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“I’m sorry.”
It had caught Victor off-guard, the way the young woman said it. He had seen a lot of ‘therapists’ in Arkham Asylum. Some tried to "fix" all the crazies. Some were just in it for the good money anyone who worked at Arkham got paid.
The two new people came in together. Brother and sister, it seemed. The brother was scary in a way that even Joker didn’t see coming. He kept everyone quiet.
The red-haired sister hadn’t seemed interesting, but she at least kept the room colder the few sessions they previously spent together.
“What for?” He questioned.
“For everything that happened to you that no one ever apologized for.” She uncrossed her legs to sit straighter.
He held back a scoff. “And you know everything? You understand what suffering I have been dealt, and what I have dealt in return?”
She didn’t even need to look at her notepad to nod knowingly.
“I’m sorry that your parents disowned you when you were just a child. I’m sorry that the only woman you’ve ever loved became ill in front of your eyes. I’m sorry that no one helped you when you had to put her back together time and time again.” She kept eye contact even as she boldly forced him to recall his pain. “And I’m sorry that no one in your life has ever extended a welcoming hand, even when you suffered.”
“It wasn’t like you had anything to do with my past.” Victor shook his head and continued staring at the ground. His animosity towards those who hurt him wouldn’t be calmed so easily.
Still, she reminded him more and more of Nora.
She crossed her legs again, giving him a sympathetic look. “I know.”
His curiosity overtook his self-loathing. “So why apologize?”
“Do you see someone trip and think that they deserved it? Do you see a forest on fire and wish no water could put it out?” She tilted her head as she asked these questions, awaiting a response.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Even if I can’t help in a way that matters.” Even if I can’t bring back your wife was implied. “I can help you stand. I can help extinguish the fire. If that starts with one person apologizing for every wrong been done to you, then I will throw the first bucket of water.”
“I’ve caused immense pain.” His retort was sharp and curt, but his words were tinted with regret. “I’ve hurt more living things than you can count. I will continue to destroy everything if I need to.”
If that’s what it takes to get her back.
She leaned forward to place a delicate hand on his tightly clenched palms. Her touch was soft and warm like Nora’s, her smile calming and genuine.
“We’ll work together, then.” Her gaze was firm, yet gentle. It soothed his frozen heart in a way nothing else had. “One bucket at a time.”