“Thanks for seeing me, Doctor…?”
“Erickson.”
God, I hate that name. Don’t ask me why, I just do.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t think I can be hypnotised, but I’m having issues with my teen boy, and a friend recommended you. You see, I can’t remember much of my early teens.”
“Come in, we’ll see what we can do…now close your eyes and follow my instructions…what can you see?”
“I’m at our new house. My parents are crying because my older brother Denny has run away. I’m curled up in my closet crying.”
“Go back, what can you see?”
“The neighbourhood bully standing over me. Denny comes running and saves me.”
“Go back, what can you see?”
“Denny smiling, he’s back home and wearing an ankle tag. My parents are happy. I’m hugging Denny tight, I’m happy too.”
“Go back, what can you see?”
“I’m in our old house, curled up in bed. It’s dark. There are police lights. I look out of the window and they’re taking Denny away in handcuffs. Mum and dad are crying.”
“Go back, what can you see?”
“I’m in the shower. There’s blood everywhere.”
“Go back, what can you see?”
“I’m standing over Eric, he used to bully me. I’m kicking him and he’s not moving, blood is pouring from his cracked skull. I’m wearing Denny’s t-shirt, there’s blood all over it.”
“When I click my fingers you will forget our session.”
Click.
“You are right, I don’t think that you can be hypnotised.”