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The chair is oddly comfortable.

"Max?" The annoying therapists interrupted his thoughts train. "Mind telling what you were talking about just then?

Max grunted softly, eyes staring out the window. He preferred no eye contact with any professional. Made kid easier if he didn't have to look the ones he depends on in the windows to the soul.

"I was..am depressed." He admitted mournfully, hand smoothing through his hair. "And I got brainwashed, served a fucking cult leader. What else is there to a talk about?"

"Your parents."

Max's eyes snapped back in place chasing the therapist a little jump scare. The kid certainly seemed more grown now. Posture straightened, eyes meeting her one for the first time.

"No. It's not a topic I'm ready to talk about."

He replied in no more than a whisper. Max and the therapist stared in what seemed like an eternity. So, someone had to break the silence, right?

Wrong.

The therapist clicked clicked clicked. Up and down, up and down, up and down. It was a soothing sound calming Max slightly enough that he could think more clearly.

He didn't want to do something he'd regret.

Unlike last time.

"Max, you know I'm here to help."

The therapist's features softened. Now she saw him as the child who just needed help. Not the kind she's usually provide, but real help. And she would try to give him whatever he needed.

"Talk to me."

The walls no longer existed. Or, at least, temporarily forgotten. Because in the next moments Max found his mouth opening the words of the past spilling out to some stranger. A helpful stranger.

For once, it felt good to simply confess.

Confess his depression, the abuse, his parents...

His parents are dead to him now.

***

David is not as annoying as he once was.

"Max!"

The overbearing father figure scooped the little boy into his arms. Why did he have to he so over affectionate towards everyone and everything?

"Hey, David." He held back the fuck off. "Nice to see you to. Therapy went fine if that's what you gonna ask."

The other's expression dropped a little. Max laughed internally, a good random thing to try and say. David hugged the boy close as his father usually would've unleashed the bottle or power of fiesta.

"Max, your brave." He stroked his hair, the boy relaxing in his presence. "Thanks for going to there, we only want to help."

"Hey, little shit!"

Gwen decided to come in the spotlight. Max smirked at the not-so-cranky counsellor. He waved and said his hellos and goodbyes to everyone.

Then headed towards his cabin for the night.

"Max?"

Nikki and Nikki stood there. Shock and ashamed they hadn't realise how damaged their best friend had been. To be fair, he put on a good mask.

He waved them off. "It's fine, guys. Chill your shit."

"I wish we noticed." Neil went in and so did Nikki following the nerd behind. "God, I feel so shitty."

"Hope you don't shit it out."

"Max!"

Nikki shouted playfully, punching his shoulder gently. She waved them goodbye and headed back to her one cabin. Max strayed off to his thoughts after Neil said his goodnight.

He laid in the bed in a light daydream. At first, he didn't want to come to this godforsaken place. Now there's people who want to help and be friends.

Some even family. Now I'm here.

Guess he's camping home.