As soon as Jasiri finished her introduction, Dr. Thrash grabbed his pen and notebook from his desk and took another sip of his tea. Once that was done, the raccoon therapist put all of his attention back on the anxious cub and said "Shall we get started, Jasiri?" as he clicked his pen.
"I guess so…" Jasiri replied nervously.
Dr. Thrash simply nodded as he started to jot some notes down on his notepad. While doing this, he proceeds to ask the following questions: "Which topic do you wish to discuss first? You and your family? Or the 'incident' that's been causing these nightmares of yours?"
"I guess we can start with my family…" Jasiri answered shyly.
"Okay, let's start with something simple. How many mammals are in your family?"
"Only three…Me, Mom, and Uncle Banzai."
"If I remember correctly, your mother mentioned her having a second brother?"
As soon as she hears the question, Jasiri's eyes begin to swell up with tears as she wraps her tail around herself like a security blanket. "Yeah…that was my Uncle Eddy…"
"Oh…Jasiri, I'm so sorry. How long has he been gone?"
"*Sniffles* Two years…I really miss him…"
Dr. Thrash responded with a solemn nod as he handed Jasiri a box of tissues and decided to change the subject as he figured a very sensitive topic like that would have to be saved for another time. "Why don't you tell me about your school; favorite class subject, a teacher you enjoy, or maybe a classmate/friend you're close with."
"School's okay," Jasiri says as she blows her nose and wipes away her tears. "I don't have a favorite subject per se, and I have a couple of best friends."
"Now we're getting somewhere. Mind telling me more about these friends of yours?" asked Dr. Thrash. "Only if you feel comfortable doing so."
"Well, their names are Kiara and Kion Priderock, they're lion siblings, and they're the best!" Jasiri started. "I've known them both since the first grade, we always watch each other's backs, and they're kinda like the brother and sister I've never had. Although, I see Kiara more as a big sister. Kion on the other hand…"
"On the other hand…what?" Dr. Thrash insisted.
Jasiri stays silent as she feels her cheeks burn a bright hue of pink before squeaking out, "He's…kinda cute. Please don't tell anyone." she says as she bashfully hugs her tail.
"No worries," he chortled. "Your secret is safe with me. Although, since we're on the topic of your friends, how did they fare during the Spiderpocalypse?"
Jasiri knew where Dr. Thrash was going with that question and knew that she couldn't dodge nor avoid the topic anymore; she had to talk about what happened to her on that infamous night. The hyena cub hugged herself tightly as she took a deep breath, and tried to put on a brave face for the raccoon therapist. But alas, that only lasted for a good five seconds before the tears started back up again. "T-They were afraid…s-scared…scared of getting eaten…scared of losing their mom and dad…and…and..and…*Sobs*...I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Jasiri sobbed as she cried into one of the large pillows on the couch.
"It's quite alright, Jasiri," Dr. Thrash reassured. "You went through a heavily traumatic moment in your life. You have every right to feel upset and even scared right now. Okay?"
"*Sniffles* Okay…" Jasiri answered as she grabbed another handful of tissues. "I think I'm ready to talk about the 'incident'…"
Dr. Thrash nodded as he flipped onto a new page in his notebook and got his pen ready to write anything at a moment's notice. He then finishes this with another quick sip of his tea and says to Jasiri, "How about we start from the beginning? Just take your time. And there's no need to rush."
"Okay…here goes…"
Last Tuesday, at the F.E.A.S.T. Shelter...
It was Family Night at the shelter where my mom works; me, her, and my uncles made it a tradition to attend every year and have fun. However, we took a bit of a break after my Uncle Eddie passed away…it was a very dark time for my mom and Uncle Banzai. But thanks to my mom's work friend, Ms. Imara, she convinced her to start our tradition again! Not to mention, my Uncle Banzai got a pay raise at his job and he was going to propose to his girlfriend that night. And so, we went and everyone was having a good time! Especially me. While my mom and uncle were chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Priderock, and some of the other adults, I was currently playing with my friends…
In the playground area of the F.E.A.S.T. Shelter, prey and predator children alike, were running around and playing amongst themselves. Some were playing on the swing sets, climbing to the top of the jungle gym, or just playing an old-fashioned game of tag. Jasiri was currently in a three-way race between herself and her two best friends, Kiara Priderock and her little brother Kion, as all three cubs were practically neck-to-neck.
