Page 1 of Nothing to Fear

ONE

“HELLO?”

“You’re connected to operator 1908,” an automated voice echoed down the line.

No matter how good technology got, most humans recognized a non-human voice. Not the most comforting start.

“Hello?”

“Hi, you’re speaking to Jacob.” His deep voice rumbled right through her. Though there was something not quite right about it. Human? Automated? This couldn’t be AI, could it? Maybe she should take her previous thought back. “Do you want to give me your name?”

Did she? Probably not, but what the hell was the point in calling if she wasn’t going to engage?

“Anna.”

Not completely true, but not a lie either, perfect.

“Hi, Anna.” Reassurance came with the bass of his words. A vague picture of him formed in her mind’s eye. Bet this Jacob wouldn’t lie down and take abuse. “Thank you for reaching out to Trauma Support at Lighting Darkness. Why did you call tonight?”

Why did she call? “My boss suggested it might be… a good idea.”

Like a million years ago, but she’d been busy. That was her excuse anyway.

“Okay. Are you friendly with your boss?”

“Not overly,” she said, sinking into the couch, twirling her finger in the cord of her rotary phone. “There was an incident at work, or work related and…” She exhaled. “This is stupid.”

“Why is it stupid?”

“Because I’m not afraid and my trauma was… it’s nothing to what some people go through.”

“Do you always measure your experience against others?”

“Don’t we all?”

“No,” he said, plain and simple, just like that.

Well, okay then, way to call her weird. Shouldn’t that be against some phone counsellor rules?

Inhaling, she held the breath until her lungs burned. “I have trust issues. Opening up isn’t easy.”

“That’s okay. This is a free line; it costs nothing to talk to me. I’ve got nowhere to be. You’ve got me all night, if you want me.”

The warmth in that statement did ease a little of her tension. But there were others, people waiting on hold, people who may really need help.

The “Lighting Darkness” charity helpline covered many needs neglected on a state and federal level, and by the healthcare system in general. Upon dialing, a user was given options, press one for this, two for that, and so on. Trauma, suicidal thoughts, grief counselling, loneliness, befriending, self-harm, etc. the list was comprehensive.

“How long have you worked for Lighting Darkness?”

“Lighting Darkness is staffed primarily by volunteers. Everyone is vetted and has experience in the area they answer.”

“Experience?”

“Could be they’re trained in the field or that they have dealt with similar issues themselves.”

“Do you?” she asked.

“Yes.”

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