A Little Sane

Chapter 94

*⚠️ Warning! Possibly triggering content ahead! This chapter contains graphic descriptions of childhood trauma such as, sexual and nonsexual physical abuse and mental abuse. It also describes domestic abuse, and a very descriptive telling of a murder. This chapter is not in any way based on any personal experience! I do not mean this chapter to purposely trigger anxiety or panic attacks, flashbacks, horrible nightmares and any other stressful situations. This is solely for character development and back story. Feel free to comment your feelings after reading. If these descriptions could be triggering for you, please take care of your mental health and skip this chapter! You won't necessarily need these details. Please read at your own risk!*

Oriena and Mercedes smiled while eating breakfast. They were having ransom conversations that were actually normal. An officer stepped towards their table. 

"Time to go Valeska."

Oriean gave her a weak smile. 

"Have fun with the therapist."

Mercedes took careful steps following the guard. She had been pondering all night of what she would talk about with this therapist. She learned that this therapist was a woman around forty-five and her name was Catherine Baker. She also knew that Catherine was an exceptional friend of Lee. Mercedes trusted Lee after she promised to get her a therapist who genuinely cared and would really try to help her. She instinctively rubbed her small round belly. The only thing worse than being in an asylum, was being in one pregnant. She had been in Arkham for a week and was ready to leave. The guard halted at a door. He knocked on it three times. Mercedes could barely make out a female voice giving them permission to enter. The guard stepped inside allowing Mercedes to follow him. The woman smiled.

"Mercedes, welcome."

She nodded to the guard, and he left closing the door behind him. The woman mentioned towards a couch sitting across from another one. The nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach was growing. The woman continued to give her a reassuring smile. Mercedes noticed she had a stack of files. The woman took a deep breath.

"My name is Catherine Baker. Have you ever talked to a counselor before? I also hear that your first day here, you got pepper spray to the face."

Mercedes shook her head.

"No, Mrs. Baker I haven't. This would be my first time and what can I say? I am me. I do have a tendency to be.. in trouble."

Catherine smiled.

"You can call my Catherine. I want a comfortable relationship between us, built on trust and understanding. I was looking forward to working with you."

Mercedes tilted her head curiously. She slowly licked her lips and parted them to speak.

"Why? Because of who I am? Who I married? Because I'm Mrs. Valeska, wife to Jerome Valeska?"

Catherine nodded to being called out so early.

"I'll admit that your marital status vastly intrigued me, but I can assure you that my intentions are only to try to help you get through what it is you are going through. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Mercedes cautiously nodded towards the files.

"Are those mine..?"

Cathrine again nodded.

"Yes, those files are yours. When you gave permission for me to look over your files, the GCPD found everything on you they could find. You have quiet an extensive case."

Mercedes narrowed her eyes. Catherine shook her head.

"Don't try to read me. I'm here to read you. This won't work if you are constantly trying to pick me apart as well."