Safe and Helpful

Chapter Seven: Dysfunctional Family Member #4

Cassie's POV

I threw around my gold daggers, watching them slowly sink to the sandy bottom. I leaned against the wall of my cave, still puzzling over what Kit said. I wanted to believe her - after all, she was still pretty smart and valid - but I also wanted to trust the boy. He was cold, but it was like he was... made for something, something I couldn't figure out.

I sighed and laid down on the ground. I was tired and confused, and just frustrated.

I heard somebody splash into the water, the echo of the small boom and the rushing sound filling the pond.

I turned around, swimming toward the unknown visitor. I saw Kit frantically paddling. I wasn't sure what for, maybe because something was going on or if it was just her fear of drowning taking over. She tried to yell something, the water muffling her speech. I rolled my eyes and pointed up. She nodded, apparently just now aware that she couldn't talk under water.

We broke the surface, Kit coughing and wheezing. I sighed, familiar with kit's stubborn stupidity about water but nonetheless tired of it.

"Angel," Kit said finally.

"What?"

"The new kid!" She yelled. "He's an angel! Er... was, but still!"

I looked around, finally spying him. He was sitting on the bank, his hands blistered. He was staring at them like he was new to what pain was.

I swam over, Kit wading along behind me.

"Hey," I said quietly when I reached him.

He looked at me, his eyes full of confusion and grief.

"What's your name?" I asked him.

"Ethan," he mumbled. "I'm Ethan."

"Cassie," I replied, sticking out my hand for him to shake it. He flinched, staring worriedly at it.

I heard a gasp of understanding from behind me. Kit rushed forward to him and sat down, a look of care and determination on her face.

"I'M KIT AND I PROMISE I WON'T LET ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN," she shouted. Normally, she would be able to contain her volume, but sometimes her hearing got the best of her in moments of excitement. Or, rather, her non-existent hearing.

Ethan looked shocked at her outburst but smiled a bit. His smile disappeared almost as quickly as it had come, a look of deep concentration falling over his face.

"I was cast out of heaven, and my wings were burned off, and I don't know why," he explained. "I think my grace might still be down here, but I have to find it. It might fade out. If I get it back, I could easily repair Kit's hearing, your powers, and Camel's PTSD. And the rest of the forest, too, as well as any other mental illness you three might have. I've just skimmed the surface of your minds. Then, I will leave, and you will never have to see me again."

Kit stared at him, shocked.

He noticed our surprised faces. "I can still read minds," he said quickly.

"Um... let's take him to Camel," I said quietly.

PTSD - PTSD (or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental illness often linked with veterans, or victims of abuse. It has triggers which can remind you of a dangerous and possibly deadly situation, and will often cause flashbacks.