Incest/Taboo Unbelievable

"Johnny?" Katherine called sweetly to him, thinking he had fallen asleep. Which was true when he smacked his lips as her voice roused him.

"You, only you, can call me Li'l John," Johnny muttered before falling under the drug's influence.

Bill held his mother close as she broke down in tears. Not tears of sadness, but of joy, joy that finally, after all this time, she could utter that name again. A name that she had given him as she held him in her arms for the very first time after he was born. A name that held so many wonderful memories of the boy that Raven Dale had taken away from her. A name of a son that she has hoped and prayed still lived inside of the man that walked out of that nightmare.

"I'm going to be here the first thing in the morning, and you won't be sending me away," Janus whispered as she leaned over the left side of his bed. Planting a kiss upon his lips, which even in his sleep got a smile out of him.

"Come on, honey, let's get you home," Brandan uttered low in a caring voice. Lightly rubbing his hand along Katherine's left arm as he hugged her close. Noting how she hadn't let go of their son's hand when he told her she could resume calling him that name.

"My Li'l John, my sweet baby, we'll be back. You sleep tight. I'll see you at lunch tomorrow," Katherine said, sniffling slightly as she spoke those words. "He's coming back to us." Her voice was muffled as she buried her face in her husband's chest.

"I hope so; you're not the only one that misses our little boy," Brandan whispered into his wife's hair.

"I know you do," Katherine peered up, knowing while yes, she was so overjoyed that she got another glimpse of her son, the son that was taken from them. She knew it was a fleeting thing. That in a day or two, his brain chemistry would return to normal, and the bridge these seizures gave them would be closed once again. "Come on, let's go home," she said lightly, kissing her husband's lips. "Janus, I know you want to stay, I do too, but I'm going to follow Johnny's request."

"I know, I wasn't going to fight you. I know he was only looking after our health," Janus said, brushing her hand through John's black hair. She loved that he looked out for their wellbeing even when he was dealing with his own demons.

"We'll be back; you just rest," Annie said sweetly; her fingertips slid off of the tips of his toes as she followed everyone out.

The next morning...

Yasmine arrived at the Masters home a little before eight that morning. She was concerned about John. Even though they had only met yesterday and she was indeed a bitch to him before he had shown her that while, yes, what happened to her was horrible, yet it wasn't anywhere near as horrific as what John had gone through for two years. She wanted to come over and keep him company if he would let her. She didn't disparage him for keeping people at a distance. John had a very good reason for doing so, at least that's what she thought.

"Sis?!" Ruth muttered, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. It had been a very hard night for all of them.

"Hey, sorry, I really didn't mean to wake you or anyone else up. I know you all probably got back very late last night. I just thought I'd come and keep Johnny entertained while I'm in town," Yasmine said, patting her satchel that contained her sketch pads, her tablet with her software that allowed her to format and edit her comic panels, pens, colored pencils, and everything else an artist would need.

"Huh?" Unsure if she heard her sister correctly, given her groggy state. "You came here for Johnny?"

"I did," Yasmine nodded. "Is he up?"

"No, Johnny didn't come home last night. They're keeping him there for an additional forty-eight hours," Ruth said truthfully, letting her sister in.

"Oh, are you going to see him?" Yasmine asked, watching her sister shut the door behind her.

"No, Annie and Janus are going first thing. I'm going to take the afternoon shift, so Johnny has someone to talk to given his dislike of hospitals," Ruth said, suppressing her yawn.

"Ah, could you ask if I could tag along with them?" Yasmine inquired, noting how her sister was eyeing her.

"Why?" Ruth asked, growing suspicious of her sister's actions.

"I know I came off wrong yesterday, but Johnny and I share something that no one here can understand. Plus, he's going to be my brother-in-law soon, or soonish, whenever you two can finally pick a date," Yasmine said, shooting her sister a knowing smile. "So we have to stick together," she uttered with a firm nod.

"I see," Ruth mused. It had been a while since she had seen her sister like this. "Let me go see if they're up and ask."

Yasmine looked down as her sister took hold of her hand and led her towards the bedroom that Annie and Janus shared with John. She wondered how they could even fit everyone in that house, given the number of people living in it.

"Relax, Annie and Janus are good people. Plus, if you want to see Johnny, you'll have to get their approval first," Ruth said as they walked down the hall.

"He has two girlfriends?!"

"No, Annie is his sister; she's protective of him. Janus, although, is his girlfriend," Ruth said, peering over her shoulder.