"C'mon, slowpokes! Is that the fastest you two can go?" Laughed Kiara. "I can practically run circles around you two!"
"Ha! We'll see about that!" Kion retorted as he attempted to catch up with his big sister.
Jasiri just smiled and laughed as she watched her two friends banter as they raced across the playground. Their race lasted for another few minutes until they reached the swing sets, which was considered the finish line. Once all three cubs crossed the line, they all debated on who won the race until it turned into a heated argument between Kiara and Kion saying that one of them won and the other was a sore loser, followed by a continuous chain of "Did not! Did too!" and "Am not! Are too!". Jasiri contemplated jumping in and getting the two cubs to stop arguing and makeup with one another, but she knew that the lion siblings would eventually kiss and make up with one another after a few minutes.
While this was happening a gargantuan cloud of red and blue gas appeared and began to spread throughout the entire neighborhood. This quickly catches the attention of everyone at the shelter. Some of the adults started grabbing their kids as they didn't want to take any chances and were preparing for the worst, others were grabbing their things and getting ready to run back to their vehicles. That is until…
CRASHHHH! ROOOOAARRRRR!
An ear-piercing screech echoed throughout the entire shelter. Leaving everyone stunned with fear and paranoia. Jasiri, Kiara, and Kion huddled against each other, and stood completely still; Jasiri was on the verge of having a panic attack and was barely keeping it together, Kion started crying as he clung onto his big sister for comfort, and Kiara tried her best to stay calm for her best friend and little brother as she tries to think of a plan of action.
However, before Kiara could even execute her plan a predator-sized SUV flew over her and her friends before crashing on top of the monkey bars. And before anyone could process what just happened, the sound of heavy footsteps began to boom through the mysterious gas.
BOOM…BOOM…BOOM…BOOM…GRRRRRRR…
Out of the red-blue gas came a bear-sized spider monster; with its multiple fangs and mandibles covered in slob and blood, its plethora of sharp claws out and ready to cut anything down, and its multiple red beady eyes glaring at all of the terrified mammals in its path.
"K-Kiara…I'm scared…" Kion tearfully states as he tightly grips his sister's arm. "I wanna go back to Mom and Dad…"
"We will," Kiara replies in a hushed tone as she keeps her eye on the creature. "I promised."
Jasiri was practically trembling as she felt her racing heart beat a hundred times over; the poor pup wasn't sure if she wanted to cry, scream, throw up, or just straight-up run. Sadly for Jasiri, a choice was already made for her.
GRRRRRRR…ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRGHHH! was the last thing everyone heard before an entire army of spider monsters began charging from out of the expanding gas cloud. This immediately caused the three cubs and everyone around them to run like hell.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"RUNNNNNNNNNNN!"
All hell breaks loose as the army of spider monsters starts webbing mammals up left and right, dragging them into the expanding red and blue gas as it begins to cover up the entire playground and soon the shelter. Kiara, Kion, and Jasiri ran as fast as they could through the panicking crowds of mammals; from avoiding falling debris, and globs of webs being shot out sporadically, and trying not to get trampled by some of the elephant and rhino citizens. Unfortunately for Jasiri, she got separated from her friends by a confusion of wildebeest and a herd of hippos.
I see…
Yeah…It happened so fast, I didn't know what to do at that moment except cry and scream for help…*sniffles* I'm sorry…
It's quite alright! There's no need for apologies. Take all the time you need and let me know when you're ready to continue.
