The psychiatrist and Chase entered the office quietly. Petal sat there, still trembling, her mind spinning after what she had just witnessed. The haunting images were too close to what she had been seeing in her nightmares for so long.
The psychiatrist took a seat across from her, his voice calm but firm. "Petal, I've been observing you closely, and I can't help but notice-what you saw earlier was almost identical to what Chase 've described in your nightmares."
Petal looked at him, her eyes wide, struggling to find words. "It was really me... Why did he do that to me? Who is he?"
The psychiatrist leaned forward slightly. "We'll get those answers, but we need your cooperation. If you agree to continue with the treatment, we can start unlocking these memories, Petal."
Petal turned her head towards Chase, her eyes searching for reassurance. He gave her a slow, steady nod.
" will I remember him?" Petal asked, her voice shaking.
"Yes, you will," the psychiatrist assured her. "That's the goal-to help you remember, but in a way that doesn't overwhelm you like these nightmares have."
"What if..." Petal hesitated, "what if it's all fake? My dad said none of this is real."
The psychiatrist's expression softened, but he kept his tone professional. "We'll uncover that too. Whether it's real or not, your mind holds the truth, and we'll piece it together step by step."
Petal looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "So... what now?"
The psychiatrist continued, "This time, I'd like us to trigger a positive memory with this man. You've only seen him in your nightmares so far, and that's why he terrifies you. But if we explore other parts of your memory, we might find something different-something that could help you truly understand who he is."
Petal's gaze drifted back to Chase. His presence grounded her, even when everything else felt chaotic. He simply gave her another silent nod, his eyes encouraging her to take the leap.
After a moment of silence, she exhaled deeply, her mind still buzzing with doubt and fear, but something in her decided to trust the process. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll give it one more try."
......
Maya and William were talking on the phone, concerned about Petal and the recent murders in their town.
"William, Petal has been asking about you every day. She misses you terribly," Maya said, her voice tinged with worry.
"I know. It's not like I want to stay away from her. I'd never do that, you know that," William sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face.
Maya nodded, but there was a hint of doubt in her voice. "She's starting to feel like you're distancing yourself from her, William. She told me as much."
William leaned forward, his face serious. "I would never intentionally pull away from her. It's just... complicated right now."
"I saw it, William. The news. The latest murder. Is it true? Is it really him?" Maya asked, her concern deepening.
"No... I don't think it's him. It feels like a copycat. The police said everything is eerily similar-the killings, the pattern-but I don't know what kind of sick game this is," William replied, his brow furrowed in thought.
"What do you mean by that? What kind of game?" Maya asked, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"I don't know if it's just in my head or if I'm connecting the wrong dots, but... every time I think about going to see Petal, another murder happens. It's like he-whoever he is-is trying to keep me away from her," William said, hoping whatever he was thinking was just coincidence.
YOU ARE READING
Stepdad's Obsession
Romance"Shh, do you want her to see us doing this" he said and pushed himself deep inside me. he pressed his hand harder on my mouth to stop me from making noise. My body shook with his sudden doing he smirked and came closer I turned my face in fear he w...
