David thought it would be a good idea to start seeing Dr. Hopper again. Annoying as it was, I kind of agree. Although Henry's problems were more to do about a kid believing in a book, mine are more, this world problems.
"Hey can we talk?" David asked
"Sure, what's up?" I asked him
"I wanted to ask you why you went to therapy before... Henry said I should ask you and not anyone else cause you'd get mad at me and probably throw a chair at my head. His words! Not mine" He said chuckling
"Well I'm glad you listened to him! When I first came here, Regina read my file and signed me up for therapy, we had a little argument because I wanted her to talk to me rather than go behind my back" I told him
"Did you throw a chair at her head?" He asked jokingly
"No, not that time!" I said joking "I went to therapy because my mental health isn't great" I said
"Can I ask what is wrong with it?" David asked seriously. I could tell he clearly cared about me, which was weird since I barely know him except for what I've read about
"I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 13. I was then sent to a mental health hospital because I was dangerously under weight and I was diagnosed with Anorexia. Although I'm no longer under weight, I still have issues with food and I'm more bulimic then anorexic... I'm also on the mild end of the autism spectrum" I told him, feeling very awkward the entire time
"Oh wow... I'm so sorry" He said
"It's fine, I've got like coping mechanisms and stuff like that, I'm all good!" I said brushing it off
"Do you want to go back and talk to Archie?" He asked
"It wouldn't hurt, so I don't see why not" I said
"Great, how about a session later today?" He asked
"Sure" I replied trying to leave the table so I no longer had to deal with the sympathetic looks I was getting from him! Later on, I headed to Archie's and had my session. It was nice just to talk to him, and the session felt more like two friends catching up after not seeing each other for a while. He asked me about my past life and I asked about his. It was more of a catch up session than anything else. On my way out, I thanked Archie and gave Pongo some cuddles, but I ran into Regina
"Mom!" I said surprised
"Hope!" She said just as surprised as me
"I'll call you later today" I said hugging her and leaving her to talk with Archie. As I was walking out, I over heard a little bit of their conversation
"Ive been trying to keep my promise to Henry, but its been difficult" She said
"To not use magic" He asked
"Its been two days" She said
"Thats an excellent start. Come on in" He told her. I was so proud of her! She's doing what Henry wanted, changing for Henry! Once I got back to the apartment, David and Henry were getting ready to go out somewhere
"Hey, come on, I've got a surprise for you both" He said. We all got into his truck and headed away from the centre of town
"Come on. Whats with the yawn? This isnt school. It should be fun" David said as Henry yawned. The three of us headed towards some stables
"I couldnt sleep" Said Henry
"Hey. I know. I miss em, too. Now, just think how happy Emma and Snow will be when they come home to find that youve become a proper knight. Say hello to your steed" Said David as he showed Henry the row of stalls with horses in them
"Is he mine?" Henry asked going to the first stall
"This ones yours" Said David showing Henry a slightly smaller horse
"Really? So How do I get on him?" Henry asked
"Oh, youre not riding today" David asked
"Im not?" Henry asked
"No. Theres much to learn before you hop in the saddle" Said David
"Like what?" Henry asked
"Well, every morning, youll have to muck out his stall. Then, youll brush him and feed him. After school, youll do it again. Every day, twice a day" Said David
"Thats not riding, thats babysitting" Said Henry
"Ah. Horsesitting. It builds an essential bond. The trust between knight and steed" Said David
"Okay. But, when will I ride him?" Henry asked
"When the horse tells you! And Hope, this is your horse" He said showing me the next stall with a beautiful black horse
"Seriously?" I asked
"Yeah, I was speaking to the guy who owns this place and he said you already muck out a few stalls every week for some extra cash and he said that he would defiantly recommend you have this one specifically" Said David
"Yeah, I love horses so I thought I'd do it a bit. And this is Alastor, I've ridden him a few times and I named him" I said
"You may be able to ride him today then, do a lesson or something" Said David making Henry laugh "What? Am I missing something?"
"Haven't you seen the photo's next to Hope's bed?" Henry asked
"No, why?" David asked
"I used to do junior competitions. Me and my horse Spirit were favourites, but then I had to move foster homes and my previous family had to sell my horse" I told David
"Im going to go check in on the dwarves – see how the minings coming. Ill pick you up later" Said David as he left us
"So Anything you want to tell me?" Henry asked his horse
"If you want, we could go for a small ride, you can come on Alastor with me" I suggested
"Really?" Henry asked excited! The two of us went for a short ride around the field a few times. When we got back I showed Henry how to much out the stall, where to fill the water up, and how to brush his horse "Why is yours called Alastor?" Henry asked
"Well, when I first started helping out around here, the owner was trying to think of names for the horses, and I suggested Alastor because I love Greek Mythology and Hades had a powerful black horse called Alastor. So that's why I picked it, plus I think he suits it, good old Al, Alastor!" I said playing around with the name. Henry kept talking to his asking it if t wanted to be ridden or if it trusted Henry yet.
We were the only ones at the stables. Henry had finished mucking out the stall and was brushing his horse when someone shut the door to my stall and locked me in!
"Hello?!" I yelled "Help!" I screamed as I banged on the door trying to get out. The wall between mine and Henry's stall was really high and there was only a tiny gap to get through! I was stuck "Henry are you ok?" I yelled
"You You got to stop. Youre Youre scaring the horses. A-Are Are you hurt? Can I help you?" Henry asked someone else. I could barely see the other person through the gap, only Henry "Let me help you" Henry said walking slowly towards the man. Suddenly Henry was picked up by his throat!
"Daniel! Let him go!" Regina yelled. Straight away Henry was dropped
"Are you okay?" David asked Henry
"Yeah" Henry replied
"Go. Go!" David yelled at him. Henry ran off, away from the chaos. David let me out and there, standing in front of Regina was a weird looking man. I recognised him from my dreams, it was Daniel! David shoved him into an empty stall and locked it
"It wont hold for long. Can you cast a spell to subdue him?" David asked
"No, I wont use magic on him" Said Regina. David pulled out his gun "What do you think youre doing?!"
"Hes a monster, Regina! If you wont put him down, I will!" David yelled
"David, please! Just let me talk to him" Regina begged
"Its too big of a risk. Theres no telling what hell do" Said David
"He's still a person! You can't kill someone because they're a threat! Let her!" I yelled at David
"You have to at least give me a chance!" Regina begged
"Out of the way, Regina! Now!" David yelled
"No! I wont let you hurt him! Hell listen to me! Please! Let me talk to my fiancé" She begged. David paused for a moment before changing his mind and letting her into the stall with Daniel. He walked towards her and pinned her against the wall
"Daniel Stop. Its me. I love you" Said Regina
"Regina" Daniel said letting go
"Daniel" Regina replied as they hugged each other "I cant believe its really you" She said. Daniel grimaced in pain "Daniel?" She asked concerned
"Stop. Just stop the pain" He begged
"How?" Regina asked
"Let me go" He said
"No. No, I wont lose you again. Without you, Im lost. Daniel, come back to me" She begged. He grimaced again
"Cant" He replied
"But I love you" She said
"Then love again" Daniel replied. Something suddenly changed in Daniel's mind, he became aggressive again and lifted his arm as though he was going to hurt Regina. She stopped him with her magic and made him blow away in the wind, turning to dust
"Goodbye, Daniel" She whispered as I ran over to her and gave her a hug while she cried. Regina went home and we headed back to the apartment. Henry wanted to know what had happened but David and I agreed not to tell him. We told him we were both tired, we grabbed food at Granny's on our way home and when we got back, we ate and went to bed early