Jesnsera, Dlzelsa, and Seja were fully into a nurturing role with Jahrae.

Jahrae had wakened as the physician expected. That afternoon, the unknown physician returned, and pretty much confined Jahrae to Jesnsera’s flat for at least a month. “You have some serious issues to overcome my dear, and they are not all physical, though those issues exist as well.

I will not see you leave here and fall back into the horror that led you to attempt suicide by contempt of self.” The mysterious physician was taking charge, which was quite a risk to undertake, given Jahrae could simply blow her off and leave.

As if reading the physician’s thoughts and sensing it was her turn to speak, Jahrae’s voice came alive. “What makes you think that you can hold me here? No need to answer that, because I agree, this is probably a good place for me… but as I suspect will inevitably happen, I threaten to leave, or move to leave, what will you do?” Jahrae was looking for reassurance, not freedom.

“I will do nothing, Jahrae. I am a healer, not your jailer. I am here to see to your long term well being, not to your demise. Your fate is in your own hands, as it always was, and as it always will be.

If you walk out the door, then whoever did this wins. I’ve not yet heard from you what it was that led you here, but I have my suspicions. If correct, your pain is impossibly immense, but there are better ways to manage emotional pain than through substance abuse, suicide through active neglect of self, and or running away. It is completely up to you whether we do this.

If you wish to stay, then you have to demonstrate a willingness to heal yourself, not fight me every step of the way. We both can walk away as we wish, though I prefer not to walk away from a patient. Are you willing to trust a stranger?” the doctor had played her cards honestly, holding one in reserve.

“I… I sense you are sincere, and as I’ve stated I’m quite willing to do this… but trust is a two way street, and you need to trust me as well.” Jahrae was negotiating for a level playing field, and she made headway – by going after the card the doctor was holding back.

“What is it you wish from me, Jahrae?” the doctor joined in negotiating.

“Your name.” Jahrae’s request was simple, but a significant one.

This was a serious breach of protocol amongst the group, but trust in this case had to be total. Jesnsera moved to leave, the other two following, but the physician stopped them by saying “No. Please do not leave. We are in this together, and we will have to breach protocol and trust in one another.” Turning to Jahrae, she introduced herself. “I am Dr Elsrensia K’avahra. I’m a graduate of the school that carries my family name.”

The doctor was ahead of Jahrae, who upon hearing the physician’s last name, was about to ask if she was related to the family that founded the world famous medical school that bore their name. No need to ask now – this woman was medical profession royalty.

“Jahrae, for me to adequately treat you, we will need to chat. If you prefer, we can do so in more private space.” The doctor was moving quickly, and she felt quick was essential with this case.

“Since we are all about trust, I’d prefer to do this with the others present, if that is OK.” Jahrae was relaxing and developing a sense of camaraderie with the other women.

“Very well, it shall be so. Would you like to begin now?” the doctor was ready to get on with things.

Jahrae said nothing for several seconds, fiddling with a cup that sat on the end table beside her. Her mind was searching both for her speaking voice and what she wished to share. Finally, she began. “You already know who I am. College student majoring in public administration – I switched my major – and wife of llhaesa t’yaeli.

A couple of months ago – I think it was a couple of months ago, time is not sorted in my head right now, things are still somewhat foggy – Brellian’s thugs stormed our flat. They grabbed me, dragged me out of the flat, into the lift to the ground floor, then finished dragging me out the building main entry, and left me lying on the sidewalk, somewhat bruised and semi-conscious. They re-entered the building, evacuated the other residents, and then locked everyone out, while securing the building on the inside.

A commander – I assume he was a commander – approached me, told me to get the hell out of there, to go to my parents home. My parents were on vacation and unreachable, there was no one there, but I felt that was the best place to figure out what was happening, to enlist the help of others and do what we could.

People began arriving at my parent’s home, and we planned to return to take vigil outside our flat, hoping to draw a crowd to pressure Brellian to back down.

We returned the next morning, hundreds showed up, but… the building was unlocked, they were gone. I went up to the flat, and there was only minor damage – they had taken us by surprise and with overwhelming force – and llhaesa was gone.

An hour later, a flunky for the government called me and in his words said “llhaesa t’yaeli ceased to be at 10:20 am. I could sense he was telling the truth, as incredibly painful as it was to hear. Brellian is a cold hearted prick and he is a murderer. And so I asked if llhaesa’s body could be returned so her family and friends could say goodbye, but they refused ‘because they don’t wish to see her become a martyr.”

And with that, Jahrae burst into tears, the others moving to comfort their newfound friend – and ally.