Page 11 of Prickly as a Porcupine

Jennifer put her hands on her hips as if expecting Ariel to say more.When she didn’t, Jennifer exhaled sharply, blowing some of her short, black strands of hair.“At least you can admit that.It just makes it hard for the rest of us to trust you.We’re supposed to be bearing our souls and healing in that group, and sometimes you act like you’d rather be somewhere else.You know, it’s not like any of us enjoy group, but at least we want to get better.It never seemed like you did.”

“I’m trying to do better,” Ariel offered.“At least, I am now.”

Jennifer narrowed her eyes at Ariel, as if trying to see through her.“Then show us.”Without another word, she pivoted on the sole of the slipper on her human foot and walked away.

Ariel watched Jennifer leave before she turned down the next hallway.Her eyes couldn’t leave the shrew foot—her foot.The most glaring evidence that everything Dr.Grimm had told her was a lie.Anger buzzed in her chest, replacing the sorrow she’d felt earlier.It burned in her stomach like a hot iron.She clenched her fists, digging her fingernails into her palms.She was going to make Dr.Grimm pay.And she knew just the people who’d be willing to help her out.

7

Joline looked down at the invite Ariel handed her.Join the ‘Survivors of Grimm’ peer-led support group.Saturday at 10 am.See Ariel for more information.At the bottom of the handout was a room number, probably a therapy room she’d been granted use of for her event.

It had been almost a full day since Ariel had confessed her dark past to Joline at her tree.She had feared that Ariel would have been embarrassed about it and wouldn’t show up to dinner, but she’d been pleased to be wrong.The moment she’d stepped away from the food line and looked around for a place to sit, she’d caught sight of Ariel, who’d enthusiastically waved her over to the table she was already sitting at.

Her excitement about the fact that Ariel had shown up for dinner dimmed when she read over the flyer Ariel had handed her.“What is this?”

“A club I’m starting.For all former experiments of Dr.Grimm.”Ariel beamed at Joline, looking proud of herself.

Joline knew the name Grimm.He was a notorious experimenter, with many labs raided and many experiments rescued and brought to FUCN’A.While Ariel hadn’t stated who she worked for, Joline was pretty sure that this flyer revealed it.She packed that information away—not wanting to delve too deeply into her feelings about a growing friendship with someone who had formerly helped out one of the worst-of-the-worst.

“I was hoping you’d come to the group,” Ariel said after giving Joline a moment to read.

“But I was never an experiment of anyone.”

“I know.But you’re my friend, or the closest thing I have to one around here, so I want you to be there.”Ariel’s eyes darted between Joline’s face and the table, as though it took all the courage she had to admit such a thing.Joline couldn’t help but warm at the embarrassing admission, though, as she herself felt similarly towards Ariel.

“But it’s a peer-led support group, and I’m not a survivor of Grimm… won’t that be a problem?”Joline asked.She didn’t want to take the wind out of Airel’s sails, but she wanted the club to be fair to the others who may be there.This seemed like a big step for Ariel.Before last night, Joline didn’t think Ariel would have ever admitted she was a former experiment.

“Well, it’s my club, so, no.”

“Won’t the other members mind?”

Ariel shrugged.“I don’t know.That’s their problem, if they do.”

Joline put a hand on Ariel’s arm.“I’m willing to go and support you, and I think this is a great idea, but check with the others first to make sure it’s okay.I know it’s your club, and they’ll probably be fine with it, but it’s polite to ask first instead of assuming.”She hoped Ariel didn’t think she was treating her like a child, but taking others’ feelings into consideration might not be one of Ariel’s strong suits.Joline shuddered, knowing from her classes that this was something that many of the rescued experiments struggled with, after spending so much time just trying to survive.It was something that had been figuratively beaten out of them while in captivity.Sometimes literally.

Ariel nodded her head, not looking the least bit offended.“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”She glanced down at her plate of spaghetti.“I’m not used to thinking about how other people will feel about things.Or caring about it.”If Joline didn’t know better, she’d say Ariel looked a little dejected.

She waved a hand at her friend.“Don’t worry about it.You’re getting used to being out of the lab.There’s going to be a learning curve.”

“I wish the rest of my therapy group agreed.They seem to think I should be un-brainwashed by now.”Ariel looked down at her tray, pushing the meatless meatballs around in her pasta.

Joline paused, taking a moment to smile to herself at the realization that Ariel had taken her recommendation for the meatless meatballs, before taking a bite of her salad.Once she finished her bite, she said, “I thought they taught that everyone heals at their own pace.”

“I guess that’s okay for everyone but me,” Ariel said with a sigh.Her shoulders hunched forward.“I’m apparently taking too long.”

“Who told you that?”

“Someone from group.”

“Well, that person is entitled to their feelings on the situation, but it doesn’t mean they’re right about it.Were you able to find your counselor last night?”Joline wondered what had sparked this change in Ariel since the last time they’d talked.It was a big step that not only had she brainstormed the support group idea, but she also had made up handouts, and likely distributed them throughout the day.That was far more optimistic and engaged than she’d been the night before.

Ariel shook her head.“She was already gone for the day.I ran into the person from group instead.”She bit her lip.“I’m not supposed to share names.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.Maybe this person was trying to push you to change or just really felt the need to share with you their frustration that you’re not healing at the same pace as the others.Whatever their reason, they’re not taking your feelings into consideration, and it’s not fair.”

Ariel gave a shy smile.“How did you get so good at talking to people about feelings and things?”

“I’ve been a big sister for a long time.My brother needed a lot of support growing up.”Joline noticed Ariel’s face crumple as a wave of sadness passed over it.“Did I say something wrong?”