The Nocturnal Voice Read online

school but never met since she was an incoming freshmen the same year he graduated.

  Having one another in their lives began to make them both transform into happier people and both felt anxious to start a life over again. Only two days had passed since they first met, but in that time, Ali progressed so quickly, her therapist said she felt that it was time for her to be discharged.

  Daryl also got the same news but was being released one day later.

  The day when Ali left was difficult but they knew that they would be see one another shortly, in fact Ali insisted on being the one who picked him up and brought him home.

  He was due to leave the following morning at 10:00 AM.

  One of the last experiences all of the patients had to endure was a final evaluation and meeting with their in-house psychologist. Daryl had been there for close to one month now, so he had built a pleasant rapport with the young woman who handled his case. She asked the usual direct and sometimes challenging questions about his readiness to enter the world again.

  Daryl as expected was anxious to leave, especially now that he felt that he had someone who cared for him in the world. His therapist seemed very happy that he’d made such great progress in his acceptance that the events that led his destiny were something much different than he’d thought the were.

  “So are you feeling comfortable with your new understanding of that voice in your head?” she asked.

  He nodded,

  “Definitely. It’s odd, but looking back at the moment I took the painting,

  I had no idea why I had to do it.

  Thanks for taking time to talk things out with me. The time I spent here really brought clarity to the whole thing.”

  His therapist stood up and escorted him to the registration area to complete his discharge. He was given his wallet and cell phone by the woman at the counter and then walked to the main door.

  His therapist shook his hand.

  “I’ll miss you Daryl, you were a lot of fun to counsel. I wish you the best of luck and I hope things continue to go well for you.”

  “Thanks” he replied.

  Thanks also for having enough confidence in me to let me go home.

  Things are going to be a lot better now. Without a doubt.”

  She smiled,

  “I’m sure they will.

  Oh, wait, before you head out, I did have one question for you that I meant bring up before on several occasions.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I asked you this question when you first arrived never had an answer.”

  “Go for it!” he said.

  “Was there any significance to stealing that specific painting over all the others at the show? It was right in the middle everything.

  What significance did a picture of a black dragon have in your mind?”

  He smiled and looked up with a puzzled expression as if trying to ponder the question carefully. He then shook his head in confusion.

  “Wow, I gave that a lot of thought but damn. I just don’t know. Not a clue.

  Thanks again.”

  “Take care and good luck Daryl”

  He turned toward the exit making the automatic double doors slide open.

  Walking outside, he took a deep breath of the fresh summer air and at that moment saw Ali waiting in her car with the engine running.

  A smile beamed from her face as she saw him approach and upon entering the car, they gave one another a warm and loving embrace.

  She placed the car in drive, pulled forward and was waiting to pull out of the lot into traffic. She was wearing a pretty sleeveless top with her arm resting on the steering wheel. Daryl smiled admiring the tattoo on her arm.

  “I know I said this before, but that is a beautiful tattoo.”

  Smiling back at him she took hold of his hand.

  “Thanks.” she replied.

  “I like yours too.”

  ***