Chapter 3 — Stepping Out Of The Starting Point (9)

Leon's POV:

Suddenly, I found myself looking up at the ceiling. Confused and disoriented, I realized that I was lying on my back on the floor. I couldn't recall what had happened. Had I just fainted?

Then, I heard a cute voice coming from above me, and when I turned my head a little, I saw a pair of scarlet eyes peering down at me.

"Tessia...?" I muttered, still feeling a bit groggy.

"Are you okay, brother?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "Why are you lying on the floor?"

"I...I fell asleep," I mumbled, still trying to make sense of my surroundings.

Tessia scolded me gently, "It's not good to lie on the floor. What if you catch a cold?"

Grateful for Tessia's concern, I smiled at her and sat up, realizing how long I had been lying on the floor. I reached out and ruffled her silver hair, and she beamed up at me, happy to see me up and about.

I glanced around the room, feeling disoriented. I then asked her the time, curious about how much of the day had passed. "What time is it?" I inquired.

"Roughly evening, I'd say," she replied, her eyes scanning the sky outside the window in search of the sun. "Hmm?" she suddenly exclaimed, as if she had just noticed something. "Where's Papa and Mama?"

"They're probably out buying some food," I reassured her, hoping to ease her worry.

"Speaking of which," I continued, remembering the basket of fresh produce that had arrived earlier, "have you eaten any of the fruit our mother brought us?"

"I ate a lot!" Tessia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the memory, and she giggled happily.

"That's good," I replied, relieved to see Tessia content and well-fed. However, I felt a slight pang of worry that she might have eaten all the fruit in one go. I paused for a moment, then added, "But you should save some for me. Don't eat them all, okay?"

Tessia nodded obediently, her silver hair shimmering in the light of the setting sun. "Okay, I won't," she promised, her big blue eyes wide with innocence.

I couldn't help but smile at her, grateful for her innocent and carefree spirit that always brightened up my day. Her presence was like a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark and uncertain world.

"Good girl," I praised her, ruffling her hair once more. "You always listen to your big brother, don't you?"

Tessia giggled at the playful tone in my voice. "Of course I do," she replied, her smile brightening up the room.

Suddenly, someone knocked at the door, and my body immediately tensed up. The memory of the monster invading my room flashed through my mind, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Tessia had also stiffened up, and she scooted closer to me, seeking comfort and protection.

We both stared at the door, our hearts pounding in our chests, not daring to move or speak. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of our own ragged breathing.

Then, a voice broke the eerie silence. "It's me, Leon. May I come in?"

It was the voice of our aunt Lirien, and I breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that it was safe to open the door.

"Hold on, I'm coming to open the door," I said, standing up and trying to calm my nerves.

As I made my way to the door, I noticed that Tessia was still clinging to my arm, her eyes wide with fear. I gave her a reassuring smile and a pat on the head, then opened the door to find our aunt standing on the other side.

"Good evening, children," she said, her warm smile putting us at ease.

"Good evening, aunt Lirien," I replied, grateful for her presence.

"I came to check on you and see how you're doing," she said, stepping into the room and looking around.

Aunt Lirien then noticed my sister, who looked like a scared puppy. I probably had the same expression on my face...

With concern, Aunt Lirien looked at us and gently patted Tessia's head. "It's okay," she reassured us. "Nothing is going to harm either of you anymore. You are safe here."

As soon as she spoke those comforting words, Tessia let go of my arm and nodded in agreement.

***

Lirien's POV:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It can be triggered by a wide range of experiences, from combat to sexual assault to natural disasters, and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

PTSD has been recognized as a mental health condition for over a thousand years, with heroes in ancient texts referring to war survivors experiencing trauma. In more recent times, the term "PTSD" was first used by a hero to describe the survivors' symptoms, and healers became curious about it, eventually leading to widespread understanding of the disorder.

Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event. These symptoms can be extremely distressing and can interfere with daily functioning.

While many people may experience temporary difficulty adjusting and coping after a traumatic event, with time and good self-care, they can usually recover. However, if symptoms persist and worsen over time, lasting for months or even years, and significantly affecting daily life, it may be an indication of PTSD.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can have a profound impact on a person's life. It's not just a temporary difficulty in adjusting to a traumatic event, but a chronic condition that can last for months or even years.

The symptoms of PTSD can be grouped into four main categories, each of which can manifest differently in different people.

The first category is intrusive memories, which can include flashbacks, nightmares, and vivid memories of the traumatic event. These memories can be incredibly distressing and can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including sights, sounds, and smells.

The second category is avoidance, which involves a person's attempts to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. This can include avoiding certain places, people, or activities, as well as avoiding thoughts or feelings associated with the traumatic experience.

The third category is negative changes in thinking and mood, which can include feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness. People with PTSD may also experience difficulties with memory and concentration, and may struggle to find pleasure in activities that they once enjoyed.

The fourth and final category is changes in physical and emotional reactions, which can include symptoms such as irritability, anger, and hypervigilance. People with PTSD may also experience physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, as well as a heightened startle response and an increased sensitivity to noise.

As I played chess with the young boy, I couldn't help but notice his behavior and consider the possibility that he was struggling with PTSD. He seemed distant and detached, avoiding eye contact and often staring off into the distance as if lost in a traumatic memory.

As a mind healer, I had seen many cases of PTSD before and recognized the signs. His behavior, such as his avoidance of eye contact and reluctance to go outside, were common symptoms of the disorder.

"It's your turn, Aunt Lirien," he said, bringing my attention back to the game.

I moved a chess piece and continued to observe him closely. His avoidance behavior and other symptoms were clear indicators that he was struggling with PTSD. He seemed to be living in a world of his own, disconnected from the present moment.

As the game progressed, I saw that he was struggling to concentrate. "Check," I said, seeing an opening.

"...Looks like I'm in a bad spot," Leon mumbled.

As I watched him closely, I noticed that he avoided making eye contact with me whenever possible, and seemed to be deeply uncomfortable with any kind of direct confrontation. Whenever I tried to initiate a conversation, he would avoid making eye contact with me. Instead, he would avert his gaze, looking at anything but me. Even when he did look in my direction, his eyes would dart around, never quite meeting mine. It was as if he was afraid of being seen, or of being exposed in some way.

It became increasingly apparent that he was intentionally avoiding eye contact. The thought of locking eyes with me seemed to frighten him, and he would resort to looking down or away whenever I tried to engage him in conversation.

After Leon made his move, I saw the opportunity to make the winning move, and I did so confidently. "Check mate," I said with a smile, pleased with my victory.

Tessia laughed and teased, "Hahaha! Brother lost again!"

Leon shrugged, "It was bound to happen. Aunt is just that good."

After spending a week closely observing Leon, I noticed some subtle but significant changes in his behavior. For example, he seemed on edge most of the time, and even minor unexpected noises or movements would startle him. He also had trouble sleeping and would wake up multiple times during the night, drenched in sweat and with his heart racing. I could sense that he was trying his best to mask his symptoms, but it was clear that he was struggling with something.

Also, I had come to the realization that the recent event that had triggered his fear was not the root cause of his condition. It was merely the tip of the iceberg.

I knew this for a fact because I could sense the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in him. It was clear that Leon had been struggling with this condition long before the triggering event occurred. My guess was that he developed the condition two years prior, and the recent event had only made his symptoms worse.