Surprised how quickly I finished this and it came out surprisingly long. This chapter dives into mental illnesses and I want to clarify that all statements from either Jim or Claire are from pure shock and fear, nothing against it. My younger sister struggles with some mental issues(autism in particular). I also want to point out that depending on the type of autism, the situation is different and symptoms typically don't start developing till 12 months. Though usually not tested at a year it can be.
"Mickey Mouse," Enrique corrected, holding up the mouse magnet.
Cassidy's brow furrowed, grabbing it from him, sticking it onto her tank. She always placed them in the same order and if a single thing was off she'd have a brief panic attack."Dere," she said sternly, not enjoying it went her uncle removed the piece from its spot.
"Cassidy Maria," Jim reprimanded in a stern but loving tone."What did we say about sharing?"
Cassidy frowned but didn't give notice to what her father had said. Luckily, Enrique had begun playing with some toy trucks he'd brought up with him. She entertained herself, examining the order of Disney characters, listing from the princesses(Aurora first since she was her favorite, most likely thanks to her pink dress) and ending with a Donald duck head. The order hadn't changed since Jim opened the package for her and the girl squealed in excitement, setting them randomly in that order and never changing it to that day.
Jim's eyes lingered on her for a minute, only braking when he heard Ophelia failing to calm Estelle down. The woman was more caring with Estelle than she had been with Cassidy, but Estelle hated her a hundred times more. He didn't know the extent of her abilities but if they revolved around emotions, did she have the ability to pick up one another's? If so he wondered what the woman was thinking of the strike such a response from the newborn. Claire luckily saved Estelle, forcing her from her mother's hold. The newborn immediately calmed in her mother's arms and a frown found itself on Ophelia's face.
"James," his mother said from behind, setting her coffee mug on the table. Jim was off-put by his mother calling him by his first name mainly since she only used it when he was in trouble. Barbara cleared her throat, looking up at Walt for a moment who turned away almost immediately, not wanting anything to with what she had to talk to him about." Sweetie, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, voice quiet as not to let anyone else overhearing.
"Uh sure... is everything alright?" he asked, discreetly following his mother to their apartment's door.
"Of course, of course." the second time around she was less certain, adding nothing on, swiftly exiting the room. Instead of just stopping outside, she continued down the stairs, avoiding people rushing in and out. Jim was in a state of confusion the entire time, unable to remember a time his mother had pulled him to the side just to talk about something. Thinking about it, his mother had never been the 'hey let's have a heart to heart' type. Maybe it was the heartbreak from his father's disappearance or maybe her parents. He'd met his grandparents a few times and they were never loving, shaming her for the divorce and forcing James away even if it in no way had been her fault. Even when Claire was pregnant with Cassidy and he was fearing the fact he'd be a father, she never pulled him to the side and just said that everything would be okay. Yes, she'd told him she was proud of him once or twice, but still, he was never assured that in the end, everything would be okay. So why would she feel the need for that conversation then? Why then after he'd just welcomed his second daughter into the world? There was no apparent need for it unless she'd lied and their conversation was important and sadly, he expected it was.
She led the way out of the complex, walking past the area he'd explained what babies were to Cassidy."Mom," he called out, causing the woman to finally stop halfway around the apartment, far away from anyone modeling ears.
"Sorry," she apologized in a timid voice, leaning against the brick building as she twidled with her fingers. The position was a strange one for Barbara Lake who was typically confident though reserved, still scared to opening up after she was left.
"Mom, what's wrong?" he questioned, wanting to get back to his wife and daughter's... that would take some getting used to.
Barbara was still quite hesitant to give an answer, letting go of her fingers and playing with her wedding band, twisting it around her ring finger a hundred or so times before attempting to string a sentence."Jim... have, I'm mean were you both ever considering..."
"Mom!" he shouted quietly, wanting her to get to the point.
"Have you both seen a specialist?"
He was taken back, confused about what she was referring to and why she would be in the first place."What are you...?"
"For Cassidy. Have you taken her to see anyone yet?" she asked quickly though seriously.
Jim felt a bubbling anger a the accusation from his mother."Why the hell would you suggest that? She's only one for god's sake we-"
"James Lake Jr, do not speak to your mother like that." Babara snapped. She might be talking about a sensitive subject but she was fine reprimanding her son.
