18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
STARLET
I have never been so nervous in my entire life. Writing an exam about criminal behavior and human nature didn’t even have me this freaked out.
I’m patiently waiting in the silent waiting room to be called. The fluorescent lights hum softly overhead, casting a sterile, white glow. My leg won’t stop bouncing, and my forehead is coated with sweat droplets, making my skin feel clammy and sticky. Though I’m not the only one here.
On my right is another young woman, her fingers trembling as she nervously twirls a strand of her hair. Across from me sits a mother with a little girl no older than five, the little girl fidgeting with her stuffed toy, her wide eyes filled with innocence and curiosity.
Looking at each of them I can’t help but wonder why they are here. What pushed them to the point of having to seek therapy? What happened to them? Who hurt them?
I almost leap out of my skin when an older lady calls my name, her voice gentle yet commanding, standing right in front of me gazing down at me with a warming smile on her rosy lips.
“Miss. Macklamor?” Nodding, I slowly rise and follow her down the narrow hallway that consists of a few doors on either side of me. With each step I take, the floor creaks beneath my weight, adding to the tension in the air. My heart pounds harder against my chest, its rhythm echoing in my ears, drowning out the muffled sounds of distant conversations. Swallowing hard, I can hear Argent’s voice echoing in my mind.
Breathe.
We stop in front of one of the doors, the wood polished to a shine. The woman turns and smiles at me before walking past me back to the front, her footsteps fading away. Taking a deep breath, I softly knock on the door.
“Come in.” A low, gravelly voice of a man speaks from inside. Cautiously, I enter the room, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The smell of leather and cedarwood cologne reaches my nose, mingling with the faint scent of coffee.
My eyes land on him as he turns to face me, a puzzled look forming on my face as I stare at him. He seems so familiar. I swear I’ve seen him somewhere before.
“Please, have a seat.” He says, gesturing to the chair in front of his wooden desk. Complying, I manage to smile at him before taking a seat. My eyes scan his office, noticing all the degrees and awards hanging on the walls, their shiny frames catching the light.
Wow, he really is one of the best.
“I’m glad to see you’re safe,” he says, his voice breaking the silence. Furrowing my brows, I turn my gaze back to him. “Your abduction was all everyone was talking about,” he clarifies. I can see the concern etched on his face, his eyes searching for any signs of comprehension in my puzzled expression .
“Oh—um, yeah,” I stutter, my voice barely audible as I avoid making eye contact. Instead, I find solace in staring at my trembling fingers, twirling them nervously in my lap.
“You can speak freely to me, Miss Macklamor,” he states, his voice soothing yet commanding. I nod silently, my eyes still fixed on my lap.
“Eyes on me, Starlet,” his deep voice resonates, snapping me out of my trance. I meet his gaze as he leans forward, his elbows resting on the desk, his eyes locked onto mine.
“What you have been through was torture. That is why I am here—to help you work through all the pending pain and make sense of the new life you have to face,” he says, the intensity in his gaze is both comforting and unnerving, causing my palms to grow damp with sweat and I can’t shake the feeling that I know him from somewhere.
“I’m sorry, I just—you look so familiar,” I nervously admit, a small smile forming on his lips. He leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “I was wondering when you were going to say something. We have indeed met before, but only briefly—a few months back,” he declares, his response knitting a frown on my forehead.
“I was in captivity for more than a year... how—” I begin, my voice trailing off as a wave of memories crashes over me.
‘I heard you earlier, saying that you’re not ‘that kind’ of doctor…so, what kind of doctor are you?’
‘Oh, um, I’m a psychologist.’
His words echo in my mind, sparking a mix of disbelief, anger, and resentment. My gaze locks onto him, shooting daggers through the air.
“You—you could’ve helped me... but you didn’t!” I raise my voice, the anger and frustration boiling over. He wipes his hands over his face, a defeated sigh escaping his lips.
“I couldn’t—”
“Bullshit!” I yell before he can finish speaking, my voice laced with disappointment. He hangs his head in shame, his eyes avoiding my gaze.
In a moment of surrender, he rises from his seat, his footsteps echoing softly as he walks around the desk. He comes to a halt right in front of me, his presence looming over me. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation, as he lowers himself, practically on his knees before me.
“I wanted to. I wanted to help you get out. But Zavier and I—we had an agreement that I couldn’t walk away from. Not helping you has haunted me every single day. I wish I could go back—to just… rescue you from him. I am so sorry, Starlet.”
I could feel the intensity of his plea, and the desperation in his voice as he spoke. My heart ached as I stared down at him, my vision blurred by the tears streaming down my face.
I reach up to brush them away, trying to compose myself as I abruptly stand up from the worn chair, the sound of its legs scraping against the floor breaking the stillness.
“Thank you for your time, Doctor Storm.” With one last look, I turn and walk out of his office, the heavy silence following me like a ghost.