Chapter 43: Who Doesn't Want Free Therapy?

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Mindy's left eye twitched at the repetitive plop of water beside her. It sparked briefly. She curled further into herself. She'd stumbled into another air bubble within the caves, and figured no one would find her here for a couple hours…or days.

It'd be better if no one ever found me at all.

But Mindy knew she didn't want that.

That's why she felt an immense sense of relief, when she heard a splash beside her, "This might be a stupid question, but… you feeling any better, hon?"

Mindy didn't trust herself to answer.

Scarlett slunk out of the water, and transformed back into her human self. She sat beside Mindy on the sandy floor, but the girl scooted away from her. Hurt twinged in Scarlett's chest, but she brushed it off.

"Don't quote me on this, but Dakota is right for once," She admitted, "You shouldn't feel guilty about what you did back then. You shouldn't pretend like it never happened either,"

"What should I do then?"

Scarlett paused as she contemplated this question, "That's just it. There's nothing for you to do," Mindy turned to her with slight intrigue as she continued, "It doesn't matter if you use your magic to make everyone you've hurt forgive you. That forgiveness and adoration wouldn't be real, and I know you, Mindy. You'd never do that. You wouldn't stop beating yourself up about it for the rest of your life,"

Mindy bit her lip.

She didn't tell Scarlett her powers didn't work like that. From what she understood, anomalies could only poof physical things into existence whether that be a unicycle or an ice cream cone. She also didn't mention that only The Projectionist could manipulate others' emotions.

The notion that Scarlett thought her capable of that kind of torment made her nauseous. She forced herself to ignore this. Scarlett was only trying to make her feel better. That was all that mattered right now.

"You could make everyone, including yourself, forget that your past mistakes ever happened, but that would run the risk of you repeating those past mistakes someday. It's a complicated situation, because there is no right answer. I won't sugarcoat it. I know your little therapist called you a hero, but you're not," Mindy's eyes widened a bit at this statement, but didn't interrupt Scarlett, "You're not a hero, but that doesn't necessarily make you a villain either. You're a real person, who's only doing her best. That's all anyone can ask of you. And when you accept that, the easier it'll be to forgive and pave a better future for yourself…is any of this making sense?"

Mindy stared at her, dumbfounded.

Scarlett tilted her head, "What?"

"Nothing," She looked away as a blush crept to her cheeks, "It's just…it's like I'm seeing you for the first time,"

Scarlett gave a nervous chuckle, "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, not at all," Mindy assured her, "As much as I love Jiminy, sometimes I wonder if I can trust some of the advice he gives,"

"What do you mean?"

"He tells me what I want to hear, not what I need to hear," Mindy turned back to Scarlett, and looked into her eyes with utmost sincerity, "The whole 'You're a real person' speech helped a lot. Thank you, Scar, for talking some sense into me. I'm sorry, sometimes I tend to, you know…overthink,"

"Woooow!" Scarlett gasped in mock-surprise, "Really?! I'd never noticed!"

Mindy slugged her on the shoulder with a giggle, "You know what I meant,"

She stood, and offered Scarlett her hands. After helping her up, Mindy embraced her. This time, Scarlett didn't hesitate to hug her back. A warmth spread from her head all the way down to the tips of her toes at their closeness. She memorized everything about this moment: Mindy, rubbing tiny circles into her back, the scent of rosemary that always seemed to cling to her, the softness of her delicate, petite hands.

A mere nine words, caused all that warmth to be plunged into the icy depths of Scarlett's racing heart, "You've always been such a great friend to me,"

All Scarlett could do, was say, "Yeah…yeah, right back at you, hon,"

Mindy detangled, and wiped a few tears from her eyes, "You ready to head back?"

"Go without me," Scarlett stuffed her hands in the pockets of her jacket, "Today's brought on a whirlwind of emotions for everyone, and I need a few extra minutes to keep mine in check. Don't worry, I'll catch up. I can find my way back,"

Mindy nodded in understanding, "Of course…take as long as you need,"

She stepped into the water, then glanced back. Scarlett gave a little shrug with a good-natured smile. Mindy returned the look before disappearing beneath the waves. When the lavender tail had vanished, Scarlett dropped the façade.

