Her Secret| ✓

06

Visualise this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint, and build it. - Robert Collier

What You Promised‒Fairlane & Zack Gray

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"HEY, YOU'RE OKAY NOW. I gave you something to help you sleep," Erik's reassuring voice was the first thing that Diana heard, before she had even dared to open her eyes, she knew he was right beside her. Revulsion twisted in her gut as she realised what had happened.

Diana had lost control again, what was it that doctor had said when you feel yourself slipping, grip your anchor. Diana did not have an anchor anymore; she had been murdered. "Why?" Her voice was hoarse, raw, and dry.

"You were becoming a danger to yourself and others. I reckoned you were out of your mind; you haven't slept in days." His voice was soft as he lowered his hands. Diana's shoulders hunched as she drew the blanket to her chin. "Can you tell me something‒what is the last thing you remember?" He asked.

Silence settled over the room, outside car doors slammed shut and engines revved to life, the room had an eerie glow by the light of a single lamp. Diana sat, dizziness overwhelmed her, she could see his lips moving but she could not hear him.

"It's‒it's none of your business. I don't remember." Diana stammered, she fought her vision as Erik came into focus, a car horn went off outside the window. "Yes, but can you please try?" He pressed; a concerned smile tugged at his lips.

Diana exhaled slowly and nodded, she looked anywhere else, doubting her hazy memories. "Ethan Larson called, he asked me to meet him in his office, that meant I had to leave the party early. He asked me if my parents were especially close to anyone," She said hesitantly, Erik shifted in his seat but kept his attention on her. "Did that bother you?" He asked.

"I don't know why I'm telling you this," She rolled her eyes and tilted her chin up indignantly. "There were a lot of people at the party that night, but one person stood out to me. My uncle was there without an invitation, but Emms and I were sent to bed a little after eleven, the au pair escorted us, and we watched her car pull out of our drive from the window. That is the last thing I remember."

"I need you to be honest with me," Erik said in a muffled voice, his mind worked through it, Diana nodded for him to continue. "Why were you digging in the dirt?" He asked. "I already answered. I don't know. I thought I was at a park, I remember seeing Carkeek sign. I was looking for something." She said with a yawn.

"Then what?" He asked in a calm voice, Diana raised her head and looked him in the eyes, she gestured to him.

"Then what? You're a bloody surgeon, why am I answering to you? I was already interrogated once today," She unleashed in one swift breath, but Erik stopped her with two raised fingers, she drank him in‒every detail, every minute motion, just to see if he was made of stuff. His expressive dark eyebrows arched, under such scrutiny, she could filet him with one look‒the thought welcomed an intrigued smile.

"You are displaying distressing signs of scopophobia. Now, I am no psychiatrist, but I would suggest speaking with one," The playful tones in his voice brought a wash of colour to Diana's cheeks. "Come on, be honest with me‒if I can help, what will it hurt? You are barely eating, you never sleep, and when someone talks to you, you are not even there,"

Diana squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head sideways as if fighting off a memory, a bitter taste in her mouth, there was a time when she did not need to try and remember‒she just did, and the memories would flood in like diseased water.