Parasitic Psychosis

Part 19: One Year Later

One day, Sydd is in his group at a meeting. "...and all I'm saying is that with the right type of therapy, anybody can keep their anger under control, eventually even being able to bypass the triggers that set them off in the first place if you're lucky enough."

"Yes it does happen, but not too often, especially in cases of mental illness." The counselor says.

"What the hell do you know? You're a woman and baby killer, you scumbag." One of the members of the group says.

"I don't think that's advisable, Tony, apologize and let's continue this meeting like adults, shall we?" The counselor says.

"I just don't think that a baby killer has the right to think he knows what he's talking about." Tony says.

"What was that...FUCKER???" Sydd shouts, and then immediately stands up.

"Sydd! Sit back down!" the counselor says.

"COME ON! SAY IT AGAIN! DON'T BE CHICKEN SHIT!" Sydd yells.

"No, I'm, I'm sorry Sydd!"

"FUCK YOU!" Sydd blacks out and swings his fist towards Tony, and Vera catches it. He pushes toward her with all of his might, but she pushes just as hard, using both hands on his fist. He takes this opportunity to use his other fist and swings it, but she uses one of her hands to catch it, and positions herself to keep balanced, while providing enough force to keep Sydd back, the harder he pushes, the harder she pushes, until his arm muscles start to cramp, which wakes him up immediately, and he automatically lets go. "I'm, I'm sorry." He sits back down.

"I, uh, think we'll end early today." The counselor says, and everyone else leaves except for Vera and Sydd.

"Vera, can I talk to you?"

"What is it?" She asks.

"This is an odd way to put this, but, no one has been able to stop me before during one of my rages, you're the only one who ever has. I knew subconsciously there was something special about you when I first laid eyes on you; it's why I've been trying to get your attention. I liked you, but I wasn't sure why."

"What do you mean?"

"You neutralized me, stopped me from hurting someone. With you, I can be normal... "

"But how?"

"I dunno...its like, a natural connection; I can't really explain it in words."

"But if that's all it took, then why has no one else thought of it?"

"They have, but, usually, I resort to other methods if my hands are locked, I kick or knee, or use the person's weight against them, for some reason, I didn't hurt you, I stopped at just my fists, even subconsciously I don't want to see you hurt, that's only ever happened with relatives."

"I still don't understand, you think I should date you just because I stopped you during a freakout?"

"In a manner of speaking..."

"Why? What makes you so special?"

"Because it's not what makes me so special, it's what makes you so special."

"I-I don't know, I mean, how do I know I won't end up like your last girlfriend anyway? What if this was a one time thing and I end up taking a risk that gets me killed?"

"Yes, I know, we've discussed this before, believe me, I don't think it will ever happen again, what if she was a one time thing?"

"I'm still a little concerned..."