Jim silenced his self reluctantly." What would make you think that?" he asked, searching for an answer.
"How long has she done those arms?"
Jim raised an eyebrow."Her flaps? I dunno, she just does them when happy."
"Has she always focused on weird things?"
"I guess," he stuttered." she likes watching moving things but that's not weird."
"Does it take a while to grab her attention?"
He heard to admit it but the answer was yes."Lately, yes."
"Has she always stuttered?"
"I mean yes.." he said, both he and Claire noticing her slight stutter was more constant but it didn't concern either.
Barbara fell silent, face serious."Jim, these are all early signs of autism."
He was silent. Everything suddenly snapped, making perfect sense. Her arm flaps, the focusing on moving objects, need for order, stutter, easily distracted. He shut his eyes. He wanted to disappear. Just float away and disappear. From her birth, they'd known she'd have delays and did. When it came to walking and crawling she couldn't walk at all and could barely crawl. Her motor skills weren't top-notch either, struggling to hold items at times. He didn't want it to be true. He wanted anything but that. She already had to deal with the fact she was disabled physically, adding on mental disabilities would make life so much harder for her. That was the last thing she wanted.
"Jim," his mother's caring voice said, reaching past the wall he'd surrounded himself with. Seeing her son was frozen, she stepped forward, hugging him affectionately."It's just something you boh should look into. I can't be sure but if she does, then there are programs that can help."
He was physically unable to respond, fighting tears. He didn't want it to be true. Anything but that." She's already..." he stopped, not wanting to imagine the struggles she'd face in life without social issues and developmental disabilities.
"Sweetie it's okay," she whispered like she was talking to a child. But Jim didn't mind it. For once, he wanted to be a child again with no responsibilities or fears. Where he could just live and enjoy life. But he never even got to be a teenager. At 15 he was told to grow up and now fear was a feeling that was imprinted into his very being."Cassidy will be okay. You don't have to worry."
That's a lie, he thought in an angered voice. He shut his eyes again, wanting to disappear. He just wanted to not exist for a moment. For a moment he wanted to be that sixth grader, only having the deal with a massive crush on Claire Nunez and avoiding Steve Pallchuck. But of course, he couldn't be.
Mainly because a sixth-grader wouldn't be seated in a Specialists office, petrified with worry. He held Claire's hand firmly, Cassidy sat on his lap with confusion on her face. She stared at her magnets, making sure they were in the same order as usual. But the thought she possibly could wasn't what scared them. It was the realization she did. In the room, were other kids. They all had a toy of sorts to entertain them and they all were doing the same thing Cassidy did. Placing them in either an exact order or staring up at the fan whirring in a steady quick motion.
"S-tell," she stuttered, confused where her sister was.
"She's with Auntie Darcy sweetie," Claire assured her, running her fingers through the girl's short black hair, pushing it out of her face. Cassidy frowned for a moment, used to seeing her mother or father cradling the baby almost all the time. The concern perished a moment later and the fan caught attention. She stared up at it, head leaning back against her father's chest. Jim kept his eyes down towards her, reaching to hold her small hand. Cassidy's entrance caused by the fan broke and she turned down to her hand, questioning why he was holding it. She swiftly pulled it away as if the contact was uncomfortable. The motion made Jim's heartbreak. From being the son of a doctor, he'd grown up hearing about signs of some mental illnesses. One of which was being uncomfortable with physical contact. He'd never noticed it since it was something just developing, but it didn't mean it hurt. Another sign that she probably had it.
"Cassidy Lake," one of the nurses said, looking down at her clipboard. Eyes scanning the room, she spotted Jim and Claire who were beginning to stand." Dr. Sanders is ready to see you."
Both inhaled deeply, preparing for what they were about to enter. Jim stood up, holding Cassidy on his hip. The girl looked at him, still confused about what they were doing and concerned again about where her baby sister was."It'll be okay," he whispered to Claire, seeing the fear on his wife's exhausted face. Sadly, Cassidy was still unable to sleep through the night, and Estelle, a newborn, didn't help with that.
"I know," she replied back, holding the handle of her tank. hey followed the nurse down the hall, walking into a room set up different than other ones. Instead of a normal pediatrics room, there were three chairs in front of a short table. There was a stool before that a series of kid's books and toys. In the chair opposite of the door sat a kind man with deep brown eyes, and a cheery smile.
