Page 16 of The Tourist

A large, flowering cactus captures our attention, and we stop to look. Its bright red blossoms are a stark contrast to its prickly exterior. I reach out to touch one of the flowers, and I’m amazed at the softness of the petals.

"Do you think Serena is okay?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Diego takes a deep breath. "I don’t know. But I do know we’ll never stop looking for her. She’s out there, somewhere, and we’ll find her."

The determination in his voice gives me a delicate but growing ember of hope in my heart. "I need to know she’s safe, Diego. I need to see her."

"You will," Diego assures me. "But until then, you have a place here. You won’t want for anything. I promise."

The garden path winds back toward the house, and we continue to follow it in silence. As we walk, I commit all the varied scents and sights to memory. I promise myself I will do that for everything I experience in the future because I know life is fragile.

I glance at Diego as we step back into the cool interior of the house. He’s given me a sanctuary, a place to heal and find my strength, and I will always be grateful to him for that. I feel a sense of calm wash over me. I haven’t known this feeling of peace in years, even before my abduction.

Diego leads me to his cozy living room and helps me to sit on the sofa. He hands me a glass of water and I take a sip, the cool liquid soothing my throat.

"I want you to be honest with me. How are you feeling?" Diego asks, his voice gentle but probing.

"I’m... managing," I reply truthfully. "It’s difficult, but this place helps. It’s quiet, and I feel like I can breathe here."

"That’s good," Diego says, nodding. "It’s important to have a safe space. I want to make sure you’re getting everything you need."

"You’re doing great. I don’t know how I’d cope without you," I say, feeling a warmth spread through me. "But I think... I think I need more help. Maybe counseling, like you suggested. It will be challenging to talk about what happened, but I know I need to."

Diego’s face fills with a mix of relief and determination. "I’ll arrange it. Anything you need. You just say the word, and I’ll make it happen."

"Thank you," I whisper, overwhelmed by his kindness. "For everything."

"There’s no need to thank me," he replies, his voice soft but firm. "I’m here for you.”

I can sense the guilt he feels in his words. I don’t blame him for what happened to me, though. Richard Armstrong was the cause. It was the result of one evil man’s quest for power.

"Do you think it’s possible to ever truly heal from something like this?" I ask, voicing a fear that’s been gnawing at me.

Diego has been standing in front of me, but now he sits down beside me on the sofa.

"I think healing is possible, but it will take time. It’s okay to have scars. They’re a part of who we are, but they don’t have to define us."

His words resonate deeply, and I feel a sense of acceptance wash over me. "Thank you. For believing in me."

"I always will," he replies, his voice steady. “You’re stronger than you know. And you’re not alone. Not anymore."

I place my hand over my mouth to stifle a yawn as tiredness hits me.

"Why don’t you lie down on the sofa and get some rest,” Diego suggests. “That walk is the most exercise you’ve done since you arrived here. While you take a nap, I’ll sort us some lunch. And if you need anything, I’ll be just in the kitchen.”

"That’s a good idea. My legs are aching," I reply, feeling a sense of peace wash over me as I lie down. Diego retrieves a blanket, and placing it over me, he tucks me in.

As I lie there, my eyes feeling heavy, I reflect on everything—the walk in the garden, the conversation with Diego, and the support I’ve had from him. It all feels like a step in the right direction.

The nightmares are still lingering, but they’re less intense and less consuming. And with each passing day, I feel a little stronger and more optimistic. The journey ahead is long, and the road to healing is filled with challenges, but I know I’m not alone.

In captivity, I believed my life was over and I wished for death. Now all that has changed, and where there was despair, there’s a glimmer of hope. I’ll take it one step at a time, finding strength from these moments of tranquility and the promise of a brighter future that, for the last six months, I never thought I would have.

CHAPTER10

Diego

Sitting in the corner of my living room, I watch as Chloe talks to the best counselor in Las Vegas. Dr. Lydia Allen is a psychologist we’ve used before to support the girls we’ve rescued. Helping victims of trafficking to work through the trauma they’ve experienced is her specialty. I don’t know how she does it.

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