5th December, 7.24PM.
Ragnall street, Eastern Market district.
Kale was dressed in his normal clothes, heavy denim jeans and a faded white t-shirt, before him was a door covered in an A3 poster.
'Bell Family Trauma and Depression Clinic. Drop in session for Incident C starts at 7.30PM.'
Kale had been stood outside the door for the last five minutes, unsure of whether or not he should enter. He had spent the majority of the last three days struggling to function as a normal person again, until he remembered Chloe's smile and the card she had given him.
The card was about this meeting, inviting him to come along and receive the help offered. But he still wasn't sure, could they help him?
Staring forlornly at the door Kale crushed the card in his hand as he sighed and turned to walk away, only to feel a small tug on his t-shirt.
Kale had been watched ever since he had arrived outside by a pair of innocent doe brown eyes, Chloe's eyes. She had been waiting for his arrival, something in her mind had been niggling her and reminding her about Kale, recalling his void less and expressionless gaze in the super market. She had been on the look out and surprised when saw a more tidied up version of Kale walking down the road, she wouldn't say that he was handsome as he slouched and looked around blankly but he had a good frame.
She had watched as he stared at the door even as she was urging him to enter in her mind, knowing it was important that he took that first step in, her mother always said that those who seek the help want it whilst those who refuse it aren't ready for it. But seeing Kale about to walk away made Chloe want to help him, so she sprang out from the doors and grabbed his t-shirt, stopping him in the process.
Turning around Kale looked down once more and saw Chloe beaming up at him, her little hand firmly clenched on his t-shirt. Even in his current state Kale couldn't help but raise a slight eye at the innocent beauty before him, dressed in comfortable jeans and a giant fluffy penguin jumper making her look cute.
"You can't leave. You've made it this far… please… let us help you."
Blushing slightly Chloe released Kale's t-shirt as he continued to look down at her, seemingly unfeeling of the cold that she was feeling in this winter month.
Kale just continued to look down at her, with a small almost unconscious nod he was led inside by Chloe as she kept checking behind her, almost fearing that he would flee like a startled animal.
Guiding him forward Chloe led Kale to an empty community hall where a circle of chairs were placed, almost completely full. If it could be compared to anything, then it could be compared to an alcohol anonymous meeting with an informal atmosphere.
Under the watchful eyes of a smartly dressed woman in a grey suit Chloe led Kale to a chair and practically forced him down as she stood at the back of the room but kept a clear eye on him, earning her another look from the women in the suit.
Chloe ignored her mums look as she watched her mum assess Kale that she had guided down. Being a long time and practised therapist, Chloe's mum, Lillian Bell, found her daughters behaviour puzzling as she never normally paid this much attention to one person.
With close scrutiny Lillian observed Kale, despite being surrounded by a number of unfamiliar people he showed no nervous responses or behaviours, it was as if he didn't even realise they were there.
Like he wasn't even here.
Shooting her daughter another questioning look Lillian shook her head as she prepared to start, it was her job to help people and that is what she would do, paid or not.
With a clear but gentle voice, Lillian addressed the room.
"Welcome everyone, my name is Lillian Bell."
There was no applause, she didn't expect any, she just wanted get these peoples attention. Everyone currently sat on a chair had suffered in some way because of 'Incident C' and Lillian just wanted to help them.
"My goal today is to help you move on and understand the feelings and emotions that may be conflicting or confusing you because of Incident C. Please if you can, introduce yourselves."
Half listening Kale gazed down at his hands as he stared at the floor, the words of those who sat around him were gently ignored as the faces of Brom and Captain Hyun once more haunted him. Gone were their looks of bravery and fierceness, now they looked at him with disappointment, making him guilty for having survived through their sacrifices.
Listening carefully Lillian guided the session as she prompted and helped people to talk of the experiences that they had seen or been through which kept effecting them, in particular was a train crash that happened a few blocks away where the survivors had burnt alive with no way of escaping, all those on the scene were helpless as they watched.
"I watched as a child burnt. Her mother unconscious by her side as the child screamed and cried for help, but I couldn't move, I was paralysed by fear, scared in case I got hurt. I watched, helpless, I couldn't even shout. I can't help but think that I've failed, that if it had been my child then I would want someone to lay down their life for them… but I couldn't do the same. All I could do was distract the child shouting to her that a fire truck was on the way, that she'd be safe, even as the smoke built up and she fell never to stand again."
Tears burst from a mans eyes as he sat on a chair, his shoulders patted by those next to him, offering solace and comfort.
"You are feeling guilty because you think you did nothing but you're wrong."
Lillian's soft voice interrupted the mans tears as he looked up to her.
"You tried, there is no harm in fearing injuries, you also have a family to think of. But despite being powerless you still aimed to give that child some measure of hope, some comfort, you have done nothing wrong. You feel guilt because your mind tells you that you could have done more, you must remember that you did the best you could in that situation and it is still better than those who did nothing."
"You just need time to forgive yourself."
With applause from all around the man cried again as he thanked Lillian, some small part of his guilt had been alleviated.
Similar stories were shared around as Lillian listened and offered advice, stories of loved ones being torn apart or strangers having to decide on who to save, all were stories and experiences of grief and loss but not once did Lillian see Kale respond. She knew that he was listening but also knew that this might mean that what he had went through was worse than everyone else.
Walking in front of Kale she looked down at him as he continued to stare at his hands.
"Friend, would you like to talk and share your experience? You don't have too, but it might help."
Looking up Kale saw the look in Lillian's eyes, there was no pity, just understanding, a will to help others and not judge them. Swallowing dryly Kale wanted to talk, but his voice refused to move, would they believe him or just think that he was on some kind of drug and was here for fun? Putting himself down Kale began to lower his head, unable to match Lillian's look as he clenched his hands tight enough for his palms to bleed.
Urging him to talk in her mind Lillian hoped that Kale would open up, if only a little bit, he was too young to be burdened for the rest of his life. Sighing lightly Lillian was about to talk until Kale's own deep voice came first, dry and hoarse as he forced himself to talk, he wanted the help.
He needed it.
"We were a group….strangers on a trip."
Behind the circle of chairs and the visitors sat upon them, Chloe listened intently, doing her best to not cry as she listened.