The Last Victim Chapter 24

Roderigo led Dr.Weldon inside the house and said ''He hasn't eaten anything or said anything since yesterday, he hasn't slept for more than 48 hours, he has this confused look on his face and he is absolutely lost.''
They both went upstairs to Niko's room. Roderigo entered the room and said to Rouvas ''He's here.''
''Niko, Dr.Weldon is here and he wants to see you.'' Rouvas said softly.
Niko didn't answer. He looked like a wax statue staying still expressionless and blank.
Rouvas held his hand and begged ''Niko please say something!''
Still no response.
Rouvas sighed, stood up and said ''Let him in.''
The voices around Niko kept echoing in his ears. Voices kept echoing in Niko's ears but he was not able to respond. He just felt numb and exhausted to say or do anything. ''Why can't they just leave me alone?'' he thought. He was like a rag doll, just falls wherever the specters around him put him. He felt himself being laid. He saw the spectre of Dr.Weldon above him. He saw the spectre of his father standing in the corner of the room consumed with worry. He felt his shirt being pulled up, he felt the cold stethoscope going through his chest, he felt Dr.Weldon's big hands pressing against his stomach and then he felt a needle prick in his arm. Their voices sounded like a tape being played backwards, the specters in front of his eyes elongated till they totally disappeared as he closed his eyes and sank in a deep sleep.

''These are all the symptoms of PTSD.'' Dr.Weldon said in his controlled manner.
''Can you please run to the explanations without using abbreviations?'' Rouvas said irritable.
''Post-traumatic stress disorder is a normal emotional and psychological reaction to trauma (a painful, shocking experience such as rape, war or a natural disaster) that is outside of a person's normal life experiences. Tomorrow I will bring you a very good book that will help you deal with your son in this delicate stage.'' He paused for a second and continued exchanging his look between Rouvas and Roderigo ''Survivors recover in stages. They may start with one stage, go to another, and go back. Each person processes the event his own way. Survivors need a safe environment to work through their fears. You can help by providing the survivor with pace and time to recover. it can be a very stressful confusing situation to find yourselves in, and no doubt you are going through a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts.''
He headed to the door and said practically ''I will come again tomorrow for a follow up. He will not wake up before eight hours.'' Then he continued with a friendly smile ''And you can call me anytime if anything comes up.''
Roderigo turned to Rouvas and said ''Come on, dinner is ready.''
''No, I don't want to eat now.''
''Come one, Rouvas, you need to maintain your health and energy, you're going through difficult times.''
Few minutes later, they were sitting on the dinner table.
''Where is Maddy? I haven't seen her since I came.'' Roderigo asked.
''She left this morning and sent me sms telling me that she filed for divorce.'' Rouvas said coldly.
''Oh! She is still shocked from what happened, wait till she calms down.''
''No, I will give her what she wants. This marriage hasn't been functioning since the very beginning.'' He swallowed the peace of grilled meat and continued '' I regret that it took me all these years to figure that out.''
Roderigo didn't reply, in the back of his mind he knew that their divorce is a matter of time.
''You know Rod, you are very smart.'' Rouvas said.
''Why is that?'' Roderigo replied with a smile.
''You didn't marry.'' He laughed.
''But I really regret it. That's the biggest mistake I've ever made.'' Roderigo muttered.
''Well, it's not too late. You are still in shape and sure you can attract some older women.'' Rouvas said jokingly.
They both burst out laughing.
''You know Rouvas, I really wanted to have a son. Parenthood is bliss, you can't appreciate it unless you are deprived of it. Watching a piece of you growing in front of your very eyes. It's a miracle.'' He sighed and continued ''I envy you Rouvas.''
''It's bliss indeed, with all its pros and cons.''
''I can't imagine what are going to do when Niko decides to leave home''
''He won't.'' Rouvas answered immediately.
''What do you mean he won't?''
''I won't allow him.''
''You are talking about an adult, he will want to start his independent life.''
''He will stay and help me with the business that he will take over later.'' He paused and continued nervously ''He hasn't done it till now.''
''He will probably do it after graduating from college.'' Roderigo said with an echo of sympathy is his voice.
''No ….No, this won't happen. He's all I have, he's all what I'm living for I can't imagine this happening.''
''Ok, ok calm down. Let us change the subject.''
''Yeah, change the subject.''
''There is a pile of papers that need your signature at work.''
''I will resume work tomorrow. What about the new security measures?'
''We've hired more security guards and planted more cameras.''
''What about the agents?''
''There is a personal safety expert coming tomorrow to give a lecture about Real Estate's agents' personal safety.''
''Good.''
''Everything is ok, don't worry yourself so much.''
''When did Helen leave?''
''Helen and Niko's friends left early in the morning they said they are coming back in the evening.''
''Detective Brandon called me and said he will come in the afternoon, by the way, have you called the bodyguards?
''Yeah I've called then and they said they are coming tomorrow, but they said they want 500 pounds more per day.''
''Give them what they want.''