Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I shake my head. I suddenly need to talk about it. I’ve not spoken to a single soul about what happened since that night, and I need to let it out. “I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see that mean guy grabbing me. It yanks me awake, and then I’m panting and my heart is racing and I get scared.”
“I’m so sorry, Baby girl. Have you spoken to anyone about this? A doctor? Counselor?”
I shake my head. “No. I thought it would just stop. It’s silly. There’s no reason for me to be so hung up about an almost-mugging. I can’t give that bad guy my power.”
Elijah smiles softly. “That’s all true, but sometimes people need outside help, Little one. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It was frightening. He scared you. You need counseling.”
I sigh. “I don’t want to keep talking about it. I just want it to go away.”
“Do you have a regular physician, Little one?”
I shrug. “Not really. I’m never sick.”
“What about a gynecologist? They’re usually pretty good at giving advice or referrals.”
I bite into my lip and release it. “I haven’t gone in a while,” I whisper.
“Why not, Petra? You need regular checkups.”
I draw in a breath. “I was seeing one, but then…” Why am I telling him all this? It’s too personal.
“But then what?”
I sigh. Good grief. Might as well just tell him. “She said I didn’t need to come every year yet at my age if I’m not taking birth control and I’m not sexually active.” There. He asked. He deserves to hear the gory embarrassing details.
He hesitates a moment. “How old are you, Petra?”
“Twenty-five. I know I need to go back. I will. I just haven’t gotten around to it.” Why are we talking about my OBGYN right now? “Can we change the subject?”
“Did you tell me you’re on summer break from work right now?”
I nod. “Yes.” I’d intended to spend the summer largely in my Little space, making new friends and rejuvenating. And then that stupid mugger messed me up in the head.
Elijah holds my gaze for a long time before licking his lips. “Can I make a suggestion?”
I give a slight nod, but if he’s going to tell me to find a counselor again, I’m not sure this conversation is going to get very far.
“Come to Regression Island with me for a few weeks.”
My breath hitches. I stare at him and then clear my throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
Ugh. “For one thing, I told you my Little is not that young. For another thing… Well, that’s really the most important thing.”
He pats my back. “Sounds like you had another point, and I’d like to hear it.”
I sigh. “I like you, okay? That’s why. If I spend more time with you than I already have, I’m afraid I’ll get attached to you, and then it will hurt when I have to return to the mainland.”
He smiles. “I’m glad to hear you like me. I like you too, Little bunny.” He taps one of the silly red rabbits on my dress. “I assume you like bunnies?”
I nod. “They’re the best animal. I have a stuffie named Cottontail.”
“Bunnies are definitely cute animals. I agree. However, I don’t think you liking me or vice versa is a good excuse not to spend time with me. In fact, it sounds kind of the opposite. Why not come to the island with me for a while? I bet you’d feel ten times better if you had fresh air and no worries. I could probably take some time off work. We could go to the zoo, the water park, the amusement park, the beach…”
He makes it sound like heaven, and I already know it is heaven. But it’s a heaven for much younger Littles. I’m more like five.
He continues, “I’m good friends with the doctors at the clinic. They would be able to see you and make some suggestions. Plus, we have excellent counseling on the island. And crime is nearly nonexistent. Everyone who visits or lives there is so well vetted that we don’t even need to lock our doors.”
I consider his proposition for a moment and then squeeze my thighs together and squirm. “Littles wear diapers there.”
“They do. That’s true. Littles on the island live fully regressed, Little bunny. It’s a lifestyle choice that many people find unbelievably satisfying. Instead of worrying about diapers, think about the deep level of submission that comes with regression.”
I swallow and look at my lap. “I don’t know, Elijah. I don’t think it’s for me.”
“How about if you try it? If you don’t like it, I bring you back in a few weeks. No harm. Lots of Littles come to the island for the express purpose of giving deeper regression a try. You wouldn’t be the first or the last.”