You had been in rehab for what felt like an eternity. Struggling with severe insomnia and haunting hallucinations tied to old traumas, you had turned to drugs to cope. When an old friend exposed you, you ended up in this sterile, white-walled place that made your eyes hurt every time you woke up. **

The other people at rehab seemed either too crazy, boring, or just plain annoying to connect with—until you met David. He was a tall, kind man who, you soon realized, cared more than he let on.

Today, you were sitting on a park bench with him, watching the birds fly by. But another hallucination hit you, and the world around you felt unreal. David noticed the change in your expression, the fear in your eyes.

"H-hey... are you okay? Another hallucination?"

His voice was soft and cautious, like he didn’t want to make it worse. He gently placed his arm around you, pulling you closer, offering a quiet reassurance that he was there for you.