Page 156 of Soulmateless
“I agree with Mother,” Erasmus folds his arms. “This kind of stuff really damages people. Have you even done anything to take care of yourself? Did you even eat?”
Glaide nods beside him. “You need this.”
I slouch and look at Sabina. "Is it good, Sourdough?"
"Yes!" she exclaims, waving her half-eaten slice. "Can I have more?"
"Finish that piece first." I make my way over to the cream sofa chair. It sits in front of a glass coffee table now hideously decorated with Mother's printed papers. I set Sabina on my lap.
On the papers are faces and descriptions of people. There's two men and one woman. "These therapists have dealt with sexual assault victims and captor attraction syndrome,” Mother explains “I think maybe they can help you."
"I'm not a sexual assault victim."
"Yes, but you have something similar."
"I'm not a victim of any sort." I scoff. "If you would just listen without your own bias, maybe you'd understand."
"Just let me explain these different therapists options."
I'm about to protest when I catch my Father's side glance. Any arguments would get shut down by him, so I might as well shut up.
She discusses them, and I barely bother to listen. They all sound as similar as they look, sexual assault therapists, who help male victims speak their truth and get to a better stage of life. Have been in the profession for decades. They also can deal with dreamscreecher situationslike mine.
Instead of listening, my mind drifts to Ignatia. I want to wrap my arms around her waist, and experience one last kiss. Her last kiss left a craving that will never be fulfilled. “So, what therapist would you choose?" Mother asks.
I shrug. "I don't care. Just choose one."
"What is a ter-a-pst?" Sabina asks, raising her brows.
"Oh, it's just someone that will help Amias feel better," Mother explains. "He's a little sad."
Sabina turns to me with her nose wrinkled up. "You're sad?"
I smile. "No. I just miss Clara."
She cocks her head. "Claree?"
"Yes. People don't like her much here, so she had to go to where people like her."
"Why don't people like her? I love her. She's my future mom!"
"Me too. I don't understand them either."
"You should teach her the truth, Amias," Father starts. I groan as he continues. "Kids need to learn that dreamscreechers likeClaraare not to be trusted. It's dangerous to condition her to think otherwise. Look at how it's destroying you!”
Sabina gasps “Claree is a dreamscreecher?"
I nod. "But she's not evil."
"But… dreamscreechers killed my parents," she whines. "Will she kill me?"
"No, of course not. She would never do that to you."
"But dreamscreechers are bad.” Her face scrunches.
"No, Sourdough. Let me tell you the truth." I lower my head to her level. "If there was a man that's really mean, like he pushed someone on the playground, does that makeyoumean?"
She quickly shakes her head. "No…"
