“Jin?”

Jin looked up to the woman who called his name. She was younger than he originally envisioned, in her mid thirties dressed in a comfortable looking cardigan and jeans. There was a clipboard in her arms as she beckoned him forward. She had a kind smile that radiated a sympathetic warmth. The first real smile he’d seen in a long time.

“I am Doctor Park but you can call me Audrey,” she informed him as she led him down the hallway to her office, “this will be our room,” she told him, stopping at the second last door from the end of the hall.

Jin just nodded, not really ready to speak yet, else he’ll have to confront the reality of the situation.

Doctor Park opened the door to a large and spacious room with carpeted floors and fancy designed walls. An antique bookshelf was pushed up against the wall and a desk took up a corner of the room. There was a cluster of couches and a coffee table by the bookshelf as well as a television up on the wall. On the other side of the room there was a therapeutic couch along with a work table and a lamp. 

“Come in,” Doctor Park beckoned, “take a seat wherever,”

Jin looked around uncertainty, shifting his weight back and forth before he headed to the cluster of couches. Quietly, he sank down into the seat closest to the window, hands shoved under his legs, and studied the outside world. The window overlooked a well kept garden in the backyard. It was colorful and lively with bird feeders scattered throughout, inviting some wildlife to the proximity. 

“Okay, Jin,” she started once they got comfortable, “I understand this is the first session, and this might be a little awkward, but I want you to understand that this is a safe zone, and that you can speak freely. Nothing leaves this room, unless you say so, okay?”

Jin didn’t respond, instead keeping his attention on the large field outside. 

A small butterfly fluttered above the garden of flowers, bobbing up and down until finally settling down on a purple one. 

Dr. Park followed his gaze and looked out the window as well. Pursing her lips, she suddenly came up with an idea.

“Jin?” she called, voice gentle. 

Again, he didn’t respond, barely even blinking at the sound of his name. 

“How about we go for a walk?” she offered.

He lifted his head. Slowly, he turned to look at her. She met his emotionless eyes with a warm smile.

“Come,” she beckoned, standing up, “I’ll show you the garden in the back. It’s much larger than what you can see from the window here,” 

His eyes followed her, but he made no movement to stand. Instead, a spark lit in his distant eyes. 

She could see him thinking, contemplating. He seemed to want to go out, but was hesitant to, as if he were afraid. 

He blinked uncertainty as his eyes wandered back outside. The butterfly had fluttered away while he wasn’t looking, and for some reason, that made his heart plummet.

Dr. Park studied him while his gaze returned to the outside garden. She watched as a series of emotions flashed across his face, a bit of hope, followed by a look of disappointment. 

She glanced back outside and noticed a butterfly fluttering close to the windowsill. 

“The butterflies are out,” she said, catching Jin’s attention again.

His eyes snapped up to her, a hint of curiosity in them.

She pointed to the small butterfly by the windowsill. It had come to rest just at the corner of the glass, somewhere that Jin had overlooked. 

He straightened up a bit, the spark re-lit in his eyes, subtle but there. 

“Let’s go look, shall we?”

Taking a deep breath, Jin stood up. With a smile, Dr. Park led him out of the office and out the back door.