Ensign Nathan Richards - Digging Deep ((OOC Warning))
Travis St. John
((Carter’s Office))
((OOC: This might be a rough one for some. But it’s a large part of Nathan’s past and what makes him who he is so I felt that it needed to be put out there.))
Nathan entered the Medical Center and made his way to the Counseling center. He stepped up to Carter’s door and pressed the control to announce his presence.
Carter: Enter!
Nathan entered his office and stood next to the plush couch set there for the patients. The room smelled of freshly brewed coffee.
Richards: Good morning, Commander. My name is Ensign Nathan Richards. Thank you for seeing me so soon.
Carter: Not a problem at all. Go ahead and have a seat. There’s real coffee and doughnuts whenever you want them.
Nathan took a seat on the couch, straightening his uniform jacket.
Richards: Well, sir. Where should we start? Hopefully this doesn’t end with you telling me I have a Oedipus complex. ::smiling::
Carter: Definitely not going to tell you that, Nathan. Why would you say that?
Richars: Sorry, I tend to turn to humor when I am nervous or anxious. ::chuckling::
Carter: No need to be nervous, Nathan. This is just an introductory conversation, kind of a getting to know you sort of thing. Here is just and introduction, unless there is something you want to talk about...
Nathan shifted a bit in his seat.
Richards: In addition to the required check in, I have some...past trauma that I feel I need to discuss with someone. It has been bottled up and put on a high shelf for the better part of Twelve years. It wasn’t until recently that it has reared its ugly head and I haven’t been getting the best sleep.
Carter leaned back in his chair. He seemed somewhat surprised.
Carter: Sleep is important, and it’s important to make sure you get the best quality sleep possible, since I know there will be days that sleep will come in very short supply, often without notice. ::sipping his coffee:: Alright Nathan, fill me in...
Nathan eyeballed the coffee and donuts, not speaking. He got up and helped himself to a steaming cup, and one of the pastries before sitting down again.
Richards: Growing up, there was a bit of a tradition that my younger sister and I had. Every year when the leaves on the trees changed, we would take a hike and enjoy the view. One year, she had fallen ill and had to stay home. I told her I would take plenty of photos to show her when I got back.
Nathan sipped his coffee, and just starred at the donut that sat in front of him. The memory flooded back to him.
((Flashback - 238611.22))
The sounds of birds chirping filled the air as Nathan walked down the path through the Cedars. Enough time had passed that all of the leaves had changed from vibrant green, to a kaleidoscope of orange, red and brown. A light breeze picked up, making the leaves rustle with the sound of whispers.
He finally reached the familiar hilltop that looked over Lake McDonald. Pulled out the antique digital camera that his sister had given him to take pictures with and started to take pictures of the view. He never understood why she preferred an antique over a holo, but he kept to her wishes. He sat back down, opening his canteen of water and taking a drink. He sat in silence and listened to the sounds of the forest around him. Bird and animal calls could be heard in the distance, some from real animals while others were generated by sound systems that had been installed years ago after the wildlife population had taken a plunge.
He closed his eyes, enjoying the ambience. Then he heard something that wasn’t programmed into the sound systems. Something that was a very rare occurrence in this particular section of the park. The roar of a bear. Nathan listened. It didn’t sound too far off. He decided it was probably best if he started back towards the house. Until he heard the screams.
((Flashback End))
Richards: She had left about 20 minutes after I did. She must have snuck passed our parents. We’d made that hike so many times over the years that she knew the way like that back of her hand. But for some reason this time was very different. Bears didn’t migrate that far west into the park. It was a freak coincidence.
Nathan felt his emotions beginning to build. He couldn’t let himself break down. Not yet anyways.
Carter: Response
Richards: I should have been there with her. I should have protected her. I just shouldn’t have left without her. I can never forget the scene. I was too late.
Carter: Response
Richards: I couldn’t stop myself. I was angry. I charged the bear, just to get it off of her body. The rest is a blur of gnashing teeth and sweeping claws. ::tears welling in his eyes:: After the first few seconds I couldn’t see anymore. I had my knife out and was just swinging. Eventually Everything was silent.
Carter: Response
Richards: I woke up almost a week later in the hospital. I had to be put into a medically induced coma because my wounds were so severe. I was lucky to be alive...
Carter: Response
Tag/TBC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ensign Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sent from Mail for Windows