Read Online Fractured by Amanda Meadows - Free Book Online Page A

my colleagues, Hunter."
    Hunter had pretended to ignore the man, but he was paying attention with a rapid beating heart.
    "I don't think you are doing so maliciously. I think you are frightened by what you might reveal. That makes me very curious."
    The doctor had opened up a dish shaped like a beehive. From inside, he pulled out a wrapped caramel.
    "I love these candies," he had said with a friendly voice, unwrapping one and popping it into his mouth.
    Hunter had watched in fascination as the doctor chewed slowly, smiling and murmuring until the candy was finally swallowed. He tried not to look interested, but his hand shot out as soon as the doctor offered him a piece. He sucked hard on the piece as he watched the doctor warily.
    The doctor had not even looked at him. Instead he stared out the window.
    "Are you afraid that you did something wrong, Hunter? Because your parents think you are simply mourning the loss of your pet."
    Hunter had gasped, suddenly afraid that this man could somehow see inside his mind. He stood up, walked to the trash can and spit out the remainder of his candy.
    "Hunter, let me help you," the doctor had said quietly, not moving his head. "No matter what you think you did wrong, you have built it up out of proportion."
    But Hunter was already backing away. Reaching behind him, he grabbed at the door.
    "Let me get that for you," said the doctor. "Why don't you think about coming back to see me next week?"
    But the next week, Hunter pitched a royal fit when his mother asked him to get in the car. She tried waiting him out. But he had proven quite stubborn. As soon as she pulled the car back into the garage, he became calm and subdued. However, the moment the car eased into the street, Hunter began to wail. He cried until he could scarcely breathe. By the time she reached the office, she was crying with him.
    She picked him up, carried him inside the office, and deposited him on the floor of the psychologist. The doctor sat at his desk, calmly eating his caramel candies while Hunter thrashed on the office floor, working himself up until he drooled all over himself. At the end of the session, the doctor approached Hunter on his knees and informed him that their time was up.
    Hunter instantly stopped wailing. He sat up and allowed the doctor to help wipe the tears and snot from his face. Once Hunter was presentable, the doctor shook Hunter's hand, telling him that he was glad that he had agreed to see him. He then gave Hunter three caramel candies and asked him to wait in the lobby quietly while he spoke with his mother. Thirty minutes later, Hunter's ordeal with psychologists ended.
    Now, taking the elevator as an adult, Hunter found himself wondering what the odds were that his mother had made an appointment with the very same psychologist. Would the man even still be practicing?
    The patient waiting room resembled any other physician's office. There were several worn leather sofas to sit on as well as an abundance of magazines stacked neatly on a long, low glass coffee table. The counter was stocked with coffee, tea, and bottled water. Hunter checked in and sank on the sofa. He was exactly five minutes early, as was his custom.
    No one else was in the room. That made him feel a little better. Still, he caught himself jangling his legs nervously. He felt like an idiot being scared of a psychologist. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
    The doctor, a slender man in his mid sixties approached from a side door. He had  thick, dark hair graying at the temples. Smiling, he extended a hand.
    "Hello. I'm Dr. Gautier."
    Hunter stared into the eyes of the same doctor he had seen as a kid. He tried to hide his surprise. Forcing a smile, he jerked his hand out to shake hands. But he was rattled. Had his mom arranged this on purpose?
    After offering Hunter a chair, the doctor sat down across from him, crossing his legs. He wore simple corduroy trousers, a pale-blue button down shirt, and a dark-blue sweater