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West Tori Park

June 29th X281

Florian remained silent as she looked over her father’s shoulder. Her eyes were affixed to the sergeant and his soul. The demonic soul standing on one leg bent to its knee. It crunched to a running start position—the stub where its leg should have been branched out maliciously. Then one single bone punctured out from its insides. It formed a peg for itself to stand upon.

Florian trembled at the sight.

This wasn’t going unnoticed by her father. “Flo, it’s not polite to stare. That man sacrificed so much so we all can live at ease.” Mr. Cobblestone patted his daughter on the back.

Florian recorded everything in her journal as soon as she got home, writing down how she approached the sergeant with the slender spike spirit. She wrote about how the spirit reached out blindly as the sergeant spoke. Florian could only concentrate on the spirit’s swaying arms that branched toward her.

When her father’s spirit animal rushed over and barked, the slender spike spirit retracted its arms. As Mr. Cobblestone spoke to the sergeant, it was as if the two spirits could see one another.

Sergeant Nowell, missing a leg but still standing tall. Polite, even though he squinted sternly. She was worried whether the sergeant was going to hurt someone or get hurt himself. The sergeant seemed nice, yet Florian couldn’t understand why his soul was so different. She kept drawing in her journal, getting her personal thoughts in order. Trying to understand the sergeant and the old man who had died in the hospital.

🙠🙢

A few days later, the Cobblestone family was invited to the school to discuss Florian’s misbehavior in class.

The principal of the school listed Florian’s class disruptions, incomplete assignments, and classmate harassment. Florian had given everyone insulting nicknames like boar boy and rat lady.

“Throughout the entire school year, your daughter has not learned a single person’s name. She drifts off in a daze and loses her concentration almost immediately. She even started cutting her own hair in Mrs. Jones’s class,” the principal said.

This was after Florian had finally resolved to start learning names.

“Lately, we’ve noticed weird mood swings,” Mrs. Cobblestone said. “She throws rocks at animals. She was chased by a dog the other day because of it. She wants a pet so badly, yet she shows she’s incapable of caring for one. Ever since her sister was born, she has been acting very strangely.”

Florian sank in her chair. She stayed quiet, unsure of what to say.

“I see, violence toward animals—new sibling entering the family. Sudden changes can cause her to feel neglected. If that is the case, I think it would be best to go see a professional for help,” the principal said.

“You mean a doctor? A specialist? Will that be covered by the Tarot Tori City medical center? The accommodations with Hope, our newborn, are eating up our expenses right now,” Mrs. Cobblestone said.

“It is a facility that has remained open since before Tarot Tori City. Recently, it joined under the umbrella of the medical center coverage. It’s the S. Brook Counseling & Therapy Clinic, Dr. Steinsbrook,” the principal said.

🙠🙢

The S. Brook Counseling & Therapy Clinic was small but was tucked in between shopping centers. To get to it, you had to take an elevator along a cliffside. The elevator was entirely powered by the aqueduct system from the waterfall beside it.

The door to the clinic chimed open.

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“Dr. Steinsbrook? Is Dr. Steinsbrook in?” It was the chief of the Tarot Tori City Police Department. A little heavyset, gray mustache, wearing a TTCPD cap.

A young man answered. “Sorry, he isn’t here. How can I help you, officer?” He had black hair with a couple strands of gray, styled back confidently. The man wore glasses, a button shirt with a vest without a tie, and khaki pants.

“Do you know when Dr. Steinsbrook will return?” the chief asked.

“To tell the truth, I don’t know. Dr. Steinsbrook left abruptly about two years ago. I tried many times to get a hold of him, with no luck.”

“Pity, and you are?” the chief said.

“I’m his apprentice, sir. Dr. Ronaldo Von Nirvanas. He taught me everything I know.”

“Really? Well then, I don’t see why I can’t ask you. Dr. Steinsbrook worked with us numerous times before. Can you help us with a psychological profile? Of course, compensation for your assistance is negotiable.”

“Sorry . . . well, I thought about it during my studies . . . but. . .”

I don’t specialize in criminal psychology.

“Well, think about it. . . Tarot Tori City’s crime rate is low, but the few crimes that do take place tend to be more extreme. Maybe true sociopaths come out of hiding when peace is at its extreme?”

The chief shook Dr. Ronaldo’s hand, gave his contact info with a respectful nod, and departed.

Dr. Ronaldo thought about the chief’s sociopath comment.

That’s not quite right; it’s the other way around. During times of peace, we have more time to help the sociopaths.

The door chimed again. This time it was Florian Lilly Cobblestone entering the clinic.

Dr. Ronaldo’s life was about to change forever.

Florian’s parents spoke with Dr. Ronaldo, briefing him on the situation. They firmly decided that no matter what, they were going to work together to make things right.

Dr. Ronaldo approached and crouched down so he was eye level with Florian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. What’s your name?”

“Florian Lilly Cobblestone.” She responded without any issues.

“I’m eighteen years old. How old are you?” Ronaldo asked. He already knew her age but wanted her to respond in her own words.

“I’m seven years old,” Florian said.

Dr. Ronaldo analyzed every word and gesture Florian used. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Florian’s eyes darted around the room, as if she were looking for something.

She must want to explore the clinic. Her eyes sure are full of curiosity. “Let’s get started; we’ll work here in the lobby. By all means, parents, sit anywhere you can observe. My office is a mess. We’re moving some things out. I just got excited about having a new patient and decided to renovate a bit. Most of it is my mentor’s stuff being hauled off to storage.”

The lobby had a large antique coffee table at its center. A dozen or so chairs were spaced out accordingly. Florian’s parents sat one seat apart from her. Ronaldo interpreted it as the family giving their daughter space for the session but remaining close enough to protect her. Ronaldo could tell they truly cared for Florian.

“You seem rather young to be a therapist?” Mr. Cobblestone said.

“Oh, I get that a lot. I’m eighteen, but I have studied under Dr. Steinsbrook for many years. As his protégé, I inherited his clinic. But I refused to officially take over until I finished my degree and got my license a little over a year ago.”

When the family sat down, he grabbed a notepad and pen. “You can call me Ron for short. What would you like me to call you?”

Florian didn’t answer.

“Shoot, I don’t think I have the right notepad.” Ronaldo opened it up, revealing a pop-up book. “Nope, that isn’t it. Where is it?”

Florian let out a chuckle.

Ronaldo reached under the coffee table and grabbed a small whiteboard. “Here it is.”

Florian just stared at him.

Ronaldo looked at Florian. “I heard you like to draw. Can you draw me?” He handed Florian the whiteboard.

Florian started drawing Dr. Ronaldo.

“I’m here to listen to you, Florian. If anything is bothering you, you can ask me without anyone getting mad at you. If not, we can talk about whatever you want.”

Dr. Ronaldo explained to Florian’s parents that his first goal was to build up her self-esteem, followed by improving her social skills. Later, he would help her understand her emotions and situation. Then expand her vocabulary to strengthen her communication skills.

Florian handed Dr. Ronaldo the drawing.

“Oh, how nice. You drew my glasses and vest really big. I love it. You even drew the sun behind me. Very good.”

“That isn’t the sun,” Florian said.

“What is it?” Ronaldo asked.

“I don’t know,” Florian responded.

“If you don’t want to tell me, that is completely fine. I am still happy you drew me. Thank you, Florian,” Dr. Ronaldo Von Nirvanas said gleefully.

Dr. Ronaldo had no idea Florian was seeing a creature looming over him, a giant spiky ball floating around the room. Pitch dark needles protruded from its center, slowly moving and shivering back and forth.

It was a two-foot urchin crawling through the air aimlessly.