Hope Shepherd

Therapy

POV Hope: I made sure I had sight of Amelia while I was doing school in case anything were to happen again. I tried focusing on my math though my brain felt like it was underwater, the lesson was on matrices. Amelia tapped my shoulder "C'mon time to go see Dr. Thompson. I'll walk you there." I packed up my bag, "yay shrink time," I said sarcastically. Amelia gave me a disapproving glare. We headed over to the office. We reached the door of the office and I stood awkwardly. Amelia knocked on the door and a young dark haired lady came out. "Hello Dr. Shepherd. And you must be Hope, I'm Doctor Thompson but you can call me Lilly," she said reaching her hand out. I shook it and I glanced back at Amelia. She gave the go on look so I went inside the office. "This session will last about an hour," Lilly said to Amelia. "Alright. Bye Hope," she said leaving. "bye," I said back. I felt a little insecure without her next to me. I pressed my lips together in an attempt to keep the nerves at bay. I didn't want to relive my trauma, but since I was here I guess I'd have to.

"Ok Hope have a seat," Lilly said pointing to the couch. She also handed me a blanket and laid out on the table there were a variety of trinkets. Silly putty, plush octopus, Rubik's cube, rubber snake, stress ball, perplexus and more. "Feel free to play with any of those," she mentioned watching me. She was holding a clipboard and pen that probably described what happened to me. "We don't have to talk deeply about what happened just yet, for today we'll just get to know each other and cover some basics," she explained. I just nodded staring at the ground. "Who do you live with?" she asked. "Owen and Amelia," I whispered. My mind was spinning over the millions of ways she could possibly interpret my answers. Maybe she'll think because I said their first names I don't have a close relationship. Or she'll think I don't like them, or that they.. "So tell me what your relationship is like with them," she interrupted my thoughts. "They're like my mom and dad, but also sometimes an older sibling," I described. "How would they be like a sibling?" she pushed. I didn't really want to keep talking so I gave a short answer, "because I tell them stuff." "You share with them more than you would to a typical parent?" she questioned. I nodded. I could tell she was studying me so I sat still in a somewhat relaxed position. 

She stared hard  at me, "Alright I know you're holding back and you're doing it on purpose." I pressed my lips together. She handed me the perplexus and I moved the little marble to its starting point. I focused my energy on that trying not to think while she asked me questions. "What about school? What do you like?" she tried. "I'm homeschooled, my favorite subjects are math and science, and I don't like Spanish," I gave the typical answer. She continued on about what I did during the day, what I liked to do, and if I went outside. I let out a breath of frustration when the marble fell out of its track and I started over. "Your very focused on that," Lilly pointed out. "Anytime I do something like this I have to finish it," I gave a slight smile. She then asked me about my favorite books and movies, and I allowed myself to relax a little, but then I heard a song coming from outside the office...

Flashback:

I was in a dark car right after he had taken me. The music was playing so loud and I was tied up laying sideways on the ground. He saw me waking up and gave me a deep glare. I immediately shut my eyes curling up into a ball. That's when he pulled over. I got a glance outside and it was the middle of no where. He came into the back where I was and hauled me onto the seat. He had left me only in my underwear and I was shivering. "We're gonna have a lot of fun with you," he whispered. He took a giant needle from his pocket and stuck it in me.

"Hope?" Lilly asked. She looked concerned. "Hm?" I replied trying to get my bearings. "You were out of it for a little. What happened?" she questioned. "Flashback," I mumbled. "About what?" "The kidnapping," I stated. I rocked my feet. I hadn't even remembered that until now. Lilly looked deep in thought. "Ok, I think we're done for today. Here's what I want you to do," she handed me a notebook. "Can you try and record your flashbacks, from when they happen , the trigger, and what you remember for me?" she asked. "Amelia and Owen don't need to know that you have it and you won't have to share it with anyone but me," she explained. "Yeah okay," I replied putting it in my bag. We said goodbye and I walked out to see Amelia waiting for me. "How'd it go?" she asked. "Fine I guess." "Wanna talk about it?" "Nope," I said firmly. "That's alright," she smiled.

That Night...
POV Amelia:
Owen and I were getting ready for bed when we heard some deep breathing and whimpering. I looked over at the clock seeing it was 11pm. I opened Hope's door gently to find her tear stained face looking up. "Hey honey, are you okay?" I asked. I got into her bed and wrapped my arms around her. She turned her face into my shoulder, "Amelia... mommy," she cried. "What is it?" I asked. She looked so upset. Therapy probably brought up some undealt with feelings. She started shaking. "Hope... please calm down and tell me what's wrong," I pressed. I waited for a few minutes until her breathing slowed. I rubbed her back, holding her close. "I remembered something earlier... there was a song.. in that car," she tried to say. "The car that he had you in?" I asked. "Yeah," she whispered. "What song is it?" I wondered. "I don't know but I never want to hear it again," she said sadly. "Tell me if you know, I'll block it," I replied. I laid in bed with her waiting for her to fall asleep. Then I left to head back to my own room. 

It was 1am and we had gotten Hope back to sleep a couple hours ago. I explained to Owen what had happened and we talked. "You're a good mom," he assured me. We thought about how far we've come. Owen leaned over and kissed me. It turned into an intense make out. "What was that for?" I asked breathlessly. "I've just missed you so much, it's been awhile," he said winking.