Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) by Nellie Steele (read aloud .txt) 📗

new way to approach patient care. Since Josie is having such a tough time, we consider it best to try anything.”

“I was surprised he didn’t give her any medication to help with the sleeping…” Michael began before Josie cut him off.

“Michael,” she said, almost under her breath, giving her head a slight shake to signal that he should stop.

“Well, let’s hope that this session can eliminate the need for prescription medication,” Amelia said. “Josie, is there a room where we can proceed uninterrupted?”

“Oh, don’t mind us, you won’t even realize we’re here,” Michael said, motioning for the doctor to head further into the living room.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but it is important that we work in a distraction free environment where Josie is completely comfortable. That’s hard to generate with an audience. It’s best that we work privately. Could you lead the way, Josie?”

“Yes,” Josie responded, “we can use my bedroom.”

“Want me to come with?” Damien asked.

“No, no, I’ll be fine, thanks.”

“Not to be a pain, doctor, but, the last time, Josie exhibited some, uh, unusual behavior. It might be helpful for someone else to be present to tell Josie what happened when she comes out of it,” Damien explained.

“I record all my sessions. I can make a copy for Josie if she’d like to go over what happened in her session.” Turning to Josie, she said, “If you’d lead the way.”

Josie led her up to her bedroom, leaving behind two unhappy men below. Once inside, Josie locked the door behind them. Moving further inside the room, she motioned to two chairs in the room positioned by the far wall. “Thanks for the cover, I assume Grayson told you I haven’t told anyone who you really are?”

“Yes, he did. I’m glad you decided to see me, I think I can help.”

“How, exactly?” Josie asked. “And can you tell me anything about what is happening?”

“I’d like to hypnotize you again, allow your mind to focus on capturing those memories that are coming in pieces to you until you have them all back.”

“But that’s the thing. They aren’t memories.”

Amelia held up a hand to stop Josie. “I realize that they aren’t YOUR memories, but I think Grayson may have told you he thinks they are childhood memories from Celine’s childhood.”

“Yes, he said that. I have no clue who Celine is though or how I would have her memories,” Josie said.

“I realize this may not make sense, but you have these memories in your head because you lived through them at some point. Once you have all your memories back, not just bits and pieces, this will be far easier for you to comprehend.”

“Why do you both keep holding information back from me? How could I be two people? I’m beginning to believe it’s because you have no explanation.”

“There is an explanation, one that you will understand once you have all your memories. If I told you now, it wouldn’t help you, you wouldn’t believe me.”

Josie stared ahead, trying to make sense of the response. “Okay,” she said after a moment, “so, you’ll hypnotize me? And try to 'unlock’ these memories?”

“Yes, shall we begin?”

“How can I trust you are not planting these 'memories’ in my head?”

“You have been experiencing these symptoms long before I hypnotized you, so the source is not me.”

“Good point,” Josie admitted. “So I guess we can get started.”

Amelia set a tape recorder on the small table between the two chairs and started recording the session. “Okay, Josie,” Amelia began, removing a bright gold medallion hanging from a gold chain from her pocket. “I want you to get comfortable and concentrate on this medallion. I want you to focus on this and the sound of my voice.” Josie focused on staring at the medallion, concentrating on how it caught the light as the doctor twirled the chain between her fingers.

“Josie, you are starting to relax. I’m going to count backward from ten and when I reach one, you will be completely relaxed and will be in a calm, peaceful trance.” Amelia began counting backward as Josie’s eyelids began to grow heavy and close. When she reached one, Josie was completely relaxed.

“Josie? Are you calm and relaxed?”

“Yes,” Josie responded.

“Okay, now I want you to let your mind be open. I don’t want to talk to Josie right now. I want to talk to Celine. Is Celine there?”

Josie’s forehead pinched together as if in deep thought but she didn’t respond.

“Celine? Are you there?” Amelia said again.

Josie’s breath became faster and more ragged, her forehead pinching together tighter.

“Relax, you are safe. There’s no reason to be upset. I would like to speak with Celine. Celine, are you there?” Amelia asked again.

After a moment, Josie responded. “Oui, je suis là.”

Amelia directed, “Celine, speak English.”

“Sorry,” Josie responded, “Yes, I am here.”

“Hello, Celine,” Amelia said. “It’s good to hear you are still here. You’ve been trying to appear for some time now, haven’t you?”

“Yes. Yes, I have always been here. It’s almost time but I cannot return.”

“Celine, you must. We need you.”

“No, I cannot. Josie must remain.”

“We must let Josie decide that for herself. You must give her all the information she needs to do that.”

“No, I must protect her, it is our only chance.”

“Celine, you must allow her to make her choice with all the information. You must allow her to access everything, all of your knowledge, all of your collective memories.”

There was no response.

“Celine? Please, you must. Grayson, Alexander, everyone, we need you. Josie needs you. She is being tormented by your memories, you must give her access to everything. You must integrate with her.”

“I will let her see more, but I must protect her. She is fragile.”

“Celine, we don’t have much time.” There was no response. “Celine?” Amelia paused. “Celine?”

There was no response. She was gone. “Okay, Josie, I’m going to bring you out of the trance now. I will count backwards from ten and when I reach one, you will awaken, refreshed and rested.”

The doctor counted backwards and when she reached one,