Kaldur's Pain

The Interview

Two more months go by and both Kaldur, Team, and the League have found nothing. Kaldur would have a small time period of remembrance but he wouldn't tell anyone about them. He would write them in a personal journal that he kept locked away in his temporary room. With weeks of therapy, he slowly regains his balance, but he had to use a cane. An Atlantean came to the Watchtower every once or twice a week to treat Kaldur's gills. It was still painful to touch them since the healer had to cut away the infection and use a gel which burned away the remaining infection. There was still one more problem; his diet. It was still a struggle to get him to eat meals when it was made from another person. On the rare occasion when he did eat, it was only when he made it by himself. No one was allowed in the kitchen with him while he was cooking. The fear of being poisoned again was too great. He couldn't even turn away from his plate for even one second without picking mentally.

The League, Team, and family, of course, gave him time and space that he needed. He has been through a trauma and they understood that he was still trying to process what happened. But in all honestly, they were starting to worry about him.Things only became worse when Lois Lane began to pressure Superman into trying to get an interview with Kaldur. This brings us to the present, the League along with Shalina having a meeting discussing what to do about the situation.

"I am merely saying Arthur that this should be Kaldur's decision," Superman explained while he trying to calm his nerves.

"I do not want him to do this. He has been through enough already," Arthur argued, keeping his voice firm.

"He is still living through this every day. Maybe talking about this will help," Canary added.

"I have a question, why are we giving our opinion about this? This decision should be Kaldur and his alone," Flash said. "Does he even know about this?" He asked.

"Agreed. Kaldur is old enough to make this decision for himself," Batman added.

"This is Kaldur's story, his life, Arthur. Let him tell it,"

"He is not mentally stable for this."

"Should I not have a say in this matter?" Kaldur voice asked from behind the corner before stepping into the room.

"Kaldur please go back to...." Arthur began to order but was cut off.

"No. I wish to do the interview,"

"Please Kaldur reconsider,"

"No. This is my life, my reality, I want to do this. I will do this without your approval, my king. I am sorry , but I have made my decision. You can not change my mind,"

Arthur sat in shock at his words. He ran his fingers through his blond hair and let out a tired sigh before speaking.

"Unë vetëm dua të mbrojtur ju." (I only want to protect you, my son.)

"Unë dua për të mbrojtur veten" (I want to protect myself.)

"Në qoftë se unë mund të Folësi-" (If I may speak) Shalina said while standing.

They both stopped arguing and looked at Shalina, nodding gently.

"Unë vetëm dua biri im për të shëruar. Dhe në qoftë se ky është një hap drejt shërimit pas Kaldur'ahm, të marrë atë hap. Unë do t'ju mbështesë pa marrë parasysh çfarë." (I only want my son to heal. And if this is a step toward healing then Kaldur'ahm, take that step. I will support you no matter what.)

They embraced each other tightly, Shalina rubbing his back. They separated and she kissed his temple softly.

"Be brave my son."