Annalise

Chapter 33: Darkness

Apparently Dr. Chen's advice was not swept under the carpet to be ignored or neglected, instead, her advice was acknowledged and taken into heavy consideration by my mother. Eventually being accepted as my mom took the words 'the sooner the better' very literally, because by the time my droopy eyes were reopening for what felt like the hundredth time, a strange old man with professional attire was seated beside me, along with my mother.

"I can request for a trauma bereavement specialist at a private or community mental health center to take a look at her today... I do believe the sooner the better, the longer it takes the more worse she'll get."

A few words passed through their mouths, none of which I was able to make out as I sat up. The moment I made the slightest movement, the man caught it, connecting his dark pupils with my own. He smiled widely, showing me his perfect pearly teeth as his eyes creased, letting me know the smile was genuine.

"Hello, Annalise. My name is Devonte Brown and I'm a trauma counselor," he introduces himself, his smile never faltering.

At the sight of his smiling face, I realized my lips began to tip up in return, only to be stopped as he stated his profession. Silence filled the air as I stared at him, unmoving and answerless to his introduction. With no words to reply back with, my eyes scanned his entire appearance. I observed his dark skinned face that clearly aged decades, was it naturally or from the cancer sticks I could smell that he smokes, I wasn't sure.

A blue tie hung around his white collared shirt that was tucked into his black pants, which were held up to his waist with a leather black belt. A brown trench coat draped over the armrest of his chair as he leaned forward to give me all his attention.

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Why was he even here so late at night? I looked over the window in the room, spotting the blue bright sky. It had to be morning by now. Just how long did that sedative keep me asleep for? And why did this nightmare have to be true? I guess I was finally given a dose of the not so finer things in life.

My mom killed the dragging silence. "Annalise? Sweetie, I know you probably don't want to deal with this right now, but I think it's best to tackle what you're going-"

"I-I'm..." I sucked in a deep breath, making frantic movements with my left uninjured hand, thinking of my next words. "I'm processing... I don't need a counselor, mom," I shake my head fiercely, coming off as abrupt and harsh.

I didn't even mean to.

"Exactly, you're processing. But it's only the beginning and honey from what happened hours ago shows it isn't going well, as expected for anyone dealing with such an event. I know you, Annalise, and you're going to need help. Anyone in your shoes would. Don't knock the idea before you try it," mom coaxes me, eyes begging for my cooperation.

"This is..." I muttered before my words fumbled. "This is too soon. Give me space. I-I don't want to talk to anyone."

I fidgeted with my golden heart necklace around my neck, placing the pad of my thumb along the smoothness of the material, rubbing the spot but finding my movements were too erratic, ultimately causing the necklace to repeatedly fall from my grasp.

"Just listen to him, ok? Give it a try," she continues, pressing my patience that for once seemed to be running thin.

"I don't want to talk to anyone," I stated more firmly, praying she'll respect my wishes and stop pestering me.

She would never question Asher this much if he made the chose to decline help, so why did she keep pushing me? That's right, I'm just a little helpless baby who needs protection and can't make decisions for herself. I tugged my necklace forward with a bit of excessive force, swiping my thumb along the cool golden material before it slipped from my fingers. Inside my head, a vein was making its dramatic appearance painfully slow as it throbbed, shooting sharp aches against my temple. I clenched my teeth together, not thrilled by the arrival of this unfolding headache and this conversation.