the tamed animal

"Vaelyn," a voice calls from the haze of another world. The clouds fog Vaelyn's mind as she wanders within it, her pupils frozen to stare into nothing, and her body numb from dissociation. "Vaelyn, are you alright?"

Vaelyn blinks several times to the bright ivory of the room and the ceiling light blinds her as she tilts her head up to better wake from her daydream. She sits with her knees to her chest, the gloss of her lenses holding light over her eyes, and she looks up to the woman who calls her name. Sitting across from her, Miss Quinton sits in her white uniform, trying to reach a lost patient in their hallucinations. Vaelyn meets the eyes of the golden bear in a different reality, staring deep into its sparkling fur, and looks up at Quinton.

"What were you saying?" Vaelyn asks quietly. Quinton tilts her head to the side in confusion, unsure of what Vaelyn was doing in the few seconds she was taken to her own world, but shrugs it off.

"I was trying to tell you that your parents only want what is best for you," Quinton mentions. Vaelyn stares at the bear, showing no emotion to the therapist, and nods gently.

"I'm not living for them anymore," Vaelyn slowly loosens her grip on her knees, "I'm living for myself."

"I understand. I just want you to be careful after you leave. It can be a dangerous world out there, but I know you'll do just fine," Quinton smiles. Vaelyn looks up to her and smiles back.

"Thanks," Vaelyn whispers. Quinton nods, reaching for the bear, and holds it in her hands.

"Now, I understand if you don't, but do you want this? We'll put it in your bags tomorrow when you leave, and you can decide what you'd like to do with it then," Quinton says, closing her binder after briefly looking through the papers. Vaelyn lowers her knees from her chest, placing her feet on the floor, and leaning forward, her face finally unearthed from her own shadows.

"Yes," Vaelyn reaches for it, "I want it right now."

Quinton smiles gently, questioning what struck Vaelyn to break from her shell, and hands the bear to Vaelyn. The patient takes the gift, holding it close in her arms, and watches Quinton as she rises from her chair. "I think that's all I had this week."

Valeyn snickers. "You're not going to ask me the same questions as always?"

"I saw a light in your eyes when I pulled that bear from the bag," Quinton holds the binder to her chest, "It has been a long time since I've seen that light again."

"Sounds like maybe you're the one hallucinating," Vaelyn says.

Quinton shakes her head. "I've met with you every week for three years, Vaelyn. I know what I saw."

"What did you see?" Vaelyn asks. Quinton walks toward the door where the lobby rests on the other side, but turns to Vaelyn before she reaches for the handle.

"For the first time in this facility, I saw a light in you that wasn't made to masquerade darkness. It was a pure, natural light -- like it came straight from the sun," Quinton states.

Vaelyn laughs. "You're joking, right?"

"I don't think I am, but I hope it stays bright for a long time," Quinton responds. Vaelyn watches her open the door, the therapist gesturing for the patient to follow, and Vaelyn enters the lobby as Quinton closes the door behind her. Quinton fixes the papers in her binder, smiles at Vaelyn a final time, and prepares to leave. "I'm going to miss you, Vaelyn."

"I'm going to miss you, Miss Quinton," Vaelyn hugs the therapist gently. A brief moment passes before they release each other.

"Don't forget you have the world to conquer," Quinton mentions from earlier in their conversation. Vaelyn looks up to her and shakes her head.

"I'd rather be waltzing above it," Vaelyn says.