[color=darkgray]

Calliope sat on the hospital bed, holding one wrist with her other hand as she rubbed it. Her mother sat in one of the other chairs close by the bed, though her attention was taken by whatever was outside her window. Calli couldn't see clearly but she made part of the hospital's roof with some of the air conditioning units going and not much else. Her mother must be really interested in air conditioning.

The door opened and Calli tensed up thinking it was her father when she saw that it was the doctor that saw her the other day. The doctor was a kind-faced man with light brown skin and dark hair that was turning gray despite how young he looked. His eyes had tell-tale crinkles on the sides as well as by his cheeks, formed from constant smiling and laughing. Calli had never seen those before.

[color=white]"How are we feeling today Calliope? You remember the scale I showed you?"[/color] he asked, pointing to the sign on the nearby wall. A scale from 1 to 10 with 10 having a giant smiley face next to it and 1 with a frowny face. Dr. Richmond had talked her through it to report how she was feeling. He made sure she knew that it wasn't just if she was in physical pain, but also if she was feeling sad or scared or anxious. Dr. Richmond prided himself on his work with children. The other doctors and nurses knew he was wonderful at his job, able to make kids feel calm and safe even in the face of dire circumstances. 

Calliope remembered the conversation and remembered what her father told her after the doctor left the room. [color=F796A9]"10."[/color] Calliope said that with sure finality, as if just by her answer she would be let go and they can go back home. She at least could be in her room with her toys.

Dr. Richmond smiled warmly. [color=white]"That's very good! I am glad we are taking such good care of you."[/color] Dr. Richmond glanced at her mother, who was still taking great care to ensure those air conditioning units were up to snuff. Calliope couldn't fully tell, but she noticed his warm smile dropped ever so slightly when it was apparent her mother would not look at him. [color=white]"Well, if all is going well we can see about getting you out of here soon. We have some final things to wrap up, but if all goes smoothly we can get you back in your own comfy bed by tonight. Mrs. de León? Would you mind if I have you step outside to talk to the nurse to finalize some of the paperwork? Should only be a moment."[/color]

Her mother finally turned to look at the doctor. No emotion on her face as she nodded her acknowledgement and stood up and made her way outside. Calliope felt like her mother was a ghost, just roaming the halls with no rhyme or reason to any movement. It was like her husk was there, but any semblance of her mother had been yanked out a long time ago.

Once her mother was out of the room the doctor turned to face her as he pulled up one of the chairs and sat down. [color=white]"Calliope, I am so happy to hear you seem to be feeling better, but you know you don't have to lie to me, right?"[/color] Calli tried hard to remain stoic, but internally she felt herself fall. The doctor must have seen it too, but to his credit, he did not show it. [color=white]"I know you said you fell off your bike at the park. But is that all that happened?"[/color]

[hr]

Calliope's mind flashed back to the moment. She didn't lie. She did fall off her bike. What she did not say was that she was pushed off. It was a park in her neighborhood so very few families ever were there as most either didn't have children or they had children that were not near Calli's age so she was often on her own or with her sister. Though more and more lately her sister kept to herself and avoided going out at all costs. Calli had wanted to ask but everytime she did her sister would get mad and shut the door in her face. Calli was sure she heard her crying, even when their father wasn't the cause.

So that day it was just her and her parents. Her father was on his phone constantly and her mother was reading a book, which left her to her own devices. Calli actually did not mind these moments. She could even imagine herself as a normal kid hanging out at the park before she went home to a family who played board games togehter or had movie nights before being tucked into bed with a story and a kiss.

But that was not how it was. Every so often she would catch her mother looking at her with a weird expression on her face. One that could be worry or sorrow. But it would be quickly erased, replaced with her vacant stare or with a wine bottle.

That day at the park she was riding around when she saw a dog. The dog was not on a leash and did not appear to have any owners. It was curled up under a tree and looking around. Calliope could tell it was probably sad or scared. She looked back at her parents, noticing they were too engrossed in their own things, as she made her way closer to it. It looked at her and did not move. She slowly reached a hand out. The dog allowed her, sniffing her hand as if to test her, before she was able to pet it. She could hear the dog whimper lightly. The poor thing was abandoned or worse. Calli felt a sort of kinship with the being.

Until she felt her bike yanked back, causing her to fall forward, hitting her stomach and lower parts against the bike. She felt the anger behind her as she saw her father. [color=white]"What the hell are you doing? Do you know how many diseases that thing could have?"[/color] Calliope wanted to respond, but felt no response would be justifiable. The dog uttered a low growl. [color=white]"See? It could bite you at any moment and then where would you be?"[/color] Her father grabbed her wrist and yanked, nearly causing her to fall off. The dog took that as a sign as it finally stood up and jumped at her father, biting his leg. Her father yelled out in pain and swung his leg around, attempting to get the dog to unleash him. Calliope could only look on in horror as the dog was flung every which way before it let go. Her father turned and reared his leg back before Calli looked away and could hear the yelp the dog let out. She didn't want to see what happened but she heard her father curse under his breath. Before she knew it, her bike was being moved forefully as her father kicked it, causing it to fall to the ground with a heavy thud with her on it. She felt her leg throb in pain and her arm catch herself. She looked up at her father, who was staring back. His attention was caught elsewhere and Calli looked to see two women walking forward. They clearly heard the commotion and wanted to see what happened. 