She laughed; a sound of anxious frustration and heartache. Scarlett beat her fists against her head as it consumed her. It then shifted into a groan of deep fatigue as she slumped against the wall, and slid to her knees.

"Well, that was something,"

The voice elicited a girlish scream.

When she realized who it was, Scarlett set her jaw. She grabbed Jiminy out from behind her ear, and dangled him before her outraged eyes, "You little shit!"

"Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to eavesdrop," the cricket chuckled while twiddling his fingers, "I was just-"

"-listening to Mindy and I's very private conversation without our knowing so?"

"Um…yes,"

"So, eavesdropping?"

"Yes?"

"Unbelievable," Scarlett murmured, "Just when I think I finally have a second to breathe, away from these technicolored weirdos, one of those aforementioned weirdos goes ahead and pulls a Joe Goldberg on my ass, and witnesses my one moment of weakness… what the actual f-"

"-let's stop while we're ahead, okay?" Jiminy threw up his hands in surrender, "Listen, I know you're upset-"

Scarlett gave a humorless chuckle, "Understatement of the fucking century,"

Jiminy winced, "B-but I can't ignore the urge to help when someone is crying (or in your case, laughing) out in pain!"

"And I thought I made it clear, I don't want or need your help!"

"Because you're too stubborn to admit you have a problem!"

"Why are you so obsessed with me?!"

"Because-b-because-" Jiminy debated with himself before sighing deeply, "It's my purpose…if I can't assist and guide others, I don't know what I'd do with my life. Miss Bloom, please, I know I can help you…but I can't do that if you don't let me in and tell me what's eating ya,"

"What's eating me, is that you won't leave me the hell alone," Scarlett growled, "You really want to help me? Back off. My issues are my own burden to deal with. Not yours,"

With that, she plopped him onto a nearby boulder and stormed towards the water.

"Could you at least give me a ride back?" Jiminy called after her.

Scarlett gave a resigned groan, and padded back to collect the cricket.


Mindy didn't complain when she didn't awake in The Projectionist's clutches that night.

She held onto the slim possibility that he was starting to grow bored of this little arrangement. This routine they'd formed. The nightmares that plagued her sleep proved her wrong.

"Oh my stubborn little dear, I'm going to see what makes you tick,"

Mindy flinched as The Projectionist's laughter echoed all around her.

"What if, instead of fighting, you let me in."

She screamed as she sunk in pools of thick ink.

"And believe you me; this is sure to be a performance that you'll NEVER forget!"

"Do…your…worst."

"If you insist."

She thrashed as more images assaulted her:

Being lowered into the puppet theatre. Screeching her head off as the ink poured into her stinging eyes. Restraining a whimper as The Projectionist dislocated her wrist. Dancing with him.

"Then I swear that I will go out of my way to make your existence a living hell..."

"I'd love to see you try,"

This must've been his plan. To tide her over with the horrific memories of his abuse, while he was off doing whatever evil entities did in their spare time.

How sweet. It's almost like he's really here.

She saw herself being chased by the demon marionettes. Landing atop the swerving car. Zooming into the gaping maw of gnashing teeth. Swimming in a sea of rancid, feces-infested water. The Projectionist's soul-crushing words before he parted in a slew of the aforementioned water.

Mindy couldn't take it anymore, and pried her eyes open.

For a while, she laid there fighting back tears.

Her frazzled mind couldn't fathom why this was happening despite the answer being obvious. She'd been the one to think it a good idea to create The Dremesphere all those years ago. If anyone was to blame for her current situation, it was her.

Mindy wouldn't've changed a thing though…at least, she didn't think she would have. It was difficult to make such bold declarations to herself, when she couldn't even remember fabricating these animated realms in the first place.

"You're also so close-minded," Mindy sat straight up when she recalled The Projectionist's words from the previous night, "You may have shaped the Disney worlds, but you did not create this universe itself,"

She fingered at the pendant around her neck.

