Page 91 of Eves (Carson Brothers)

"Is he in your nightmares?"

"As of late, he's in every single one." I stopped and looked away from him.

"Then... I saw him in town, but it wasn't him, it was my imagination."

He nodded. "These are very common symptoms of PTSD."

"You think I have post-traumatic stress disorder?"

It hadn't been the first time I'd been told this.

"Oh definitely," he said. "I know you do not want to hear this, Eve, but the best way of combating it is to talk about your experiences in great detail and managing your thoughts based on these memories. So that instead of blaming yourself and being fearful of these events repeating themselves, you're facing them head-on and standing up to them, does that make sense?"

I nodded, knowing this was usually the way suggested to me.

"Now, the problem with doing this is that sometimes people aren't ready to discuss traumatic events, they need time to heal first. Now, answer me honestly, are you ready to talk about these things?"

I thought about it for a long while.

"It doesn't even have to be spoken about with me. It can be with someone you trust, someone that understands."

"How will reminding myself of these memories help me?"

"In my opinion, the best healer of traumatic stress is love and patience. Call me a gooey old man, but that's what I truly believe."

I smiled.

"Now, if you're without that or you're not open to receiving it, then all of these thoughts, emotions and feelings are swirling around in your head with nowhere to go. They need to be confronted."

I gulped and nodded.

"Okay?" he asked me, smiling.

I nodded again.

"Great!" he smiled sitting back in his seat.

I eyed him, waiting for him to continue.

"That's it?"

He nodded, smiling like the wisest fucker I'd ever met. I wasn't sure if I should start referring to him as Mr. Dumbledore.

"Yes, unless there's something you want to talk tomeabout?"

Ah, got ya.

I nodded then, knowing what he'd meant. I got up and smiled as he did the same.

"You know where I am, anytime you need me."

I thanked him and shook his hand before leaving, feeling physically and mentally changed from our brief chat. Once I realised where I was and settled back down into reality after speaking with Mr. Dumbledore, I went in search of Kit. At the reception desk, I hovered around and glanced around the huge building until I eventually approached the lady at the counter.

"Could you tell me where Kit is please?"

She nodded, gave me a tight smile, and proceeded to tell me that she thought he was outside training on the assault course. I thanked her and headed that way, shoving my hands into the front pocket on my hoodie. It was slightly chilly outside and it began spitting with rain so I pulled my hoodie over my head. I rolled my eyes when all of my hair stuck out of the front like straw sticking out of a stuffed scarecrow. When I finally made it to the assault course I was met by a group of bare-chested men wearing gym clothes only from the waist down. I wasn't sure if I should move closer but Nick saw me and waved his arm for me to come forward. He ran up to me and walked with me closer, and I was halfway through saying Hi when I saw Kit swinging from the assault course above our heads. I stared up at him, his face set serious as his arms stayed toned and strong, holding his whole body weight even under the assault of the rain that had now picked up speed. He hadn't seen me here yet, and it meant I could stare at him without his concentration being affected.

"Your mouth is catching rainwater, Eves, you might want to close it," Nick teased from my side and I grinned before nudging my elbow into his body.

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