"Then why are they staying in the same room?" Yasmine asked, confused.

"Because last night was a trying night. Annie wanted to make sure nothing happened to Janus or their baby."

"Their baby?! I thought she and John..."

"Get your mind out of the gutter," Ruth chuckled softly, "the baby is Johnny's. Janus and Annie don't have that kind of relationship," she lied. Her sister didn't need to know the full extent of what went on in that house. She wasn't about to bring trouble down upon them should Yasmine freak out if she ever learned of the truth about the Masters family. Little did Ruth know that Yasmine held her own secret that she kept hidden from them, not even Ruth or her other family members knew off. "Annie, Janus, are you awake?" Ruth knocked softly on their bedroom door. Hearing someone approaching, the sound of the handle being turned

"Ruth?! I didn't expect you to be up," Annie said after opening the door a quarter of the way.

"I wouldn't be, but someone had to drop by so early in the morning," Ruth teased, gesturing to her sister.

"Oh? Who's this?" Annie asked even though she knew who it was, yet they hadn't been introduced yet.

"This is my sister, Yasmine; she would like to ask a favor of you and Janus," Ruth said, stepping out of the way, allowing Annie to get a better view of her.

Annie ran her blue-green eyes down the slightly younger version of Ruth. While their eyes were the same color, only Yasmine's hair was a tad darker shade of blonde than Ruth's was. Who, also had a slightly larger bust than her sister did, or that could be because of their height difference. Annie couldn't tell, given the bulky shirt Yasmine wore. "And what kind of favor could it be, so early in the morning?" Annie asked, standing in the nightshirt she had worn to bed while she heard Janus sliding clothes hangers along the railing of the closet behind her.

"I am sorry for the early hour, but I couldn't stay in my motel room... alone. So I thought I could come keep Johnny company for the day, I know he had to go to the hospital last night, and I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes here. It's just I think he and I connected yesterday," Yasmine said, speaking rapidly like she always did when she was nervous. "So, I was hoping that I could come along with you all to see him in the hospital."

"Oh? You think you and my brother connected?" Annie asked with a pointed look.

"Annie?" Janus' voice rang out from behind her. "There's no need for that kind of tone. I'm sure she's inferring to what she and Johnny went through. So be a dear and do let the girl in so I can get a look at her."

"She isn't after Johnny, Annie," Ruth whispered into Annie's ear once her sister entered their room before her. "She's just trying to be his friend..."

"We'll see," Annie grumbled. "Janus, I'll be ready to go in ten minutes," she said before heading off to her old room, where she still stored her clothes, given the lack of space in John's.

"Hello, you must be Johnny's girlfriend; I'm Yasmine," she greeted, holding out her hand to her.

"I am," Janus said with a warm smile on her lips.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but aren't you a little too old to be his girlfriend?" Yasmine asked. When Ruth informed her of Janus as his girlfriend, she had pictured someone within his age range.

"None taken; we get that a lot when Johnny and I are out in public. Namely shopping for the baby," Janus cooed sweetly down at her growing belly. Knowing that any day now, they would learn the sex of their child. She so hoped it was a girl, not that she wouldn't be thrilled if it was a boy; however, Johnny was betting on a girl, and she didn't want to disappoint him. Even though that wasn't possible given how it was the father of the child that determined the sex of the child. Still, John needed something good in his life, minus her and Annie. "So you want to visit Johnny?"

"Yes, as long as I wouldn't be interfering," Yasmine said, noticing a very peculiar graphic novel on John's desk titled: 'Family Secrets.'

"While I'm not against it, per se, yet it might not be a good time right now, given his episode last night."

"Oh," Yasmine uttered sadly.

"If you can follow my rules, which is for your safety. Since I have no idea who we will be greeted by, will it be Johnny or the madness that lurks within? I can't say," Janus said, shrugging her shoulders. "If you can do that, I have no problem with you coming along," she spoke, buttoning her shirt as she stood in front of Yasmine. Feeling her 32D breasts slightly more plump than they were days before. Wondering if she should go bra shopping after they leave the hospital for when her breasts increase in size once she starts to produce milk. Hearing the strands of her blonde hair brushing against her back

"He's really that dangerous?" Yasmine asked, looking between the two of them.

"Sis, the first time I saw it, it scared the bejeezus out of me. So when she says he can be dangerous, heed her words," Ruth said in all seriousness.