What had he meant by that?

It wasn't your typical 'Bad Guy tries getting under The Hero's skin' scenario. Mindy had known he'd been telling the truth from his venom-seeped tone, and the unadulterated hatred and bitterness in his crimson eyes.

Is that why he hates me so much? But another, far more disturbing question dominated her thoughts: If I didn't create this pocket dimension The Dremesphere is in, then who did?

Head pounding, Mindy got up and started making her way out of The Grotto.

It was easier than last time since she was closest to the door. Still, she paused to glance back at her sleeping companions. It hadn't flown past her head that they'd kept their distance from her when they'd settled in for the night.

Mindy's breath caught when she spotted the swelling bruise on the corner of Dakota's mouth.

"I'm sorry,"

It was all she could think of to say, but the words felt meaningless rolling off her tongue. She knew that he'd assured her multiple times that no harm was done, but Mindy knew better. Yes, the wound could've been worse, but he'd never be able to look at her the same way ever again. That realization tore her apart inside.

Mindy's eyes grew saltier as she fled to the surface.

She hauled herself onto the rock where Ariel had sung her reprise, and wept towards the unfeeling, starry sky. Mindy felt utterly pathetic as she laid there shivering beneath the pale moon. Her jaw ached from the iron-grip her teeth had on her right forearm. She kept muttering "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," in her head over and over again.

She was sorry for a multitude of things: abandoning her subjects, banishing Jack Sparrow and co to The Isle of Oblivion, dragging her two best friends into this mess, creating those stupid sirens, keeping The Projectionist's invasion a secret.

But most of all, Mindy was sorry for being the anomaly.

She sobbed so long, and so hard, that a pressure stared building inside her stomach. Mindy didn't have enough time to summon another bowl. She yanked her head to the side, and vomited. It's okay, I didn't want to keep those kelp salads in anyway.

When she'd finished, she hugged herself as childlike whimpers snuck past her lips.

Mindy wanted nothing more than to escape this fantasy world, if only for a few hours. What she really wanted to do was sleep, but she knew that wasn't an option. The Projectionist would be waiting for her, either the real one or the one from her memories.

No matter what.

"Goodness! Are you alright?"

Jiminy Cricket planted himself onto her propped tail.

"Oh my Walt, you're not-" he looked both ways before he leaned forward and hissed, "-you're not bulimic, are you?"

She couldn't help but let out a weak, crackled laugh as she wiped snot from her upper lip, "What?"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Jiminy encouraged with a strained smile, "You can tell me if you are. It'll be okay, I promise. We'll get through this together, like we always do. Your body is perfect just the way it is. It's sometimes a struggle to appreciate it for the functions it performs, especially for kids around your age. So, when did this start? Don't be afraid to overshare now. Uncork that bottle, and pour the contents out,"

Mindy stared slack-jawed. He didn't notice, and instead looked up at her as if she were about to tell him a bedtime story…

"Um, thanks. But I'm not bulimic, sorry to disappoint you," she self-consciously started rubbing her arms, "It's nothing, I just woke up from another nightmare that's all,"

She realized her mistake too late.

"Wait, another nightmare?" Jiminy inquired, "You've been having nightmares?"

Mindy's brows knitted together as she debated with herself.

She wanted to tell him, she really wanted to…but the fear of what would happen when she did, held her back. Despite her attempts to get Jiminy to keep the rendezvous a secret, she knew that he would tell the others at some point. The thought of facing her friends' looks of pity and their powerlessness to stop The Projectionist's abuse, was too much for Mindy to bear.

She needed to be strong, not just for herself, but for them as well. More than anything, she needed to channel the rest of her powers, and get him out of her head so that she could finally get a decent night's rest.

Her lack of an answer, only concerned Jiminy even more, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you," Mindy chose to respond somewhat honestly, "Besides, they're just nightmares, it's not like they can hurt me or anything,"

She shut her eyes when she was bombarded with flashing images: The marionette of a clown tossing her across the stage, the multiple-limbed creature slashing her stomach, The Projectionist popping her wrist-

Mindy shook her head to clear them.

