The soft, calming hues of pastel blue that adorned the walls immediately enveloped Akari's senses as she stepped into the room. The space had a tranquil, almost serene quality, with bookshelves lining the perimeter and an abundance of plush, inviting couches and armchairs scattered throughout.
However, despite the cozy, welcoming atmosphere, Akari couldn't help but feel a subtle clinical undertone that made her uncharacteristically anxious and a bit annoyed. They encouraged her to take a seat on a chaise lounge, and as she perched herself on the cushioned piece of furniture, she couldn't help but feel awkward and out of place.
Across from her sat a woman with warm, umber-toned skin and a gentle, welcoming smile. Her dark, penetrating eyes effortlessly seemed to penetrate Akari's typical defenses, as if she possessed an innate ability to perceive her innermost thoughts and emotions.
This woman, Dr. Nel, had a calming, reassuring presence that put Akari immediately at ease - a sensation she found herself both appreciating and resenting. Akari was unaccustomed to feeling so unguarded, and the doctor's uncanny ability to disarm her so effortlessly only served to heighten her sense of unease.
"Welcome, Akari, I am Dr Nel," the doctor said before smiling again. "My assistant gave you an assignment to write about how you used to see yourself. I have that on file"
"The assignment" Akari leaned forward, looking at Dr Nel. "I just got back from…i already had homework," she scoffed, leaning back on the chaise lounge again. "I hadn't had homework in seven years"
"Well, you didn't just get back, but I understand the negativity towards the assignment," Dr Nel smiled, writing in her notes. "But it'll help me get to know you better," she smiled, watching her patient, who nodded uncomfortably. "So tell me, Akari, how are you feeling today?"
Akari shook her head. "Can we cut the bull with these questions?" she rubbed her hands together. "I feel like shit. This room is clinical calming and I hate it. My scars are itchy as fuck and I have to sit here and listen to you," she expressed with annoyance, falling off each word. "No offense"
"None taken" Dr Nel took more notes down. "So, you want to skip formalities and jump straight in?" She asked, looking at Akari.
"please" Akari nodded for her to continue.
"Was there a time when your body didn't feel like a weapon?" Dr Nel asked, which took Akari back for a moment. "Too straight?" She asked.
"No, it's fine," Akari shifted in her seat. "Sundays" She nodded, staring into a memory. "Grandma used to come on Sundays and I didn't have to hit the wall on Sundays," Akari smiled at the memory.
"What made it feel that way?" Dr Nel asked, watching her closely.
"I didn't have to dress a certain way or speak a certain way or act a certain way. I could be me, as little of me as there was," Akari explained. Dr Nel nodded for her to continue. "My grandma would take me to tea, in places with paintings on every wall"
"When was the last time you felt like that free?" Dr Nel asked, urging Akari to open up more.
"When I was 14, the weekend before my grandma died," Akari nodded. "She was so quiet that Sunday," she whispered.
Dr Nel closed her notebook. "Maybe you need to feel that again before your body never really feels like yours." She smiled at her. "I have some homework for you"
Akari exhaled, rolling her eyes. "ugh, homework" she leaned back in her seat.
"I want you to go shopping, find a style that suits you," Dr Nel said. "you didn't have a chance to experiment with your style, well, yourself," Dr Nel encouraged. Akari crossed her arms and nodded. "I will be telling Duri and Omani about your homework," she said, staring deeply into Akari's eyes.
"Come on," Akari expressed with her hand, but Dr Nel wasn't budging. "Fine"
"Good, see you next week" Dr Nel stood
….
Duri sat at the kitchen table, his eyes intently focused on the glowing screen of his laptop as he scoured the internet once more, desperately searching for any shred of information that could lead him to Vinny's whereabouts.
The soft glow of the screen cast an eerie light across his weary features, highlighting the deep furrows of worry etched into his brow. He had been at this for hours, sifting through countless websites, social media posts, and online forums, but the trail had long since gone cold.
