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“You know, Declan is going to…” I trailed off, staring at my best friend. “Come after you. He won’t stop.”
“Like I said, I can deal with him. If and when I see him again, he won’t be walking out on his own two feet.” Layne scrunched her nose.
I shook my head.
“I’m going to get ready.” I emptied the cup and got out of the bed.
I turned on the shower and closed my eyes.
If I stay, I’ll want to stay forever.
Did I want that?
Could I?
My first session was with Michael. We talked about his dead wife who visited him again last night. When the session was over, I had convinced Michael his wife didn’t want him to die, but of course, I knew the conviction would soon fade, and we would have to start all over again.
Jimmy came with Nurse Shelly.
“Hi, Doctor Sharma.”
“How are you feeling, Jimmy?”
We talked about his nightmares, about the creature in his dream.
“Big. It was big. If I go out, it will eat me.”
I explained that the creature in his nightmares was the manifestation of his fear of abusing drugs and alcohol again if he left Hollowhaven.
“You’re worried you’ll relapse again, and the worry is not something we should dismiss. We will talk about it more.”
“It… feels real.”
We talked until his session was over.
He walked out humming a song about a creature with horns that cut into your flesh when it ate you.
Shuddering, I closed the door to my office and walked toward Camille’s office.
“Hey, Diya, are you leaving now?”
“Hi. Yeah. Thanks again for agreeing to take over the group therapy. I owe you one, Camille.”
“Of course, it’s not a problem. You handled most of my sessions when Rosa was sick,” Camille said with a smile. “So, is this the first time your friend is here?”
“Yes.” I smiled. “How’s Rosa?”
“She’s great, thanks. Have fun.”
“Thank you. Bye, Camille.”
When I walked out, I saw Asher in the yard, pulling out weeds along with Oswald and Jimmy. He stood up when he saw me.
Pushing his hands into his pockets, he stalked toward me, his beautiful eyes glowing in the sunlight.
“Going out?”
I nodded. He sighed.
