Free Not Forgotten by Camille Taylor

Emotion I can’t control.”
    “Because I believe I can make a difference in your life. Because I am here for you, not for a case or a murderer, just you,” Natalie said and Hallie heard the honestly in her voice. “I want to treat you. Not because of what you can give me but for what I can give you—peace of mind. No more night terrors, no more pain and no more drugs.”
    Hallie wanted to believe her. The night terrors had begun the night of her parents’ murder and every night after she would wake up drenched in sweat, her throat hoarse from screaming. She had terrified her foster parents who hadn’t known what to do with her. She had been brought to Paradise Valley for treatment and when she had not improved, had been drugged to keep her from hurting herself. Now she could control her anger, and fits like the one she had just had were few and far between. Until today when she had been pushed. She hated it when she lost control. She became another person and it scared her. She would wake from an episode strapped to her bed, her face and body aching from the abuse she had given it. Did she dare to believe this doctor, one of so many, could help her? Could she accept this doctor’s help? She wanted to but she was scared of what would become of her if she did.
    “But you have to be willing to meet me halfway,” Natalie continued. “Together we can get you out of here.”
    Matt released Hallie and she bit back a whimper. She desperately wanted him to keep on holding her. It had been a long while since she had felt so comforted, almost loved—certainly cherished. But she didn’t and she felt so hollow inside.
    “What if I don’t want to leave?” Hallie demanded, but her tone fell flat.
    Natalie’s eyebrow rose. “If we can make you better why would you want to stay here? You’re a bright girl, Hallie, who can have a bright future. Why throw that away?”
    Hallie crossed her arms over her chest. She wondered why she was bothering explaining herself. Over the years she had just ignored those who had come before Doctor Miller, but there was something about this doctor that had her spilling her guts and admitting all her dirty little secrets—or at least some of them. What was it about Doctor Miller that had Hallie reaching out, instinctively trusting her?
    “Before I came here, I would wake up in a fit. It was that night again for me. I was so terrified I didn’t want to close my eyes. But eventually they would close on their own and then I couldn’t wake up because I was so tired and he was chasing me again. I couldn’t escape.”
    “He killed you?” Natalie asked.
    “Yes, again and again. They were so real…are so real…although they don’t come as often as they used to but when they do they’re awful.” She shivered uncontrollably, feeling a fine sheen of sweat coating her forehead. She swallowed hard. “When they brought me here for treatment, it was the first time since that night I felt safe and I realised, so long as I’m locked inside these walls, he’s locked out of them. From that moment, I promised myself that while he is still living, while he is still free, I will remain here.”
    “Is that why you refused help in the past? Afraid that someone would cure you and send you back out where you’re vulnerable?” Natalie enquired, her eyes wide as she glanced from Matt back to her.
    Hallie nodded. “They’d have just sent me on my way with a bottle of pills and the name of a psychologist. No offence, but I don’t see someone like you standing between me and the Butcher.”
    “There are other options,” Matt stated. “The police—”
    “Can’t help me,” she interrupted. “No one can. Haven’t you ever run away from a problem?”
    “Yes, I have,” Natalie answered truthfully but offered no examples. She sat forward in her seat. “I’ll make you an offer, Hallie. Work with and not against me. Allow me to treat you without objection or resistance and I promise you I will not