With each passing minute, the knot of anxiety in his stomach tightened, the familiar ache of uncertainty gnawing at him relentlessly. Just as he was about to give in to the overwhelming sense of defeat, Omani suddenly appeared at his side, wordlessly placing a steaming mug of fresh coffee within Duri's reach.
Duri glanced up gratefully, offering a small nod of appreciation as Omani's weathered hand came to rest reassuringly on his shoulder, a silent gesture of support. The aroma of the coffee wafted through the air, providing a fleeting moment of comfort, but Duri's mind remained laser-focused on the task at hand.
Just then, the sound of footsteps announced Terry's arrival. The muscular man's brow furrowed with concern as he took in the scene before him. Duri felt the weight of Terry's smile, but he refused to be deterred, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he pressed on, determined to uncover any clue, no matter how small, that might lead him to Vinny.
"Find anything" Duri perked up, hoping Terry's smile held some good news.
"Just a lead, down by the docks," Terry explained, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Drug deal gone bad, its seems like the Don needs to step" Omani gave Terry Kimbap wrapped in foil, Terry nodded a thank you. "It might be nothing but something to check out," he nodded, waiting for instructions.
"We will check it out," Duri nodded firmly. "Thank you, Terry" he said, dismissing Terry.
"It's no problem," Terry said, but he was still lingering in the kitchen.
"Yes? Terry" Omani leaned against the counter, watching him.
"How is she doing?" Terry asked, fidgeting with the kimbap.
Duri closed his laptop, looking at Terry with suspicious eyes, but Omani answered. "She is fine" he smiled at Terry, knowing his heart was in the right place.
Terry nodded in thought. "Can I see her?" He asked, knowing that Duri didn't trust him.
"No," Duri said firmly, staring Terry down.
As Akari stepped out of the elevator, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere immediately enveloped her. She paused, taking in the sight of the three men standing before her, their eyes turning to focus on her arrival.
Terry couldn't help but notice the drastic change in Akari's appearance - she looked so much thinner, almost frail, the vibrant fire that had once burned brightly in her eyes now extinguished, replaced by a haunted, fearful gaze. The confident, hilarious woman he had once known seemed to have vanished, this new Akari appearing small and timid, as if she were trying to shrink into herself, desperate not to be seen.
It was a jarring transformation, one that left Terry feeling deeply unsettled. What had Vinny done to her, it was clear that Akari was now a shadow of her former self, her shoulders hunched as she stood before them, the weight of some unspoken trauma visibly etched into every line of her face.
"Hey, Rain" Terry approached her like a scared bird.
"Oh, Hey Terry," Akari gave him a faint smile. "How is it going?"
"Good, James is great, still waiting for that tea date you promised" Terry smiled at her. "And you…you look like shit," he teased, which made a genuine smile spread across Akari's face. "I mean, you could have sneered some makeup on before leaving the house," he joked.
Duri and Omani immediately bristled at the comment, their expressions turning defensive. However, Akari's reaction was quite the opposite. She let out a pure, melodious laugh that filled the room, a sound that had been absent for quite some time.
"Only if you are paying for it" Akari gave Terry a wink, a glimpse of her true essence to shine through, if only for a moment.
"Well, I will see you around" Terry left through the elevator.
Duri's and Omani's eyes were glued to Akari's every move as she stood in the kitchen, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor beneath her feet. The two men were desperately curious to know how Akari's latest therapy session had gone, but both were hesitant to broach the subject, fearful of the response they might receive.
An uneasy silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the nervous fidgeting of Akari's fingers as she struggled to find the words to express the turmoil swirling within her. Duri and Omani observed her body language intently, picking up on the subtle signs of her discomfort. The way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the slight tremble in her hands, the downcast eyes that refused to meet their own.
They longed to reach out, to offer comfort and a listening ear, but an invisible barrier seemed to have descended, keeping Akari isolated in her own private world of pain.
"Do you want soup?" Omani asked, trying to break the tension.
"Yes, please" Akari nodded.