Anything That Can Go Wrong

Hypnotised

Melissa was confident that she was a strong, independent female. She was sure that unless she wanted to do something, she wouldn't do anything she didn't want to. 

She defended Milo much like this. She didn't take flack from anyone. And the poor fool who thought otherwise was a very much so mistaken man.

So, when the man at the mall boasted that he could hypnotize anyone Melissa was more than ready to meet his challenge, just to prove him wrong.

Milo looked nervous as he watches Melissa's eyes narrow. Zach looked pretty nervous too.

"Lissa, are you sure? This guy seems pretty good. You don't want to be doing something you'd never do otherwise." Milo protested, toying with the straps of his backpack.

"It's fine, Milo. I'll be fine." Melissa replied, heading for the stage.

"She'll be okay, right, Zach?" Milo asked, "Murphy's Law and all?"

"She'll be fine, Milo, she's tough." Zach replied, setting a comforting hand on the younger's shoulder.

MML~MML~MML

Melissa stepped up on stage and set a hand on her cocked hip. "Give me a shot, oh powerful hypnotist." She said with a teasing smile, letting this man know she was only playing.

"Alright. Watch the clock." The man instructed, swinging the gold object slowly.

Melissa's blue eyes followed it, her head didn't move.

"Now, you're getting very sleepy. It's getting late, and your getting very tired." The man said.

Nope. Wide awake, its only 4: 15. Nice try, buddy. Melissa thought, continuing to watch the clock.

As sure as she was that this man couldn't hypnotize her, she thought as her eyes kept watching the watch, she was glad it was just Milo and Zach there. It could get embarrassing.

"You're getting very sleepy. It's very late, the sun has gone down, and the stars are rising in the sky." The man continued. "Sleepy. Very sleepy."

Melissa found herself stifling a yawn while her eyelid drooped. Huh. Maybe this guy can hypnotize anyone. Melissa thought, before the man cried, "Sleep!" and she fell into comforting inky black.

MML~MML~MML

Milo nearly ran onto the stage when Melissa slumped over with a soft groan, the only thing that stopped him was Zach's hand on his shoulder.

"Melissa? Can you hear me?" The hypnotist asked.

Melissa's lips moved slowly, her words drawn out. "Yes."

"Will you open your eyes and straighten up, please? We don't want you hurting your back." The man asked and Melissa obeyed.

It was odd to Milo, to see stubborn, smart, headstrong Melissa following orders like a dog. Zach found himself enjoying it. As odd as it was, it was also thrilling.

"Melissa, who is your best friend?" The man asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Milo Murphy."

"And why is that?"

"He's an extraordinary person. Danger doesn't just follow him around, he practically thrives in it, and I love and respect that about him. He's a kind person, a gentle soul, and I couldn't imagine my life without Milo Danger Murphy in it." Melissa's lips curled upwards in a fond smile.

"Tell us something no one else knows, Melissa." The man prompted.

"I have a huge crush. It's a personal secret." Melissa replied promptly.

"Who is it?"

"Promise not to tell?"

"Promise." The man replied, making an X over his heart with his fingers.

"It's Bradley Nicholson."

"Okay, snap her out of it." Zach snapped, glaring at the man for what he'd done.

The hypnotist quickly did as told and Melissa was blinking within a few minutes.

"What happened?" She asked, looking around.

Zach and Milo simultaneously agreed to stay silent about what Melissa had said.

Milo linked a pale arm through Melissa's. "Nothing big. Just some basic stuff. Name, can you hear me, best friend?" he replied, leading Melissa away as Zach gave the man ten dollars.

Both of them agreed to never see a hypnotist again.