Healing Hearts by Donna K. Ford

Author:Donna K. Ford
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781602828773
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2013-05-14T03:00:00+00:00

*

Elaine looked around the room, seeing it through a haze as if her vision was out of focus. She felt strangely disconnected. She heard Dr. Cook’s voice coaxing her in the distance. “What do you see, Elaine?”

“I see my office,” Elaine answered, her voice sounding flat to her own ears. “I see myself sitting at my desk reading a file.” Elaine studied herself in the vision, finding it odd to look upon herself.

“Do you see anyone else in the room?”

It was as if Elaine could see the entire room without shifting her gaze. It reminded her of watching suspect interviews through the two-way mirror. The room was quiet, the only sound the rustling of paper as she saw herself leaf through a file. “No. No one else is here.”

“What file do you see on the desk?”

“I have several closed files that are facedown. That means I’m done with them and they’re ready to file. I’m looking at photographs of Missy Carlton. I’m reading the case file on Eric Flask.” A cold chill ran down her spine and she shivered.

“Very good, Elaine. Now, I want you to think of your safe place. Do you remember what we talked about to keep you safe?”

Elaine thought of a garden, and the smell of roses wafted across her senses. “Yes. I remember.” She kept her voice calm and steady.

“Good. When you feel calm, I want you to move forward to about twelve o’clock the same day. You’re still just an observer in the room. Nothing can harm you.”

Elaine sighed and took a deep breath.

“What’s happening now?” Dr. Cook asked.

Elaine was silent for a moment. She could see the clock on the wall. She could hear the faint tick as the second hand moved across the clock face. There was the sound of a bell outside the door. “I hear the elevator outside ding. I look at the clock and realize that Sandy, the receptionist, is probably going to lunch.”

“Very good. Keep going, Elaine. What happens next?” Dr. Cook’s voice sounded gentle and Elaine wanted to answer her.

“I hear a knock at my door. I look at the clock again. It’s too early for my next appointment. I get up and walk to the door.” Elaine saw herself reach for the door. Her hand was on the knob. She could feel the cool metal in her hand. She froze when she heard Dr. Cook’s voice in the distance.

“I want you to stop there, Elaine. I don’t want you to open the door yet. I want you to think about feeling safe. I want you to think about the safe word we agreed on.” A few moments passed. “How do you feel now?”

“Safe,” Elaine repeated. She didn’t feel anything at that moment. Time itself had frozen.

“Good. Now, remember, you’re only an observer. You’re watching yourself from far away. No one can hurt you here. Now I want you to open the door and tell me what you see.”

Elaine felt her hand tighten around the round, smooth surface of the doorknob.

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