"Hello it's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted, shaking Claire and Jim's hands." Have a seat," he said gesturing to the chairs.
The two nodded, sitting before him, Cassidy remaining on Jim's lap."Nice to meet you too, Dr. Sanders." Claire said, uncomfortable.
The man smiled."Call me Micheal, now this is Cassidy I assume?" he asked, reaching a hand out towards the girl.
"It is," Jim replied, looking down at his confused daughter."Cassie, can you say hi?"
"H-hi," she said on command, waving her hand in an awkward way.
"I am impressed with her speech. Of course, for a one-year-old, you said she can't say much and there is a developing stutter but most children diagnosed with autism don't talk till a later age if at all," he said, jotting notes down on his clipboard. Pride raised in the teens but quickly disappeared."Now we typically wait until two years to test anything but she has already been diagnosed to have developmental delays?"
"Yes, she was born early," Claire said, voice quiet."Nothing was ever diagnosed but in physical things, she is delayed."
He nodded, humming to himself."Yes. You can sit her down unless she'd more comfortable with you."
"You wanna sit Cassie?" Jim asked, pushing her closer to the edge of his lap." Cassie," he repeated when the girl didn't respond.
Her blue eyes turned to him then down at the seat." Mag... Mag... Mag..." she repeated as if she had been saying the word once.
"What is Mag?" he asked, clicking his pen so the lead stuck out.
"Her magnets," Jim said, sitting her on the stool slowly making sure she was stable before letting go. Cassidy turned o her tank beside her, poting when the Cinderella magnet fell an inch down. She struggled to push it up, finally succeeding and staring at it.
"Hmm, does she always do that?" he questioned.
"Ya, it's the same order every time," Claire said, staring at her daughter, noticing just how strange it was she never changed up the order.
"Okay, now she has a younger sibling yes?" the two nodded."Have you noticed any jealousy from her towards it?"
"No, she actually really likes Estelle," Jim answered, Cassidy, flapping her arms as she stared at the agents.
"Okay," Micheal glanced over his notes."Now there are definite signs of developing autism or other mental disabilities but nothing you should be concerned about at the moment. I want you to come back in a few months just as a check-in."
"Is there anything we can do?" Claire asked, taking time to breathe after the emotional day.
Micheal shrugged his shoulders."Not much but try pushing her to work on motor skills, and for her response to her name, you can try snapping. But really, just try to treat her like any other child. I can't be sure if she'll have autism or something else like ADHD, but for the time being, just don't worry and keep doing what you're doing."
A single strand of relief lifted from their chests, but that didn't relieve the other fear they had.
"Master Jim you seem concerned. Is everything alright with the new yelp?" Blinky questioned as he and Jim walked down towards the dungeons. Jim, unaware why they were headed that way had been rapped in his mind, thinking over the doctor's appointment that should've given him relief but only concerned him more. They were basically guaranteed her daughter had mental disabilities, along with physical disabilities. It was horrible, knowing that he could do nothing to help. No matter how much he wanted to make her life easier, there was no way he could.
"Estelle's alright, though I do miss sleep, but she's been good," he said, hands in his pocket, twisting his wedding band, a habit he'd developed when worried or nervous.
Blinky looked over his apprentice of a sorts, noticing his nervous composure."I hypothesize your concern is directed on someone whom is not young Estelle."
"It's Cass," he sighed, remembering how Claire broke down when they climbed into the car, sobbing uncontrollably as she thought over the difficulties their daughter would face."Claire and I found out today that she might have some problems."
"Problems? Why Maser Jim all of us have problems, but it is how we overcome those problems that are important." he declared victoriously.
"What? No," Jim said, shaking his head, though finding it funny how the wording used by humans could be so stupid at times."I mean like mental problems."
Brows furrowed in confusion, Blinky held his hand behind his back."I am not educated on your medical world but what in particular struggles might your daughter have?"
"Autism, though they can't be sure since she's so young," Jim explained, finally realizing it was strange that they were in the makeshift dungeons of the new marker."Wait Blink what are we doing down here? I thought you had some news on the Changeling situation."
"I do," Blinky said, beaming with pride. He moved towards one of the darker cells, hitting the frame." This is the New Maser Jim."
Confusion crossing his face, Jim stepped forward, falling back when a Changeling lunged towards him. Luckily she just hit the bars, falling to the ground with a heave."There's no escape so sit!" Blinky yelled retreating to his war self.
