Page 16 of Clan and Crave

They said their goodbyes and ended the com.Conyod had little time left to eat his lunch prior to his firstafternoon session, but he lingered in the room as his thoughtsswirled.

The ghost had returned? The small whitefigure that had haunted the plains and spooked the ranchers afterhis brother’s death?

* * * *

Conyod, age 15

“Imdiko Conyod is suffering from extremeanxiety and depression, stemming from a home environmentoverwhelmed by guilt and fear,” the psychologist sporting awaist-length black braid told the judge. “His natural need forindependence at his age is being suffocated by a parent clanstruggling to put the death of their elder son to rest for thebenefit of the younger.”

“How dare you say these things!” Lafec burstout. “You, who’ve never known the loss of a child! Put Hoslek torest? We couldn’t find his body to do so!”

The men of Clan Tuher, sitting across thepolished conference table from Conyod in the closed hearing, lookedas affronted. However, their lawyer gave Tuher a pleading look.Conyod’s Dramok father, whom the boy looked uncannily similar to,took Lafec’s hand to quiet her.

“A poor choice of words, Dr. Hupsan,” he toldthe therapist who’d been in charge of evaluating Conyod. “I shouldhope a licensed psychologist would be better able to choose hiswords to a frightened and hurting family.”

Hupsan’s expression was compassionate as headdressed Conyod’s parents. “Your loss has indeed been tremendous.However, Hoslek disappeared, and no doubt died, eight yearsago.”

“We’re well aware when he was taken from us,”Lafec fumed.

The therapist, his kind face lightly linedand hair showing skeins of gray, continued. “I understand yourgrief for a child taken from life too young. Nonetheless, such along period of existing in a state of continual mourning has haddamaging effects on Conyod. He’s drastically underweight. Hedoesn’t sleep more than four hours a night due to frequentnightmares.”

“His brother died! He was the last to see himalive! Of course he’s having difficulty getting over it.”

Hupsan refused to deviate from what he feltwas important. “Despite being cold, frightened, and hungry while onthe run, Conyod described two weeks away from you, his parent clan,as quote: ‘the first time I’ve been able to breathe inforever.’”

Clan Tuher stared at Conyod in disbelievinghorror. He glanced away, unable to stand the anguish he’d stampedon their faces. The sense he’d betrayed them was choking.

His gaze slid to the man standing at the farend of the room. Nobek Sletran had agreed to his request to remainon hand as emotional support following his testimony on how he’dcome upon Conyod fending off the young bullies. Though he didnothing but watch Conyod as the proceedings unfolded, his calm andsteady presence was a lifeline. The sense of security and safetyhe’d given the young Imdiko remained in force. Conyod clungdesperately to the image of Sletran as his savior.

The Nobek met his glance and dipped theslightest of nods. It’s okay. You’ve got this.

The child protection agent who’d broughtcharges against Clan Tuher motioned to another psychologist. Dr.Alat had interviewed Conyod’s parents in preparation for thehearing. He stood as Hupsan sank to his chair. Older than Hupsan,his hair was silver shot with white.

“Honorable Judge, Clan Tuher isunderstandably devastated by the loss of their eldest son. They’vefound no release from cataclysmic grief in the years since Hoslek’sdisappearance. Feelings of tremendous guilt, rather than beingdealt with in a healthy manner, have been channeled into anoverprotectiveness toward their younger son, Conyod.

“By their own admission, thisfifteen-year-old youth is subjected to their constant supervision.He’s unable to go on outings among friends his age unless a parentaccompanies him…indeed, Conyod has few friends left due to thenature of his parents’ overzealous protection.”

Lafec’s defensive anger visibly drained,leaving her expression devastated. She began to cry.

“No one in this family has sought griefcounseling in the aftermath of Hoslek’s death. It’s resulted in anunhealthy home environment for all concerned. While I have no doubtClan Tuher holds Conyod’s wellbeing in highest regard…which isobvious from their strict observation of his every move for thelast eight years…his physical and mental health is deteriorating intheir care.

“It is this independent psychologist’sopinion Imdiko Conyod should be removed from the home, at leasttemporarily.”

Lafec and Conyod’s Imdiko father Sema bothcried out. Vel growled. Tuher sat frozen, his eyes wide.

For his part, Conyod felt lightheaded. Heseemed to float from his body to watch the proceedings fromafar.

“My recommendation is for Clan Tuher to entergrief and parental counseling. Depending on Dr. Hupsan’srecommendations for Conyod, Clan Tuher should be denied custodyuntil they have completed therapy and demonstrated they can providea stable and supportive environment for their son.”

Alat resumed his seat. Conyod’s Nobek fatherhalf-rose, his enraged gaze skewering the therapist. Tuher grabbedVel’s arm. Shaking, he eased down.

The judge, his broad, impassive featurespatient as he waited for emotions to be brought under control,finally deemed they were ready to continue. “Dr. Hupsan, yourrecommendations for Imdiko Conyod?”

Hupsan stood. “Honorable Judge, it’s myopinion Conyod would benefit from inpatient residence where he canreceive daily counseling. The facility I work in specializes inImdiko youth. As I’m now familiar with his case, I’d personallywork on his rehabilitation.”

“The end result being?”

“Grief and trauma counseling will help himgain perspective on his brother’s disappearance. Conyod was thelast to see Hoslek alive and carries guilt he was unable to stophim from riding out to capture the escaped kestarsh. Treatment andteaching him coping skills for his anxiety and depression wouldalso be an imperative…as well as giving him the opportunity to gainthe independence skills he’s been denied. Once Conyod has exhibitedthe ability to maintain emotional equilibrium and establishedhimself in his own mind as a self-determining individual, he’ll beallowed to rejoin his parent clan, provided they meet therequirements Dr. Alat has named.”

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