Page 61 of Girl Like Me

He’s lying, he has to be. There’s no way I made them up. Wait, he just said it’s nice to see you again.

“You just said it was nice to see me again.”

“I did and I’m talking about Bristol.”

“I don’t remember being Bristol, you know that.”

“Maybe I do, but you have created so many personalities over the years.”

Personalities? What the hell is he talking about?

“I thought we might try something different this time. How about you tell me about these boys and we can try to figure out why your subconscious is fabricating them.”

“You’re lying, they are real.” I scream.

“Then humour me and tell me a little about them.”

“Fine.” I huff. “They found me on a beach.”

“And why were you on the beach?” He asks.

“I was beaten and naked. I don’t remember why or how I got there.”

“Tell me what happened.” He says, folding his hands on his desk, giving me his full attention.

“I woke up in hospital and five guys had saved me. Maximus found me first, he doesn’t talk but we had our own way of communicating. Then there was Mercer, the sound of his voice would keep me in the moment, stopping any panic attacks I had. Levi is the rational one, the one who keeps them all together. Rocky is so funny and energetic and Rory…Rory was arrested.”

My head is jumbled, Rory was released of the charges, I think. Whatever they’ve given me is messing with my head. Confusing me.

“What was he arrested for?” He asks.

“For kidnapping me.”

“Did he really kidnap you?”

“No, I ran away. I don’t remember why but I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

“Do you think your subconscious manifested these boys after your brother was killed to help you manage the grief?”

“My brother was killed?” I ask confused.

“Yes, that’s why you had to come back here. Don’t you remember that?”

I shake my head no and mutter, “I don’t remember that.”

“You were very close to Milo, he would always protect you.”

“Was I sad?”

“Your parents brought you in that same day, you wouldn’t stop screaming. We had to sedate you to keep you calm and you wouldn’t talk to anyone. Well not until today that is.”

“I’m so confused. I haven’t been here in months.”

“It’s okay, we can work on that, talking is a good first step. We need to work through the reasons for believing you had a relationship with these boys, as soon as we do that you will be a step closer to going home.”

I never mentioned a relationship, but I now know how to get myself out of this place. I have to be one step ahead of them at all times.

“Will my parents be visiting me?” I ask as I play with a loose thread on my shirt.

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