After the Storm (Gifted and Special Adolescents Hospital Book 1) Read online

  “My name is Georgia Wilson. I’m the resident psychiatrist. May I come in?” Georgia knew from experience that she should never breech the area a person felt was their safety. In this hospital, for every patient, that was the sanctity of their room. Bec only glanced at the loveseat. She wouldn’t speak again unless absolutely necessary. Georgia entered the room slowly and took a seat on the worn piece of furniture the young woman gestured towards.

  “Rebecca. I’d like to talk with you about what’s happening.” Bec only stared at her blankly. Georgia swallowed slowly, “Okay then,” she opened the file on the young woman and began reciting the details, “Name. Rebecca Anne Thomas. Age. Fifteen. Talents. Speed and Telekinesis. Interesting blend,” she looked up at the girl who watched her to see if there was any reaction.

  “Alright, well, it also says that your mother placed you hear for help with acting out.” Bec snickered. Acting out was the nice way of saying she got into a lot of fights and caused trouble for her mom. She was a burden to her mother and her mother finally found a way to get Bec out of her hair. Bec looked at the desk. With her mind she picked up a wooden ball and started to play with it in the air.

  Georgia watched Bec as she played with the wooden ball. Taking time to notice the girls piercings and colorful hair. She jotted down a note that the young woman would be in need of a color touch up soon as her roots were showing badly. The doctor could tell the young woman took pride in how she looked and thought that could be a way to bond and build trust. Her unique style not in consideration, the girl kept herself very well groomed. “I see. Well,” she closed the file, “I’d like to hear your side of things. Will you talk with me?” She laid the file in her lap. Bec never looked her way again. The doctor tried for an hour to get the girl to talk to her, finally giving up she stood and walked toward the door. With one hand on the door, the doctor looked back at Bec, “I want to help you. I want to get you out of this room. Starting tomorrow at two you will come see me, every day.” Georgia pulled the door closed and went to the next new patient.

  Bec sat up on her bed, thought about what the doctor said. She was going to get out of this room and that could only mean the doctor would want her to talk about what’s happened to her. In her frustration, Bec threw the ball against the wall. The wall caved in where the ball now sat half in and half out of the sheetrock from the force of Bec’s power. The young woman fell back on her bed releasing a massive breath, then rolled over and didn’t move the rest of the day.

  Lunch and dinner were delivered and picked up, untouched. The orderlies became concerned when the next morning her breakfast wasn’t touched either. Normally, Bec would clear her plate except for the yellow Jell-O. She didn’t care for that at all. When the breakfast was picked up, the orderly looked over at the young girl. He was a burly-looking man but had a soft spot for the kids in this place. He stood six foot two easily and was built like a linebacker. Clean shaven, he pulled his long straight black hair into a braid that reached past his hips. Bec always liked that he had long hair and kept it neat, she liked it when someone took care of their hair. To her, the hair was like a mirror to the soul of the person wearing it. Messy people tended to have messy hair, but the ones who had something to hide always had their hair perfect. This is how she judged people.

  JoJo looked at Bec, “Come on now. You have to eat. How can you keep up your energy for all that running if you don’t eat?” His deep voice rumbled across the room as it echoed against the walls. He stood near the door just in case she decided to throw something his way. She did that the first time he tried to talk to her. It took time, but he was able to build a comfortable level of a relationship with her over the last few weeks and didn’t want to push her. Bec never offered much conversation but what little she did was precious and JoJo had no intention of putting that on rocky ground. The orderly knew what the kids could do and what most of them had been through. Bec, though, was a mystery. No one knew to what extent her damage was… they only knew the mom said she was a danger to people.

  Bec rolled over and stared up at the ceiling, “That woman… can I trust her?”

  JoJo was just about to shut the door with he heard her speak. He didn’t turn but replied softly, “Yes. She wants to help. She tries her best.”

  “Do you trust her?”

  “I do.”

  “Thank you, JoJo.”

