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Novel Catalog
Chapter 86: Chaotic Perception
When Ainsley stepped out of her bedroom, she found that Manuel had already left. On the dining table were two breakfasts, neatly arranged.
After freshening up, Ainsley had breakfast and applied burn cream to her leg. Serina was still asleep in the other room. As Ainsley pondered over Serina’s condition, her phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
“Hello? Hello?” Ainsley answered, unsure of the caller.
A chuckle came from the other side before Mollie’s familiar voice spoke up. “You can’t recognize me so quickly? After yesterday’s Quiz Show, I didn’t get the chance to check on your leg. How’s it doing?”
“Thanks, Mollie. It doesn’t hurt as much now, but it’s still swollen and red. I just finished applying the burn cream. Are you heading back soon?”
Ainsley remembered that Mollie’s visit was almost up—today marked the seventh day.
“Yes, tonight’s flight. I have a meeting back in the States early tomorrow morning,” Mollie replied.
“So soon?” Ainsley asked, surprised.
Mollie smiled. “I’ve got to go. There are a lot of things waiting for me back in America. I met with several amazing psychologists in Seattle, and they’ve given me some new ideas to explore.”
“Aisy!” Ainsley suddenly remembered. “Are you free now?”
Mollie was momentarily silent before answering, “I’m at Harborview Medical Center right now, but I’ll be free after my meeting there finishes around three o’clock. Why, what’s up?”
“It’s about Serina. She’s not doing well, and I need to talk to you about it.”
Ainsley felt the weight of Serina’s condition pressing down on her.
“Alright. I’ll be free after the meeting, around three. We can meet then.”
“Thank you, Mollie,” Ainsley said, relief flooding her.
After hanging up, Ainsley noticed Serina had woken up. Serina stood quietly behind her, staring vacantly at her.
“Serina, you’re awake?” Ainsley asked gently.
But to her surprise, Serina didn’t respond. Instead, she silently walked over and sat beside Ainsley. She began eating her sandwich without saying a word.
“Serina?” Ainsley called out softly, concerned.
“Are they all gone?” Serina asked, her voice filled with a deep, fearful worry.
Ainsley was taken aback. “They’ve all left,” she replied, unsure of what Serina was referring to.
“Let’s hold on a little longer. Manuel will come and save us. Don’t let them hurt you,” Serina murmured, her eyes wide with panic as she stared at Ainsley’s injured leg.
It was at that moment that Ainsley realized something was terribly wrong with Serina. She walked over and gently placed her hands on Serina’s shoulders.
“Serina, who are they? There’s no one else here. It’s just you and me. Tell me, it’s safe here.”
But Serina only shook her head. “No, I can’t say it! I can’t say it!” Her voice trembled and grew louder, and soon she seemed on the verge of losing control.
Ainsley quickly tried to calm her. “It’s okay, Serina. We don’t need to talk about it now. Just eat your breakfast. I’m fine. I won’t get hurt.”
Serina’s shaking slowly ceased, and she returned to eating, though her eyes never stopped scanning the room, as if expecting danger to appear at any moment.
It wasn’t long before Ainsley decided to take Serina to Harborview Medical Center. Mollie’s meeting had ended, and they met at a nearby coffee shop. Mollie’s assistant waited outside while the three of them sat down to talk.
Mollie observed Serina quietly, her face a mask of curiosity. Serina, once lively and strong, had become a shell of her former self. She was now trembling and withdrawn.
“So, have you figured out what triggered her?” Mollie asked, lowering her voice so only Ainsley could hear.
Ainsley was clearly worried. “Yesterday, when she saw my burned leg, she became agitated. She was even worse than this last night—afraid of everything, even of being near me. It took me a lot of effort just to get her to sleep.”
“I think I understand. It sounds like Serina suffered some trauma in her past. What you’re seeing now are classic symptoms of trauma stress disorder. She’s likely stuck in a loop, reliving the trauma whenever she’s exposed to something that reminds her of it,” Mollie explained thoughtfully.
Ainsley was still troubled. “But if it’s trauma, why is she so dependent on me? She trusts me unconditionally, even though I’ve only known her for a short time.”
Mollie frowned, considering the situation. “You’ve been focusing too much on her past trauma. But remember, everyone’s experience with psychological illness is unique. Her perception of time and space might be disordered. The people and events she’s encountering now may be blending with her memories. She’s clinging to you because in her mind, you might be the person who can protect her.”
Ainsley was struck by the insight. “I see what you mean now,” she said softly, understanding how Serina’s mind was operating in confusion, mixing up past and present.
Mollie nodded. “Exactly. With time, she’ll need both psychological intervention and physical healing. Herbal teas and emotional support will help, but we’ll need to make her feel safe in the present.”
“I will do everything I can,” Ainsley promised.
Just then, Ainsley noticed Serina’s hands trembling again. She had been adding sugar to her coffee obsessively, spoonful by spoonful. The sugar was spilling out of the cup as Serina’s hands shook uncontrollably.
“Serina, you’ve added too much sugar. It’s going to be too sweet,” Ainsley said gently.
But Serina, oblivious, continued with her task, her eyes wide with panic.
“Serina?” Ainsley’s heart raced.
Seeing Serina in this state made both Ainsley and Mollie nervous. Mollie leaned closer, her voice soothing. “Serina, everything’s okay now. You’re safe. Nothing will happen to you.”
Slowly, Serina’s hands stopped shaking. But then, in a sharp outburst, she threw the spoon aside and cried, “Ainsley! There are bad people! It’s not safe. Someone wants to kill us!”