"I understand," Yasmine nodded, all the while trying not to eye that graphic novel. Wondering why it was there and why he would be reading such a thing?

"Then let me get dressed, and we'll head out, okay?"

"Right, sorry, please don't rush on my account," Yasmine said in an apologetic voice as she backed out of the room.

"You listen to what they say, okay, don't get Johnny too worked up. He isn't in his right mind right now, not after his seizure," Ruth said when she and Yasmine stood at the foot of the stairs.

"I promise, sis, I'll be on my best behavior," Yasmine nodded. "You heading back to bed?"

"Of course, you interrupted my beauty sleep," Ruth joked, pulling her sister in for a hug. "I'm happy you're starting to come out of that shell," she whispered in a sisterly voice into Yasmine's ear.

"One day at a time," Yasmine replied lightly, patting her sister's back.

"Go faster, you stupid thing," Annie hissed at her tablet as the download she was watching slowed down to a trickle as she walked down the stairs.

"Is something wrong?" Yasmine asked, standing there patiently, waiting.

"Just this torrent I'm using to download comics from so Johnny can have something to read isn't going as fast as I would like," Annie sighed when she was trying to download the entirety of: Spawn, Witchblade, Gen13. Bloodstrike, Surpreme, The Darkness, The Maxx, Youngblood, Shadowhawk, Cyberforce, Savage Dragon, Wolverine, X-Men, X-Factor, Green Lantern, Superman, and a few dozen others at the same time.

"Wow, he reads all these?" Yasmine whistled once she peeked at the screen of Annie's tablet. "Well, if it isn't done when we leave, you can use my hotspot to download the rest," she said, offering up her data plan at the cost of earning their goodwill.

"Thanks, I'll probably have to take you up on that. Would you like a cup of coffee before we head out?" Annie inquired, gesturing to the kitchen.

"Sure, I've been aching for a good cup," Yasmine said with a smile and a nod. "Don't you just love how it warms your hands on a cold day," she uttered, making light conversation with Annie as they waited for Janus. Glancing up when Annie snapped the two lids onto the traveling cups she had filled and mixed with half and half and sugar while her hands were wrapped around her own traveling cup.

"I do, especially after a long walk across campus," Annie said, flashing Yasmine a smile.

"Are we ready?" Janus asked, appearing in the doorway of the kitchen.

"Yep, and here I made you a coffee," Annie said, holding it out to her.

"You have my thanks," Janus said, thanking Annie for the forethought.

"Finally!" Annie muttered once the last torrent file reached a hundred percent the moment they walked out the front door.

"I bet he's just going to love all those comics," Yasmine stated, casting Annie a smile.

"He should; he has most of them in his room; I just hope the ones he doesn't have he will like."

"I'm sure he will Annie, you did get them for him, so he'll enjoy them all the more," Janus said, pulling Annie into her side as they walked towards her SUV.

"I take it Johnny's really into comics?" Yasmine asked, sliding into the back seat once Janus had unlocked her vehicle.

"He is, it's his way of escaping the world and his mind," Annie said, slipping her tablet into her bag.

"I can understand that," Yasmine mused, taking a sip of her coffee as Janus started the engine.

"So, Yasmine, what do you do back home?" Janus asked, making small talk as she pulled away from the curb.

"Self-employed."

It was ten till nine when all three of them walked into John's hospital room as he was in the middle of flipping through channels with a scowl on his lips. Tossing the remote aside in frustration when he couldn't find anything good to watch.

"Johnny..." They saw how his face lit up at the sight of them and then confusion when he noted Yasmine.

"Please tell me you're here to spring me from this... boredom," Johnny grumbled, looking at the shackles in irritation.

"Johnny, the doctors want to keep you here for another day because of the way you were acting last night," Annie said, closing the distance to test the waters. To ensure it was safe for the other two to draw near.

"Right, like doctors know what's best, but maybe they're right... this time. As long as they don't go fettling around with my head," Johnny stated in a firm tone.

"We won't let that happen, Johnny," Janus said, walking along the right side of his bed while Annie stood on the left. "Are you up for a kiss?"

"If you don't, then I'll be mad; you don't want to see me when I'm mad," Johnny said, imagining himself transforming into the Hulk as his smile rose the corners of his lips. His thumb brushed along the back of Janus' hand when she slipped hers into his as their lips embraced one another's. "How are you? How's the baby?" he asked after taking a few seconds to savor her taste on his lips.

