Therapy For Tzeitel (Pt 2)

“Hello, Tzeitel,” Dr. Chi said calmly from behind the makeshift barrier put up between him and the chairs. He was sitting in his old chair that looked as if it was always ready to break, a bowl of his favorite food in his lap. The man was always hungry, despite never gaining weight.

“H-hello.” Tzeitel sniffled and hid behind the chair.

Dr. Chi set his bowl of food aside and grabbed up his paperwork, looking at the page of questions he'd prepared. He let Klaire get situated in her own seat before he began, always starting with simple stuff - had she eaten? Was keeping hydrated? How was she feeling?

There was a lot more to it and he was very patient with her, never forcing her to answer. Not even Klaire answered for her, but she did let him know anything she noticed that worried her.

After it was all done and the questions were or weren't answered, Dr. Chi gave Tzeitel a little challenge. “I want you to try to take a step out of your room on your own. You don't have to fully leave, but try it on your own time.” He suggested. “Just one step out of your room. You don't need to speak with anyone, but I want you to try leaving. It's unhealthy to lock yourself away.”

Tzeitel had spoken very little, keeping hidden behind the chair, making a pile of tissues because her damned tears would not stop, but at the challenge she bristled. “No fucking way!”

“Please do not use such language in my office, Miss Tzeitel.” Dr. Chi said, his feathers ruffling in disdain. There were rules, even in his office. One of the biggest ones was ‘no swearing’.

“Tzeitel, it's a suggestion.” Klaire whispered. “He's trying to help you. You know the rules.” Before the therapy had ever begun, she'd made sure that Tzeitel knew all the rules and had even started a swear jar at Ami’s suggestion. “You need to try.”

Tzeitel shook her head vehemently, moving so Klaire was between herself and Dr Chi, as if Dr Chi was about to attack her and she needed Klaire to protect her from him. “You know I can’t. It’s hard enough to leave my room with you.”

Klaire would think after being locked up so long that Tzeitel would be overjoyed to go and do what she wanted to. “Just don't be rude…” She murmured.

Dr. Chi merely stayed in his seat and wrote a few notes. “We'll talk about this next week.” He said. “Please, at least think it over.”

One would think Tzeitel would want to enjoy her freedom and spend more time outside. But Tzeitel’s room had become her comfort zone. She felt safe there. Whenever she left her room she never knew who she might run into. With those photos and videos of herself being tortured out there- she might even run into someone who had seen them. Tzeitel jerkily shook her head, moving closer to Klaire, she was shaking all over like a leaf.

“Tzeitel,” Dr. Chi said in a very calm and patient tone, never using a harsh tone with her or any of his patients. “I want you to understand that this is not an attempt to harm you in any way. I am aware that your room is your comfort zone, but even as metas we are still human. Stepping out of that comfort zone is the only way to grow as an individual. It is also the only way you will grow more social, capable of caring for yourself and developing your own lifestyle. I am not going to push, but it is something I truly hope that you can understand. It is up to you to make the decision to better yourself.”

“It's okay, Tzeitel.”Klaire said soothingly, reaching a hand back so her friend could hold it.

Tzeitel shakily took Klaire’s hand. A part of her wished she was brave enough to see other parts of the Underground. Spend time with her best friend and get to know her little sister outside of her room. But she was so damned scared. “I c-can’t.” She stuttered.

“I understand, but just think about what I've told you.” Dr. Chi repeated. “You may go now.”

Klaire stood up, turning and never letting go of Tzeitel’s hand. “Why don't we go get something to eat?” She suggested.