Lunar Eclipse {teen wolf}

Chapter Forty-Three: Therapy Fuel

A bluebird rested inside a nest right outside Dr. Thorson's window. Ayla wondered how long the eggs had till they hatched. What the baby birds would look like when they did and if they would survive the winter?

"Ayla? Are you still with me?" Dr. Thorson asked the young girl. Turning to the woman, Ayla nodded. "I know we haven't seen each other in a while but Jordan told me about the recent trauma you have gone through. He also told me that since you haven't been speaking much?" Her voice was soft and sweet. It's what made Ayla like the woman when she first started going to see her about a year ago.

After being kidnapped for a second time, Jordan insisted on Ayla seeing her therapist again. It was clear she had been struggling to move on and Jordan was scared she may start spiraling again. Ayla couldn't tell Dr. Thorson everything but she could explain her feelings if she could get herself to speak.

"I see you've been picking at your nails again. I thought we discussed ways to handle that?" She scribbled something down in her notebook.

Quickly, Ayla tucked her hands under her legs.

"I think I like her," Kyler cheered from his spot next to the girl. "Doesn't hurt that she's hot too."

Sending a glare his way, Ayla shook her head.

"Ayla, are you alright?" Dr. Thorson asked.

Quickly the teen nodded, pulling her attention away from her dead ex-boyfriend who definitely wasn't supposed to be sitting in on her therapy session. They would definitely have to discuss boundaries later.

"It's been a few days since you've been out of the hospital. How are you adjusting?" Ayla shrugged, not really knowing how to answer the question. "Going back to regular life after a severe trauma can be quite difficult. Especially after being kept in captivity. Some people get so used to the way they're living that they find it hard to know how to act once adjusting back. Sometimes hearing a song or a phrase that you heard while in captivity can set someone into a panic attack. Have you experienced this at all?"

Ayla shook her head. She hadn't experienced much since being out of the hospital. Jordan practically kept her under his constant supervision.

"That's good Ayla. But just know that if you know. It's 100% normal. Now...I know this is a touchy subject but do you want to tell me what happened to you? What happened when you were taken? It might help you understand how to cope."

Images of Ayla's painful escape played in her mind on repeat. All the feelings she had been trying to lock away inside her broke through to the surface.

The fear.

The anger.

The hurt.

The betrayal.

It all was frustrating and she knew if she didn't talk about it soon, it would continue to eat her up inside. Yet still, Ayla couldn't bring herself to open her mouth and speak. "That's alright. Talking about it can also trigger an attack. So if you don't feel you're ready, I'm not going to push you." Dr. Thorson pulled something out of her bag and held it out to Ayla. It was a small red journal with a rose pattern covering the front. "I know you don't feel like you can speak right now so I want you to write down your feelings. Anytime you have a strong emotion I want you to write it down and maybe we can go over them during next week's appointment?"

Taking the journal from the woman's hand, Ayla gave her a nod.

"Oh, a diary, very nice. I can't wait to read it." Kyler smiled, earning a side-eyed glare from Ayla.

"Ayla, are you familiar with the term Selective mutism?" Dr. Thorson asked, adjusting her glasses. Ayla shook her head. "It's a fairly uncommon anxiety disorder. It usually develops in childhood but in rare cases can sometimes develop from trauma later in life too. Most people find that they can talk to their family or loved ones but when it comes to others, they feel as though they physically cannot speak in certain social situations or they will feel an immense amount of panic. Is that kind of what you're feeling?"