"We're fine, baby," Janus said in a loving tone.

"How are you feeling?" Annie asked, slipping her own hand into his left, lightly rubbing her right down his forearm, given she couldn't do what she really wanted to do at that moment with Yasmine there.

"Like I got hit by a truck. But it will pass like it did last time. So... hello, why are you here?" Johnny asked, peering around his sister to gaze at Yasmine.

"I wanted to see how you were doing and to keep you company if you want it. If not, I can go; I know you..."

"No, you're okay, you can stay if you want. Just didn't think you'd want to be seen hanging out with the crazy boy," Johnny said, repeating the words he had heard Ruth utter many a time.

"Fuck what they think; if they think they're better than you, then that just shows me they're weaker than you are. Because we both know they wouldn't last a week with what you went through," Yasmine said firmly, crossing her arms along with nodding in conformation of what she had just said.

"Okay, I think I like her," Johnny said, peering up at his sister with a smile.

"I'm glad to hear you do, Johnny. We are going to be brother and sister soon. Would it be okay if I came closer?" Yasmine asked, seeing John nod that she could. "Can I ask what's a seizure like?"

"Like the ones I have or just in general?" Johnny inquired for clarification.

"Like the ones you have?" She spoke as she rested her hands on the footboard of his bed.

"Hmm..." Johnny hummed, giving it some thought. "Like being trapped in a waking nightmare in your mind without knowing what's going on around you."

"What do you mean?"

"All sensory input is blocked, so I can't see, smell, touch, hear anything when it happens. I'm trapped in my head. Not a place even I want to be stuck in," Johnny muttered in a dark tone.

"I can understand that," Yasmine nodded. "I just hope I wasn't the cause of your seizure because of what we spoke about yesterday."

"No, you weren't, I have brain damage, so you're off the hook. For now," Johnny said ominously, putting on his best evil grin that he could at the moment.

"Brain damage?! How?!" Yasmine gasped in shock.

"Happens when a sadistic asshole passes four hundred volts through your grey matter for ten minutes at a time," Johnny intoned as shadows played across his face as the sounds of the keys of the orderlies jingled when they bounced against their thighs as they dragged him towards that torture chamber. The sound of his bare feet slapping against the floor as he tried to wiggle free. Their cruel laughter burned in his blood. His muscles tensed as he remembered how the very first jolt of electricity felt as it passed through him. Also, how his piss ran down the table. Glancing up when Annie and Janus squeezed his hands when they sensed that he was slipping into a foul mood.

"They are in prison, right? Right?!" Yasmine asked, looking between the three of them.

"A few. Most are dead," Johnny said with a cruel, satisfied smile on his lips. "Those that aren't soon will be if I get my way," he stated with determination. He wasn't about to let one of Julia's rapists walk free a moment longer. Even if it meant he had to put the man in the ground himself.

"Good. Pigs and they are pigs because no decent human being does that to another," Yasmine said, earning her a nod of support from John.

"Hey, come here," Johnny whispered, looking up at Janus.

"What is it, Johnny?" Janus uttered low as she leaned down.

"Can you like undo these things so I can go pee? I promise you can put them right back on."

"I can't do that; you know I can't. But I'll get the bottle for you," turning her gaze towards Annie and Yasmine, "give us a minute, will you?"

"We'll just be right outside," Annie said, not enjoying the smirk she saw in Janus' eyes, knowing she would be the only one touching John like that while in the hospital.

"How often have you been thinking of this, hmm?" Janus cooed as she held his manhood as he filled the bottle.

"The peeing, the shackles, or your hand on my cock," Johnny asked, with a flirtatious smile.

"The last one," Janus replied, matching his smile.

"The moment I woke up, or are you asking in all the years I've known you?"

"Oh, did you stroke this thing to me when you were a boy?" Janus asked in a husky voice. Giving John's root a few shakes before setting the bottle aside.

"I plead the 5th."

"I was so worried, Johnny," Janus sighed, pressing her forehead against his while her hand aroused that branch of his. She didn't care if they were in a hospital; she was going to get the father of her child off and be damned to those that stood in her way. "We're going to keep searching for a way to treat these seizures in a better way," she uttered, feeling John growing in her hand as she continued to stroke him off. She knew it wasn't the best blow job she's ever given to him, yet she knew he needed relief, and she wasn't about to deprive him of what she could give him. Plus if she was honest with herself, which she was, she would have admitted she just wanted John's first load of the day. "Let me dump this out, and I'll get the other two." Picking up the urine bottle and sashaying towards the room's bathroom. Noting the look that Annie was giving her when she walked out of it when they reentered the room upon hearing the flushing of the toilet. Maybe she shouldn't have had a gloating look in her eyes, yet she couldn't help it. It was just too much fun teasing Annie.

