Abandoned

43

The idea wasn't introduced all at once.

That would have been too much, for Sienna, for Zareya, for everyone who had learned the hard way that progress only counted if it didn't shatter trust along the way.

Instead, it arrived gently, in pieces, in careful language and cautious hope.

It began during one of the weekly multidisciplinary meetings, the kind Zareya had grown used to sitting through with Sienna tucked against her side, elephant in her lap, binder never far away.

Laila was the first to say it out loud.

"We've been observing how Sienna regulates when she's exposed to new environments inside the hospital," she said, flipping through her notes. "Corridors, therapy rooms, the family kitchen. She still becomes overwhelmed, but she recovers faster. And she always seeks Zareya for grounding."

Zareya felt Sienna shift against her, fingers tightening briefly in her jumper as if sensing the weight of the conversation.

Dr. Harrison nodded. "Which suggests she's beginning to use co-regulation more effectively. She's not dissociating the way she used to."

Charlotte added carefully, "She's also using her communication binder more intentionally under stress. That's significant."

Zareya listened, heart thudding. She'd learned not to jump ahead, not to hope too fast.

Laila folded her hands. "We're wondering if it might be time to start discussing the idea of short, controlled exposure outside the hospital."

Zareya's breath caught.

"Not now," Laila clarified immediately. "And not suddenly. This would be a slow build, a lot of preparation. Only if Sienna shows us she's ready."

Zareya looked down at Sienna. "What does that look like?" she asked quietly.

—————

They didn't take Sienna outside that day.

Or the next.

Instead, they started by talking about outside.

Picture cards appeared in Sienna's binder, trees, a car, grass, sky. They were introduced without expectation, just placed gently among familiar symbols.

Zareya noticed the first time Sienna paused on the picture of a duck.

Her finger hovered. Then tapped it once.

"Duck," Zareya said softly, surprised. "You remember the ducks from the window, huh?"

Sienna didn't smile, but she didn't turn away either.

That was counted as a win.

They practiced sitting near the hospital entrance, far enough away that the doors were only a suggestion, automatic glass sliding open and closed with soft mechanical sighs.

The first time, Sienna lasted less than a minute before burying her face in Zareya's chest, whimpering sharply.

Zareya held her, didn't push.

The second time, Sienna stayed long enough to peek.

The third time, she reached for her binder and slapped All done with more force than necessary.

Zareya smiled gently. "Okay. All done. Thank you for telling me."

Control mattered.

Choice mattered.

—————

They moved on to the family room windows, the ones that opened just enough to let in the sounds of traffic and birdsong.