Culling

Part II • Chapter XI

"We don't have an MRI machine here." Dr Riordan interjected snidely.

"I know that!" Sean told him, sounding exasperated. "But it would be neglectful of me not to mention the need for one considering what I know already. An MRI would show any signs of a traumatic brain injury, or even physical evidence of some types of past abuse. There might be more there than what Sang recalls."

A brain injury? I looked at Sean. "You think I'm brain damaged?"

"No," Sean interjected. "Not in the way you are thinking. But I am wondering if you might have sustained a head injury at some point, which might be why you can't recall your early childhood."

I blinked at him, confused. "I never told you that I didn't remember anything at all though." Did he know that I knew nothing, or was I reading too much into it?

"We just want to cover all the bases." Owen spoke up, he was sitting in the chair, cross-legged, as he watched us. "Mr Brenner stated that your brother could remember you coming to district six, and if you are the same age you should have some sort of recollection of the event. If you don't, then maybe something happened to you around that time period."

I pushed my finger to my lip and watched him, he seemed to be upset. "Couldn't you just... look?"

"No." Owen stated without hesitation, his tone suggesting that it wasn't even an option.

"Why?"

"A number of reasons," He answered. "But first and foremost is this - if your memory was suppressed due to a traumatic experience, using my ability would force your recollection. That could end very, very badly and cause irreparable psychological harm. First, we should find out the likely reason why you don't remember."

"Oh." I stared at the floor. That made sense.

"Miss Sorenson," his voice was softer now and I glanced up at him. "I'm not going to risk that happening. The memories will come. The details about what happened in your past are not as important as your current health."

"I agree," Uncle Lucas added. He had tensed up during the birth control topic and had remained silent until now. It looked as though he was barely holding it together. He spoke to Sean. "Dr Green, I'm also concerned about a second thing you mentioned. You said something about abuse?"

I stiffened and bit my lip, I had known this would come up... but I didn't like it nonetheless.

"Sang, do you mind if we discuss this with your uncle?" Sean's voice reached me. I shrugged, not looking up. I didn't know why it mattered.

"Miss Sorenson." Owen spoke sharply and my eyes met his instinctively in response. "You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, you had done nothing wrong."

My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, and I nodded.

I kept my vision averted as Sean, and Owen, told my uncle about my step-mother and her crazy punishments. They even told him about my fear of showers and why. I still couldn't look at anyone while Sean went over the damage done to my voice and throat, the current complications, and the treatment needed there.

This was it, he was going to realize how broken I was now.

The room was silent afterwards and I was watching my feet swing back and forth over the floor as I waited for a reaction. Another tense moment passed, and with it a sense of unease grew from Owen and Sean. Sean inched closer to me, and I slowly raised my eyes until I saw that my uncle was staring at me, his face an expressionless mask.

I didn't know what to say. "Sorry," I managed to squeak out in a small voice.

"God damn it!" He exploded and turned away from me, smashing his fist into the wall. In an instant Owen and Sean were standing in front of me, between Uncle Lucas and myself. However, my uncle wasn't even paying attention to us.