"So, I got to ask, what's up with the bag? Do you like to cosplay as Indiana Jones?" Johnny inquired, his green eyes falling on it.

"Oh, this, this has all my artist supplies. Thought I could sketch you," Yasmine said, patting her bag. Not hiding her bemused smile at what he had just said.

"Me? You want to sketch me?!"

"Mmmhmm," Yasmine nodded. "Also... I was hoping we could talk some more, only if you're up for it. I don't want to pressure you."

"Do you need to talk?" Johnny asked, knowing what she was inferring.

"A little," Yasmine said shyly; also, she had to know why he had that comic on his desk.

"Okay, we can talk... later," Johnny answered after a few moments of deep thought.

"Of course, and thank you," Yasmine said in a bashful tone.

"No problem. If I get out of here tomorrow, do you want to go with me?" Johnny asked, knowing she knew what he was speaking of.

"I'll... give it a try," Yasmine said after a moment's hesitation.

"Annie knows the time; she takes me to it. She's a good listener," Johnny said, praising his sister, who blushed as he did.

"Johnny," her voice drew his attention to her, "I got you some comics so you won't be bored too much," Annie stated, watching how his eyes lit up at that.

"Really?"

"Mmmhmm," Annie nodded with a wide smile on her lips.

"Where are they?" Looking around for them, he could have sworn she didn't have any in her hands when she first entered his room.

"They're right here, Johnny," Annie said, pulling out her tablet along with the charger, seeing the confusion in his eyes as she did. "I download a ton of them, so you'll have lots to read while you're in here." Showing him how to power it on and where to find the files she had extracted from the RAR files that they had come in.

"Oh, that's a lot... You got the Watchmen?!"

"I did," Annie nodded, seeing the elation on his face as he peered up at her.

"How did you know I wanted to read that series?"

"Because you've watched that movie like a hundred times," Annie said, knowing how she could repeat every single line of the movie given the number of times she had overheard him watching it.

"Come here, closer, closer," Johnny cooed as Annie bent down. Feeling the heat flooding her cheek as he placed a kiss on it. "Thank you, Anastasia."

"You're welcome, Johnny," Annie replied with glistening eyes. This was the first time he had ever used her given name without having his seizure bringing it out. Noting how his eyes sparkled as he scanned down the other files in the folder she had placed them all in.

"Johnny..."

"Right, sorry," Johnny apologized and powered down the tablet and set it on his lap. "So any word on the house?"

"Signing the papers the end of this week, have three construction companies coming out to give your father and me a quote on the price of the work for the extension," Janus said, noting how John hung onto every word.

"The baby stuff is still being delivered Thursday, right?"

"It is, you'll help set it up, won't you?" Janus asked, smiling down at him when he nodded.

As they talked, he noted how Yasmine had her sketch book out. Her eyes flicking up every so often, then her hand would continue its frantic pace over the paper. Until sadly, Annie and Janus had to leave in order to get home before those men arrived, along with Annie having to head off to her afternoon class, leaving him alone with Yasmine.

"So... you wanted to talk," Johnny said once he was sure they were well enough away so as not to overhear. Noting how she got up, set her pad on the seat of the chair, and picked the whole thing up, and carried it over to his bedside.

"Sorry, didn't feel like speaking from all the way over there, and given what I have to say, I rather not stand if you don't mind," Yasmine stated, setting her chair down by the side of his bed.

"Not like I can stop you," Johnny uttered, tugging on his shackles, causing the railing of the bed to wobble slightly.

"Can I ask you a very serious question?" Yasmine asked; her tone had a curious feel to it.

"Shoot."

"Why do you have the 'Family Secrets' graphic novel in your room?"

"You been in my room?" John's voice grew hard. He didn't like anyone that he didn't know well around his things.

"Only after Janus invited me in," Yasmine said, trying to still his anger she could see rising.

"Oh. Okay, if she let you in, I can't say too much about it then," Johnny said in defeat. "Why do you want to know?"

"Why did you get it?"

