CHAPTER 4

KAHLAN

The next day started early, six am to be exact. Today I started school. Tina told me to get a good nights sleep, but I was quite restless; too many bad dreams. Though he went away, the dreams didn't. Along with today being the first day of school, I also had an appointment with a lame therapist. Doctor Damon Meir. It was an agreement between the Judge and I. It was the only way he'd sign my emancipation papers. The only thing worse that could happen to me that night was being placed in foster care. To be placed with people I didn't know, maybe participate in some sort of group therapy and talk about my feelings and the past. No, I didn't want that. As far as I was concerned, I wanted to act like nothing had ever happened. I wanted to just start life over and move on. That's when the idea of emancipation popped up. It surprised Ernistina that I was approved, even with the conditions and rules that I had to follow; though they were all very simple. Stay low, stay out of trouble, be responsible, act like an adult, and see a therapist. In the eyes of Tina, I was just a scared little girl, not ready for the responsibilities of adulthood. I could see it in the way she looked at me. Her eyes told everything her lips wouldn't dare speak. I knew her that well. I wondered if her eyes told the truth. Was I ready to live a life all my own?

I took a quick ten minute show and ate a couple of mini muffins with a glass of milk. My version of a good breakfast. It was kind of upsetting having your own place, being considered an adult, but not having your own way around the city. Of all the money that I had in my name, I was only allowed to spend a certain amount. At the time looking for a home and car was too much for me to handle, so I trusted all my money and financials to Tina. She spent some of it on the new house, and the rest went right back into my trust fund, which I can collect when I turn eighteen. It sucked. I had all this money that I couldn't touch. At least I got monthly allowances though, coming in at four thousand a month. It was better than nothing.

It was a hot day in Florida, which was usual, so its not like I would be freezing walking from one point to the other. I was comfortable in my blue jean shorts and white tank top. I wore my naturally wavy dark brown hair in a high ponytail, with my bangs flipped over my right eye. Not my usual hairstyle, considering for the past few months all I wanted to do was hide my face. But that simply would not do today. I didn't want to have to bother with the back of my neck getting hot with sweat and stickiness. I wore my mothers body spray that smelled of white lavender. I felt good. Today was the start of my new beginning. I made it to the bus stop right on time, which was at the end of my block. There were only a few kids waiting, but of course I didn't bother to talk to anyone. I've never been the type to make the first move, or start up the conversation. When the yellow doors opened, I was the first one to get on, taking a seat way in the back, away from most of the other teens. I stared out the window, neglecting any chance of eye contact.

"So, are you new?" A soft voice inquired. I looked ahead to see a blond headed girl turned all the way around in her seat, facing me. I gave her eye contact. It would have been rude not to, however, I couldn't speak. So she continued talking. "I've never seen you on this bus before." I stared at her, and then gave a little nod. It was the best that I could do. To be quite honest, I almost forgot how to make small talk. The last four months of my life have been crazy and the only thing I discussed went way beyond unnecessary chitchat. It was all heavy, and important, filled with big terms I had to constantly ask the meaning of. "I'm Carly. A senior." I smiled then continued to look out the window. That was probably a rude move, but I simply could not speak. I don't know whats wrong with me! "School started three weeks ago, so you're not that far off." I looked back at her. I guess she could read my mind. I didn't like the fact that everyone was already settled into the new groups. It had been a while since I talked to anyone who was the same age as me; who talked about school and fitting in. It was...refreshing and surprising. The young girl gave me a reassuring smile. I took notice in her. Her blonde hair was perfectly shaped, and she had bright blue eyes. But as I took a closer look, I noticed that one of them had a slight bruise either darkening, or slowly starting to fade away. When the bus came to its next stop, she hurried to sit next me. My eyes widened with fear and my body stiffened. I felt that she was very unpredictable. I wasn't necessarily afraid of her, but people. Everyone was unpredictable, but I guess things would be like that until you got the chance to know them. So, I guess that was what I was going to have to do if I wanted to be able to have friends and trust people again. "Do you have a schedule?"

"No," I responded, revealing my voice. "I'm supposed to get it from the office today."

