"No, not
really," replied her travelling companion. "All I can tell is that you
seem to have nightmares every night. You're a mess in the morning and
it takes you a while to pull yourself together. You woke me up each
morning with your cries. I pretended to be asleep to avoid embarassing
you but now I think that I should try to help you. I want to help you."
She cocked her head to the side and examined him closely, trying to
detect if he was being sincere or was trying to manipulate her in some
way. His heart had started racing when she had started looking at him
that way. Now was the time when the old Callisto would launch a verbal
or physical attack. He forced himself to calmly watch her, waiting for
her response, letting her decide on what to do next, hoping that she
really wanted to change her ways.
She needed time to think. Swiftly, she got up and left the camp,
leaving Joxer behind. That went well, he thought to himself. Let her
think about it while she takes her daily swim. I'll make breakfast and
hope she doesn't come back wanting to separate my head from the rest of
my body.
The cold, crystal
clear water was invigorating and helped Callisto to focus her thoughts
on the matter at hand. Should she trust Joxer? Was it time to talk
about the dreams that tormented her slumbers, that reached out and
affected her when she was awake? Was this something she needed to do?
"Eliminate the threat," said The Other.
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Callisto
sighed. "Why are you here?" she asked. "This isn't about Xee-nah." And
even if it was, I can handle myself around her, she thought to herself.
I don't need you so why don't you go away?
"Of course you need me. I'm just here to protect you, little one,"
countered The Other in a condescending tone as she read Callisto's
mind. "Your so called friend is a danger to you. Listen to me and kill
him before he does you harm."
"Joxer is not a threat," replied Callisto with a touch of anger. "He's
trying to help me. And I should let him. I don't see what harm that
could do."
"Help? You think that fool can help you?" queried The Other. "What does
he know about your loss? What does he know about hardships and
struggles? What makes you think that inept buffon can help?"
"I don't know if he can help!" she shouted out loud and stopped. Then
she began again in a normal tone: "Maybe you're right. Maybe he can't
help me at all and this will all be a waste of time and effort. But
maybe talking with him will help me resolve these nightmares. Why not
take the chance?"
"Oh, my precious," began The Other in a softer tone. "You don't see the
danger that is there. You must trust me on this. What you are planning
to do could do incalculable damage to your psyche. I have always
protected you and looked after you. Let me do so again."
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