Today was going to be a difficult day. Zareya had been putting this off for as long as possible but now she really really needed to go shopping. She needed to get a few essentials for herself and she also wanted to get a thing of two for Sienna to enjoy. As she always does, the psychologist made sure the little girl was busy and distracted before she left. She said a quick goodbye and left a soft kiss on the girls head before she swapped places with officer Tage.

At this point Sienna was much more familiar with the officer and was able to tolerate her presence for longer periods. Although no one was as good as her psychologist.

Zareya knew that if Sienna saw her leave the room all hell would break loose so she quickly slipped out of the door and made her way down to her car.

As she headed out, Zareya felt a mix of reluctance and determination. She knew it would be good for her to get away for an hour or two. As much as she adored the young girl, it was a heavy case and it would be nice for her to be just her for a short while.

Zareya made her way to the nearest shopping centre, humming along to the radio as she drove. The psychologist had spent the best part of the last four weeks in the hospital. She rarely left and had never been this far away before. The unfamiliar freedom was both liberating and slightly unnerving. She hoped Sienna was okay.

The first store she went into was a toy store. She wanted to start introducing more things to Sienna, things like puzzles and purposeful toys. The store was a colorful playground filled with options, each one brimming with possibilities for Sienna's recovery.

Zareya strolled through the aisles, mentally noting toys that could help Sienna with her motor skills and cognitive development. A gentle smile crept onto her face as she imagined Sienna's joy at discovering each new toy.

The woman picked up a simple jigsaw puzzle, its vibrant colors catching her eye, and placed it in her basket. Feeling satisfied with her choice, Zareya wandered further into the store, her thoughts lingering on Sienna's infectious laughter. Next, she explored the section full of fluffy, comforting stuffed animals, considering how another soft companion could offer solace during Sienna's tougher days.

She carefully selected a small, plush teddy bear, its fuzzy arms open wide for a hug, and added it to her growing collection. With her basket full, Zareya felt a gentle reassurance that these toys might brighten the days to come. She went to pay and left the store fully satisfied with the array of toys and furry friends.

With a quick stop at a mother and baby store she collected essentials like a comfort blanket, diapers, pacifiers, and bottles, ensuring that every need Sienna might have was thoughtfully addressed.

Next she entered a children's clothing store. Colorful dresses and tiny shoes lined the aisles, each one more adorable than the last. She thought back to the clothes Sienna had been wearing for the past four weeks. Hospital gowns, large t shirts and the psychologists clothes.

Zareya's heart ached at the thought, determined to find something that would make Sienna feel special and cared for. She deserved to have things if her own.

She browsed the clothing isles and could not find anything that suited Sienna or her needs. Perhaps she would prefer to have a loosely fitting dress. Zareya picked out a lovely floral-patterned dress, its soft fabric perfect for comfort and freedom of movement.

As she browsed through the racks, Zareya's eyes caught a pair of pale pink shoes that seemed to promise adventure and untold stories. She scooped them up with delight, imagining Sienna's face lighting up at the sight of them. They were soft and looked comfortable, perfect for a first pair of shoes.

She walked around collecting a few more items, not forgetting silk pyjamas, and was eventually ready to pay.

With another armful later the woman made a quick trip back to her car before going back to grab other essentials and a few things for herself.

**************************************************

Back at the hospital Sienna was enjoying the officers company as she was playing with her toys giving both of them different funny voices.

"Okay madam Sienna, zareya is still going to be a bit longer so let's change your diaper so we can make you nice and comfortable." Sienna had built up a level of trust with Tage by now and although she was not the nice lady, she also wasn't bad.

The officer settled Sienna down on her bed and prepared everything she would need to quickly make Sienna more comfortable. The next thing she knew all hell was breaking loose. As soon as she had undone the diaper Sienna became hyper aware of her surroundings.

The only thing she could think of at that moment is that this was not the nice lady. Only the nice lady does this. Is this new lady going to do big bad? Tage immediately notices how the little girls body goes stiff and that her breathing has become shallow. She stops what she is doing and calls out to the girl trying to pull her out of what she assumes is another memory flash.

As she registers the touch against her skin the small girl lunges with all of her might as she mindlessly attacks the now faceless person. She cannot comprehend what is reality in this situation but she knows that the nice lady is not here and someone was going to do big bad. The bad man was back. No. The nice lady said he was gone.

Sienna immediately falls into fight or flight mode. She throws her limbs about as best as she can, her surgery wound long forgotten. She scratches, she bites, she screams.

Her cries echo in the dim room, blending with the muffled sounds of struggle. In her frenzy, Sienna's vision blurs, tears obscuring friend from foe. The room feels like a prison, its walls closing in, suffocating her with every shadowy figure that looms. It's like shes back there. In the big bad place

One minute she is shouting and raging and screaming. Next she is crying and shaking and sobbing. Then she's panicked and terrified and hyperventilating. And finally blank and cold and lifeless. She is grabbed - no, no, the bad man is coming back, the touch is too much, he's gonna hurt me. Arms wrap around her, gentle but firm. The steady beat of a heartbeat on her cheek. The familiar smell. The warmth and comfort.

The psychologist holds the girl as she screams,her voice hoarse and rough. She holds her as she hiccups and trembles, too exhausted to be afraid. Tears drip down her face as she lays there, limp and exhausted. Warmth surrounds her and she can hear nothing but her own hitched breaths and the heartbeat against their skin. Sienna finally becomes aware enough to make her fingers curl into the soft material surrounding her, she burrows her head into warmth and safety, and slowly returns the hug.

Shivers quake through Siennas frame as she clings thoughtlessly to the psychologist. As if she's holding on for her life. The woman tightens her grip on the little girl as she feels her limbs twitching, trying to continue her fight. Sweat trickles down her skin, her body jolting with adrenaline, her mind telling her to fight, to run, to hide even as every inch of her cries out for comfort. Soft pleading whimpers escape her throat showing zareya just how scared she is. Behind all of her progress she is still a traumatised little girl.

The psychologists arms wrap tighter around Sienna , her gentle fingers brushing through her hair as the girls tiny, shallow gasps are heard through the silence of the room. "I'm here baby," the woman murmurs. "I'm right here. You're okay, you are safe." The small girl releases a distressed sob, weak and barely audible.

Slowly, Sienna's body begins to relax as the comforting words fill the air, wrapping around her like a warm blanket. The fear starts to ebb, her breathing leveling, the familiar voice a beacon pulling her back from the brink. Her eyes, swollen and red, open just slightly, catching the concerned gaze of her psychologist. She nods slowly, trying to believe the gentle assurance.

"Ma-" Sienna attempts to say, her voice rough and broken.