Her father quickly scooped her up in his arms. It was almost loving had he not been the cause in the first place. [color=white]"My daughter and I were attacked by a wild dog! Please call the police! I need to get her to the hospital!"[/color] 

[hr]

Dr. Richmond waited a beat as Calli replayed the scene in her mind. [color=white]"Kids will be kids, after all. It is not out of the question that there are accidents. I only want to check because you falling off your bike explains the cuts and bruises on your leg and arm, but not the ones on your stomach and upper thigh. I also noticed there was no dog bits anywhere on you despite your father saying you both were attacked by a dog."[/color]

Calli must have expressed some worry on her face because Dr. Richmond held up a hand. [color=white]"You're not in trouble, Calliope. I just want to know what happened so I can do my job properly. So, is what your father said true? Is there anything else going on?"[/color]

Calliope looked into Dr. Richmond's eyes, hoping he could tell what she wanted to say. What she wanted to tell any adult that showed a modicum of care. All the words left unsaid. But he was like every other adult she had come across. If they truly cared, they were silenced. If they didn't, they were bought. Or scared. Or forced. Calli may be young, but she was not stupid. A teacher didn't quit halfway through the school year randomly. 

Calli nodded her head. [color=F796A9]"It's true. My father saved me and he was hurt."[/color] 

Dr. Richmond smiled again. [color=white]"Well then, I am glad you are okay."[/color] Calli noticed he didn't express gratitude her father was okay also, but Calli left it at that. [color=white]"Well then, let's get you processed and out of here. Your mom should be finished."[/color] Dr. Richmond grabbed the doorknob but did not exit right away. Almost like he had more to say, but he turned the knob and left her alone. A brief moment of peace.

[CENTER][COLOR=F796A9][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][/CENTER][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hiNfTeT.jpeg[/img]
[/center][indent][sub][COLOR=F796A9][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Southern Plateau, Dundas Island[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=F796A9][b]Welcome Home #3.043:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Scars and Bruises[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=F796A9][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=F796A9][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I] N/A [/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=F796A9][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=GRAY][I]The Sum Of All Things[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent]

Calliope recalled this moment. She had been noticing that the Trials were bringing back memories that she thought she buried. Moments in time that were there, ever present, but she thought she had control of. She was starting to see all of it being brought back to the forefront. 

Dr. Trinh sat there as Calli spoke about such memories. Each one should have felt like a weight lifted off of her, but instead she felt the pressure forced on her shoulders. Like she was being buried alive.

[color=white]"Why do you think this memory became so vividly remembered?"[/color] Dr. Trinh asked. Calli thought about it, but didn't quite know why. 

Sensing her hesitancy, Dr. Trinh continued. [color=white]"Oftentimes trauma can come back at any moment, even if there is no identifying trigger for it. It's called re-experiencing. These can be flashbacks, nightmares, or even simple body reactions, such as a panic attack from nowhere. The fact you can recall this memory so clearly Calliope is, and this is going to sound odd, a good thing."[/color]

Calli must have looked surprised because Dr. Trinh continued. [color=white]"I don't mean it's a good thing it happened or that it is causing you distress. But remembering it is a good first step to overcoming it and processing it. Doing so will heal you. It is much easier to heal pain we can identify than pain we cannot."

"I know we broached the topic of forgiveness before and had a lengthy discussion about it. Do you remember?"[/color]

Calli did remember. Dr. Trinh had spoken about forgiveness as a means of healing. Forgiveness was for Calli's benefit and was to heal her of her pain. Forgiveness did not mean that the actions taken would be seen as "good" or that it wasn't still painful or hard to deal with. It also did not mean that there was no blame to be had. Dr. Trinh highlighted that it would be a part of her, but it did not have to consume her. Forgiveness would be a large step forward, but who did she forgive? Her father for his constant abuse and belittlement? Her mother for allowing it to happen and never questioning it? Her brother who tried, but ultimately failed, to be a protector of her? Any of the other adults who saw a young girl hurting and either stopped caring or couldn't quite hack it enough to save her?

[color=F796A9]"Yes, I remember. I am not ready to forgive them."[/color]

[color=white]"What about Andrew?"[/color]

Admittedly, this took Calli aback. Why was he brought up? [color=F796A9]"Andrew didn't do anything to hurt me. He's been a support for me ever since we met. There's nothing to forgive."[/color]

Dr. Trinh waited a moment to see if the silence would be filled. [color=white]"Then why are you punishing him and yourself?[/color]

Calli started protesting, but stopped. [color=white]"By your own admittance, Andrew has been a support for you. As you and I both know, supports are vital for treatment. It is important to surround yourself with people you know have your best interests at heart so you can rely on them. Yet, in the past couple of sessions we've had, you haven't mentioned relying on him much at all. I get the sense there's something there. Something, perhaps, the both of you are too scared to admit?"[/color]

Calli sunk inwardly again. Hadn't she been having those same thoughts for a while now? Yet, when it was broadcasted to her in such a way her therapist noticed, that was....it made her feel small.

[color=white]"That's not a failure on your part Calliope. Nor is it a failure on his. Relationships take work and communication is essential. Whatever is playing around in your mind, I can all but guarantee it is on his mind too. Conversations, even hard ones, are necessary if you truly care about one another. Think about it. Talk to him when you're ready."[/color]

Calliope sat up a bit straighter now. Dr. Trinh was right. Her conversations with the others, Lorcán being hurt, amongst a slew of other things. She could not reasonably be there for others if she could not stand for herself. She needed to.

She just hoped it wouldn't be a mistake.

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