Page 15 of Master B-1901
“I’ll keep trying. Maybe if…” Her head quickly shook. “Never mind, I’ve tried that.”
“Tried what?”
“Everything.Everything, Elec.”
“Then we try again.”
“I’ll have to start over. I have a method I’ve been using. It seems to be working a little.”
The Main Master’s head shook as he stood. “Not good enough. We have to think outside of the box. You’re worried about what will happen if he negatively reacts to the treatment. I get it. But if we worry over the episodes, we’ll never free him of them. He’s come far, but we need more. Maybe…we reverse the usual. I want to try something. Instead of him taking the lead and us trying to cover or force the new information,the truth, let’s get the upper hand first. I want to weave his worlds.”
“Weave?That could be dangerous.”
“It might be…We don’t have a choice. You were ready to throw in the towel anyway. May I?”
The woman looked skeptical. Angry again, even, but she ultimately nodded as her arms crossed over her chest.
“Brad, it’s time to wake up.”
A deep inhale sounded from Braddock. His head bobbed, but he lifted it, opening his eyes for the Main Master.
“Very good. I want to tell you a story, and I want you toimagineeverything I say. See it in your mind. Let it soak in.Imagine. Do you understand?”
“A…story….Yes…Main Master.”
“Perfect. Now, close your eyes. The darkness around you is your friend.Imagineit as a blanket, hugging you. Comforting you. You can feel it, soft and even slightly fuzzy under your fingertips. Can you see it?”
“Yes, Main Master.”
“What color is your blanket?”
A few seconds went by before Braddock answered.
“It’s blue.”
“Blue is a nice color.Imaginethe sky. You’re lying in the grass, and you’re looking up at the blue. You’re outside of a house, but I don’t want you to focus on that right now. Let your blanket calm you. Keep looking into the sky. Tell me what you see. Are there clouds?”
“…Yes.”
“What else?”
“…Tree limbs. Leaves. Pears.”
The Main Master smiled.
“Pears. I knew you were still here. I know exactly where you are. I went there to visit you. You’re at your grandfather’s plantation in Virginia:Pierce Hall. You spent your youth there.”
“I was…nine.”
The Mistress’s head jerked to the Main Master and her eyes went wide as he smiled.
“Very good, Brad. We were young, and we had so much fun running through the gardens.”
“…I…”
“Don’timaginethat yet. Only focus on what you see. Do you see those pears? I want you to stand and pick one for me. Can you do that?”
My Master’s leg bumped into mine as the moment dragged on.