When The Skyfall.. || Black Widow (English Version)

Chapter 08: Therapy Session

"Hello. Dr. Garner's Office. How may I help you?" said someone on the other end of the line, with a feminine voice, likely Andrew's secretary.

"Hello. I'm an old friend of Dr. Garner's. I need to get in touch with him and--"

"Would you like to schedule a consultation?" the female voice interrupted sharply over the phone.

"No. I...," Natasha paused, aware that she wasn't making this call seeking any kind of therapeutic appointment with Andrew. Despite Matthew's recommendations for her to have a formal consultation, the redhead was never open to the idea of spending hours in a closed room, facing someone, speaking truths upon truths about herself, waiting for the other person to gather all they needed for a complete analysis about her. On typical days in her line of work, she was the one extracting information needed about others. "It's not... work-related. It's something... unofficial. I just wanted to know where he'll be in the coming days, if possible."

"Of course. Just a moment, please," the secretary requested, returning to the line minutes later. "Dr. Garner will be speaking at a lecture for some students at Empire State University tomorrow night."

"Alright. Thank you."

"You're welcome!" the secretary started to say, until she noticed the call had been disconnected from the other end of the line.

In the auditorium of Empire State University, dim lights created a solemn and focused atmosphere. The stage was set with a dark wooden table, a podium, and a projector displaying the lecture title: "The Post-Terrigenesis Mind: Psychological and Therapeutic Impacts." Students and academics filed into the auditorium, eager to hear from renowned psychologist Dr. Andrew Garner.

Dr. Garner entered the stage with a calm presence. His dark blue suit was impeccably tailored, and his eyes showed a blend of compassion and determination. He adjusted the microphone at the podium and began speaking, his voice resonating softly through the auditorium walls.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here. Today, we'll discuss a phenomenon that has transformed lives in unimaginable ways: Terrigenesis," he paused, allowing the weight of the topic to settle in the audience's minds. "When a human undergoes the Terrigenesis process, they not only acquire new abilities or physical characteristics. 'Every cell within them changes, in their body and in their mind.' This means we're dealing with a complete transformation, one that goes beyond the physical. The mind of the newly awakened Inhuman is uncharted territory, a wholly new mental landscape."

The projector displayed images of Terrigenesis: glowing crystals, minds and bodies in metamorphosis. Dr. Garner continued, now walking across the stage to engage the audience more directly.

"Awakened Inhumans often experience sensory and emotional overload. Imagine waking up one day with powers you've never had before, your body and mind reconfigured. This can lead to identity crises, extreme anxiety, and even psychotic episodes. The transition is overwhelming," he turned to the audience, his gaze serious. "My studies here at Empire State University have focused on understanding and treating these effects. Using a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, guided meditation, and in some cases, pharmacological interventions, we are beginning to develop methods to help these individuals find balance," the auditorium was in complete silence, absorbing every word.

"One of our recent studies involved a young man named Marco, who developed the ability to manipulate electricity. Initially, he was terrified, unable to control his powers, and it nearly led to a mental breakdown. Through intensive therapy sessions and skill control training, we were able to help him not only accept his new abilities but also use them constructively," Dr. Garner smiled slightly, reminiscing Marco's progress. "Cases like his give us hope. Hope that with the right resources, we can help Inhumans not just survive, but thrive," he concluded his lecture with a message of support and an invitation to collaborate. Applause filled the auditorium as Dr. Garner bowed slightly in gratitude.