Happy new years everyone!
Hope your new year is starting off good so far. And what a better way to make this end of the first month of the year even better...A BRAND NEW CHAPTER WITH NEW AND BETTER VERSIONS OF CHAPTERS 1-4!
With the addition of a new chapter in the side story that will be out tomorrow around 5-6 pm est. So keep an eye out for that!
The side story is VERY necessary for you to read as it holds stories and other pov that couldn't make it into the main story.
For older readers if you have recently noticed chapter 5 has been deleted. After giving it a lot of thought I've decided to move it over to the side story as I feel like it fits better over there. (And I'll need to go and fix that chapter at a later time) Also please be sure to read the notes of the next four chapters to know what to read!
NEW NOTE: 10/4/24: Guys I just received an wonderful fanart done by MewX42 and I was so in love with it that I've-and with their permission-going to us this a the cover art for the story! You can find the page to their deviantart account over on the AO3 version of this story.
October 4th, 2014, 9: 48 am.
"You're sure you still want to do this?"
"Seriously? Now you're asking me this. After all the times you've been pestering me to go see a therapist. Hell, you even drag Leslie into this!"
"I know, I know. *Sigh* I can tell things have been a bit hard on you especially since you'll be moving soon."
"…Please don't remind me about that." I huffed propping my elbow on the arm rest—feeling the bandage pressing against my skin—staring out the tinted window of the car. "It's bad enough trying to get everyone to corporate on top of all the things I still need to do."
"Well, I'm still glad you're going to see Dr. Smith, to talk about everything." Ash said leaning back in the driver seat. Brown eyes looking out the window.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes before looking back out. "You sure she reliable?"
"Yes. She's an old partner of mine and has work in the same field."
"Why did she leave then?"
Ash let out a groan rubbing the back on his neck. "What a dumb question to ask, Lily. Given what our job is." He let out a tired sigh "Though, the reason is mainly to help people like us. Hard to find a therapist to talk too, without trying to hide the truth of everything. Having someone who knows the ugly side of the world helps too."
"…I suppose." I sigh, before reaching down to grab my bag. "Guess I better get this over with." Before I open the door, Ash spoke up stopping me from leaving.
"I know I'm asking a lot especially what I'm about to put you through but remember to be careful and call me when you're done." He said. "Sarah, cleared her schedule so you'll have the whole day to talk."
"Huh? Why would she do that?" I questioned. Not that I'm complaining, trying to tell everything in under an hour is not going to be easy. Especially with all the information I need to give. I'll be doing multiple sessions just to get everything off my chest, and that's time I don't have. I guess having a whole day would help cut that down by a lot.
"She said she'll tell you. And remember to be careful, if anything feels off call me, I'll be down at the book store till you're done."
I smirked at him "You worry too much, Ash." I chuckled opening the door stepping out of the car and swinging my backpack around my back. "Don't forget I'm not going in alone." I patted my bag. "I call you when I'm done, see you later!" Shutting the door, I faintly see Ash waving through the tinted windows and driving off. Sighing I look over to the building "Better get this done and over with…Hm?"
Drip
Water? I held out my left hand feeling more water hitting my skin. And not a moment after the sounds thunder echo in the air. "A storm huh?" I mumbled pulling the hood of my jacket over my head. "What a coincidence, it was storming that night too." I proceeded to make my way to the building, grabbing hold of the handle to pull the door open.
"How fitting."
With the door shutting behind me, I examined the waiting room taking note of other people sitting around. Looking around I spotted the check in desk up ahead. Just as I was about to walk over a ding coming from my pocket caught my attention.
"Hm?" Pulling my phone out seeing a text notification from Ash. I frowned in confusion as I open the chat.
Ash Okazaki: Forgot to mention that I register you under your alias name. Sarah already knows and whether you use your real name or not is up to you when you meet.
Me: Thanks for the heads up.
'Well, guess that saved me the trouble.' I thought pocking my phone away. Walking up to the desk, I nodded my head when the lady behind there saw me. "Hello. I have an 10 o'clock appointment with Dr. Smith today."
"Okay, let me just check you in real quick." The lady said typing on the computer. "And what is your name?"
"Ah, Sylvia. Sylvia Withers."
"Okay…" The lady mumbles "Ah, there you are. Okay Miss Withers you are all check in. I just need you to fill out this paper and you'll be all set!"
"Thanks." I smiled taking the clipboard from her and walked over to an empty chair. Placing the backpack on the ground as I sat down, pulling the pen out of the clip I began to read the paper.
Name. Age. Birthday. Employment. All the stander questions along with mental health questions.
"Hmm…" I hummed under my breath tapping at the paper. Everything besides the mental questions will be a lie as I'm using my alias. Guess it's a good thing Dr. Smith already knows the truth. I thought, filling out the paper. Once done I took it up to the desk, which the lady smile with a thanks as I sat back done.
I groaned as I sat back down. "This is going to be an exhausting day…" I felt something brushing against my leg, to which I glance down to see my bag shuffling a little. Frowning I lightly tap the bag with my foot before pulling it back up to my lap. "Settle down will you. I don't want to cause a scene." I hissed under my breath. The movement came to a halt as the edge of the flap poke up a bit to reveal dark glass eyes. "I know you're worried but it'll fine. I promise."
