Dr. Lee's office was dimly lit, the soft hum of the lamp on her desk providing a sense of calm.
I sat across from her, fidgeting with my hands as I tried to recall the events of that day. "I remember walking, Roxy," I began, "and then... nothing."
Dr. Lee's expression remained neutral, her pen poised over her notepad. "What's the next thing you remember?" she asked, her voice gentle.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to recall anything, but my mind was a blank slate. Dr. Lee nodded encouragingly, her eyes locked onto mine.
"Take your time," she said softly. "We'll work through this together."
I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to recapture my memory into existence. Anything.
But there was nothing. Just a void where my memories should be. Dr. Lee's voice brought me back to the present.
"Can you tell me what happened before you walked Roxy?" she asked.
I hesitated, thinking back.
I remembered getting ready for the walk, putting on my shoes, and grabbing Roxy's leash. But after that... nothing.
"Wait, I remember I got a private caller calling me on my walk, Dr. Lee. He said...he said, "We need to talk."
I pull out my phone, scrolling through my recent calls, expecting to see the private number listed. But there's no evidence of the call anywhere.
No record, no nothing. It's as if it didn't happen at all. I look up at Dr. Lee, confusion etched on my face.
Dr. Lee's expression remains neutral, but I notice a hint of curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"It's strange," she says, "that there's no record of the call. Are you sure you didn't imagine it?"
Her words strike a chord within me, making me wonder if my own sanity is starting to unravel. I shake off the doubt, focusing on what I know happened.
"I'm positive," I insist, my voice firm.
Then Dr. Lee leans forward slightly, her elbows resting on the armrests of her chair, and asks, "Tell me more about the voice. Was it masculine or feminine?"
I close my eyes, reliving the conversation in my head. "It was low and menacing," I recall, shivering slightly despite the calm atmosphere of Dr. Lee's office.
"He didn't say much, but what he did say sent shivers down my spine." Dr. Lee leans forward further, concern creeping onto her features, "What exactly did he say?" Her voice takes on an edge I hadn't heard before, one that hints at genuine worry.
My heart starts racing as I recall the words spoken in a tone that still sends chills down my spine.
"He said 'you're not safe'," I whisper, the words barely audible.
Dr. Lee's expression turns grave, her eyes locked intensely on mine.
"Did he specify who or what you weren't safe from?" she presses, her pen hovering over her notebook.
I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal, but something about Dr. Lee's concerned expression puts me at ease.
"No, he didn't specify," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But he did ask me if I remembered what happened that day, and then...then the line went dead."
Dr. Lee's brow furrows, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scribbles some notes on her pad.
Dr. Lee leans back, her expression serious. "I think it's important to manage these feelings," she says, pulling out a prescription pad.
"I'm going to prescribe you some medication to help with the psychosis. We'll double the dosage for now; it's just part of your PTSD from the force."
I feel a mix of relief and anxiety wash over me. The meds might help, but what does that mean for me?
She hands me a piece of paper with the prescription on it, her voice firm but gentle.
"Make sure to take these as directed, and if you notice any changes or side effects, don't hesitate to reach out to me." I nod, taking the paper from her, feeling a sense of unease settle in my stomach.
As I fold the prescription paper and tuck it into my pocket, Dr. Lee's words echo in my mind - "just part of your PTSD from the force."
But what if it's more than that? What if I'm not just haunted by memories but by something else entirely?
I glance at Dr. Lee, wondering if she truly understands the depths of my psyche.
Does she really think a simple pill can fix everything? Her calm demeanour suggests she believes so, but I'm not convinced.
Dr. Lee glances at the clock on her wall, signalling our session almost over. "Let's wrap things up for today," she says, jotting down a few final notes.
"Remember, take your medication as prescribed, and we'll touch base next week." I nod, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
The session may be over, but the uncertainty lingers.
I stand up, smoothing out my clothes, and Dr. Lee follows suit. "Same time next week?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
She nods and smiles reassuringly. "Yes, same time next week. Don't forget to take your medication." I nod, feeling a sense of obligation wash over me.
Our session is officially over.
~
Shopping was a welcome distraction from the session with Dr. Lee. I wandered aimlessly through the aisles, picking up random items and examining them without much interest.
My mind kept drifting back to our conversation, replaying snippets of our discussion about the mysterious phone call and my PTSD.
After what felt like hours of browsing, I finally made my way to the checkout counter, feeling a bit more centred.
As I loaded my purchases into the car, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.
I glanced around, noticing nothing out of the ordinary, but the sensation lingered. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I caught sight of a car following me - the same one I saw yesterday.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I tried to lose the car in traffic, but it stayed right behind me.
I sped up, weaving in and out of lanes, hoping to shake my tail. The car kept pace, its driver expertly navigating the twists and turns.
I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as I realized I couldn't shake this guy off my tail.
I decided to head home, hoping the familiarity of my neighbourhood would give me some advantage.
It wasn't until I pulled into my driveway and saw Roxy waiting for me on the porch that I realized I'd been having another episode.
The car behind me was probably just some ordinary driver, not a stalker or threat. I took a deep breath, feeling foolish for jumping to conclusions again.
Maybe it was time to take Dr. Lee's advice and focus on managing my PTSD.
His P.O.V
I drove past her driveway, keeping a steady speed as I passed by the entrance to her property.
She didn't notice me at first, but then her eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror, locking onto mine for a split second before she quickly looked away.
I smiled to myself, enjoying the thrill of the chase. She seemed spooked, glancing nervously in her mirrors as she pulled into her driveway.
But then something unexpected happened - she didn't freak out.
Instead of panicking, she calmly stepped out of her car and walked towards her front door, Rox trotting alongside her.
Her composure was almost...intriguing. It wasn't what I expected from someone who'd been driving erratically just moments before.
She seemed to have shut off the fear and replaced it with a calm determination. I found myself wanting to see more of this side of her, to test her limits and push her boundaries.
My gaze lingered on her, drinking in the sight of her serene expression. But beneath the surface, I sensed a different story unfolding.
A story of secrets and desires, of fear and fascination. I imagined her hands shaking as she fumbled for her keys, her heart racing in anticipation of what lay ahead.
And then, with a swift motion, she stepped inside, closing the door behind her like a shield against the darkness that lurked outside.