Alex: holds up a burned photo Look at this! Recognize it? That's me, bro. Five years ago, they tried to burn me alive!
AprilPierce
You were a fire hazard..
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?
AprilPierce
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...
AprilPierce
Me what?
Alex: throws the photo back on the table You abandoned me! You left me to die in that burning building!
AprilPierce
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!
AprilPierce
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!
AprilPierce
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?
AprilPierce
I throw him off of me
Alex: stumbles back, but quickly regains composure You think you can push me around? You think you can escape your responsibilities?
AprilPierce
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?
AprilPierce
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.
AprilPierce
I rub my neck
Alex and AprilPierce confront their shared traumatic past and decide to seek therapy together to heal and move forward.
AprilPierce
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?
AprilPierce
Yes..
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.
AprilPierce
I sit back down
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.
AprilPierce
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.
AprilPierce
Thanks..
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?
AprilPierce
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.
AprilPierce
I shake his hand Agreed
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?
AprilPierce
I nod Understood
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.
AprilPierce
I yawn So.. what's next?
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.
AprilPierce
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.
AprilPierce
Fine..
Alex: quickly searches on their phone Alright, let's see if there are any therapists or support groups in the area.
AprilPierce
..I look up
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.