He stepped out of the car, looking at the gate. A thought crossed his mind: "What is fate playing at?" Every time he thinks about the cemetery, only loneliness and fear of losing haunt him.
The cemetery has a different connection with him, like a truth he doesn't want to take, believe, or accept. He always tries to run from it, but always finds himself standing in front of it, first with his parents on his shoulders, and the second time with his wife, Emily.
As he entered the cemetery, wherever he looked, only graves were visible. But on the left side, under a rotten tree, a particular grave caught his eye. Staring at that grave, he walked toward it, as if someone was pulling him in that direction.
"David… what a great day… welcome home… how's your day… David, you're going to be late, wake up… you are going to become a father!!… D-David wh-… n-no… wha- hel-…"
As he was walking toward the grave, sudden, random yet connected fragments started flashing through his eyes.
Standing there, looking at the grave, his eyes kept shifting, as if trying to stop something. His hands were in his pockets. His whole body was trembling, fear? anger? guilt? It was difficult to tell.
After standing for some time without saying anything, his emotionless facade finally broke down. He tried to get himself together.
"I-I am… I can't do anything. Heh… why am I even doing all this… am I really an idiot… Emily, I think it's the end… all of this for nothing."
With an unhinged, apologetic smile, he tried to ease himself.
Clenching his teeth, biting his lip, unable to do anything, he left. Every step he took reminded him how far he was from her. At the gate, he looked back.
"Huh…"
For a second, he thought he saw someone beside the grave, a white figure, looking at him. Maybe it was his imagination, but it looked like the figure was smiling. Not a cruel, judging smile, but a gentle and soothing one.
"Was it my imagination?" he questioned himself. But with no answer, he walked away.
At the car, when he was about to enter, his phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hello, Mr. David."
"Oh, hello, Dr. Grace."
"I just called to remind you that today is your session, so please try to get here on time."
"O-okay, Dr. Grace."
"Okay, Mr. David."
Call ended.
"Again… that."
With a sigh, he entered the car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. David took a deep breath, and the car moved through the wind.
With the cool breeze mixing with rain, he unknowingly arrived at the clinic. Standing at the door, he hesitated.
"Is it really okay to be here? Huff… whatever, I'm here now."
Without any second thoughts, he stepped inside.
Standing in the waiting area, he looked around. It wasn't his first time, but there was a slight sense of curiosity.
After a bit of zoning out, he approached the receptionist.
"Um… hi."
"Hi, how may I help you, sir?"
"I'm David. I have an appointment with Dr. Grace."
"Okay, let me check, sir… yes, your name is here. Go to room number 6."
"Okay, thanks."
"No problem, sir."
With a lost spirit, he arrived in front of the room and knocked.
"May I come in, Dr. Grace?"
"Oh yes, Mr. David. I've been waiting for you."
The room was almost dark, lit by a warm lamp on the table. It felt like a wide closet, yet somehow it was comfortable for David. He felt a strange sense of security and safety in the room.
"Sit, Mr. David."
"O-okay."
He sat on one side of the table, and on the opposite side sat Dr. Grace.
"So, how am I doing? Is my condition alright or worse?"
"Relax, Mr. David. You are improving very fast. I mean very fast. And I think the main reason is your understanding of your condition. Many patients deny their condition, try to escape reality, but you are different, Mr. David. You face your trauma and overcome it. It's just a matter of time before you fully recover."
"Really… that's great, I think."
"That's impressive, Mr. David. I also think you don't need any more sessions. Today I just want to ask some questions and confirm a few things."
"And what are they?"
"Nothing extraordinary. Just regular questions. Do you still have nightmares or hallucinations?"
"Ah… yes. I get nightmares, but not frequently. And I don't get hallucinations anymore."
He didn't know why he said that. A lie coated with truth.
"Okay… so minor nightmares and no hallucinations. Good."
After that, she asked David more questions—many repeated, others feeling like a mix of truth and lie for him.
"That's it for today, Mr. David. And I have to say, you've improved a lot. I mean a lot. This type of trauma is not easy to overcome. You should at least be proud of yourself. May your new life be even better than this."
"All thanks to you, Dr. Grace. You are a big part of this change. I will be very grateful for what you've done for me."
"Please don't, Mr. David. I'm just doing my job."
"I know that, but still-"
"As I said, it's just my work."
"As you say, Dr. Grace."
"So, David, how's your planning going? Are you really going to move out of this city?"
"Yes… but it is not confirmed. I may move out, or maybe not."
"Okay, I think that's it for now."
"Okay. I'll go now. Have a great day, Dr. Grace."
"You mean night?"
"Huh… oh, I didn't even notice it's getting late. I'll go now. Have a safe journey home, Dr. Grace."
"You too, Mr. David."
"A, wait a minute, Mr. David."
"Yes?"
"Do you have some time tomorrow? Can we meet outside the clinic?"
"Yes, but why?"
"There are some final things and documents I need to prepare. So… can we?"
"Really?"
"Y-yes… or what could it be about?"
"Dr. Grace, you are a great doctor and a very good person. I really admire your work."
"Really… it's good to hear that from you."
"But I'm sorry, Miss Grace. I can't accept your feelings. And you know why."
"B-but… hear me out, or at least give me a day. Ma-"
"Gracy… are you hearing your own words? We are childhood friends, and I know what you feel about me, but-"
"You are married. I know that. I know all of that. But I can't see you suffering like this. It hurts me too. Don't you remember what she has done… and she is now gone-"
"Grace!"
His voice echoed through the room, leaving a silence, one far louder than words.
"I'm going. Take care."
He left the room, and the silence stayed behind with Grace.
"Okay…"
As David was about to walk out, he heard the doctor's voice again.
"Mr. David, don't forget to take your medicines."
"Yes… of course. How could I?"
And with that uneasy tension, he ran from there.
He stepped outside the clinic. Suddenly, the rain became more intense. He stood there, trying to figure out how to get to his car.
Suddenly, the rain stopped falling on him. He looked up.
A red umbrella.
Held by a man wearing a long red coat, a black shirt underneath, black pants, and a hat.
David was shocked as the man approached from behind.
"Mister, may I help you with something?"
"Ah… oh God, who are you? You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry, mister. I didn't intend to scare you."
"I asked you a question."
"Oh, yes. I'm a traveler. I travel from one nation to another. I like traveling. At first it was very scary, I mean-"
"Okay, okay, I get it. You're a traveler."
"Oo man, let me finish my sentences at least. Anyways, what is your name?"
"I'm David. David Roze."
"So, hi David Roze. Shall we go to the parking lot? We can talk there."
"How do you know where I'm going?"
"Well… you know, I can read minds."
"What-"
"Just kidding. Why are you so shocked? You just came out of the clinic, so I assumed you were going to the parking lot. So shall we, or are you going home on foot?"
"Oh… yes, okay. Let's go."
With a half-hearted yes, they walked toward the parking lot together.