Even though the trees swayed in a gentle breeze and the sun filtered through the leaves, dappling beautifully on the clearing floor, Damian felt as though he were in the middle of a brewing thunderstorm, slowly swirling around him and gathering force with every breath, crackling with the promise of a strike waiting to be released.

'Are you a psychiatrist, or not? ' Damian gasped, sure that his heart was going to beat right out of his chest, sure that he was going to vomit his nerves right onto the forest floor.

In front of him, Dr Loid Forger sat very, very still, with his eyes downcast, and a pensive look on his face. A flash of pain crossed his eyes, and he leaned forward with a weary sigh, his elbows resting on his knees.

'No, ' sighed Loid, defeated. 'I 'm not. '

At his admission, Damian felt every muscle in his body seize with fear. His heart thumped in his chest, every beat a punch against his ribcage that grew louder and louder, until there was a