Ellen's condition, which was supposed to be improved in America, was still deteriorating. She sat by the pool staring into space on a warm afternoon, two days to Christmas, a week after they arrived, when Chris came to her with an annoyed expression. "You know what, fuck psychology, I've got my own form of therapy for you." He said, grabbing Ellen's hand. "Where are you taking her!?" Steph, who was in the pool asked. The adults had left for touring since this was Elena's first time in America, after Steph declined to stay with Ellen, who didn't want to go anywhere, and Chris offered to take care of the girls. "We're going somewhere for an effective therapy. I'm sick and tired of this new Ellen. She is not the same girl I met at the hospital months ago. And Dr. Jen seems not to be getting anywhere. Not that you would care anyways, you watched her get trapped by the same guy that put you in a similar situation." Chris sneered and started walking with Ellen, who wasn't even paying attention. "Chris that's not fair. I care about her, just as much as you do. Wait, I'll come with you." Steph called out to her big brother with a tearful voice, rushing to get dressed.
Their car stopped at The Shooting Gallery Range in Florida after a long drive. "Is this a firing range? How do you even know this place?" Steph asked for Ellen's attention to finally come on them. "I came here with some friends some years ago during study abroad program. We came here to vent our frustrations; med school can be stressful sometimes." Chris explained when Ellen turned to him after hearing Steph's questions. They got out of the car, headed to the reception. Chris only knew what he said to the owner to allow them in, since they were minors. He seemed to be friends with him though, because they vibed pretty smoothly. "What are we doing here Chris?" Ellen spoke for the first time, since they were left alone by their parents and the doctor. "Like I said, we vent our frustrations here. I'm fed up with your gloominess, he is not worth it Ellen, and I hope this helps you release all that is in you." Chris explained, handing her a gun. Ellen stared at the gun that had been handed over to her, with tears in her eyes. "Chris, we have not done this before, what do you expect her to do with that?" Steph asked with annoyance. "I want her to picture Henry on that target, and shoot with everything in her, till she's better. Till you feel you've killed your pain and feelings, Ellen. Some people shout out, or write down their feelings, I want you to kill yours." Chris answered with a serious face, turning to Ellen.
"Did something happen while we were gone?" Aaron asked with fascination, when they returned to find all three friends playing a board game. They had just returned about thirty minutes ago from the shooting range, looking all better. Seemed like what Ellen needed to recover was a friend like Chris, not a psychologist. Chris had taught her how to shoot after deciding to do what he suggested, and kill her feelings and pain. It shocked Stephanie, and even Chris, that Ellen picked up shooting really fast and shot on her own after a while. What they failed to notice was the fact that the girl was empowered by her heartbreak, thinking about the past few months of her life with Henry. Months she couldn't get back after everything. What pained her more was the fact that her mother still lived in denial, she wanted to hug her badly and cry to her, but the woman refused to accept it and everyone walked on eggshells around her, not mentioning the incident like it wasn't a big deal, but it was. Henry played her, he used her till he was content, and deceived her. As if that was not enough, he threw her dignity to the wind and sold her online, after buying her with Paris and stupid dates. Ellen was hurt, no, she was beyond hurt, and it felt like no one understood her. At least no one called her priceless jewel since she left school. Her friends have been calling her, but she doesn't answer. Somehow, she blamed Kelly for showing her his picture in the first place, and Esther, for sacking them out of the dorm, the day she met Henry. She blamed Clara for taking her under her wing and pairing her with Henry for that interview. She even blamed her stupid brain, for being so brilliant that she was added to the stupid team. All these led her to being with the guy, and her annoying/foolish heart had to get involved. How could she, a girl who has always been interested only in her academics, use her heart and not her brain? How could she look past all the warnings that were thrown her way? Even her parents warned her about that guy, and she allowed not just her heart, but her body to be played with, falling in love with his words and actions. Never in a million years did she think she would end up like this one day. She should have gone to an all-girls school in the first place. All these brought back tears which she thought were finished within her, and she fired straight bullets to the target's head. "Damn! I'm sure Henry has a headache wherever he is right now." Steph tried to joke, and Chris smirked. "Do you know where he is, Steph?" Ellen asked instead, pointing the gun at Steph with a deadly glare. "No! Point that thing at the target, not me, Elle!" Steph exclaimed with fear. Ellen has mental issues now, and there's no telling what she could do after firing straight shots to a target's head. She could only imagine what she'd do to Henry if their paths crossed. Steph also got a gun and fired on her own, after Chris instructed her on what to do. He was startled earlier and was ready to jump in if something went deadly wrong. Their parents would have his head if they found out he brought them here, especially if Ellen acted irrationally with the gun. They left after Ellen cried her heart out, while firing at anywhere on the target, leaving no space unshot. By the time they were leaving, she felt like at least most of her burden had been lifted. Of course, a one day shooting episode was not enough to rid her completely of her emotions, but at least, she felt better. Chris is right, Henry is not worthy of her losing her sanity. It would be difficult, it would hurt, but she was going to fight for herself, as long as nothing or no one reminded her about the ugly past, she was going to try and forget. They got to the resort, breathing a relieving sigh that their parents were not back yet. Chris suggested a board game, and for the first time since they arrived, Ellen actually decided to take part in something fun. She was not fully recovered, but this was a start. "We should have gone to that shooting range a long time ago." Steph whispered in her brother's ear. "Don't think I've forgiven you just because we're talking now. You are part of this too. You hid so much from me, when we could have avoided all this. How could you bring yourself to trust that guy again? I warned you when you befriended him again, Naa. What if he had played you again instead?" Chris fumed at his little sister and left when he saw tears in her eyes. As much as he was angry with her, he didn't like seeing her cry, but Steph deserved this for being too gullible. She knew Henry too well to fall for his tricks again. What didn't that guy do for her or say to her. Steph wiped her tears and joined them on the balcony after crying for some time.