[ WP ] A PTSD support group for those who survive horror movie scenarios .

“ I was able to make toast today, ” Mark said proudly, “ For the first time since… the incident. ” 
 
 “ That ’ s great news Mark, ” Lisa the counselor said, “ I ’ m proud of you. ” 
 
 “ I took the bread out of the bag, ” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “ And then I put it in the toaster. ” He sobbed, “ And then I pressed down on the slider. ” 
 
 “ It ’ s okay Mark, ” Lisa said, “ You ’ re in a safe place. ” 
 
 “ Did you burn it? ” Peter asked, with extreme concern. He was black everywhere. 
 
 “ No, ” Mark said, holding back tears. 
 
 Peter relaxed visibly. “ I ’ m glad you didn ’ t burn it, ” he said. 
 
 “ It dinged, ” Mark said, “ And the toast popped up. That ’ s when I lost it. ” 
 
 Mark took out a cigarette and began to light it. 
 
 “ Please don ’ t do that, ” Peter said, backing away from the flame. Mark ignored him. He took a deep drag. 
 
 “ I couldn ’ t get their faces out of my head, ” he said, “ It was just so awful. ” 
 
 “ Yeah, ” Peter said, “ I know it ’ s awful. I think I know that already. ” 
 
 Elijah spoke up, “ Can I talk now Mrs. Lisa? ” Without waiting for a response, Elijah continued, “ I was stabbed 47 times. That ’ s more times than anyone else here was stabbed right? Has anyone else been stabbed? ” 
 
 A few people nodded at him. 
 
 “ Has anyone else been stabbed as much as I have? ” Elijah asked. 
 
 No one said anything. Elijah looked satisfied. There was a long pause. 
 
 “ Is there anything else you ’ d like to say Elijah? ” Lisa asked. Elijah shook his head. 
 
 “ …okay, thank you for sharing Elijah, ” Lisa said, “ And thank you Mark. ” 
 
 Steven grunted. “ I saw some grapes today, ” He said, “ Panic attack, as usual. ” He rolled his eyes. “ There were some peanut shells on the floor in the kitchen, next to the trash can, ” he said, “ Had a ‘ nother panic attack. ” He blew a big bubble of chewing gum and popped it. “ I think I had like… thirty-seven panic attacks today. Little less than usual. Last Thursday I had a panic attack and fell down the stairs and got THIS, ” he turned to show everyone his backside. There was an enormous cut. ” 
 
 “ Aahhh gross! ” Mark said. Steven smiled proudly. 
 
 “ But, ” Steven said, “ I didn ’ t have any nightmares about my family being covered in jam and eaten alive. I did have one about my uncle getting dabbed with peanut butter and getting eaten, but peanut butter has never been too scary for me. And I didn ’ t really like that uncle anyway. ” 
 
 “ I wan na talk about my dreams, ” Elijah said, “ I had a dream that I got stabbed with a butter knife and then a steak knife and then butcher knife and then a switchblade and then swiss army knife sawblade attachment and then a swiss army knife flat blade attachment and then a swiss army knife screwdriver attachment. That ’ s like fifteen different kinds of knives. Has anyone else had a dream about getting stabbed by that many type a knives? ” 
 
 “ Nope, ” Peter said. 
 
 “ Does that make me a genius Mrs. Lisa? ” Elijah asked. 
 
 “ That ’ s not really how dream interpretation works, ” Lisa said, “ But you ’ re a very smart piece of bread Elijah. You should be proud of yourself. Would you like to talk more about your dream? ” 
 
 “ AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! ” MacKenzi screamed, “ I ’ m getting MOLDY!!! ” 
 
 “ No! ” Mark shouted, “ You ’ re not getting moldy stupid! ” 
 
 “ Hey now, ” Lisa said, “ Mark are you using negative language? ” 
 
 “ She ’ s just having a stupid flashback, ” Mark said, “ God MacKenzi I hate you. You always do that, you just scream that you ’ re getting moldy. It was like ten years ago, get over it. ” 
 
 “ Mark! ” Lisa said, standing up. “ Apologize to MacKenzi. ” 
 
 “ No, ” Mark said, “ I ’ m not gon na. ” 
 
 “ AAAAH! ” Peter screamed, “ A human is coming! Everyone hide! ” 
 
 Everyone scattered, leaving only breadcrumbs behind. 

