Page 266 of Scarbound

A pause.

“I know some of it.”

“Who told you?”

“Duri told me enough to help him get you somewhere safer.”

Noeul’s fingers tightened around the phone. “He said rape?”

Dr. Kim didn’t avoid the word. “Yes.”

Noeul’s stomach turned. He remained silent.

“You don’t have to talk about it.”

“I know.”

The answer came quickly. Noeul opened his eyes. Dr. Kim waited. After a while, Noeul whispered, “I don’t remember all of it.”

“That can happen after severe trauma, particularly when there has also been a head injury.”

“What if I never remember?”

“We don’t need to answer that today.”

Noeul looked toward the window. “Everyone keeps saying that.”

“Saying what?”

“Not today.”

Dr. Kim was quiet. “Does that bother you?”

“No.”

He thought about it.

“Maybe.”

Another pause.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with tomorrow either.”

Dr. Kim didn’t rush to reassure him. “What does tomorrow feel like?”

Noeul frowned. “Too close.”

“Then don’t think about tomorrow.”

“What should I think about?”

“The next hour.”

Noeul stared at the snow beyond the glass. “What if that’s too much?”

“Then ten minutes.”

Noeul’s mouth tightened. “And if that’s too much?”