  The large man didn’t respond. He knew that she didn’t require that. She was scared and had hoped he helped a little. When he went back to the nurses' station, he flipped on her room monitor. He didn’t see her on the bed anymore and hoped she was in the shower. He smiled just a little, thinking he made a positive impact on the troublesome girl's life.

  Upstairs on the fourth floor, Georgia watched the interaction between the orderly and the young woman who refused to speak more than to ask who she was. Rebecca was a skittish girl who wasn't going to open up easily. Georgia read over the girls file time and time again before she was scheduled to see her. One question kept coming back to the doctor. What made this girl so troublesome? What happened to her that she rebelled against everyone and everything? This is what she had to discover or else she’d never be able to help the young girl heal. Healing is what Rebecca needed, even if she didn’t know it.

  Chapter 5

  Two weeks before her nineteenth birthday, Bec graduated from cosmetology school, passing the state exam easily. She walked out of school and went to the first salon she saw and applied for a job. She was hired instantly and became a valued employee who worked hard and never disappointed the customers. By the time she was twenty-one Bec was looking at opening her own shop, Doo You Styles.

  For two weeks, Kyle would come to the future beauty shop and help Bec set up equipment. Bec was so nervous about things that she moved the setup around three times before finally settling on her original design. “You got this Bec. Calm your nerves hun,” he’d say as they worked tirelessly.

  She’d shoot him a glance and smile, “Maybe.” She’d tease back at him. They’d been out of GASAH for three years and rarely did you see one without the other. Most people thought they were a couple but Bec would never take that step with him. She loved him and never wanted to take the chance of that getting ruined with sex or emotions more than she was willing to give. Kyle, on the other hand, craved to have that next step in a relationship with Bec but he knew not to push.

  His love for her kept him close, closer than anyone else. Neither would admit how they felt to the other. Whenever Kyle would see Bec with another man, he’d just walk out and leave, never saying a word. Bec shrugged it off as being overprotective and never realized just how much the man loved her, wanted her.

  At the end of the night, Kyle wiped his brow with a rag he shoved in his back pocket. “Tomorrow’s the day. You ready darlin’?” His eyes twinkled when he spoke to her.

  Her hardened features softened when they were together. She smiled as she looked into the box she was going through of supplies. She nodded, “yeah, I am. I’ve had ads running all week and even had a few people call to make appointments already.”

  “Really? You getting all the customers you had from the other place?”

  “So far all the appointments are people who’ve seen me before.” She emptied the supply box and checked each station one last time before they locked up.

  “Drinks?” He asked as she turned the key in the lock in the back door. The alley was dark with little light. He glanced around and considered how easy it would be for someone to try something back here. “We need more light back here. Let me talk to a guy and get you taken care of.” He nodded at her.

  Shrugging, “I dare someone to try but yeah, I’m sure the other girls would appreciate it too.”

  They walked towards his Old’s 442 quietly. Unlocking his door, he leaned over and unlocked hers from the inside. He never opened her door for her, he tried that once and got into a huge fight about how she wasn’t helpless, so he never did that again. Bec opened her door and s
lid into the dark brown leather seats. She loved to ride in Kyle’s car. It had some real muscle under the hood unlike most cars guys drove these days that were barely a V-6 worth mentioning. She never understood how a man could get a car and not want power. To her there was no other reason to drive.

  Turning the key, the Old’s purred to life with a low rumble. Bec closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the headrest as Kyle pulled the car out of the parking spot and glided out onto the road. It was ten minutes to the local bar they liked to go to, The Dry Bottle. “Why did they give this place such a stupid name?” He asked.

  “To get people to ask that question. It’s a good marketing tactic. Think about it,” she remarked as she pulled her head forward and looked over at him. The bar’s outside was rustic, and the interior matched perfectly. Wooden slatted walls, large wooden beams crossed the ceiling and the smell of smoke and bourbon embedded in them all from years of patronage. As they walked in, Bec nodded to the bartender who immediately knew what drinks to get ready for the two friends. They never swayed from their usual. Bec drank tequila and Kyle, vodka. Both walked straight up to the pool tables and chose an empty one.

