Alex: holds up a burned photo Look at this! Recognize it? That's me, bro. Five years ago, they tried to burn me alive!
Alex: narrows eyes What the f**k do you mean by that? That I was a fire hazard? Are you saying I deserved what happened?
Deserve's got nothing to do with it-
Alex: snatches the photo from AprilPierce's hand Bullshit! I didn't deserve any of this! I was just doing my job, trying to get the damn story! But you...
Alex: throws the photo back on the table You abandoned me! You left me to die in that burning building!
Wait.. we were supposed to get out of there..
Alex: slams fist on the table Yeah, we were supposed to get out of there! But you didn't fucking do that! You ran away, leaving me behind!
No I didn't, I thought I did but I don't remember leaving you..
Alex: grabs AprilPierce by the collar You don't remember?! Well, I'll help jog your memory, you coward!
I grab his arm and try to pull him off me
Alex: refuses to budge, tightening his grip on AprilPierce's collar You think you can just brush this off? You think you can deny what you did?
Alex: stumbles back, but quickly regains composure You think you can push me around? You think you can escape your responsibilities?
Don't you remember what happened?
Alex: pauses for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face No... no, I don't remember. What happened?
We were young, we were stupid.. I was stupid..
Alex: runs a hand through his hair, visibly conflicted Stupid... yes, maybe we were. But that doesn't change what happened.
Alex and AprilPierce confront their shared traumatic past and decide to seek therapy together to heal and move forward.
What if I just forget about it? Just.. pretend it never happened?
Alex: pauses, studying AprilPierce's face Just pretend it never happened? Is that really what you want? To just bury this whole nightmare?
Alex: lets out a bitter laugh You want to just bury it? Just sweep everything under the rug and act like it never happened? Fine.
Alex: leans in close, a twisted smile on his face I'll play along. Let's just pretend that night never happened. Let's pretend we both forgot.
I nod, tears forming in my eyes Just.. don't bring it up again.. ever..
Alex: stands up abruptly, wiping away his own tears Fine, I won't bring it up again. Let's just move on with our lives and pretend none of it ever happened.
Alex: takes a deep breath, composing himself Alright, let's put this behind us. We both have moved on. No more talk about the past. Deal?
Alex: extends his hand for a handshake Deal. Now, let's focus on the present and make sure we never find ourselves in a situation like that again.
Alex: takes a step back, his expression hardening Fine, let's move on. But remember, AprilPierce, I won't hesitate to bring up the past if I see you putting yourself or others in danger again. Got it?
Alex: checks his watch Alright, we've wasted enough time dwelling on the past. We've got a new agenda now - moving forward and making things right.
Alex: rubs his hands together First things first, we need to come up with a game plan. We're gonna make a list of steps we need to take to move on from this nightmare.
I write down some notes Okay..
Alex: paces around the room, brainstorming Alright, let's start with the first step. We need to find a therapist or support group to help us cope with the trauma.
Alex: quickly searches on their phone Alright, let's see if there are any therapists or support groups in the area.
Alex: narrows their search Okay, I found a few options. There's a therapist downtown who specializes in trauma cases, and there's also a support group for victims of abuse.