like the lights, and the door, and a hundred other tiny things.

What the fuck is going on?!

 

[Seer]

Meanwhile

<< Back at Ewen Highschool, later in the day.>>

<< Delilah, Connor, Cass, Alison & Nicolas are sitting in the beautiful quad area , enjoying the fresh, slightly breezy air.>>

<< Cass, of course, was the first one to inform Nicolas and Connor of the locker incident with Effy, while Delilah congratulates Alison on the "plug it up" chant. They have a good laugh even as Connor and Nicolas take in the details.>>

<< These five students represent some of the best and brightest at Ewen. Gifted in academics and/or sports, not to mention yout and beauty. They seemingly have it all and yet...for one of them at least...the events of today with Effy marks a turning a point.>>

 

[Ruby]

Ewen High School - Quad

:: Cass and her friends were sitting in the beautifully decorated quad of the high school, enjoying the fresh air. She sighed happily as she stretched out. She quickly sat up when she spotted Nicolas and Connor strolling up. ::

*excitedly*: "HEY! Guess what? Creepy Effy paid her respects to womanhood today...IN THE SHOWER! After gym class! It was so disgusting and so we all started to making fun of her because...eww? And ALI here started this marvelous chant!! It was great...even though it was gross."

:: She had to stop herself from getting specific because first of all, they were guys, and second of all, THEY WERE GUYS. She took a sip of her latte she got at the school's coffee bar. ::

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

Delilah closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. This was so much better than being in class. She would have to have her father book her a weekend at the spa. Maybe her and…

She was startled by Cass suddenly yelling across the quad.

“Jesus, Cass! Turn down the volume, will you?!”

She sat up, seeing Nicolas and Connor coming towards them. She stared at Connor. Yeah, he would do. For now.

Cass was telling them about Effy.

“God I hate her.”

Connor sat down next to her and she leaned against him.

“She probably didn’t even know what was happening to her, with that crazy zealot mother of her’s. She probably thought she was dying. What a loser.”

 

[Bishop]

"HEY! Guess what? Creepy Effy paid her respects to womanhood today...IN THE SHOWER! After gym class!

Connor stopped as they reached the girls and paused, looking at Cass.

“Gross.”

He leant down and gave Delilah a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey, babe.”

He dropped to the ground behind her, letting her settle in against him.

“She probably didn’t even know what was happening to her, with that crazy zealot mother of her’s. She probably thought she was dying. What a loser.”

“We’d all be better off if she did die.”

He leaned in to Delilah.

“So, we going out tonight?”

 

[Rampage]

As Nic walked up with Connor he could hear Cass SCREAMING the daily news at them. Apparently somebody got her period late as hell in life, and in front of everybody.

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!!

He sat down beside Ali, giving her a squeeze as he did so.


I should have known YOU would come up with a chant Ali...out with it Cass. What was this amazing chant?

He knew that Cass would tell it eagerly...Ali might play a bit coy with him.

And by the way, who gets their first period THIS late? Next thing you'll tell me she is still a virgin.