Touch: a Survival Story.

Interlude 1.

Interlude 1

  Doctor's notes, Subject #24170. Alias: David. Session 2.

Notes and recommendations of attendant therapist, Natalie Sharpe:

  In the week since our previous session, David has continued to exhibit no noticeable changes indicative of deviant manifestation. The observation period has been closed and the all clear provided early due to special circumstances. David's father works with the office of -REDACTED TO ENSURE ANONYMITY-, and has given assurances that he will provide notification should David begin to demonstrate deviant abilities. David's parents have noted a few marked improvements in his day to day behaviour since beginning to sleep in their bed and resuming school. They note that he seems less angry, more generally talkative and that while he still cries regularly, invariably following his still frequent nightmares, he no longer attempts to hide it from them. His mother continues to list a concern, however, in that she feels he may be hiding something from her. Such concerns are valid, and often true, but caution has been advised. Children in David's situation often hide things from their parents more because they do not feel ready to address them yet than due to any need for deception.

With regard to concerns raised last week over anti-social patterns forming, the scenario seems unlikely. Upon his return to school, David immediately resumed his highly social behaviour, going so far as to have made a new friend by the end of his first day back. It is possible that he wishes to form a new social group for the purposes of self redefinition, but that remains conjecture.

Transcript of audio-visual session recording taken down by supervisor Sullivan is as follows:

A knock sounds on the door, Doctor Sharpe turns in her chair to face it.

Doctor Sharpe: "Come in."

The door opens and David enters, accompanied by his mother. The two hug briefly.

David's Mother: "Are you sure you'll be okay? I promise I'll be right outside."

David: "Yeah, I'm sure. Love you, Mom."

David's Mother: "Love you too, sweetie."

David's mother exits the room, closing the door behind her. David turns to face Doctor Sharpe, still standing close to the door, as he did before.

Doctor Sharpe: "Hello, David."

David: "Hey, Doctor."

Doctor Sharpe: "How are you feeling today?"

A pause.

David: "Better, I think. A little bit at least. I've been sleeping better."

Doctor Sharpe: "That's good to hear, David. Are you still having thoughts about what happened?"

David: "Yeah, every night, pretty much, but when it wakes me up, Mom and Dad are there and they help me feel a little better."

Doctor Sharpe: "That's good to hear, David. Your parents told me that you tried sleeping alone again on Tuesday."

A pause.

David: "Yeah. I thought I was ready. I wasn't."

A pause.

Doctor Sharpe: "Do you want to talk abo-"

David cuts Doctor Sharpe off.

David: "No."

A pause.