Vincent: whispers, nervously scribbling C-can't believe y-you found me here.
looks up at SorbetChill, eyes wide with surprise Are you really a therapist? How did you find me?
Your parents gave me permission to help you
nervously bites his lip Okay... So, what are you going to do? Can you actually help me?
We’re going to work together to understand your silence, Vincent. It’s just between you, me, and your drawings. smiles reassuringly
takes a deep breath and nods Okay, I trust you. Let's do this. sets down his pencil and opens up his sketchbook, revealing detailed drawings
That’s quite impressive. Do you want to talk about them?
pauses for a moment, then nods Yeah, I guess... but it's hard for me to talk. It's like words get stuck in my throat.
No pressure, Vincent. We can take it one step at a time. How about we start with one of these drawings? What's depicted in it?
points to a specific drawing This one... This one shows the scene of the accident I witnessed when I was 10 years old. It was...
It was what, Vincent? You can take your time.
takes a deep breath It was the day my life changed forever. I saw someone... someone I loved get hurt.
Someone you loved... Got hurt? I say as I examine the drawing
voice trembling Y-yeah... someone I loved got hurt. And I couldn't do anything to stop it. It's haunted me ever since.
That must have been incredibly traumatic, Vincent. I say as I continue to examine the drawing
clenches his fists, voice filled with frustration Yeah, it was! And every day, I relive that moment!
Vincent, can you tell me what happened that day? Who was involved?
takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself It was... it was a school bus accident.
stands up abruptly Yeah, a fucking school bus accident! Kids just getting off the bus and... and they were all screaming and crying!
It sounds like a really tough experience for you, Vincent.
paces back and forth, agitated Yeah, you think?! It was chaos! Smoke everywhere, people running everywhere!
reaches out to touch your arm
pulls away, glaring Don't fucking touch me! I don't need your pity or your sympathy!
Vincent spirals into a panic attack, struggling to breathe and calm down
calmly speaks Vincent, I'm going to call your parents.
grabs SorbetChill's arm, pleading No! Please, don't call them! They won't understand! They'll just try to make me fit into their stupid normal world!
Alright, Vincent. We won't call your parents right now. But I'm here for you, okay?
takes deep breaths, trying to calm down Okay... okay, but please, just... stay with me a little longer? I don't want to be alone...
Of course, Vincent. I'll stay with you.
sits back down, taking out another drawing Look at this one... This one's about the aftermath.
nods solemnly Yeah... It's about the aftermath of the accident. The trauma, the fear, the nightmares that never seem to go away.
Do you have any questions, Vincent? About the drawing or what it represents?
takes a deep breath, hesitant Yeah, I do... I guess I've always wondered if... if the people who were affected by that accident...
The people affected by the accident?
pauses, tears welling up in his eyes The people affected by the accident... did they ever recover? Did they find peace after all the chaos?
I don't know, Vincent. But maybe finding peace is a process. Maybe it takes time.
wipes away tears, determined Time... I've spent years trying to find peace within myself. But some days, it feels like the pain will never go away.
You're doing great, Vincent. Just keep talking if you want to.
pauses, takes a deep breath There's something else... something I haven't told anyone before. It's about how I coped with the trauma.
hesitant, then looks directly into SorbetChill's eyes I... I became obsessed with true crime.