"Physically, yes. But mentally, now that's a different story,"

When she once again remained silent, Jiminy withdrew a handkerchief to wipe her puffy eyes.

"You shouldn't feel the need to hide things from me. You know you can tell me anything, right?" His tone was desperate, pleading, it grated on every last one of Mindy's fragile nerves. Jiminy didn't notice the way her fists bunched at her sides, and continued his spiel, "There's nothing we can't face if when we work together! Some say that both dreams and nightmares are messages your subconscious wants to tell you such as insecurities, desires, or even future events. So, what kind of nightmares are you having? On a scale of 1-10, how bad are they? Are they about the Isle residents? Captain Hook? The Projec-"

"-Jiminy,"

The cricket careened backwards when Mindy's eyes sparked.

When she noticed, she took in a deep, cleansing, breath and they were gone, "I love you, okay? Let me make that extremely clear, I love you. Your support means everything to me, and you give helpful and sweet advice most of the time. But…don't take this the wrong way. You're very pushy. To the point where I want to gauge my eyes out with a rusty dinglehopper every time you ask me if I'm doing alright,"

"I…I can't help but care about your wellbeing," Jiminy croaked.

"I know," Her gaze softened, "And I appreciate you for that, but I don't want to tell you anything about my nightmares. Some things…some things, I want to keep to myself because they're too painful to talk about right now,"

This made him go quiet for a few moments…

"Am I a…bad conscience, Mindy?"

The guilt consumed her.

She fumbled for the right words, "W-what? No Jiminy, not even close. You're a wonderful conscience, and I'm so lucky to have you,"

"You're only saying that to make me feel better,"

"Dude, you're one of the wisest peop-err crickets that I know,"

He chuckled a bit, "I'm the only cricket you know,"

"That's not true," Mindy pushed up her glasses with a knowing smirk, "When Mulan was having her mental spiral, her cricket sidekick didn't offer her breathing exercises, hugs, or pep talks. Granted, Cri-kee can't talk, but that's what makes you so special. You're the only talking cricket in Disney canon,"

Jiminy blushed.

"All jokes aside, you sir are amazing," She resumed, "But it's like you said, we strive for progression and not perfection. I'm only trying to be honest with you when I say that you come off as a little overbearing at times. You drive others away by asking them to disclose things they don't feel comfortable sharing with you,"

He face-palmed, "No wonder Scarlett was so upset,"

"Exac-wait, what?" Mindy tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"I…I can't lie to you," Jiminy sagged, "I've been trying for the past couple of days to get her to open up to me a little, but I'm getting nowhere so far,"

"That's Scarlett for you,"

"I can tell she's not in a good place right now," He continued, "She's always solemn and no-nonsense, and she tends to snap at others without warning. The only problem is, she doesn't seem to want my help. We're talking about free therapy here! What kind of person doesn't want free therapy? Why is she like this?"

"Scarlett's the kind of person who'll bottle up all of her feelings at once," Mindy replied, "She thinks showing them to others is weakness. That's why she has these walls stationed around her heart at all times. She doesn't want to get hurt,"

"I wish she'd understand that I'm not going to hurt her," Jiminy lamented, "It's perfectly healthy to release your emotions, and I think that some therapy would do her some good,"

"I agree," an idea popped into Mindy's head, "What if I talk to her for you?"

"Really?" the cricket perked up, "You don't think that'll be too pushy? I don't wanna bother her any more than I already have after all,"

"I think it's at least worth a shot," She shrugged, "It's sweet that you want to help her. Besides, what's the worst thing that could happen? If she says no, we can drop it and that'll be the end of it,"

Jiminy nodded with a grin, "Okay, thank you Mindy,"

"No problem," Mindy beamed, "I'm glad you're not limiting your services to just me,"

I'm also glad that you can't see how much I'm dying on the inside from not telling you the truth about The Projectionist. She didn't add. At least if Scarlett agrees to these therapy sessions, you'll be too distracted to ask me why I'm afraid to go to sleep at night now.