The Guardians of Light

The Shrink

' I'm going to put you in a hypnotic state. '

' Would I be sleeping? '

' We can't exactly call it as sleep. It's more of a deeply relaxed state. Your muscles will become limp, your breathing rate will slow, and you may become drowsy. '

' If it involves being drowsy, then I don't want it. '

' Why? What is wrong with it? '

' I fear that if I get drowsy, I may find myself in Orpheus again. '

' You have nothing to worry about. I'll take care of it. '

' Seriously? You don't even believe me when I talk about another world. I  highly doubt that you can take care of it. '

Saying so, I got up from the bed on which I was lying.

Surprisingly she didn't force me to undergo hypnosis.

' Fine then. Let us resume our conversation, shall we? '

' By all means, go on. '

' Why is it that you do not want to go to the place that you have mentioned? '

' I witnessed a murder. '

' Jesus. How did it happen? '

' A guy killed a man with a shotgun to his head. It was horrible. He is the reason I didn't sleep yesterday. '

' So you are terrified of the guy. '

' You can say that. '

' You have mentioned about some characters in the earlier conversation. Do you know their names? '

' Yeah. Evelyn and Bob. '

' Do you like them? '

' I liked Eve from the beginning, but Bob scared me at first. Later on, he also felt like a sweet guy. '

During our conversation, Emma kept glancing at her paperwork, scribbling this or that, then glanced up at me with a question or comment. I wondered if all this is deliberate to test my reaction. I liked her and her manner. She must have some sort of calling to be here with the patients. 

' Tell me about your relationship with your mother. '

' It is complicated. '

' How so? '

I took a long pause before I answered it.

' We've been very distant. We only communicate during times of absolute necessity. '

' Like what? '

' She tells me to eat. She tells me to come home early. She informs me if there were any incoming guests. That sort of things. '

' It looks like you never start a conversation with her. '

' Yes. It is correct. '

' Why is that? Didn't she take care of you properly? ' 

' Don't go into that subject, Emma.I don't really want to discuss about that. Let's stick to this dream thing, shall we? '

' Alright then, we change the topic. Do you have friends? '

' Yea..hh. '  I stammered.

' So you hang out with them frequently, attend parties, go to pubs, huh? '

' I don't really do all of that, you know. I like spending time being alone. '

' So you stay in the house all the time apart from school. '

' No, I have a spot in the woods near the school. I go there. '

' Oh, so you sneak in with your girlfriend there, huh. '

' You are kidding, right? I don't have any girlfriend. And to avoid any further embarrassing questions, I am straight. '

' I appreciate your honesty. '

' Thank you, I guess. '

' So, how many friends do you have? '

' I guess one. '

' How long have you been friends with them? '

' 3 days and if we count today, it makes four. '

' So you don't have any friends. '

' Yes. But Mia had become a good friend of mine. I know 3 days is a very short time but trust me, she is my friend. '

' It is pretty clear that you didn't have many friends growing up. Why did you consider her as your friend? '

' I ignored her just like how I ignore everyone else in the beginning. But she connected with me at a deeper level. She made me feel what I am missing out. The reason that I am even talking to you like a sane person is because of her. '

' So, according to what you say, were you insane before you met her? '

' I wasn't insane. I was just mad at everyone. I didn't care about anyone. I didn't have feelings. I am not a sociopath if that's what you were imagining. If you had seen me back then, you'd definitely think there's something wrong with me. '

' She sure sounds like a special girl. Did you meet her before or after the dreams? '

' I guess, after. '

' Now tell me. What do you think about the world you are living in? '

' About the world? In what way? '

' I mean, do you like it or hate it. '

' To be frank, I didn't give a damn about this world. I fantasied most of the time. I guess I treat it as neutral, you know. No pain, no gain. '

' Do you want me to stop the session for today, or can we continue? '

' It's ok. I have nothing better to do. '

' Alright. What else did the characters in your dream say? '

' Let's see. They said that once we go to that place, we will lose contact with the Earth. '

' But you came back, right? '

' Yeah. They were surprised about it too. They couldn't explain to me the reason why it was possible for me because it never happened to them before. '

' When they said you 'll lose contact with the earth, did you feel sad? '

' Yeah, a bit, I think. '

' Why? '

' Despite my complicated relationship with my parents, deep down, I am connected to them. Also, I thought of Mia. She meant a lot to me after we properly talked for the first time. I will not forget that day. It was the first time I had been that happy in years, and all the credit goes to her. So the thought of losing all of them forever panicked me. '

' Do you think you are developing a crush on Mia? '

' Haha. It took me these many years to make a single friend. I don't think that I'll develop a crush on anyone anytime soon. Mia's smart, no doubt beautiful, knows how to deal with people. If I was a normal person, I might be attracted to her. '

' I liked our session very much, Ryan. I appreciate you for being forthcoming about everything. Why don't you go outside and call your mother? '

' So that's it for today? '

' I'm afraid so. I just got a text from my husband saying he wants to catch a movie. Who'd have thought I would be going to a movie today. '

' And who'd have thought, I would start my day by talking with the shrink, huh.. Sorry, no offense. ' 

' None taken. '

I left the room and informed my mother that Emma wanted to speak with her.

As soon as my mother got in, I stood at the door, trying to hear the discussion between them.

While I was pushing my ear hard towards the door, Mia arrived.

' What are you doing, psycho? Trying to hurt yourself or what? '

' What are you doing here? Didn't you have school today? '

' Well, I skipped it because I had a friend who is mentally unstable right now. He needs my presence. '

' Oh! So, you consider me as your friend? '

' Well, of course, dumb a*s. Why else would I try to change you and all? '

' I thought because of what happened with your cousin. You pitied me and helped me. '

' My cousin is definitely a reason, but I didn't feel pity. I don't know why I did what I did. Will you rest it, please? '

' Sure. Let's grab a cup of coffee, shall we? There's a cafeteria here. '

' Why not. '

 [ In the office ]

Jenna: What is wrong with my son?

Emma: It seems like a small problem. Don't worry about it.

Jenna: Then why is he saying all that stuff?

Emma: It looks like he's having difficulty choosing between reality and fantasy. The root of this problem may directly be related to you. I need more sessions with him to understand what exactly is going on before I jump to conclusions.

Jenna: Please make sure he becomes normal again.

Emma: I will try my best.

Jenna: Here's your 350$.

Emma: No, keep it. I am going to have another session with him in an hour. I'll take it then.

                                                                              -----*-----

I and Mia, sat in the cafeteria and talked. I told her everything about my dream, and she burst out laughing.

' It's not funny, Mia. '

' It looks like I have to work on you more than I thought for. Will you please take me to your world? '

' First of all, it's not my world. And if you had seen what I have seen. You'd go crazy in a matter of seconds. '

' Okay, okay. If you keep having these dreams, let me know. I am here for you, and please don't mention anything about this at school. They'll bully you more than they usually do. '

' Come on. Who else would I talk to? '

' When I am all done with you. You'd be a fully functioning human, and people would fight among themselves over who'd be your best friend. '

' I'm afraid it is not possible in this lifetime. '

' Cheer up psycho. Show some enthusiasm. Your pessimism surrounded you like an aura. I'll penetrate it, incinerate it and reform it with optimism. '

' When you use words like that, my admiration towards you is increasing exponentially. '

An hour passed by. My mother came to the cafeteria and told me that I had to attend an another session.

' Here I go again. '