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Masok and Avir joined them and wrapped their arms around Matt and their Nobek as Kom tried to talk him down. “No, Mattie. Nobody’s going to kill me. Look at me. Remember your badass Nobek? He doesn’t stand a chance against me.”
“He’s coming. He’ll…kill…we…run…Lucas…Valter…kill…monster…”
“I was ready to call emergency services to pick him up,” a medic told Avir. “You’re his Dramok?”
“Yes, as soon as his therapist allows me to clan him.” Avir voice caught.
“I want the therapist’s name. We need verification he’s safe in your care.”
Kom bared teeth at the Nobek guard who’d spoken. Avir grabbed his arm. The staff was only doing their job to keep Matt safe from potentially abusive clanmates. “Dr. Retel at the Human Psychiatric Clinic. If you can’t reach him, speak to Dr. Sanderson.”
Masok was on his knees in front of the hysterical man. “Matt. Mattie, please listen. We’ll take you to Dr. Retel, we’ll go now, he’ll help you—”
“Monster…coming…Valter…com…Lucas…” Matt grabbed them in turn; Kom, Masok, Avir, Kom, Masok, Avir. He clutched their collars, pulling them close, then tried to push them away. “Kill…don’t…” Suddenly, his gaze cleared as he stared into Avir’s. His face crumpled, and his arm circled the Dramok’s neck. He pushed his hot, tear- and blood-streaked face against Avir’s shoulder. “Don’t be like Lucas. Let me run. Don’t let him get you or Kom or Masok.”
“Mattie.” Avir clutched him, his heart breaking for whatever horror had erupted in Matt’s head and his inability to send his demons away. He groped for something to say that would ease the now wordless sobs wetting his shoulder. He came up empty.
Chapter Nine
Portion of Session 6, unscheduled emergency psychiatric session transcript. Present are presiding therapist Dr. Retel, trauma liaison Dr. Sanderson, patient Matthew Larsen, patient’s intended clanmates Dramok Avir, Imdiko Masok, and Nobek Kom.
Matthew Larsen: I’m sorry I freaked everyone out. I guess I panicked. I don’t remember a lot of it.
Dr. Retel: Severe shock can lead to an episode of temporary disassociation. How are you feeling now?
ML: Shaky, but better. I’m so sorry.
Dramok Avir: You did nothing wrong. We never should have left you alone.
Dr. Sanderson: Dramok, was there any reason to suspect Matt’s uncle would attempt to make contact?
Avir: We didn’t think so. Matt was always afraid he or his father would show up, but we didn’t believe they would.
Dr. R: It did seem highly unlikely, and they haven’t set foot on Kalquor. Given the hatred Matt says his father has for sexually accepting societies such as ours, I continue to doubt they’ll come here, particularly if Matt’s father is as ill as his uncle claims.
Dr. S: Matt, can you tell us what happened in the aftermath of your father’s attack on Lucas?
ML: All I know is he survived. Someone mentioned he’d left school soon after I did, but that was the last I heard of him.
Dr. R: You made no attempt to contact him?
ML: No! Are you kidding? If I had…if they’d found out…his life…they’d…they’d…
(Short break to allow Matthew to recover from emotional outburst)
Dr. R: The new medication I’ve given you is stronger than what you were taking before. It’ll take a day or two for full effect, so try to be patient. Our next visit won’t be as upsetting.
ML: Okay.
Dr. R: Going back to your friend Lucas. You were absolutely positive merely discussing Lucas’ whereabouts and condition would result in retribution from your father and uncle?
ML: The monster promised they would.
Dr. R: You went into the military soon afterward, beyond the reach of your father and Valter. You could have attempted to contact—
ML: They would have known. They would have killed him. Don’t you understand? The monster always keeps his promises. I had to keep him from killing Lucas!
Dr. R: All right, this portion of your history is extremely traumatic. I’d like to give your medication time to work, then we can revisit what happened to Lucas again. Unless you want to discuss it?
