Not Alone

[Mithra]

The tenth day started just like all the others. Pete took his place, set down his notepad, coffee, and recorder, and waited for Katherine. At precisely 9:37AM, the door opened and the nurse wheeled her in. The nurse excused herself to check on another patient, said she would return to take Katherine back in an hour or so, and vanished. Holman set down his stylus and massaged his temples. Time to get down to business, Pete, he thought. He intended to get a response out of her today, and felt that he could do it, too. He pressed the record button and began: KatherineThere are a lot of questions floating around you and your family. Can you help me clear some of them up today? Id really like to understand what happened and help you get past this. He took a swig of coffee and grimaced. It was cold, just like this room. He shivered slightly under his coat and settled in for another long round of one-ended questions.

Pete sighed. She wasnt helping the situation at all, was Katherine. He tried a different tack. KathKatie, I know its a shock, and you have every right to be confused, but now isnt the time. We need answers, and you can give those to us. Kate said nothing, and continued staring into nothing. A small trickle of drool ran from the side of her mouth. From all outward indications, she was a vegetable, but there was no reason for her to be. Trauma, even psychological trauma of that magnitude simply could not reduce a person to a shell. Or could it? Pete wasnt sure; his job and expertise involved getting answers to hard reality, not existential pondering. He ran his hands through his hair and leaned closer, stared into her eyes. What secrets are you still hiding, Katherine?

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