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“Do we have a time stamp on this date with the loon?”
“I don’t. It’s when you’re ready to find it.”
Ivy
There are no bugs, lizards, or snakes. There are no bugs, lizards, or snakes, I chanted in my head as I veered around a corner. Nature is your friend if you let it in.
My feet beat the uneven ground, and my arms pumped furiously as I ran. My mind was everywhere it shouldn’t be. I ran because it cleared my mind, but not today. There was a battle going on in my head between insects, reptiles, and him. As hard as I tried not to let it, he once again won and took over my head, and I almost lost control.
Focus. Birds. I like birds. They chirped and perched on the branches that shielded me from the sun. Their pretty little songs flooded the forest with sound. The green leaves fluttered in the breeze and joined in with the melody. A squirrel scurried up on a rock and made a noise, mad that I was there, I assumed. The tap-tap-tap of a woodpecker could be heard. I shuddered as his face flashed in front of me again.
No.
I picked up speed and followed the narrow, beaten path Sloane had spoken so highly about.
She was a runner too and had asked me to join her, but I hadn’t slept well and got up and left well before five. Cole had assured me it was safe at all hours to be out here. I knew there were armed men who patrolled the property, but I hadn’t spotted any yet. I wondered if I would.
When my legs and lungs screamed at me to stop, I checked the time and saw it was nearly six. I turned to walk back and felt the buzz against my arm. I took a moment to see the text message that had popped up.
Frank: See you in an hour.
Shit.
I had run a fair distance, and I didn’t want to be late, so I picked up speed and headed back. I managed to clear my head and began to enjoy the run. Suddenly, my nerves were set off. I felt someone or heard something, and I glanced over my shoulder. I couldn’t see anything. The coast was clear, I told myself and forced back the uneasy feeling that had come over me. One thing I’d found about the situation I’d been in lately was that being alone didn’t bring the same kind of peace it once had. No, I was riddled with uneasy thoughts and darkness. This wasn’t who I was. I was a happy, loving person destined to help as many people as I could. My heart leapt in my throat again when the noise returned. I whipped my head around to look over my shoulder and did a double take at who, or rather what, was coming up behind me.
A huge German shepherd flew by me, and I slammed on my brakes as my lungs gasped for air. He stopped and turned to face me, then plunked his butt down in the middle of the trail and opened his mouth. His tongue flopped out like the dog in Coco. “Please tell me you belong to someone and you’re not here to make me your breakfast?” I chuckled shakily. I loved animals, but cats were more my speed. Their dicky personalities, and the fact that they really couldn’t give two shits about their owners made them super appealing. I spotted the gold-colored tag around his neck. “Well, you have a collar on, so that’s a good sign,” I nervously said to him. “I’m really not that tasty.”
All seventy-five or so pounds of him suddenly stood, and he yelped. I did, too.
“Tripper,” someone called, and I felt an immediate sense of relief. Keith emerged from the brush dressed in fatigues. He looked like he’d been on a stroll through the jungle. He whistled, and the dog was at his side in an instant.
“Hey, Ivy.” He came toward me as the dog matched his steps. “I hope Tripper didn’t scare you.”
“I’m in the woods. A butterfly’d give me the creeps.” I dripped with sarcasm, and he chuckled. “So, your dog’s name is Tripper.”
“Yes, but he’s not mine. He’s John’s. He just likes my hikes better.” He rubbed the pup’s head, and Tripper’s tongue flailed around.
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard thick jungle walks are good for the soul.”
“Ha,” he chuckled again, “something like that.” He motioned for me to start the walk back toward the house. “I see you and I have a session this afternoon.”
“That’s right, we do.”
“Any chance we could have it now?”
I glanced at my watch and thought how very out of my norm it would be to not have my session in an office. I had to remember that these guys felt more comfortable outside.
“I have thirty minutes before I meet Frank, so sure, until then, I’m all yours.”
“Thanks,” he said then fell silent, so I took the lead.
“So, normally I’d ask you a bit about yourself, then I’d share that I’ve worked for the military since I graduated from university, so I’m not your typical psychologist. You know, the type who wants to wear gloves when dealing with their patients. People have real stuff going on, but soldiers have it at a whole different level. Anyway, let’s skip all that for now.” I looked up to see him nod and knew he’d heard me.
“I know you’ve worked with Dr. Roberts, so you’ve had the best from the best. But if I’m going to take over from him, I have to do things my way. I’m going to give it to you real, Keith, and sometimes it might seem that you’ve been through it all before with him. I know you guys are survivors, but I also know how important it is to talk things out after your missions. It’s how you stay healthy in the long run. I make sure all my patients continue to make progress.” I paused. “As for you, I could start this off by acting like I haven’t observed a few things, but I’m not going to do that. I’d guess you’re not one to bullshit around a topic, correct?” He looked at me with an unreadable expression, but I could tell he liked my approach.
“Correct.”
“Tell me about your wife, Lexi.” He wavered in his step but cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
