Chapter 232
This time she used subconscious therapy again, but without including herself in Mia’s mental landscape.
Melvin had offered his office for Mia’s therapy sessions. Sarah dimmed the lights.
With Mia settled on the couch, just like at the university, they began.
“Mia, close your eyes Imagine you’re in a vast desert, surrounded by endless sand. In the distance, a tornado rushes toward
you”
“You feel gentle breezes, warm sunlight on your skin. You’re comfortable, just growing tired, so tired you sink into the soft sand
Mia’s closed eyes relaxed, her furrowed brow smoothing.
Sarah continued softly, “Deep in the desert, you see a camel. It runs toward you. Is it seeking help or trying to attack?”
“Attack. It wants to attack me.”
“Good. But you dodge it. Then hunters capture you. You scream for help. Someone comes. Who is it?”
Mia’s hands clenched “Sarah”
“No, not Sarah. Someone else. Who?” Sarah pressed.
Mia’s arms trembled with tension, but she insisted, “It’s Sarah
Sarah relented, “Yes, it’s Sarah.”
“After Sarah rescues you, she’s captured. Another group comes for you. They catch you. Who do you want to save you?”
Mia thought long before shaking her head. “I wasn’t caught. After they took Sarah, I went looking for her and got caught too.”
How much did this child love her, to keep bringing her up?
“Mia, relax. Don’t worry.” Sarah noticed Mia’s breathing quickening.
She ended the hypnosis early. It wasn’t working – Mia’s trust was too deeply rooted.
“Mia, you’re both rescued. Meditate quietly for a few minutes, then come back.”
Two attempts at psychological suggestion, both failed.
Surprisingly, Mia had an unusual fixation on Sarah’s presence that couldn’t be dislodged.
Why did Mia trust her so completely? They hadn’t known each other long enough for Sarah to have made such an impression
In a patient’s subconscious, gaining a place in deleted memories was nearly impossible unless you were actually present in
those memories.
What was she missing?
Late that night, Zachary sat alone in his office. Stars twinkled beyond the windows as he finished his coffee.
Standing to survey the city, he watched highway lights string together like a ribbon of light. His watch showed midnight
The watch Sarah gave him hadn’t left his wrist since. Two days since she’d gone home. He wondered how she was, anxiety
gnawing at him.
His phone rang He hesitated at the unknown number before answering After a long silence, the caller laughed
That laugh yanked him back years:
was she returning now after being gone so long?
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