"Where did you, find her?" Jim asked, shocked as he looked a the troll. The crystals in the cell illuminated and he saw a female changeling. Her stone-like skin was roughened and a muted turquoise color. Her eyes glared a bright pink and were slanted inward. Physically she appeared quite human when it came to anatomy at least. A cloth dress, tattered and ripped hung from her body and was stained with what looked like blood. Chains were cuffed around her wrists and held her to the cave, long-tail swerving in the air.
"I am not an item," she stated, turning down under Blinky's glaring eyes."I have a name."
"And it could be a lie, murdered." Blinky cursed the female's long ears pointing at the name.
She darted towards the troll, ears high, tail moving like a dagger trying to reach for him as her chains held her back."An acquisition! I have not once harmed a single soul! Even if it was one belonging to those hideous humans!"
"Enough!" Jim interrupted, ignoring the insult and mostly not wanting to hear this fight continue."Blink, I've got this."
Blinky frowned, glaring at the female."Master Jim, I suggest-"
"I've got this,"
"I want to trust your judgment but this thing is not-"
"I am not a thing!"
"By Deya's praise, you're horrid acts do not-"
"Blinky!" he shouted, shocked by the outrage his mentor had towards the female." I've got this." reluctantly, he exited, leaving Jim alone in the damp dungeon.
"Bastard," she muttered, leaning against the wall in exhaustion."Those trolls are always one to judge with no evidence, not even learn the story. It disgusts me."
"What did you do?" Jim asked, stepping forward."Who have you been impersonating? Where did they find you?"
"So many questions," she laughed, throwing her head up towards the roof of her cell."Which should I answer first?"
"Who have you been impersonating?" he asked, stepping up to the cell, ready to summon Daylight if it was needed.
"No one," she said, standing up, leg limping as she walked towards the front of her cell."Goes by the name of Cherry, a made-up person. but if you were to put 'er in a category then a poor slum, hanging out with the wrong crowds."
Jim frowned, nothing of what she was saying important."How did they find you?"
The changeling frowned, eyes glazed in horror."Some events are loud. Let's just say I was too loud in the wrong place."
"What the hell does that mean?" he asked sternly, not in the mood to be played.
"Don't get snappy with me boy." she snapped back, voice low and harsh.
"I'm not the one making things difficult."
"Difficult?" she asked, a laugh following."You really think I don't got better things to then spend my time being locked up here."
"This is a waste of time," he sighed, seeing that she would continue to tangle his words up. Hurrying in a rush of fury towards the door, he only paused hearing her helpless voice.
"You got a child!" she shouted, making the TrollHunter freeze.
Fear doubling along with concern, he approached her cell again."How do you know that?"
"Trolls are good hearers and you and that jabbering bastard won't shut the hell up," she said, grimacing at Blinky's constant blabbering.
He crossed his arms, tempted to grab daylight as a threat."Why do you care if I do?"
"Because I've got my own," she said, eyes as glaring as ever but softer.
Jim was stunned by the news and felt sick in the stomach." W-where are they?" he asked, praying they were safe.
"I can give you information on the changelings and their leaders if you save them," she said, tone serious.
"Blackmail," he muttered, though his father side couldn't help but want to agree."Why would you be so willing to give information up?"
"I don't want anything to do with them. The only reason I've been helping is to keep my young safe," she said, turning down at her hands. In them, she was holding what looked like a rag doll, one he could assume belonged to one of her children.
"What are their names?" he asked, the female troll before him's face brightening with joy and relief.
"Viola, Andar, and Vera." she answered, holding out the rag doll, along with a glowing necklace she'd been wearing."Give them these, they'll trust you."
"I will," Jim said, holding the times gingerly."We'll get you out of here, and I will get your, children. Where are they?"
"Thank you Trollhunter. I told Viola to take them and run to the Underground. It's in the downtown of the city." she informed him, uncertain of her children's exact location."TrollHunte,r I must warn you, they are not what is to be expected."
Jim was puzzled by this but chose to move past it." I will find them, I promise." he paused."What is your name?"
"Yvonna," she said, eyes staring at the rag doll.
Jim nodded."Yvonna, you don't have to worry, they will be okay." he swore, a promise he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep.
Reviews and Critiques are Welcome.