Sniffles* Okay, I think I'm ready to continue now…
I'm all ears, Jasiri.
Nods* R-Right…I quickly got back on my feet and started running again. Mainly because that gas cloud was getting closer and that big monster from earlier? It was after me…
ROOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRGHHHHHH!
The bear-sized spider monster roared as it was in hot pursuit of Jasiri. Clawing away and mauling at anyone that stood between it and the hyena pup. As she was running from the monster, the sounds of innocent mammals screaming and pleading for their lives continued to painfully echo through her ears, her endless tears started to affect her vision as she couldn't tell where she was going, and who was or wasn't a spider monster.
"KIARA! KION! WHERE ARE YOU!?" Jasiri shouted. "MOMMY!? UNCLE BANZAI!? ANYBODY!? *pant* *pant* HELLO!?"
But alas, Jasiri's cries for help fell on deaf ears as it was overshadowed by the sounds of panicking mammals, children crying for their parents, and Police/EMT sirens blaring throughout the area. However, that didn't stop the hyena pup from trying again as she continued to call out to her friends and family with no luck whatsoever. "KION! KIARA! MOM! UNCLE BANZAI! WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!? HEL-AHHHHHH!" she screamed as she was forcefully dragged into the red-blue gas by giant strings of webs.
"NO! NO! LEAVE ME ALONE! NOOOOO!" Jasiri cried out as she struggled to rip the web off of her leg. Sad to say, the hyena pup was unsuccessful in her escape attempt and was immediately exposed to the massive gas cloud; once she was inside of it, she started to have a violent coughing fit that felt like an eternity. Along with this, she begins to cough up a nasty mix of mucus and blood, clumps of her fur begin to fall off, her sides and her stomach begin to twist and cramp up like never before, and soon enough, she begins to transform.
"*Cough* *Cough* ACKKKKKK! W-WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME!? *Cough* *Cough*" was the last thing Jasiri said before her muzzle polymorphed into full-on arachnid mandibles, her paws painfully mutating into talons with razor-sharp claws, four additional talons popping out from her sides, and finally gaining a set of six additional eyes onto her face. Jasiri Outlander was gone…in her place, was a mindless and bloodthirsty monster.
GRRRRRR….SCREEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHHHHHHHHH!
…After that, I blacked out. I couldn't remember anything after that. Except for the voices…
I see. Jasiri, I-I'm so sorry. No child should have to suffer through that much trauma. Ever.
Thanks, Dr. Thrash…
No worries. Now, about what you said earlier. You said you only remember "the voices"? Can you elaborate on that for me, please?
Sigh*...Okay, but you're not gonna like what I'm about to say; while I was in my monstrous state, I remember hearing the voices…all of the scared, angry, and terrified voices of all the mammals from that night. They constantly replay in my mind. Like an endless loop…
"NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!
"KIARA HELP ME!"
"HANG ON KION! I'M COMING!"
SLASH!
"…Kion, no…"
"AGHHHHHHHH! *Sobs* MY EYEEEEE! I CAN'T SEE! I CAN'T SEE!"
SCREEEEEEEEEEE-
WHAM! "GET AWAY FROM MY LITTLE BROTHER!" WHAM!
GRRRRRrrrrr….
"K-Kiara?"
"I'm here, Kion…I'm here…"
"It hurts…*sniffles* i-it hurts…"
"I-It'll be okay…It'll be okay…let's go find mom and dad…"
.
.
.
.
"AIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE! IT'S A MONSTER!!!RUNNNNNN!!!"
"BURN THAT BUG-EYED FREAK!"
"OPEN FIRE! BANG! BANG! BlAM! BlAM! RA-TA-TA-TA-TA!
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!
"DON'T LET IT GET AWAY! MAKE SURE Y'ALL KILL THAT THING!"
"I SAW IT ATTACK AN INNOCENT CHILD! THAT MONSTER NEEDS TO DIE!
"THERE IT GOES! IT'S MAKING A RUN FOR IT DON'T LET IT GET AWAY!
