Echo of a Bird's Cry

THE VICTIM EDEN NOVEMBER 25

Dr. Connie lives in a mega contemporary home that's made of stone and glass and is nestled on the mountainside. Her spectacular house is practically see-through. The massive glass walls offer no privacy but the view and architecture is astonishing.

Angel holds my hand as we walk up the extensive driveway. A pretty red headed woman with emerald eyes and blinding white teeth answers the door. "Hi there. I'm Kim, Dr. Connie's assistant. You must be Eden and Angel please come in." She wears a white fitted blouse and a cranberry colored pencil skirt and nice heels. She looks stylish and professional.

We walk through the door as she holds it open for us.

"I'm glad you found this place easily," she says. "Most people need help getting all the way up here."

"I live in Ravenwood. I know this town well," I say.

"That's right," Kim says. "You do live here. I keep forgetting. Most of our clients aren't from Ravenwood. Any who, I need you to sign in." She guides us toward an open booklet on an impressive white pillar.

I sign my name and appointment time.

"I'm going to take you to her office," Kim says. "But before we get there, can I offer you a refreshment? Water? Coffee? Tea? We have a new espresso machine that I've been dying to try out."

"I'm okay," I say.

"I'll take a water," Angel says.

"Of course," Kim says. "I'll bring it you shortly. Please follow me to Dr. Connie's office."

We're led down a long hallway, passing odd contemporary statues and large paintings on the wall. Kim opens the door to a spacey glass room. The view up here is stunning. Mountain hills, wilderness, and vivid greenery surrounds us.

"Have a seat. Dr. Connie will be with you shortly."

Abel and I sit on the modern black couch. I glance at the framed certificates and achievements on the concrete wall behind her desk.

"Dr. Connie must be really good at her job to have a gorgeous state-of-the-art house like this," I say.

"She has celebrity clients," Angel says. "She knows what she's doing."

Dr. Connie comes in smiling. She's a beautiful middle-aged woman. Her black hair is in a sleek ponytail that falls down her back and the honey-colored dress glows against her lovely chocolate skin.

She comes over to shake our hands. "I'm Dr. Connie. I appreciate you making it in today."

"This seems like the best rout," I say.

She grabs a clipboard and a pen from her desk and sits in the armchair next to the couch we're on. "I'm glad you think so. I'm only here to help." She crosses her elegant legs. "Angel told me a little about what's going on. But I want you to tell me about the difficulties you're going through. What's going on in Eden's world?"

"I believe Ashely Baker wants to ruin my life," I say, getting right to the point. "She's been following me. She's infiltrated into the lives of the people I love, pretending to love them too. But she doesn't. She just wants revenge."

"Why do you believe that?" Dr. Connie says in a non-confrontational way.

"She hates me."

"Has she told you she hates you?"

"No, but I know."

Dr. Connie scribbles something on her clipboard and Kim discreetly comes in to hand Angel a chilled bottle of water.

"Why do you think she hates you?" Dr. Connie asks.

"Because I hurt her," I whisper. "I hurt her badly."