Dying to Forget by Trish Marie Dawson Read Free Book Online Page B

that throaty perfect laugh again. “Oh Piper, I have no idea. But I’ve handled 72 cases. I admit I took a bit of a break after your case." She says the last sentence quietly and looks down at her hands.
    I can’t stop myself from blurting out what I know is true, “It wasn’t your fault.”
    She smiles a face-splitting grin before leaning over to hug me. I notice her hair smells like grapefruit, just like mine. I hug her back and when we release we both have tears in our eyes.
    “You are going to be such a great Volunteer, Piper. You’re a very brave girl.”
    Me…brave? I hope she’s right. Someone else’s life will eventually depend on it.

CHAPTER 7
     
     
     
    It seems like Therapy lasts forever in Training. I've picked apart my experience with Ryan Burke and Bree's death with our Trainer. And surprisingly, my story isn't that much different from the others in my classes. It makes me feel like less of a failure and more like a survivor, as ironic as that seems. I know what happened with Ryan wasn't my fault now and that not all young men are like him. Does that change things? Well, not yet, I guess. I can still feel a wall around me when it comes to my thoughts about the opposite sex.
    And as for Bree, what happened with her was an accident…careless on my part, but an accident nonetheless. It takes many hugs and sobbing sessions for me to begin to understand this. In time I start to feel stronger but I now have a permanent ache in my heart at the thought of what and who I left behind. I'll never improve if I continue to think about Dad and home, and what I so eagerly left behind in a moment of weakness, so eventually I have to put it away…tucked deeply and safely into my subconscious.
    After seven training sessions Niles thinks I’m ready. We are sitting outside near the fountain where we've met after each of my sessions. After I drag my hand through the cool water, creating little waves that reach all the way around the bowl, I finally look up at Niles, who is waiting patiently for me to speak first.
    “How did you know you were ready for your first case, Niles?”
    “Well, I didn’t. I really disliked my trainer. I felt I had to do something else, or I’d go crazy.” Niles smiles at me as I gawk at his honest answer.
    “Niles Abbott, I didn’t think you had an impatient bone in your body!” We both laugh.
    “I’m serious though, Piper. I do think you are ready. You’ve been through most scenarios and you have a good mind. You can figure out what to do if you get stuck. Plus, the most basic rule you already know. From Mallory.” He says her name softly.
    “Yes. That we can only do our best to guide…and regardless of the outcome it’s not our fault if our Assignments fail.” I sigh heavily.
    I was a failure. Poor Mallory.
    “Exactly, my dear.” He smiles gently at me. “You know, I haven’t seen your friend Kerry-Anne lately. Is she out on her first assignment already?”
    “Yes.” I beam at Niles. “Just after her third training session.”
    He nods with a smile. “Perhaps she will return before you go out for the first time.”
    “That would be nice.” I stare at my naked feet. “I guess I can go to the Consignment Department and let them know I’m ready.”
    “You might still have to wait a bit for the right match, of course.” Niles reminds me and I nod in understanding.
    “Okay. I’ll do it. Feel like walking me there?”
     
    ***
     
    More paperwork. I wonder where they get the paper from , considering the only trees I’ve seen are from the giant redwoods by the front gate. I’ve learned to not ask myself questions like these too often, or I’d go absolutely insane. The Station is full of a lot of unanswered questions and none of the staff seem too preoccupied with the why’s, how’s, or what if’s. And they aren't talking freely about them, either.
    Inside the second door of the Consignment Department is a large room with a giant counter-top that runs the