Page 91 of Mine To Hunt

So I do.

I tell him about last night. About the masked man appearing again. About the burn, the ointment. About his voice. About how close he stood. About how I felt.

Dr. Nathaniel listens without interrupting, his eyes steady and thoughtful.

When I finish, he says, "That’s a noticeable change in his behavior. How did it make you feel when he touched your hand?"

I hesitate. Shame creeps up my neck. "Confused." I admit. "For a second… I felt safe. And then I hated myself for feeling that way. He’s still the same person. Still dangerous."

He nods slowly. "Mixed emotions are very common when someone frightens you but also shows unexpected gentleness. Your mind is trying to make sense of something that doesn’t follow normal logic."

"So I’m not crazy?" I ask quietly.

"No." He says. "You’re human."

The session goes on longer than usual. By the end of it, my chest feels a little lighter, like speaking the thoughts out loud loosened their grip just enough for me to breathe properly again.

As I stand to leave, he rises as well.

"I have some work outside today." Dr. Nathaniel says calmly. "I could drop you home if you’d like."

I hesitate, adjusting my bag strap on my shoulder. "I don’t want to impose on you again."

"You wouldn’t be imposing." He replies. "I wouldn’t offer if I minded."

Something about the steadiness in his tone makes it clear he means it. He isn’t saying it out of politeness. He’s saying it because he wants to.

I give a small nod. "That’s kind of you."

We walk out of his office together and move down the hallway. The clinic is nearly empty now, the usual daytime noise gone.Our footsteps echo softly against the polished floor, the sound strangely loud in the silence.

Something about the stillness makes me more aware of everything, the faint hum of the lights, the distant ticking of a wall clock, the quiet presence of Dr. Nathaniel beside me.

We step outside the building.

Evening has settled in. The sky is dimming into deep shades of blue, streetlights flickering on. The air is cooler now, brushing lightly against my skin. My eyes move automatically across the street, scanning faces, shadows, parked cars. The habit has become instinct.

A car slows as it approaches us. When the vehicle pulls up right in front of the entrance and stops, my shoulders tense without meaning to. The window rolls down.

"Hey, Iris. Therapy session over?"

I blink in surprise. Al is sitting in the driver’s seat, smiling like this is the most ordinary coincidence in the world.

"Al? What are you doing here?"

"Driving." He says lightly. "And offering you a ride."

I glance between him and Dr. Nathaniel, feeling awkward. "You don’t have to…"

"I was in the area anyway." Al adds casually, one hand resting over the steering wheel. "Figured I’d check if you needed a lift."

I hesitate for a second, my fingers tightening slightly around the strap of my bag. Something about the timing feels strange, but I can’t explain why. I glance at Dr. Nathaniel, who is standingquietly beside me, his posture relaxed, his expression calm as always.

"Thank you for offering, Dr. Nathaniel." I say, giving him a small, polite smile. "Really. But I think I’ll go with Al."

For a brief moment, his eyes hold mine. He doesn’t look upset. He doesn’t look surprised.

"Of course." He says gently. "Take care, Iris."