Therapy Bits

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Pat said, “I can take care of myself.”

Elena frowned, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorway. She watched her brother fasten his backpack, the way his fingers worked quickly, a nervous energy radiating from him. The tiny dark circles under his eyes told their own story; he hadn’t been sleeping well since the accident.

“That’s what you keep saying,” she replied softly. “But I can see it in your face, Pat. You’re not okay.”

He looked up, his hazel eyes glinting with a mix of defiance and fatigue. “I’m fine! Really! Just… needed a little time alone in the woods. Nature helps, you know?”

Elena shook her head. “You were out there for days. It’s not just nature you’re avoiding. You’re running from your thoughts.”

Pat sighed, dropping his backpack to the floor with a soft thud. “Can we not do this right now? I’m just going to walk to the creek and come back. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal, Pat,” she insisted, stepping further into the room. “Since everything happened, you’ve withdrawn from everyone. Not just me—”

“Please.” He interrupted, raising a hand, a spark of frustration igniting in his voice. “I just need space. Every time I see someone from town, it’s ‘how are you holding up?’ or ‘Is there anything we can do?’ And I get it. But I don’t need anyone to take care of me! I can handle it!”

Elena’s heart ached. “How did you manage to become this stubborn, huh?” She had to soften her approach, so she added, “You know, it’s okay to not be okay. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

Pat’s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, he looked as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him. “I just want things to be normal again, El. That day… everything changed. It feels like I’m walking through fog all the time, and everyone just keeps looking at me like I’m broken.”

“Pat, you aren’t broken,” she whispered, stepping closer until she was right beside him. “You’re healing. It takes time. But you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here.”

He exhaled slowly, the anger draining away, replaced by an emotion that was more tender and raw. “I don’t want to keep talking about it. I thought if I just kept myself busy… you know how it goes.”

Before he could finish, a loud rustling noise came from outside the window, startling them both. They glanced at each other, the moment of tension breaking. Elena moved to the window and peeked outside, her brow furrowing in curiosity.

“What was that?” she asked, half-turning to Pat. “Did you leave anything out there?”

“I don’t think so,” he said, walking over to join her. As he peered through the glass, they both spotted a large, shaggy figure stumbling through the underbrush. It looked almost like a bear, but too tall and upright. With a pensive grunt, it turned its head toward the cabin.

Elena’s breath caught. “What in the world is that?”

Pat squinted, his brow creasing in confusion. “I… I don’t know.”

The creature reared back, revealing a snout and large, soulful eyes. It took a step closer, almost as if it could sense their fear. Then, without warning, it let out a high, keening wail that echoed through the trees—a lament that resonated in their bones, a feeling that stirred something deep within them both.

“Pat…” Elena began, but he was already moving. “Wait!” she cried, but he was out the door, running toward the creature as if compelled by something mystical, something inherent.

“Pat!” she shouted after him, heart racing. The woods, once a comforting refuge, now felt alive and wrought with danger as Pat approached the ethereal creature.

It stood there, watching him, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. They locked eyes—human and creature—and in that moment, Pat felt that fog that had been stifling him begin to lift.

He spoke softly, almost reverently, “Are you — are you okay?”

What happened next was a blur. The creature took another step forward, and with it, a shuddering breath escaped Pat’s lips. The creature leaned in close, and to his surprise, a deep, resonant hum filled the space between them, echoing his own pain.

Suddenly, Pat felt a rush of feelings—remembrance, loss, but also hope. The creature seemed to reflect back his own turmoil, but also the promise of understanding that transcended words.

Elena stepped outside, call for her brother threading through her fear. But the creature turned away, quick as a shadow, disappearing into the recesses of the woods like a myth unfurling.

Pat stood frozen, breathless and overwhelmed, as if the weight of the world had transformed into something lighter. He turned to find Elena’s concerned gaze on him.

“I— I think I’m starting to understand,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. The last vestiges of desolation clung to him, but a flicker of hope ignited nonetheless.

As they stood together in the clearing, surrounded by trees that rustled like whispers of encouragement, Pat realized that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t so alone after all. All he needed was to take it one step, one breath at a time. And slowly, he understood that healing could begin, even in the fog.

https://mymindmappings.com/2024/12/24/fandangos-story-starter-181/