"Diagnosis Fear" by Patricia M. D´Angelo

She shifted uneasily in her seat, trying to get comfortable, trying to concentrate. She leafed through the pages of Bird, Bee, and Flower. ‘If you thought roses sweet, then…’ Her eyes shifted to her child, as he happily played with his Captain Mantis Soldier. A glimmer of fear shadowed her face as she flashed a weak smile towards her young son. Realizing she was close to tears, she quickly averted her gaze back to the blurring words. ‘If you thought roses sweet, then you will be…”

There had to be an explanation for the behavior. Normal children just didn’t act that way. He was over five years old now, and no matter how badly she wished to blame it on not knowing any better, she knew she was grasping at excuses. Unable to focus she closed the pages and ticked across her fingers as she mentally counted all the healers she had dragged her son. Some barely qualified as more than witch doctors, with their herbal remedies, and strange potions. She swallowed hard, for she knew hope dangled on a thin thread. All hinted at the same word, a word she only wished to drive from her brain. It haunted her every waking hour. Anthropophobia.

“Fae Brownie”

Fae jumped to her feet, dropping the magazine to the floor, hiding toes that seemed rooted to the spot. This last battery of tests was court ordered. So sure of the diagnosis, so sure of the outcome, she actually debated not bringing him. Reaching down she uncurled his little fingers and placed a gentle kiss. “Come,“ she whispered. Trying to hide the panic she forced a level, almost cold tone to her voice. A harried finger brushed away the small tear that slid down her cheek. When the Doctor came gliding into view, she ran to him and grabbed his hands. Expectant eyes pleaded against hope. “Well… “

He shook his head. “He doesn’t have Anthropophobia.”

She fell to her knees with a loud sigh dying against the silence of the pronouncement. Looking up she finally whispered, “Where will he be locked away?”

“Ms. Brownie, its for the good of the colony. Too many times he’s just popped out into the midst of them as if he wanted to play. All fairies must fear people. Should we be discovered, our lives as we know it would be over. Remember, sometimes its what we don’t fear that can get us into trouble.”