Talk to me:

Chapter 3

A few weeks went by. Classes were in full swing and Amy was feeling pretty good. She had been going to class every day. Had been making progress with her ankle. She was getting her cast off in a couple weeks. She had finally did away with the crutches and was using a cane. She couldn't wait to get to The bus to show Toby.

There was only one thing bothering her though. For the last 2 weeks, she'd been having a recurring dream where she was hearing people's thoughts and it was giving her a major headache. She had no idea what was going on but She kept trying to put it out of her mind and focus on school and attending Classes. A couple times she caught Toby Staring at her curiously. But she tried to ignore it.

Toby tried cornering her after class a couple times, and as a result, put a small rift into their friendship. He got the vibe that she was scared of something. But he couldn't help her until she said something to him. It was starting to seriously bug him. He was trying hard to not sneak into her mind.

One day she was on campus, and she had plans to meet Toby as usual for lunch. At the last minute he had called and said that he would be about a half an hour late. She was fine with this and decided that she would sit and study for a while as she waited for Toby. She had a couple chapters to read and get done for her Psychology Class. While she was sitting there, an awful headache came over her. Suddenly a rush of thoughts hit her.

'What the fuck- That bitch failed me!'

'Do you really think he likes me?'

'Hey wait up for me! Let me explain.'

'I don't know if I should let him touch me like that again'

"Amy? Hey Amy? You ok Amy? AMY!" With a jolt, she gasped out loud and opened her eyes again to see Toby staring at her. She tried to smile and failed. Toby placed his hand on her shoulder. She quickly shrugged it off.

'I don't want him touching me that way. I am dirty and don't deserve to be touched at all.' Toby backed off and sat back on his heels keeping his distance from Amy. Giving her space so she wouldn't feel threatened or feel the need to run. Though Toby knew she would.

"That's ok. I forgot that you don't like to be touched. Amy. What's wrong? You've been pretty ragged the last few days. I'm concerned about you. You can talk to me. I canceled class today because I want to have conferences. So please talk to me." Amy shook her head.

"No I can't. You wouldn't understand Toby. I don't like being touched on my shoulders. I never have. You didn't know." Amy pulled into herself and started rubbing her arms as if she were cold. Toby had gone and gotten her a mug of Cocoa. He tentatively reached for her hand.

"Amy. Let's go to my office and talk ok? I think I will understand more than you think that I will. We can talk as long as you like. I am concerned for and about you." Amy silently put her stuff back on her bag and stood up. Toby disposed of the garbage and they walked silently to his office which was up one flight of stairs. When they got there, Amy sat down on the couch. Toby got her a glass of water.

"Ok Amy, You have the floor. Take your time." 'Let me in Amy.' Amy jumped as though struck with a whip.

"It started about 2 weeks ago. I know I am not crazy. But I swear I can hear other people's thoughts Toby. It's not always clear but it's THERE. I have such god awful headaches that I can't function. It's gotten really bad. I need help. Maybe mental help, but help none the less." She sat back and kept her eyes on the ground. Toby came and knelt in front of her.

"Amy. You aren't crazy. Tell me why you feel so dirty." 'How does he know that I feel dirty?!'

"Amy. I can read minds. That's how I know you feel dirty, how I knew that you couldn't breath. I am willing to bet that you can too. Your feeling what I was feeling when I first developed my gift." He took her by the chin gently. 'Let me in Amy. Let me help you to stop the pain.'

"How can you stop my pain Toby. I can't let you in. I just-" Amy stopped cold and put a trembling hand to her mouth. Toby waited silently.

"I just read your thoughts Toby. But How? What the hell is happening to me?" Amy stood up and walked out of the office without another word. Toby could hear all kinds of jumbled thoughts in her mind and decided to let her be for the time being. He figured that he had a good excuse for dropping in on her later on. She'd left her bag in his office. He'd run it by her place later that night.