"I didn't per se; at first, I wasn't all that into what they were doing. Yet, the sex witch angle, as odd as it was, was intriguing. Plus, the author of it kind of reminds me of Todd McFarlane before he quit drawing Spawn." Arching an eyebrow as Yasmine's eyes lit up, and a wide smile lifted the corners of her lips. It was a peculiar expression, at least to his mind.

"So you like how that person drew that graphic novel?" Yasmine asked, knowing if she revealed this secret to him, then she knew John wouldn't tell a soul. That's just the feeling she got from him.

"Oh yeah, the other two novels of his are just as good as that one. I hadn't seen a hair of his skill dropping..."

"Hers," Yasmine corrected.

"Huh?" Johnny uttered as he stared at her in confusion.

"I'm Damien Sol," Yasmine said, sitting proudly in her chair.

"Come again?!"

"I'm the one that draws and writes those graphic novels that it appears you enjoy," Yasmine said, still seeing the disbelief in his eyes.

"You're fucking with me, right?" Johnny spoke, wondering why she would draw those kinds of graphic novels given what she had went through.

"I swear I am not. Here, I don't normally do this, not with something I'm working on. But I want you to believe me," Yasmine said, pulling out the sketch pad that had the mock ups panel for the next 'Porn Star Family' graphic novel she has been working on.

"No way?!" Johnny said in shock as he stared down at that penciled drawing of Ira. He knew this style of drawing from anywhere given the numerous times he had read, alongside his mother and sister, the ones he had.

"Yes, way," Yasmine said, smiling down at him. "Go on, you can look through it, just don't touch the sketches."

"Wish I could draw like this; you got talent. Can I ask, why?"

"Why, what?" Yasmine asked, arching an eyebrow. She had been ready for this question to pop up.

"Why draw incest?" Johnny inquired, handing the pad back to her.

"Well... long story," stuffing her pad back into her bag when she retook her seat and pulling out the one she was doodling in that she hoped if John gave his approval to make a new comic out of, "after what happened, I got real dark, and it showed in my work," Yasmine said, seeing John nod in understanding. "My therapist that my parents back home forced me to go to showed her how dark, how evil they were. Tried to get me to find some other, more healthy way to express my emotions..." Peering up when she heard John snort.

"Yeah, I barely listen to my own. I know where you're coming from."

"I mean, sure they're helpful sometimes, but mostly they just muck up the works, you know what I mean?" Yasmine replied, flashing John a smile.

"I totally do."

"I don't remember how it turned into full-on incest. But well... it's paying the bills. Plus, I'm kind of fascinated with it."

"Huh?" Johnny spoke, raising an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

"I mean, just a little over a hundred years ago, it suddenly became taboo?! Why? What for? Before the 1900s, when the first incest laws went into place, it was a complete and normal thing to do. Nobility has done it for countless centuries. Not counting those families so far removed, say out in the plains when the first settlers started to make their homesteads. Do you think there was an abundance of wives or husbands? I don't. Not when, at the time, say traveling twenty miles took the better part of a day by horse. So I don't think a whole lot of dating was happening as we know it today. While I might not ever experience it. At least not right now, being with a man like that makes my..."

"I understand," Johnny said, nodding in support when he saw her shiver.

"Can I ask, how long have you and Janus been going out?"

"A few months. Known her since I was ten, although I can't remember anything that early without landing up in here," Johnny stated, gesturing to his surroundings.

"Why? I'm not trying to be nosy, just curious," Yasmine quickly said when John gave her that look.

"The damage in my brain is blocking my access to that part of my long-term memory, or that's what my doctor says. Anything after that, I have no problem remembering," Johnny said; a look of sadness filled his eyes as he dropped his chin. "Can you do something for me?"

"Sure, Johnny, what is it?"

"Can you put on the Counting Crows 'A Long December' for me?" Johnny asked, as his eyes glistened as he peered at her.

"Okay," Yasmine said, drawing out the word. She had no idea why he wanted to hear that song. Yet, she could see something was happening in his mind.

As the intro of the song filled the room, John turned his head, peering out the window. Seeing Julia's image playing along the glass. The way she would smile at him. To how she would look at him. Not as some freak or some weird thing that was meant to be hidden away. No. That was never in her eyes whenever they were together. Even in that Hell, that nightmare that would never end, even now, after all these years, he was still there in his mind; she was the only light that kept him rooted. The image of the courtyard soon found its way onto its surface. He could still see that smiling face of hers. "Johnny..."

