K I D N A P P E D - P H A N A U

Chapter Twelve

Dan was nervous, to say the least.

He didn't know if he was ever going to see Phil again. He didn't know where Marie was going to take him. He didn't know who the doctors were, and what they were going to do, and what they were going to test him on.

"It's okay, Dan. They won't hurt you," Marie said gently, a reassuring smile on her face. Dan just nodded, not entirely believing her. "They're going to ask you some questions, and you have to answer them truthfully. And if you do, you'll be out of here before you know it." She smiled wider at him, and he gave her a small smile in return. He was still panicking.

They soon came to a black door. Marie knocked gently. Dan stared at it in fear.

A deep, masculine voice came through the door. "Come in," it said. Marie slowly opened the door.

The interior of the room was dark. Probably because the light hadn't been turned on.

"How do you sit in this darkness, Jerry? I'm turning on the light," Marie sighed and walked to the other end of the room, flicking the light switch so the room illuminated. Dan flinched slightly. The man behind the mahogany desk noticed this.

"Ah, Dan. Welcome. Don't be nervous. Please, take a seat," he said, gesturing to the comfortable-looking seat in front of his desk. Dan nodded, and sat in the chair, putting his hands in his lap nervously. "My name is Doctor Adams. I'm just going to ask you a few questions. All that you need to do is answer them truthfully, all right?" His voice was gentle, which Dan was only used to from Phil and Marie. It took him off guard. He nodded.

"Okay, question one. Your therapist said you heard voices. Do you still hear them?"

Dan shook his head.

"You also did not talk for a long time. Your therapist said you now can. Is this true?"

Dan nodded. "Y-yes, sir," he said as calmly as possible. Doctor Adams looked up from his notes with a smile.

"That's amazing," he said quietly. "Anyway, next question. Do you still have nightmares?"

"Yes, but they aren't as bad as they used to be," Dan said with newly found confidence. Doctor Adams' smile grew.

"That's good. You're able to realize that they are in fact nightmares?"

Dan nodded.

"Any more panic attacks?"

"Not often."

"Suicidal thoughts?"

"Nope."

Doctor Adams had a large smile on his face. "That's all of the questions." He stood. Dan did the same. "Congratulations," was all he said as he left the room. Dan followed in confusion.

As soon as Dan saw Phil's nervous face as he paced the front office, his nerves resurfaced. Doctor Adams walked up to Phil, the smile still on his face. Dan followed.

"He passed," was all Doctor Adams said, but it was all Phil needed. His face flooded with relief, and then he swelled with pride.

"Thank you," he said, nodding.

Phil then turned to Dan, a large grin on both of their faces. He ran up to him and enveloped him in a hug. Dan wrapped his arms tightly around Phil, who lifted him from the ground with ease. He held Dan bridal style and walked to Marie's desk.

"Listen, is it okay if I go home early?" Phil asked. Marie gave him a smirk and nodded. Phil grinned at her. He walked into his office to grab his stuff, setting Dan down in the chair. "I'm so proud of you," he murmured, kissing his forehead. He grabbed his backpack and began throwing papers into it. Meanwhile, Dan was lost in his thoughts.

They weren't bad thoughts necessarily. They were scared thoughts. He was scared of what would happen now that he was living with Phil. He was scared of being alone in Phil's house. He was scared of the kidnappers, who were literally across the street.

He was scared.

"Hey, Dan, what's wrong?" Phil said in concern as he noticed that the boy was shaking.

"I-I'm scared," Dan admitted, looking up at Phil with a worried expression.

Phil sighed and gave him a gentle smile. "I know. But we'll be okay. I promise," he said, ruffling Dan's hair playfully. Dan nodded, giving Phil a small smile. Phil grabbed his backpack and took Dan's hand.

"Let's go home."