Haunted By Past Shadows

Chapter 1

Black sheep.
A member of a family who is considered a failure or disgrace.

That is how everyone from the Price family describes Taylor Price. She is a disgrace to her family. A family of  Prestige, Honor and Pride. But a family that has many secrets behind closed doors.

"How are you feeling today, Taylor?" Mrs. Clark asks in a soothing voice.

She is sitting on a white Victorian armchair. She always sits on that chair when she is with her patients, it's her favorite chair. She notes something down in the therapy journal. It has been two months ever since Taylor started to attend her sessions. Two months and she said nothing productive in any of their Sunday afternoon meetings.

Mrs. Clark is very disappointed with her attitude. Taylor is not taking their sessions serious.

"School is starting tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

Taylor looks at her with bored eyes but a smile on her lips. She faces the glass window and follows the water droplets with her eyes.

She walks away from the window and lays on a lounge chair. There are five chairs in Mrs.Clark's office. It's for her patients to sit where they feel most comfortable.

"No." Taylor says closing her eyelids.

Taylor thought of how dull it is. It is pouring with rain and she hates and love it at the same time. Events she would like to forget.

"How is your son?" Taylor asks with no interest at all.

Mrs.Clark told her about her son thinking she will get comfortable with her, to open up. It didn't. Taylor wasn't interested, but she listened.

"Let's ask each other questions." Mrs.Clark says ignoring her question. "But you are not allowed to ask me personal questions." She added quickly. Taylor always tries to make her talk, sometimes you would think she is the psychiatric and Mrs.Clark is the patient.

"Ok. You start." Taylor says a smile on her lips once again.

"Are you still in contact with Chad?" Mrs.Clark asks looking intensely on how she will react to the question.

Taylor's body stiffens at the mere mention of Chad. It has been a long time since anyone had mentioned his name to her. She hates his guts— no she loathes him.

"No. I don't have any reason to contact him." She says feeling uneasy. She shakes off the stiffness.

Mrs.Clark notes down something in her book. Mrs.Clark was glad Taylor wasn't trying to contact him.

"Are you happy?" Taylor asks sitting up and looking at Mrs.Clark in the eyes.

Mrs.Clark thinks about it for a second. She has a good husband, he is not perfect but he is good. Two wonderful boys, age 17 and 10. She is happy.

"Yes. I'm happy." Mrs.Clark answers confused as to why Taylor would asks such a question. She knows Taylor is very smart and everything she does, she has already thought about it many times.

"Do you love your family?"

Mrs.Clark frowns looking at Taylor. 'What is she trying to achieve?' She thought to herself.

"I believe it is my turn to ask and no personal questions, remember?" Mrs.Clark says.

Taylor runs a hand through her jet black hair and takes a deep breath.

"Just answer the question and I won't ask anymore. And it is just a general question.

Mrs.Clark looks at Taylor strangely. 'What game is she trying to play here?'  She asks herself. Mrs.Clark nods her head 'yes'.