"I'll take you there," she said with cheer in her voice. She was overly peppy and excited. I think she saw how hard I was looking at her left eye. A nervous chuckle escaped her pink full lips. "I fell in cheerleading practice. Its a dangerous sport." A sarcastic voice in my head wanted to say that cheerleading was not a sport, though I agreed with it being dangerous, but I was here to start over, not to start trouble. So I smiled. I wanted to remember what it was like having friends in Ohio. I wanted to have friends. I wanted to be normal.

"Oh? You're a cheerleader?" I played interested, my voice sounding a bit chipper. She eyed me. Oh no! I hope she didn't think I was trying to mock her.

"Oh, Um, I said that wrong," She started, "Cheer leading tryouts are coming up soon, but I took some time to practice on my own, so I'd be prepared...and I fell." My face was blank as I wondered how a person could fall on their eye. I wanted to ask her, but as she told me about her apparent accident, I got the feeling she was lying. There was a certain look plastered on her face. She was trying too hard to cover something up and to make her story remotely true.

DAMON

Damon listened to a worried social worker at the other end of his phone. The sound of her old, somewhat screechy voice was starting to annoy him. After all, this was the sixth time she had called in two days. Not that Damon was keeping track. He understood social workers being sure that their clients would be left in good hands, but when it came to Ernistina Bail, he felt that it was more. She was acting like a friend or mother. The relationship was obviously more important and personal then she let on.

"I want you to take it easy on her Doctor Meir," Tina spoke into his ear. She was talking so loud, as if that would help her get her point across; he practically wanted to hold the landline away from his ear. Damon took a seat in his overly large chair; his eyes glued to the opened file in his hand. Kahlan Mercer. Everyone who lived in Ohio had heard of her. The murders shocked the locals, plastering the news. It was a sad and horrific story. It was no secret. And now she was being passed off to him, in hopes that he could get her through this transition, as well as all the things that happened in her past.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about." His voice was deep and monotone.

"She's just a fragile girl," Tina replied as if she thought he wasn't taking things seriously, as if she were trying to explain her non stop calls. He had never met Kahlan Mercer himself, but he heard how distraught she was, how emotional she was. He felt like she would be an easy one to crack. All he needed to do was see that emotional wall she had up and break it down. Once it was broken she would be putty in his hands. Anyone worried needed to calm down and let him do his job.

"I understand that." When it came to Ernistina he felt that she was dying to tell him how she really was, versus files and news clippings he had seen. She was the one who knew her best, so what better way to handle Ms. Mercer than talk to the only person she trusted. This was his way of getting background information, without reading the fine print, or watching Kasey Donovan, the main reporter keeping tabs on the case throughout the trial. "Tell me about her." Ernistina was surprised to hear this. Most doctors wouldn't really ask that question right out, at least not the ones that she was familiar with. He already seemed different, and she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

"She is a sweet girl," Tina began, "Very sweet, yet very shy. But when she's pushed, she has a whole lot of fight in her. She doesn't realize that. Or she forgot about it. I've never met anyone like her before." Damon was quiet for a moment as he looked over the Judge's request. There were certain things that needed to be evaluated when it came to Kahlan. He wondered if she blamed herself, as most people in these situations did.

"I'm really interested in meeting Ms. Mercer," Damon replied. Tina sighed in frustration.

"Remember, its Redding now. Her last name is Redding."

"Yes, of course." Damon threw the file on his newly bought desk that matched the chair. Over sized. He stood up, shuffling across the room packed with unopened boxes, over to the window, thinking of a polite way to say what he needed. "Ms.Bail, let me assure you that Kahlan will be just fine. I won't do anything that should worry you. I'm here to help her, and that's exactly what I plan to do. I understand your concern, but frankly it is misplaced." Tina rolled her eyes, as if he could see. These young Doctors thought they could handle anything. They were so cocky, but she could bet money that Damon Meir never encountered a girl like Kahlan, nor a case this big. He was all words now. Everything would change when he met her today. Everything he thought he knew about traumatized victims would be thrown out the window. Where would that leave him then? He was to change Kahlan's life for the better, help her through anything that was still lingering around in her heart, and her mind, however, Kahlan would be the one to change his life. He just didn't know it yet.

"Alright Doctor," she said, "I'm leaving her to you." This made Damon smile. Maybe the woman would stop calling and give him time to prepare for the actual meeting with Kahlan Redding.

"Thank you Ms. Bail. I'll tell you what, I'll call you after our session today and let you know how it went. Maybe that'll put your mind at ease."

"I'd like that very much."