  “Rack ‘em and I’ll get the drinks,” Kyle called out to her as she looked over the sticks on the wall rack. She looked at him over her shoulder and nodded then turned her attention to the sticks once more. By the time Kyle returned, Bec had the table set and was getting ready to break. She leaned over the table just enough to get a good visual on the balls. Pulling back her stick, she focused on the cue ball and pushed the end of the stick into it. The cue ball crashed into the other balls causing them to break apart in every direction.

  “Nice. Here ya go,” Kyle handed Bec her drink.

  She sipped heavily from the tall glass. The bar tender quit giving them shot glasses about a year ago, so they always got a full glass of liquor to sip on. “Your turn,” Bec watched Kyle as he sipped his drink and lit a cigar. “Those are nasty!” She teased him.

  “You think this is nasty? Nah, they taste amazing. It keeps me calm too. Here hold this,” Kyle handed his drink to her. Walking around the pool table, evaluating the best place to play from, Kyle chose a solid color ball as his target. He popped his head to the side quickly before he leaned down with the stick to take aim. His movement was fluid and exact as the solid ball found its way to the side pocket. He looked up at Bec and gave a playful wink, she rolled her eyes in response. He chuckled as he took three more shots before missing. “Your go,” he always looked at her deeply when he spoke.

  Bec handed him his glass and took her turn. The two went around and round for hours playing pool until someone decided to intrude. A man in his forties and very drunk walked over, “You should let me play.” He slurred out. Bec looked at Kyle, he shook his head no but she smiled. He sent her a mental message, don’t. She, of course, ignored him. He knew this would only be trouble. She’d been drinking and itching to release some of her pent-up anger and nerves. This man had no idea what he was up against.

  The man who stood nearly six inches taller than Bec smiled when she motioned for him to pick a pool stick. She never said a word; this was her way. The man, Robbie, was well built and had ice-blue eyes which was very attractive but the smell of alcohol rolling off him in waves was nauseating.

  Kyle walked over the to bar, “Hey Trey. Here’s a hundred. Hold this. We might need it.” He nodded over towards the table.

  “Man, Robbie should know better. He’s seen her in action,” the tall lanky bartender laughed. He knew the money was for any damage Bec caused. He’d seen her take down man after man over the last few years. She’d play fair until they would get handsy, then she released all hell on them. Robbie was a regular and had even made comments about never trying to take on that little devil, as he liked to call her. What got him going tonight was anyone’s guess!

  Kyle slid up on a stool at the bar and watched. He knew Bec would be fine as long as the man didn’t touch her. Halfway through the game, Robbie challenged Bec by gently running his hand along hers as he walked by. Kyle watched. Bec froze. She glanced at Kyle then back to Robbie. “You shouldn’t do that.”

  He leaned in close, “Why not? Don’t you find yourself attracted to me? I’m a good lookin’ guy.”

  She turned her face away from him; he wreaked of alcohol and even she couldn’t handle that stench. “Robbie just don’t go there. Okay.”

  This made the country man fume. He glanced at Kyle after she did and got the notion that the man in the dreadlocks was the reason he was getting nowhere. He stepped back from Bec and glared at her, “Its him isn’t it. He’s the reason. You prefer your men coal black don’t ya.”

  Bec held her hand up to stop him from speaking, “You should stop now. You have no idea what you are talking about or insinuating.”

  The next thing Robbie did, sealed his fate that night, reaching out and grabbing her by the elbow and jerking her into him. Bec looked up at him furious, letting her features soften she smiled deviously at him. With her free hand, she waved it in a circle and flicked her wrist towards the man. The cue ball rose up from the table and slammed into his jaw with a crushing blow.

  Robbie let his grip on Bec loosen as he grasped at his jaw, “What the hell you little bitch!”

