WITHOUT

A Truth.

Geer and Bell watched Hector a minute, he wouldn't let them near him (He was not certain to what they were!) Abby had entrusted Hector to Bell, Fern had asked Geer to assist.

"We. Have a conversation. We must have. The Empress, doesn't want to be parted from him....But, the discussion we are to have. Needs to be handled with greatest of care. To have a touch of....What you may call - "Fineness". This talk, can't be rushed.." Fern looked to both Geer and Bell equally.

Both spirits nodded. This wasn't the first time they had been asked to care for a someone, who was a little different.

Bell tried smiling (That had worked for Exie. She had glared back at Bell initially.....But, warmed right up later in the day)     Geer wrinkled his eyebrows, trying to remember another person similar to Hector...."Remember Tom.   Worked in the gardens, used to help out in the stables....Had that accident?.."

Bell, looked at Geer (Was puzzled) then remembered...."Yes.   We all wanted to end his suffering, but Benton told us "no".    We were to wait and see if he awoke - Which he did...."

Geer grinned a second...."....He thought, he was a horse.   He wasn't pretending, or having us on.   He truthfully believed.    We never worked out what to do with him!..."      Geer shook his head....."He was a funny one that one.    He still acted like us, but the accident changed him..."

"Well. That could be our answer for now.    We treat this young man as we did Tom.   Slow movements, quiet words.    Do you think. he'd like a salt cracker?    Tom was easier to handle when you had those..."        Bell opened a small cloth that had been neatly tied.      Geer tilted his head a minute..."Maybe.   I can't say for sure. We could speak to him.."       Both spirits looked over to Hector.

Hector now walked up right, he had full use of his hands - But, he couldn't for the life of him remember exactly how his hands/fingers functioned precisely.     He moved his arms, his hands dangled.      The young man was fascinated with the new "hand-things" attached to his arms. But....He watched with the greatest slow building fear, as Geer and Bell approached him.      Hector backed up against a wall, slowly slide down it....Sat in a crouched position.

Quietly hoped Abby and Fern would return.

But, two figures stood before him/and slightly over him.     Hector stared up, swallowed (Moaned)...Quickly cast his eyes down.   Tried to be at one with the wall (Prayed the wall would absorb him!)       Bell smiled, shook her head....Laughed, but quickly tried to stifle it.   Geer frowned at her..."Bell!    He's stressed.."

They both bent down, kept a good foot's distance.    Bell pulled out the cloth parcel, pointed to it...."Small peace offering.   I'm Bell. This is Geer.    We won't hurt you..."

Hector peeped at the crackers, his tongue edged it's self from his mouth.     But, Hector stayed firm pressed up against the wall. He was slightly more capable than before, but just had to work how parts of him "worked" again, and to unlearn some of his "dog-like" behaviours.   That was going to be difficult, his human self had all but been wiped from his memory.

He only had his childhood memories left, but in the last few years - They felt feign. Not his. Something he'd seen being acted out by someone else.   The doctors had worked intensely hard on him.    He'd been a strong-will guy, but had prided himself on being a laid-back kind of guy too.

The doctors had charged at him, with full force.   No technique had been untried....Once finished, Hector was changed.     Hector wanted the cracker, he liked the look of Bell....Geer seemed friendly too. But, he was scared.