Echo of Shattered Reality

CHAPTER ONE

"Not again..."

Josh muttered to himself, pressing his hands over his face in frustration. The dream, He could still feel the phantom heat, hear the crackling flames. After a moment, he let out a long, slow breath and pulled his hands down, staring blankly at the ceiling. The fan above spun lazily, indifferent to the chaos in his mind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

It was Saturday—he checked the calendar just to be sure. Reaching for his phone, he scrolled through his contacts, found the number, and dialed. His leg bounced nervously as the phone rang, the sound echoing in the quiet apartment.

"Hello?"

came the voice on the other end.

"Uh, hey !! "

he stammered, trying to shake off the residual unease from the nightmare.

There was a pause on the other end, then,

"Did it happened again"

the voice asked

Josh sighed, and with a little pause

"Yup..."

There was a pause on the other end again, then,

"Alright, how about we meet at 11?"

Josh checked the clock on his bedside table—it was 8. "Yeah, 11 sounds good. Thanks."

He hung up, staring at the phone in his hand for a moment before placing it down.

The therapist he is going to meet is Helen. They met 1 year ago during his first session which was recommended by doctor because of his mental condition and to recover from the incident that took place 2 years ago from now on.

And apart from few friends from work, She's the only one He trusts after loosing his parents, friends, Home even whole neighbourhood in which he used to live.

At 11 AM

Knocks on the door

Come in !!

Says Helen

Heyy !! Josh

Looking at the Josh as he enters in the room

Hello, Helen !! How are you?

Asked while greeting

I'm fine as usual and yeah listening to patient again and again and again

With a look of something like doing same work over and over again

Helen is more of like logical and practical in thinking and she is a professional therapist so she knows the boundary between works life and personal life.

As Josh Sits on couch

So....it was again that fire and building and store

Asked Helen

No..not today it was like.. I'm as a kid coming back from the school, feeding the cat, rain and then home and parents and then fire all over the place

She uses old statements with Josh that happened in last session so he can explain the current situation while comparing it with old situation of his dream and hallucination

Okay..

As she process the information

Is there any kind of hallucination again

She asked curiously

Nope not this time again...

Answered Josh

Well well this is the 5th Session when you are not having any hallucination, it means this is working right

Says Helen

Yeah..I think it is

Says josh with a saddened voice facing down the floor

Hey!! is there any other thing happened is...is everything okay Josh

Asked Helen as she notices josh is down

Th..this dream now have started interfering with my childhood memories.. it's ruining my memories that I cherished the most...

Calm down

Said Helen while patting his back

Like that day was the most terrified day of my life when I loosed everything I used to care about, I....I used to love about

Said Josh, while getting more sad

It will be fine okay...just trust me and you know me right I'm here with you whenever you needs me okay!!

Said Helen

Josh Phone Rings suddenly...

Excuse me

Said Josh while picking up the call

Uhh...yeah Josh here...mhm...okay...ok fine I'll be there this Monday okay at 10 fine..Thanks by the way

Said Josh with someone on call and then call gets disconnected from another side

What happened? Who was it

Asked Helen

Remember I told you I have applied for a Job

Said Josh

Uhh..hm. yeah so

Said Helen

I got selected and they called me for interview on Monday in their office

Said Josh with a little bit of excitement

Well that's a great news, good for you

Yeah I know...

I think I should be start preparing for my interview...so..

So what?

Asked Helen

Can we do this next week then..i...I think I'm feeling a little bit relief now so

Well yeah why not...it's good thing by the way

Said Helen

Well I think we'll meet next week then

Said Josh

Yeah...then...umm...bye

Said Helen

As Standing up from seat and moves towards the gate

Byee..then

Said Josh

And best of luck for your interview

Said Helen with a excited tone and with a little smile on face

Thanks

Josh said and leaves the place