Volume 7 - CH 16

Chapter 16 – The First Step

As this time Eto and his group formally gathered the kidnapped victims, they also asked Lurie, who had been supporting the church’s self-help group activities, to participate in the gathering. The clerk who was wary of Eto when they met for the first time also followed her. Although Lurie indeed said he was overprotective of her, Eto thought it seemed to be true after seeing the clerk also come with her this time.

“Thank you for coming today, Lurie-san.”

“Hello, Eto-san. To think you got the consent of the lord this quickly, what did you do?”

“Well, it seems he was sympathetic to me when I talked about painful stories of the past.”

“I see. That means you wanted to save people in similar circumstances, right?”

“Uh… well, that’s right.”

When Eto suspected that Lurie could really read people’s minds, a serious expression suddenly appeared on her face.

“I think there are some victims who are enduring by themselves even though the memory of the incident still lingers in their minds. It would be best if the symptoms do not worsen as it is, but if they showed even a bit of anxiety, I think we should have them participate in the treatment and self-help group as soon as possible. We must not overlook anyone who is still in pain and suffering. Although I am originally only planning to visit today, may I participate in greeting them?”

“Of course, by all means.”

After that, Lurie, Pastor Teilhard, and Salina’s officers kindly asked the participants to talk honestly about their pain and suffering.

One of the girls that Lurie enthusiastically approached was a girl named Shuri. Apparently, Shuri came from a remote village and came to Veil to get a job appraisal at the church. It seems since Eto was recognized as the Sage, the number of parents that made their children undergo job appraisal in the remote villages has increased. And Shuri was kidnapped in Veil when she was separated from the people from her village.

Shuri was very thin. She was just sitting on a chair at the corner of the venue while looking down in low spirits. Sitting right next to her is Natalie, who is also the victim of the kidnapping. She was the woman who collapsed in the middle of the city and was brought to building no.5. Nowadays, the symptoms where her emotion suddenly rises are almost gone, and she is now also listening to the consultation of other victims.

“I see, so Natalie-san also has some after-effects remaining.”

Lurie said with a sorrowful expression.

“You see, I was kidnapped when I was about your age.”

As Lurie said that, Natalie looked surprised and Shuri raised her face, bringing her eyes to look straight at Lurie.

“Even now, I still remember many times when I was kidnapped and trapped in a dark room. Even though I want to forget that memory, I can’t get it out of my mind.”

“Ee, I understand that very well.”

Natalie nodded deeply.

“Then, why–”

Shuri swallowed the words she wanted to say.

“What’s wrong, Shuri-chan?”

Knowing that Shuri might be hesitant, Lurie said with a gentle smile.

“How…how did Lurie-san become fine with it? I…I can’t forget that memory no matter what I do…”

Shuri once again cast her eyes downward and grasped her hand tightly, as tears dripped on her hands.

Lurie immediately got up from the chair and crouched down in front of Shuri and firmly held her hands that were wet with tears.

“Shuri-chan, I could never overcome the past by myself. The pastors and those who suffered similar injuries as me helped me take the first step. That is why Shuri-chan too can ask for help whenever you’re in pain.”

Tears flowing endlessly from Shuri’s eyes. As Lurie gently hugged her, Shuri’s cry grew louder, as if the emotions that she had suppressed until now gradually emerged from her heart.

“Lurie-san, why don’t you talk in a separate room until Shuri calms down?”

Putting her hands on Shuri’s shoulders, Natalie said.

“Ee, that sounds good as there are a lot of people here. Shuri-chan, let’s talk more together.”

“… yes.”

Lurie asked Eto for confirmation before leaving the room with Shuri and Natalie.

“I hope today can be the first step for Shuri-san…”

Salina said to Eto.

“Yeah, you are right.”

The victims of kidnapping who still have some symptoms will have to walk a long way to recover. And that journey likely will be mentally distressing for many. With that in mind, Eto renewed his determination and thought that he had to urgently build a solid framework in order to help the victims.