This had become their ritual over the past weeks—these first few minutes together before Piper's individual session.Jenna settled into the chair, noting how Piper perched on the edge of hers, as if ready to flee at the first opportunity.
“How has the week been?”Dr.White asked, her keen eyes moving between the sisters.
Jenna cleared her throat.“There's been a development.”She glanced at Piper, who gave a small nod of permission.“Piper's voices...they recently helped us solve a case.”
Dr.White's eyebrows lifted slightly.“Did they?That sounds significant.”
“It was,” Jenna continued, leaning forward.“She heard something—knew something—that led us to evidence we might never have found otherwise.”She paused, the next part harder to admit.“But the voices also led her directly into danger.She went alone to confront the suspect.If we hadn't reached her in time...”
Dr.White turned to Piper.“Is this true?The voices directed you to go alone to a dangerous location?”
Piper gaze was fixed on her hands folded in her lap.“They were insistent.More so than usual.”
“But something else happened,” Jenna added quickly.“Something changed.Piper took charge of the voices.For the first time since she's been back, she commanded them instead of just listening.”
Dr.White's expression shifted to one of professional interest.“That represents a significant breakthrough, Piper.”She made a note on the pad resting on her knee.“Can you tell me about this moment of taking command?”
Piper's shoulders straightened slightly.“They were loud—all talking at once.Drowning me.And then I just...I couldn't take it anymore.”A hint of pride flickered across her face.“I told them to be quiet, and they listened.It was like finding a volume control I never knew existed.”
Jenna felt a surge of hope at Piper’s memory of what had happened.It was a glimpse of the strength that had allowed her twin to survive twenty years on her own.
“I'm concerned about the danger,” Dr.White said, redirecting the conversation.“While it's remarkable that you're developing more control, Piper, we need to establish boundaries for your safety.”She looked at Jenna.“Have you discussed protocols for when the voices provide information about your cases?”
Jenna shook her head.“Not formally.It's all been so new.”
“I suggest you do that soon,” Dr.White said firmly.“Set clear rules about communication and action—no going off alone, no matter how urgent the voices make the situation seem.”
“I agree,” Jenna said, relief washing through her at having a concrete step to take.
Dr.White glanced at her watch.“I think we should continue the session with just Piper now, if that's all right.”
Jenna stood.“I'll be right outside.”She touched Piper's shoulder lightly.“I'll be here when you're done.”
Piper looked up, her green eyes—mirror images of Jenna's own—momentarily clear and focused.“I know you will.”
Jenna stepped out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind her.She settled into one of the chairs in the small waiting area, suddenly alone with her thoughts.Piper's question from the drive echoed in her mind: “Do you ever wonder if all this isn't real?”
What had she meant by that?Was Piper questioning her homecoming?Her identity?The reality of being back with family after so long in the wilderness of her own making?Or was it something deeper—a fracture in Piper's grasp on reality itself?
Jenna realized that finding her sister was only a beginning.The harder part was helping Piper find herself again.
She picked up a glossy magazine from the table beside her—something about home renovation—and flipped through it without registering the images.Her mind refused to focus on the printed pages, returning instead to the image of Piper's face in the car, that distant look as she posed her disturbing question.
She set the magazine down and checked her watch.Twenty-five minutes until the session ended.She leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the hospital's ambient sounds wash over her—distant voices, the soft ping of an elevator, the squeak of shoes on linoleum.None of it drowned out her worry, or the persistent feeling that Piper remained present in body but still, in some fundamental way, missing.
When the door to Dr.White's office opened, Jenna straightened in her chair as Piper emerged alongside the psychiatrist.The transformation in her sister's face struck her immediately.Her eyes, usually shadowed with wariness, now held a spark that Jenna recognized from their shared childhood—the glimmer of possibility.
“All set?”Jenna asked, rising to her feet.
“Yes.It was a good session.”
Dr.White stood in the doorway, her silver hair catching the light from her office window.“We made some excellent progress today,” she said, her voice warm.“I've given Piper a few exercises to try between now and our next appointment.”
“Thank you,” Jenna said, gratitude filling her chest.Dr.White was one of the few people who truly understood the complexities of Piper's situation—not just her reintegration into normal life after twenty years, but the reality of her odd communications.“Really, thank you.”
“You're doing the hard work,” Dr.White replied, addressing both sisters.“I'm just providing navigation tools.”She glanced at her watch.“I'll see you both next week, same time?”
Jenna confirmed and they said their goodbyes.As she and Piper walked down the hallway toward the elevator, Jenna resisted the urge to pepper her with questions.Her sister moved with a new ease, her steps lighter than they had been in weeks.Whatever had transpired in that office had clearly been beneficial.