"Don't... don't touch me right now, please," Johnny said when Yasmine started to reach towards him, as his hot tears fell onto his lap. How he hated himself. How weak he felt. How pathetic he was for allowing it all to happen. Although, in truth, John could never have stopped it. That didn't mean he wouldn't hate himself because he wasn't strong enough.

"Johnny, why would you want me to play a song that you know would make you upset?" Yasmine asked, drying his eyes for him; when he nodded, it would be okay, given how he couldn't at the moment.

"I lost someone in that Hell. Someone that meant a great deal to me," Johnny whispered, tugging hard on his shackles to vent his anger, his sadness, his grief onto. Causing Yasmine to jump back in startlement.

"Would it happen to be this Julia you spoke of yesterday?" Yasmine inquired, seeing John nod.

"I didn't mean to frighten you. I just hate myself. Hate those men for what they did to us. What that so-called doctor did, and all the misery and pain he inflicted upon us."

"Why would you hate yourself?" Yasmine asked, trying to understand.

"Because I loved her, and I was powerless to stop it," Johnny said, hanging his head in shame.

"Johnny, you know it isn't..."

"I know, but that doesn't change how I feel," Johnny uttered, cutting her off.

"I'd like to know more about her if you'd mind sharing Julia with me," Yasmine said, retaking her seat. Flipping her pad to a clean page sketching out what Julia appeared to him as, as John detailed their time together. Then the room grew somber as they reached the day Julia killed herself.

"I don't blame her for taking her own life," Johnny said sadly after describing how he had found her in the courtyard. "If I could have, I probably would have joined her, but they..."

"You don't mean that do you, Johnny?" Bill cut in, making his and Ruth's presence known. He didn't want to eavesdrop, yet he didn't want to interrupt his brother either when he was finally talking to someone about his pain. He knew that was the only way to truly heal from it.

"Yeah, I would have," Johnny stated coldly. "Been listening long, I take it?" Eyeing his brother as they neared.

"Please, Johnny, we didn't mean to, yet we didn't want to interrupt either," Ruth said, trying to placate his temper.

"Uh-huh," Johnny mumbled as his icy exterior grew.

"Johnny?"

"Yeah?" Turning his head to look at Yasmine.

"Would you like to see what I've drawn while I've been here?" Yasmine asked, trying to break the tension she had felt forming.

"Sure." Noticing how she had purposely blocked his view of his brother as she handed him her sketch pad.

His jaw muscles clenched as he opened it. Seeing the front entrance of Raven Dale staring up at him. Knowing she must have looked it up given the detail of the drawing. If he could, he would have torn it off and wiped his ass with it. However, he couldn't do that. Nevertheless, a cruel, sadistic smile formed on his lips when he noted how she depicted the staff of that vile place on the next page. Then his head snapped up, his eyes bored into her as his own image peered up at him. "Me?! Why?"

"I have an idea, but it will have to wait till later when we can speak alone," Yasmine stated, seeing that hard look in his eyes.

"We can give you two some privacy if you two still need to talk," Bill said from behind Yasmine. Hating that he was the one that caused his brother's mood to shift. Wondering when they would ever get back to like it once was.

"If you don't mind, I promise it won't be long," Yasmine uttered when she turned to look at Bill and her sister.

"No problem, sis, I'm glad you're opening up to someone," Ruth said, smiling at her, lightly placing her hand on Bill's left arm. Giving him that silent signal to let them have the room for a few more moments.

"Explain, and it better be good," Johnny spoke once the door to his hospital room closed, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

"I was thinking, if you'd let me, I'd like to tell yours and Julia's story," Yasmine said, retaking her seat.

"Why?"

"Because people need to know that this happened, that this vile act happened here, in the States, that if it can happen here, then it can happen anywhere?!"

"But why us? There're other patients that were in there with us. Why exactly the two of us?" Johnny asked, feeling his heart racing. Unsure if he could put his dark history out there for all to see.

"Because yours and her story needs to be told. So that maybe it will help to put her memory to rest and bring those that profited and/or partook in those evil acts sees what a prison cell looks like. Of course, I wouldn't use yours or her names; I'll just put a disclaimer on it stating that it's based on a true story and that names have been changed to protect the innocent."

Johnny eyed her, unsure what she was suggesting could actually be done. Could her graphic novel actually bring awareness to the horrors that happened at Raven Dale? Would anyone truly believe it? If they did, what could possibly come out of it? These questions John rightly didn't have an answer to. Yet, she was right. Julia's story, not for his sake, so that people would know she was a human being. That she existed! That she was someone's daughter, that there were those that loved and still loved her. That had suffered the most horrendous of horrors that anyone could possibly imagine.

