INSTITUTION OF THE ILL AND FORGOTTEN

CHAPTER SIX

Skyar's picture^^^

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(Skylar's POV)

A month had passed since I arrived at the institution, and they slowly adjusted everything to help me fit in. After the first week, I started to help with the chores, and they continued to monitor my eating habits, gradually acclimating my stomach to more food. In the past month, Leo had many one-on-one sessions with me.

(Flashback)

(First session)---

"Hey Skylar, do you know why I called you here today?" Leo asked.

"No, I don't. Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, I won't do it again. Please don't hurt me, I am sorry," I replied, trying to hold back my tears.

"No, no, you did nothing wrong," Leo reassured me. "You're here because it's a mandatory requirement by the state government that everyone in the home attends therapy."

"Okay, there's nothing to talk about. I don't need therapy. I'm not crazy. I don't need therapy. I'm fine. I don't need it," I stated bravely, for once in my life.

"Well, Skylar, we both know that's not true. From what I've seen so far, I can diagnose you with severe anxiety, anorexia, and depression."

Skylar's denial rang out in the room. "No, I don't have any of those things. I'm perfectly fine. I don't need therapy," I stated firmly.

"Skylar, you freak out at the slightest of things. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, especially after everything you've been through," Leo countered gently. "You don't eat, and when you do, you vomit it right after."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. How did he know? Nobody knew about that. "How did you..." I tried asking but struggled to get the words out, so I just looked at him with wide-open eyes.

"Tyler heard you once after we had dinner. He went to check on you," Leo explained calmly. I remained silent, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Also, have you forgotten why you're here, Skylar? You tried to kill yourself, and that is a sign of depression and suicidal tendencies," Leo continued, his voice filled with concern.

"Skylar, I'm not saying these things to hurt you. I'm just reminding you that to leave here, I have to clear you and make sure you're not a danger to yourself and others," Leo said, his eyes full of concern and hurt. "I'm just trying to help you, and I can't do that if you keep pushing me away."

"We can't help you if you don't let us. I can't force you to talk to me if you don't want to, but remember, we have one or two sessions a week, depending on how I see fit. We can spend this time sitting in silence, or you can talk to me so that I can help you," Leo pleaded, his eyes silently urging me to open up.

The conversation overwhelmed me so much that I heard Rony's voice in my head, urging me to let him take over. "Let me take over, Sky. Everything is going to be alright," he kept repeating. I resisted, shouting back, "No, you can't. They can't know. No!"

But Rony was much stronger than me, and he was going to take over soon. Leo's voice calling my name filled with concern reached my ears, but the voices in my head were too much to bear. I ran out of the room as fast as my legs could carry me, ignoring Leo's calls.

"Come on, Sky. Everything will be better if you just let me take over. Just rest, and everything will be alright. You'll see," Rony kept talking, trying to persuade me as I struggled to shut him out.