Berserker

Chapter 27: First Steps

Jonathan sat in the waiting room on the fifth floor of the Hunters Association building. The floor had been turned into an emergency treatment center for Awakened. He was doing his best not to fidget in the small chair. Two other Awakened waited nearby: a young woman with a bandaged hand and a man whose leg constantly bounced.

A door on the other side of the waiting room opened, and a woman stepped out. She looked younger than he expected for a doctor but a bit older than most of the other Awakened he’d seen. She wore professional clothes, and her blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun. “Mr. Reeves? I’m ready for you.”

He met her at the door, and she held out her hand to shake. When he did, they moved through the sterile hallways and past a large number of offices, most of them empty.

“My name is Dr. Lee. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”

Her office smelled like cleaning supplies and fresh coffee. He saw a steaming mug next to her keyboard and looked around the rest of the room. Unopened boxes lined one wall, and framed certificates leaned against the other, waiting to be hung.

She gestured to a comfortable-looking chair across from her desk. “Please have a seat. I apologize for the mess,” she said as she sat in her chair. “I’m still getting settled in. I understand Director Hayes pulled me on specifically to work with you. I’m happy to be here and think that this is something that will go a long way for helping Awakened cope with the changes in the world… and hopefully prevent them from running into situations without the proper support.”

Jonathan nodded. “He mentioned you had a lot of experience working with veterans before this.”

“Yes, primarily with PTSD and combat stress.” There was a pause as she

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The Association brought someone in. She seems capable.”

“That’s good to hear, Dad. Therapy is cool now, you know?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow, and David smiled in response. “Seriously, that’s great. Is she also Awakened? Does she have some crazy doctor powers?”

He nodded. “She does, but before you go and get any ideas, hear me out. The Association made me an offer. I’m currently with them as a sort of contract or temp. They want to bring me on to be a permanent member and everything that entails. They want us to set us up in a house nearby, and they’re offering to cover your college expenses.” He paused while watching his son’s reaction. “They also mentioned supporting you if you decide to awaken.”

David’s eyes widened. “You’d be okay with that?”

“It’s your choice,” Jonathan said. “I trust you to make the right decision for yourself. You’re a smart and capable man now, David, not the boy that I need to make decisions for. It’s my role now to support you however I can.”

The smile that spread across David’s face reminded Jonathan of when his son was younger. Before the arguments about college versus the military had started. Before everything had started to go downhill. He felt his heart swell with happiness and pride.

“Thanks, Dad,” David said. The words were simple, but he could feel the sincerity behind them.

They spent the rest of lunch planning David’s winter break. They both knew that things weren’t perfect or completely healed, but they were finally moving in the right direction.