"But to do so, I'll need to know everything, I mean everything that went on there," Yasmine said, seeing how his mind was deep in thought.

"You sure you can handle it? You couldn't handle me describing what a month of their rapes was like. Can you truly handle the true horror that went on there?" Johnny asked with a very pointed look.

"Hey, I'm not saying I won't puke my guts out. But if you work with me, then I'm going to see this through to the end," Yasmine said, her eyes were set in determination.

"You promise me that if I do this, that there won't be any sugar coating on your part. If the world is going to hear, or read in this case, about what truly happened at Raven Dale. Then I need to know, I need your absolute assurances that our tale will be told as I remember it," Johnny stated, setting his foot down, metaphorically speaking.

"That's the great thing about being a self-published artist like myself. I can do whatever I want within reason, depending on who picks up the artwork. But... if we label it as graphic horror, then I doubt we'd run into too much trouble given what the content will be about. So... what do you say?"

"Personally, I'd tell you to go fuck yourself. But..." Blowing out a breath, "this isn't about me; this is about us. You promise me that mine and Julia's names will not appear anywhere in that comic?"

"You have my word," Yasmine nodded sternly. She wasn't about to break it either.

"When do you want to do this?" Johnny asked, looking right at her.

"No time like the present," Yasmine said, trying to put a light spin on what would be a very gloomy atmosphere.

"Then you might want to call Bill back in here," Johnny said, knowing it was going to take him to a very, very dark place. A place he might not be able to come out of on his own. The motor of the bed hummed as he raised the head portion to a comfortable position. If he was going to recount what had happened, he didn't want to be disturbed by muscle strain sitting up for that long. His eyes followed his brother and Ruth as they walked back into the room. "Sit, and listen, that's all you have to do," Johnny cut off his brother as Bill started to speak.

"I can do that, Johnny," Bill said with a nod. Arching an eyebrow when Yasmine pulled out her phone and pointed it at John.

"Are you recording?" Johnny asked, peering at Yasmine's phone.

"Mmmhmm," Yasmine hummed, "whenever you're ready."

"My name is Johnathan Evan Masters; what you are about to hear is the true account of my two years while I was institutionalized in Raven Dale sanitarium," he said, speaking his full given name for the first time in five years. Noting how his brother's brow was raised when he uttered those words. "Let me tell you about what truly happened behind those closed doors that people seem to willfully ignore."

"What's going on in here?" Katherine asked, noting the very pale, very sickly faces, except for John, when she arrived later in the afternoon so she could stay with John for the evening until Brandan arrived.

"Telling them a story," Johnny said darkly.

"What kind of story could it be that makes them appear to be green in the gills?" Katherine inquired as she moved towards the side of his bed.

"A true story," Johnny said in a matter-of-fact tone. "We just only covered a fraction of it. I had to stop, given." Pointing at his brother and Ruth, who appeared to be on the verge of losing their lunches. "Got to admit you hung in there," he said, peering at Yasmine.

"I have to, not saying I won't be hurling up my lunch afterward, but I had to make sure you weren't interrupted," Yasmine said, feeling how unsettled her stomach was. Also noting how John's mother was eyeing the two of them. "But I think I'm at my limit for today," she uttered, stuffing her phone into her satchel.

"Hey, you get a reprieve from it, I do not," Johnny stated in a cold tone.

"I know, I didn't mean for it to sound..."

"It's fine; I think you two should show her back to her motel room," Johnny spoke, looking over at Bill and Ruth.

"You sure?" Bill asked, uncertain of John's mood.

"I'm fine; this is nothing new to me," Johnny uttered, seeing the confusion on his mother's face.

"Johnny..." Katherine's voice stilled when John peered up at her like he was waiting for something to happen. A Dodo to land on her head, the sky to split apart and all time to cease? She rightly didn't have a clue as those green eyes gazed at her.

"Say it. I know you want to," Johnny prodded. Seeing the heat flooding his mother's cheeks.

"Oh, I think you're the one that's wanting me to call you my Li'l John," Katherine spoke, her smile lifting the corners of her lips.

"I... hmm... honestly, it sounds weird. I know not to you, but to me, it does. But I told you that you could, so I'm not going to tell you, you can't," Johnny said after a few moments.​