Hypnotized

‘We want you to remain as calm and relaxed as possible through your descent into hypnosis. That means avoiding any words that elicit a negative or ambivalent response from you. And since you can’t tell me about any phobias or painful memory associations from the past, a word play exercise is the easiest way to excavate undesirable triggers. Bear in mind that some of the words I am going to throw at you have nothing to do with the process, but are in the mix to keep your mind free-wheeling.’

Her eyes shimmered. ‘All right.’

‘Once we have established your parameters I will take you next door and we’ll start your hypnosis.’

She turned her head nervously toward the door I had indicated.

As I did with all my clients I immediately put her at ease. ‘It’s a soundproof room. All our sessions will be recorded to protect you from impropriety and me from any accusations of impropriety. Ready to start?’ I asked, picking up my pen.

She took a deep breath. ‘Yes, I think so.’

I turned a new page in my notebook. ‘Sky,’ I threw at her.

‘Stormy,’ she countered.

‘Run.’

‘Away,’ she responded immediately.

I scribbled her answer. ‘Painting.’

‘Doorway,’ she replied.

Odd answer. ‘Doorway.’ I said, looking up at her.

‘Looking glass,’ she tossed back.

Very interesting. ‘Looking glass,’ I called out.

‘Danger,’ she said without missing a beat.

I resisted the slight sensation of uneasiness. Her associations seemed disjointed and haphazard. I had no experience of such answers. She was not the normal patient I saw on a daily basis. Something was very wrong. And it was quite clear that I should go no further, but my professional curiosity was greater than any sense of prudence.

‘Water,’ I pitched.

‘Clean,’ she lobbed back.

That was her first positive association. I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Earth.’

‘Sin,’ she heaved back.

Wow! Earth and sin! Where did that come from? ‘Dog,’ I said.

‘Growling.’ Her voice was becoming progressively softer and more confused. As if her own instinctive answers were surprising to her.

‘Staircase,’ I ventured, my pen hovering over the pad.

‘Falling,’ she muttered.

I kept my face neutral, but I knew I’d have to be very careful whom I recommended her to. She needed help.

‘Money,’ I said softly.

‘Death,’ she whispered.

My hand stilled on the notebook. I looked up. Her answer had spooked her too. Her lower lip trembled and I felt a stab of pity for her. You’re not normal, Lady Olivia. And yet I am drawn to you the way I have never been to another. I knew there was no point going any further, but I didn’t want to leave it on such a negative note. I needed to break up the heavy atmosphere that had crept up around us like a dark cloud.

‘Silk,’ I said.