Chapter Nine: Zephyrus:

Tana looked over at Hisoka. “What exactly do you need me to do?”

The shinigami pressed his lips together. “Please help her.” Both turned to Jessie sitting in the living room. She gently bit on her thumb.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tana asked.

“Yes,” Hisoka answered. “Please don’t ask me why.”

“Alright.”

“So, will you help her?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Tana walked into the living room. Jessie looked up when she heard footsteps. The therapist leaned in.

“Jessie?” she asked. The demon gave her a blank stare.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“A friend,” Tana answered as she took a seat next to her. “I’m a friend of Hisoka’s.” The shinigami watched from the doorway.

“I’m here to help,” Tana said. “We’ll take baby steps with this, okay?” Jessie nodded.

“Good,” the therapist said. “What is the last thing you remember before leaving hell?”

Jessie dug in her brain. “Fire. Lots of fire.”

“Fire where?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Try to remember.”

Jessie closed her eyes. “Everywhere.”

“What else? Take your time if you need to.”

“Okay…” Jessie drew in a breath. “I’m bleeding.”

“Bleeding where?” Tana asked. She rested her hand on Jessie’s. “You’re doing fine.” The demon took in heavier breaths.

“All over,” she said.

“Bleeding all over.”

“Yes.”

“Are you injured?”

“I don’t know.” Her hands began to tremble. “I’m being chased!”

Hisoka’s attention perked up. He opened his mouth, but Tana held up her hand.

“We’ve only started,” her eyes told him. “Don’t interfere.” Hisoka drew his mouth closed. Tana turned her attention back to Jessie.

“Can you see who’s chasing you?” she asked. Jessie went pale at that question.

“Jessie?” Tana asked. The demon shook her head.

“Stay away!” she screamed.

“It’s okay,” the therapist told her. “You’re safe here.”

Jessie shook her head. “No! Stay away!”

“Jessie!”

“She’s going to kill me!” Her whole body broke down trembling. Tana rubbed on her hand and back.

“We can help you,” she said in a calm voice. “Who’s trying to kill you?” Jessie shoved her away with a pounding heart.

“Don’t touch me!” she screamed. Images of red and black flashed in her mind as she drew herself into a fetal position on the couch. “Mama! Don’t hurt me, mama! I’m so sorry! I’ll behave! I’ll behave! Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! Mama! Mama!” Jessie broke down into a screaming fit. Hisoka raced into the living room.

“What happened?” he asked. Tana held out her hands.

“Don’t come any closer!” she shouted. Jessie’s body gave into shakes as she screamed. From what he heard, Hisoka figured that his ex’s mother was involved somehow.

What the hell did she do to her for her to end up this broken? Hisoka’s eyes stayed on his screaming ex curled up on the floor as Tana tried to calm her down.