"Sylvia?"
My hand twitch at the sound of the name, glancing up I see a blonde woman standing at the door. "That's me!" I called to her as I quickly pushed the toy back further in the bag. Standing up, I hauled the bag over my shoulder as I walk up to the woman. "Dr. Smith, I assume?"
"That would be correct, please follow me." Dr. Smith moved away from the door as it closed behind us. I followed her down the hallway till we reached a room near the end. "After you."
"Thanks."
"Please take a seat." Dr. Smith said, shutting the door. "I'm aware of your…unique situation. Mr. Okazaki had explained your situation to me, and I can give you my word that everything here will not leave this room."
"Some bold words there, Doc." I said sitting down on the loveseat couch placing the bag next to me. "I understand everything is confidential as is with any therapy session, but I'm putting my faith in you and the trust I have with Ash that everything will stay confidential. I have a dangerous group after me and my family, I would like to keep everything on the down low as much as possible."
"And I understand where you're coming from, Sylvia." Dr. Smith said walking over to sit on the chair opposite of me, picking up a notebook. "I'm aware the danger that is your job and who is after you. Trust me, I know how you feel, I've been after them before I left."
"…" Maybe it's a bit wrong of me to give her a hard time even after Ash said I could trust her. Though, I still can't get over the nerves of unease at the thought of talking to a stranger about what happened almost 9 years ago. The tragedy, the horror and those damn dark secrets that will never see the light of day as long as I live. But I know I can't fully heal until I talk to someone about what happen. Even after all these years Ash and I have worked together I still can't bring myself to tell him what fully happen. The man only has the basic gist of things and knows I'll tell eventually when the time comes.
I just feel a bit bad that I'm telling a stranger first then someone I've trusted for almost a decade. Sigh, no point in worrying about it now. Ash was the one who suggested that I do this. "Sorry." I apologize "It's just hard trying to tell some stranger about the things that happen. Things I don't want getting out."
"And it's in your right to feel that way, Sylvia. You're putting your faith in me in telling me about yourself."
"Yeah…" I mumbled looking down at the table in front of us. "Ash told you about the basic of things, right?"
"That's correct. I've always had a hunch about Playtime back when it was active, but to think of what they did there…I can't imagine what you and your brother been through."
I frowned in confusion. Brother? I don't recall mentioning about that. Small movement from my bag caught my attention and I quickly place a hand on it. Guess I'm not the only one feeling a bit suspicious here. "I…don't recall mentioning that I had a brother."
"Oh!" Dr. Smith blink in surprise, probably from the way I called her out. "Sorry, Mr. Okazaki had told me about you and your younger brother. My apologies if I step out of line."
"Hmm…" Did he really mention him? It's hard to say, but most likely since I'll be bringing him in our talk. I'll have to ask him when this is over. "It's fine." I sigh "Guess it'll save me a bit of trouble of explaining things when the time comes."
"Apologize once again. Now then…" Dr. Smith crossed her legs as she looks at me "I'm aware that you are using an alias for your safety, and I'm aware of your birth name. Before we begin the session do you have any preference for what I call you?"
"…Do you have a hidden mics in this room?"
"A what…?" Dr. Smith look flabbergast at my question before shaking her head. "No! No, no, no hidden mics or cameras or anything! The only things that'll be recorded are on paper! And I swear I'll be writing down your alias name for proper safe keeping."
"Even if it's on paper you'll still need to put it in the system. And those can be easily hacked."
"Ye-Yes, I'm well aware. However, and cases like your I keep them in notebooks and store them in a safe."
"…" And those can be broken into as well. Though I refrain from pointing that out as I'm sure she knows too. Not like it matters once this is all over. "If you say so, and to answer your questions it doesn't matter to me what you call me. Though if you want to call me by my birth name then only do so if these doors and windows stay shut. Outside of here my name is back to Sylvia."
"Very well then." Dr. Smith nods picking up her pen "Now how do you want to start? We can talk a bit about yourself, how your days been or anything you're comfortable with till you're ready."
"It's a tempting offer…" I start looking out the window seeing the rain pouring outside. "If we did that though it would take forever before I muster up the courage to tell you why I'm here. I'd rather just jump into it, to be honest."
"That's fine, we can go at any pace you want to start."
"Start huh…" I mumbled before heaving out a deep breath "That's the thing… I don't know where to start."
"Well…"
Just before she could finish a bright flash of light followed by a loud crackling boom that shook the building, echo throughout the room.
"That storm sure is coming in hard."
"Yeah…it was like that that night as well."
"Really?"
"Yeah…guess I know where to start now, but before I jump to it…I suppose I should tell you what lead me to going to Playtime in the first place."
Another flash of lighting lit of up the room.
"It all started that faithful day back in June when a strange package showed up on our doorstep."
I'm not one for New Years resolution but this year I want to try and get a chapter out every month whether it's the main story or the side story I just want to something out there. So wish me luck!