  Bec leaned down into his ear. “I am not one to be toyed with. You never touch me. No. One. Touches. Me!” she growled each word for emphasis.

  Kyle watched the interaction and just shrugged at Trey, “Guess that’ll be a tip for the night, no damage.” Sliding off his stool, he walked over to Bec, “You ready to go?”

  “Yeah, I’m ready. My nights over now.” The two friends left side by side and went home for the night.

  Chapter 6

  Bec walked into the doctor’s elaborate office in silence. Silence was her defense to the world. If she didn’t open up, no one could hurt her. The office walls were lined with cherry wood bookcases built in with magnificently designed shelves. The only wall with no bookshelves was the large wall with a window looking out over the acreage the hospital owned behind the mammoth building, including the fenced yard. Taking her time, Bec walked the room taking in every detail. As she came upon the massive window she slowed, looking out and then down. A young man with long dreadlocks sat in the confined area alone, an ally she never knew she’d want nor need. She wondered how long he had been there. In that moment, the young man looked up at her and smiled, Bec didn’t respond.

  Georgia Wilson watched the young woman enter silently and move about her office taking it in. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, only observed. She had spoken to several orderlies, including JoJo, and knew that Bec did things in her own time and at her own pace, there’d be no rushing this girl one bit. Sitting in the chair centered in the room, the doctor pretending not to notice the young woman in her office, as Georgia sat silently watching. Taking notes of each thing that the girl took special interest in, like the fenced yard below and her glass dragon figurine, would help her in the future.

  After several moments, Bec sat in the oversized chair that she’d grow to enjoy and anticipate, looked over at the doctor and stared blankly. Georgia glanced up after several seconds and gave a little smile, dropped her pen on her notebook the doctor spoke, “Good afternoon Rebecca. I’m glad you came up to see me.”

  Bec just stared.

  Looking down at the words on her paper, she picked it up and held it out for the girl to take. Bec didn’t move so Georgia placed them back on her lap. “Do you have any questions for me?”

  Bec sat in silence. This was their routine for three weeks before the young girl finally spoke up, “My name is Bec, not Rebecca. If you expect me to answer you, you should know that much at least.”

  Georgia smiled at the break in silence. Some days, Georgia had even gone as far as filling out word puzzles while they both sat in silence. She knew that patience was key and she had a lot of patience. “Bec. Much less formal for sure. You can call me Dr. Wilson or Georgia. Whichever you pr
efer, as long as you are respectful. Agreed?”

  Bec smiled. She anticipated the doctor’s tactics, but she was glad she had someone to talk to finally. Her room was lonely and there was so little interaction with anyone outside of the orderlies. Bec had even begun to wonder if she would remember how to talk. Fifteen is such a complicated age as it was but being locked up for nearly doing nothing was making it worse. She glanced at the window before cutting her eyes back at the woman across from her, “Do I get to go to school?”

  Placing the notepad and pen down on the table aside her, she intertwined her fingers in her lap as she looked over at the child, “Soon. We need to make sure you’re not a danger to anyone, especially yourself.”

  “Danger? If I was a danger, you’d know it by now. I’ve been stuck in my room more than two months. No fresh air. No school. No people my age. That alone is enough to make someone to cause trouble, don’t you think.” Bec’s tone was flat, nearly emotionless as she struggled to control her anger. She had been locked away from everyone and everything she knew because her mother didn’t want to deal with her and protect her... yet, she was the one being punished.

  “Do you understand that all our... residents, are special like you?”

  “What do you mean special?”

  Georgia thought carefully about what words to choose next. She didn’t want to upset the young girl any more than she was already. “Well, I know that you are telekinetic and have super speed. Our other residents have similar... gifts.”

  “Do you?”

  “Actually, I do.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  Georgia’s eyes squinted just a little as her brows furrowed, her head tilted a little, “I’m not allowed to tell you that. I’m sorry.”