Therapy

Adam sulked in the backseat of the car as they drove to the therapist's office, his arms crossed and his jaw clenched. Yusuf, his father, seemed equally displeased, casting furtive glances at Adam through the rearview mirror. Melissa, however, appeared resolute as she navigated the city streets, determined to resolve her son's behavioral issues.

They arrived at the therapist's office and took seats in the waiting area. The room was decorated in muted colors, with the soft hum of instrumental music playing in the background. The family exchanged few words as they waited, each of them lost in their thoughts.

Adam glanced at the receptionist, who was chatting on the phone, wondering how many more minutes they had to wait. He didn't want to be here, but he knew better than to argue with his mother.

"Adam, Melissa, and Yusuf?" the receptionist called out after hanging up the phone. "Dr. Taylor is ready for you."

They stood and followed the receptionist down the hallway to Dr. Taylor's office. Upon entering, they were greeted by the therapist's warm smile.

"Hello, everyone. It's been a while since I've seen you all together," Dr. Taylor said, gesturing for them to take seats on the comfortable couch opposite her desk. "Melissa, you mentioned on the phone that there was an incident at school?"

Melissa recounted the events of the day, detailing the fight, Adam's suspension, and the scratch above his eye. Dr. Taylor listened attentively, nodding in understanding.

"And how are you feeling about all of this, Adam?" she asked, turning her gaze towards him.

Adam shifted in his seat, defensive. "I did what I had to do. Those losers deserved it."

Dr. Taylor maintained her non-judgmental demeanor, her eyes steady on Adam's. "I see. It's important for you to stand up for yourself, but resorting to violence can have consequences, as you've experienced today. Let's explore some other ways you might be able to handle situations like this in the future."

As the session continued, the topic of the Dreamverse surfaced. Adam's parents had mentioned it in previous sessions, and though they believed in its existence, they were hesitant to speak about it. It was as if they were unsure whether they were going crazy and unwilling to fully accept the reality of the Dreamverse.

"Adam, you've told me about your experiences in the Dreamverse before," Dr. Taylor said, a note of curiosity in her voice. "How often have you been visiting it lately?"

"Every night," Adam replied, a hint of defiance in his tone.

Dr. Taylor paused, thoughtful, before turning her attention to Melissa and Yusuf. "It's possible that Adam's experiences in the Dreamverse are affecting his behavior. The subconscious mind holds great power, and if Adam consistently engages with this alternate reality, it might be shaping his actions in the real world."

Melissa and Yusuf shared a worried look, uncertain how to react.

"Of course, I don't subscribe to the idea that the Dreamverse is real," Dr. Taylor went on, "but I understand that you, as a family, do. So, let's examine some psychological theories that might shed light on what's happening with Adam."

She then delved into various psychological theories that could help explain Adam's experiences and behavior. "One possibility is that the Dreamverse represents a form of dissociation—a method for you to escape from the stresses and challenges of your everyday life."

Adam rolled his eyes, but Dr. Taylor persisted. "Another possibility is that your experiences in the Dreamverse are a manifestation of your subconscious mind, providing you with a safe space to explore your emotions and work through your conflicts."

Adam listened, growing increasingly frustrated. He knew the Dreamverse was real, but he couldn't help feeling cornered by Dr. Taylor's explanations. He glanced at his parents, who appeared to be weighing the therapist's words cautiously, their expressions a mix of concern and doubt.

Dr. Taylor turned her gaze to Adam and said, "I encourage you to express your emotions openly and explore healthier ways to cope with stress and conflict, Adam. It's essential for your well-being."

She then addressed the whole family. "I also suggest that you might consider more family therapy. It could help uncover any underlying issues that may be contributing to Adam's behavior and allow all of you to work together towards resolution and healing."

Adam couldn't help but think sarcastically, 'Oh, just what we need, more therapy. As if we don't come here almost every week already. I bet her wallet would love that.'

As the session drew to a close, Dr. Taylor thanked them for their time and expressed her hope that they would continue to work together to support Adam in making positive changes.

As they left the office, Adam noticed that his father seemed almost relieved, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. It seemed Yusuf had escaped the therapist's scrutiny this time.

In the car on the way home, Adam's parents discussed the session, trying to make sense of Dr. Taylor's theories and suggestions. Adam remained quiet, his mind racing with thoughts of the Dreamverse, Stella's situation, and the overwhelming feeling that no one truly understood him.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he was alone in his experiences, a solitary traveler in a world that refused to see the truth. But as they pulled into the driveway of their home, Adam couldn't help but feel a tiny spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for him to find understanding and acceptance, both within himself and from those around him. And that, he knew, was a journey worth taking.

The car ride home was silent, each family member lost in their thoughts about the therapy session. Once they arrived home, they continued to sit in the quiet living room.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, breaking the silence. Yusuf stood up and walked over to answer it. As he opened the door, he saw a man standing there, eager to promote his religion.

Adam, who had been watching from the living room, couldn't help but feel that the man seemed shady, like a snake oil salesman.

Yusuf politely declined the man's invitation to join his religion, thanked him for his time, and closed the door. Returning to the living room, he said, "Those damn cultists need to take a hint."

Curious now as he had never come across the word 'cult' before, Adam asked, "What's a cult, Dad?"

Yusuf sat down and explained, "A cult is usually a group of people who follow a particular belief system or leader, often outside of mainstream religious or social norms. Some cults can be relatively harmless, but others can be dangerous, manipulating their members and demanding total loyalty, even at the expense of personal freedom and safety."

Melissa chimed in, adding, "The man who just came by, he's part of a cult that's been gaining traction in London lately, they call themselves Children of the End. We've heard some unsettling stories about them and their leader, so it's best to stay away from them and their religion, Adam."

The parents discussed the increased frequency of the cult's attempts to recruit them, clearly concerned. Yusuf mentioned, "They've been more persistent lately, coming to our door multiple times a week. We should consider filing a complaint if it continues."

Trying to shift the focus, Adam asked Melissa, "Since I won't be going to school for the next two weeks, can I get a homeschool teacher?"

Both parents were surprised by the request. Melissa looked at Yusuf and then back at Adam. "That's an interesting idea, Adam. I suppose it would be a good way to keep you on track academically during your suspension."

Yusuf nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's a responsible request, and we'll look into it."

Then, Adam surprised them again by asking, "Would it be ok if you got someone to teach me leadership and small unit tactics? Preferably someone who has been part of the military. Dad, I know that the Amin family has some ex-special forces as security and mom, you must know some from your time as heiress."

Melissa raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed, while Yusuf tried to suppress a grin. "Leadership and small unit tactics? What on earth do you need that for, Adam?" Melissa asked.

Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "I just think it might be useful to learn, that's all."

Hesitantly, Melissa agreed and said she would try to find someone suitable to teach him, though she still seemed unsure about the idea.

She expressed her concern about his nightly activities in the Dreamverse. "Adam, I worry about you going there every night. We don't fully understand what it is or how it affects you."

Adam reassured her that he was safe. "Even if I die in the Dreamverse, I won't die in real life, Mom. I promise, I'm being careful."

Yusuf put a hand on Melissa's shoulder, comforting her. "We know you're doing your best, Adam. We just want to make sure you're safe and healthy."

With the conversation concluded, Adam hurried to get to bed, doing his best to hide his eagerness just in case his mother tried to stop him from going to sleep. As he left the room, he could hear his parents continuing to discuss the day's events, their concern for him evident in their voices.

After going to sleep and entering the Dreamverse, Adam went around the hive looking for Lancer before finding him outside the hive doing some training with the other drones.

"Time to hunt Lancer. We aren't gonna reach level 10 by standing around."