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BLAM! BLAM! CHOOM! CHIK-CHIK! CHOOM! CHIK-CHIK!
SCREEEEEEEEEEE!
.
.
.
.
Sometime later, I eventually came to and found myself in the cold streets of Tundratown. I thought I was going to freeze to death until this nice fox lady found me…
"Ughhhh…I don't feel so good…"
"Hey, sweetie. Stay with me. We're gonna get you some help. Okay? Nod if you understand."
*Nods* "…Ow…"
"Hang in there. I got you. *Beep* This is Director Winter! I found another victim on the south side of Tundratown. Female hyena pup, possibly ten to twelve years old, needs medical attention."
"...Thank you…"
And Now…
After retelling her story of the night that changed her and all of Zootopia forever, Jasiri curled into a ball and began to cry once more. Thinking about all of the yelling, screaming, shooting, and worst of all, attacking and scarring her best friend.
"It's all my fault!" Cried Jasiri. "It's my fault he got hurt! It's my fault that he may never be able to see again! I almost…almost…" She couldn't finish the sentence and began to cry even harder.
"Jasiri," Dr. Thrash started as he carefully approached the young cub. "What happened to Kion was not your fault. You weren't in control of yourself and-"
"AND WHAT!?" Jasiri tearfully shouted. "HE DIDN'T DESERVE THIS! KIARA DIDN'T DESERVE THIS! THEY…THEY...They probably hate me now…"
"I highly doubt that Jasiri," Dr. Thrash replied as he handed her another box of tissues. "If anything, I think your friends were probably more worried about you and were hoping that you're okay and safe. Have you thought about that?"
"*Sniffle* No, I guess not…" Jasiri answered as she wiped away her tears and blew her nose once more.
Right as she says that, Dr. Thrash's alarm on his phone goes off. Signaling the end of his and Jasiri's first session together. However, before he takes Jasiri back to her mother and uncle, the raccoon therapist gives her a personal notebook to write out any feelings that she has in the moment and as a way to help her keep track of her healing journey.
With all of that out of the way, Jasiri was properly escorted back to the lobby and was reunited with Shenzi and Banzai. As they make their way back to the car, Shenzi gets a phone call from her friend, Nala Priderock. "Hey, girl. How are you and Simba holding up?"
"H-Hey, we're doing okay. We're at the hospital right now, seeing about Kion."
"How's the little guy doing?"
"Well…he's out of surgery now. And from what the doctors told us, he's expected to make a full recovery and his vision should be back in a matter of weeks."
"Oh, I'm glad to hear that! What about Kiara? How's she doing after that night?"
"She's still shaken up about it…and she's still blaming herself for what happened to Kion. Think you can swing by here with Jasiri? I'm sure seeing her best friend would cheer her up a bit."
Shenzi looks over to see Jasiri hugging her Uncle Banzai tightly as they nuzzle each other. "I think that's a good idea, Nala. And maybe we can treat the kids to ice cream later."
"Sounds like a plan Shen~! See you soon."
"Bye!"
Once the phone call between the two moms was done, Shenzi went over to Banzai and Jasiri, and relayed the information to them; Banzai was thrilled to hear that the little lion cub was going to be okay and Jasiri, who was worn out from crying, felt a sense of hope and relief, and was looking forward to seeing her friends and get some much-needed ice cream.
As they're driving out of the district, Jasiri starts to get a strong and tingling sensation in her head. Thinking it's just a little headache or migraine and it'll go away in a bit. However, that didn't seem to be the case as the supposed 'headache' got progressively stronger and louder in a matter of seconds. This lasted for a good few minutes until it finally went away. Leaving the hyena pup relieved and free from the pain. Meanwhile, a few blocks ahead, Spider-Yena was perched on a nearby rooftop as he rubbed his forehead with one lingering thought on his mind: "What's going on with my Spider-Senses?"
To be Concluded…