While Helena was being molested on the dance floor, Carmen took her break and made her way over to Alice’s table.

“Where’s Helena?” she asked. 

Alice simply pointed out to the dance floor where the two women were putting on quite the show, grinding against each other and exploring the other’s body with their hands.  Alice relayed the story of Helena’s kidnapping.

“Well, I guess it’s bound to happen,” Carmen said.  “Helena’s a stunning woman.”

“She is that,” Alice concurred.  After a few moments of watching their friend, Alice turned to Carmen and broached the subject they were both dreading.

“Carmen, I just wanted to say how sorry I am about what happened.  By no means do I approve of what Shane did.  And if I ever see her again, you can believe she’s gonna get an earful from me.”

Carmen was surprised at what Alice just told her.  “Wait, you haven’t seen her?”

“No!  No one has.  She just…I don’t know.  Disappeared!”

Carmen was quiet for a moment, contemplating this revelation.  Despite herself, she felt worried about Shane.   As quickly as the sentiment came, it soon left when she remembered how she’d been betrayed. 

“Thanks for that.  But I know that you’ve all been close friends for a long time and I don’t expect any shift in loyalties,” she said with a slight bitterness in her tone.

“Yes.  We’ve been friends for a long time.  But that doesn’t change the way we all feel about you.  And it doesn’t change the fact that what Shane did was wrong.  We’re all here for you if you need us.”

Carmen hesitated.  She was still skeptical of Alice’s, and the rest of the group’s, intentions.  “I don’t know.  I just feel so weird talking about this with any of you.   I don’t want to say anything that would make you feel uncomfortable or put you in an awkward position,” she stated sincerely.

“But what about Helena?  Clearly you don’t have a problem talking to her.  I mean, you even asked her to move in with you!”

“It’s different with Helena,” Carmen said as she caught a glimpse of her friend on the dance floor.  “For one, she’s kinda going through the same thing I am.  And, well…”