Page 52 of Seer

Concern radiated through from him. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Hah. Not without enhancing our connection.” And at least with the way it was now, Cal didn’t seem to be able to feel my emotions like I could feel his. More touching could change that.

“Meaning what?”

I huffed. “Meaning at some point while we’re there I’m probably going to have a panic attack, and when that happens, I could really use a hug. Which will make our connection stronger.”

Cal turned in his seat to face me as best he could within the confines of the seat belt. “I don’t mind hugging you if you need it,” he said matter-of-factly. “What sort of things trigger your panic attacks?”

I focused on the feel of the steering wheel under my fingers. “TWIST.”

He paused, then said, “Well it must’ve been pretty awful growing up there.”

I lifted one shoulder. “Everyone did the best they could with me and my brother Dominic. But a lot of the time we were... overlooked. We had to learn how to raise ourselves. We weren’t near a real school, and I needed structure, which is in very short supply at TWIST.” I gave him a wry smile. “Dominic was two years older than me, so he had it easier. He left to join the Armyas soon as he turned eighteen. But that wasn’t a life I wanted. When I went to college, it was heaven. Schedules and appointments. Due dates and rules. I had my first panic attack when I went back to TWIST at winter break my freshman year.”

“Fuck,” he said. Was that pity coming through the connection?

“Sorry,” I said gruffly. “I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. I’ll be fine.”

“It’s okay if you’re not. If it gets to be too much, we can go back to Bent Oak.”

I shook my head. “We need to go through those books.”

Cal snorted. “We can load the books in the back of the car. Your friend Lloyd can make two trips to get his stuff.”

“That’s... not a bad idea.”

“Hang on, you own a pet resort. I mean, I was only there for a little while, but all the dogs running around, the clients in the lobby, that doesn’t bother you?”

I lifted one shoulder. “No, because everything is choreographed behind the scenes to run smoothly. We have hiccups here and there, but the dogs and employees are on a schedule. I know when and where everyone and every pet is supposed to be. Plus, you probably won’t believe this, but aside from the occasional accident, the inside of the pet resort is cleaner than most people’s homes.” I threw him a wry smile. “It’s actually pretty relaxing for me.”

“Craig said you let him keep his desk messy.”

I chuckled. “I had to learn to adapt. Craig’s brain doesn’t work the way mine does, and he can’t function as well if he has to keep his work area neat and tidy. So we compromised.He constrains his personal chaos to his desk, and I’ve taught myself to sort of not look at it too closely.”

My entire back tightened as I saw we were almost at our destination.

I pointed to the right. “This fence is the boundary of the TWIST land. There’s over 200 acres. If you keep your eye out, you might see some interesting animals.” I was pleased with my calm tone of voice.

Cal madeOoohnoises as he spied some antelope, a zebra, and a moose.

I turned off the road when we reached the driveway, then I rolled down my window and input my code into the keypad next to the small sign that read, “Texas Wildlife Intervention and Support Team”. The gate swung open.

“Here we go.”

ON THE TEXAS DMS DISCORD SERVER

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

Caroline_DM_Panhandle_TXMarch 28 at 9:48am

I found out a dryad passed away here on February 25. Her relatives didn’t find her body but they decompose within a day so that’s not unusual.

Ellis_DM_Northeast_TXMarch 28 at 10:04am

I’ve got no dead or missing Wonders. No one I’ve asked knows anything that can create fog. All the Wonders are really freaking out though

Ric_DM_West_TXMarch 28 at 10:21am