Love me in the Shadows of Our Memories (🇬🇧)

Chapter 31 - The Music of Strength

The heart, a wise compass, guides you.

You find strength.

A spark awakens.

A melody of courage resounds.

Dance to it.

Jarin

"See you next time," Dot said, accompanying Jarin to the door.

"Yes, see you next week," he replied, bidding farewell to the beta. Then he strolled down the hallway, where his sister Cahya and Madzie were already waiting for him by the elevator. Cahya lovingly put her arm around his shoulders and asked, looking concerned, "How was it today?"

Jarin shrugged slightly with his free shoulder.

"Pretty good, I think."

He was glad his sister and Madzie were picking him up from Dot's. So he wasn't alone after the emotional session with the therapist. Normally, either Papa or Dad would pick him up, but both were busy today. Papa was assisting Grandma Tessa with a complicated operation, and Dad was on a mission outside the bunker. As far as Jarin knew, a horde of forsaken had gathered near the protective fence and needed to be driven away.

"Are you still having nightmares?" Madzie inquired.

Jarin shook his head.

"Since I've been going to Dot, they've almost completely stopped."

Cahya looked at him with concern and gently asked, "Will you ever tell us what they were about?"

Jarin wrinkled his nose thoughtfully. "I don't think so."

Disappointment flickered across Cahya's face, and Jarin felt an inner conflict. He had often thought about telling his sister about his dreams but always decided against it. He wanted to forget these nightmares as quickly as possible. The fear that it would be even harder for him if he told his sister, Papa, or Dad held him back.

"You told Dot," Cahya said.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, but only so she could help me."

The disappointment reappeared on Cahya's face.

"Maybe I'll tell you. Someday."

"Alright," his sister conceded. Jarin hugged her as an apology, and she smiled at him understandingly. It was unusual for them to have secrets from each other, but Dot had assured Jarin that it was okay. He was allowed to have secrets from his sister, even from his fathers. It was a new idea for him.

Together, they entered the elevator that would take them to the gardens. Madzie followed them silently. Over the past two months, Jarin had come to appreciate that his father had sent him to Dot, even though he had initially resisted. The last few weeks had proved that Dot was indeed helping him, and he enjoyed going to her. The nightmares were fading, and not only that: the therapist was also helping him come to terms with being an omega.

Jarin was still unsure whether he would eventually take the pills to live as a beta. But, as he had promised Papa, he was taking his time with this decision. He was trying to learn that omegas were just as valuable as everyone else in society.

"We're lucky today. The sun is shining," Madzie commented as they stepped through the door to the gardens. Jarin's mood lifted even more. He loved it when the clouds broke and he could see the clear sky. The gray of the clouds always felt oppressive and on bad days made him feel trapped even in the garden under the glass dome.

"Did you bring the blanket?" Jarin asked Madzie. The older omega grinned and pointed over her shoulder at her backpack.

"Of course. It's all packed in here."