Page 34 of Dark Therapy
Sarah nodded slowly, her expression grave. “Yes. I know it’s difficult to accept, but I truly believe the best option in this case is to assign him to another psychologist. He needs someone who can help him without the complications of personal feelings clouding the process. This isn’t just about his healing; it’s about protecting yourself, too.”
My heart sank at the thought of letting him go, but deep down, I knew she was right. “I just don’t want toabandonhim. I can’t shake the feeling that he genuinely needs help.”
“Hedoesneed help,” Sarah replied firmly. “But you have to ask yourself—can you provide that help without losing yourself in the process? You’re already struggling with the impact he has on you. This could jeopardize both your mental health and his progress.”
I let her words wash over me, the truth stinging but undeniably clear. “I’ve been so caught up in trying to save him that I’ve lost sight of what I need.”
“Exactly,” she said, her eyes filled with understanding. “As a psychologist, you must recognize when a situation exceeds your capacity to help. It takes strength to acknowledge that you can’thelp everyone. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and allow someone else to take the lead.”
A sense of calmness began to settle in my chest, battling against the tumult of my emotions. “I know it’s the right thing to do,” I whispered, half in disbelief and half in relief. “But I’m scared of what that will mean for him. I don’t want him to feel abandoned.”
“Feelings of abandonment are hard, but they’re also part of the healing process,” Sarah assured me. “You’re not abandoning him; you’re recognizing your limits. He needs a fresh perspective, someone who can approach him without the emotional ties you both share. It’s a chance for him to start anew, to confront his demons with a clear mind.”
I took a deep breath, my mind racing through the implications of this decision. “I’ll have to talk to him about it.”
As I stood to leave, the path ahead seemed clearer, though still daunting. “Thank you for your time, professor. I really appreciate your guidance.”
“Anytime, Amelia. You’re a strong psychologist, and you’ll make the right choice for both you and Damien. Just remember to take care of yourself along the way.”
I walked out of her office knowing that I was about to make one of the hardest decisions of my career. But deep down, I felt a flicker of hope—that maybe, justmaybe, this was the first step toward reclaiming my own sense of peace amidst the chaos.
As I drove through the familiar streets of the city, the weight of my conversation with Sarah settled heavily in my mind. I was still grappling with the decision to distance myself from Damien when my phone buzzed in the cup holder. Glancing down, I saw it was David calling. I answered, hoping for a distraction from my turbulent thoughts.
“Hey, Amelia. I’ve got some news,” he said, his voice laced with urgency.
“What is it?” I asked, feeling a tightening in my chest.
“Ben was reported missing by his family eight days ago. His wife and kids are really worried about him.”
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine at the mention of Ben’s name. The thought of that monster having a family turned my stomach. I scoffed internally, struggling to reconcile the image of a loving husband and father with the manIknew—the man who had terrorized me and others like me.
“Have they found any leads?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
David hesitated for a moment. “They tracked the delivery company that delivered the box, but they said the sender didn’t reveal his identity. No one has any idea who sent it or where it came from.”
“That’s unsettling,” I murmured, gripping the wheel tighter. My mind spun with thoughts of Ben’s disappearance, the faceless sender, and the mystery that seemed to be spiraling out of control. “Do you think it could be connected to the people he was involved with?”
“Possibly,” David replied. “It’s hard to tell without more information, but given his background… it’s likely.”
A shiver ran down my spine. The idea of Ben’s dangerous associations resurfacing in such a cryptic way was enough to unsettle anyone, but for me, it was something darker—somethingpersonal.
“Just… keep me posted, okay?” I asked, trying to mask the worry in my voice.
“Will do,” David assured me. “But don’t let this get to you. I know it brings up old memories, but I don’t want you getting drawn into anything dangerous again. Focus on yourself, alright?”
“Yeah, I will,” I said softly, though I wasn’t sure I believed my own words.
“Good,” he replied, his voice softening with concern. “Just take care of yourself, Amelia. And remember, I’m only a call away.”
With that, he hung up, leaving me with nothing but the hum of the engine and the weight of his words. I stared out the windshield, feeling the edges of my world closing in.
Ben’s family, worried about him? The thought of his family, his wife, and kids, longing for his return made my stomach twist. The man who had caused so much pain in others’ lives now had peoplesearchingfor him? hoping he wassafe? The irony wasbitter.
After a long drive home, I stepped through the door, the familiar silence wrapping around me. I slipped off my shoes, swapped my clothes for something more comfortable, and settled on the couch, still haunted by the day’s conversations and that lingering sense of unease.
Picking up my laptop, I decided to rewatch last night’s camera footage. I fast-forwarded through the hours, watching as the night crept on.
I saw myself tucked in bed, peacefully asleep, my breathing slow and undisturbed. The video played on without a single odd moment or shift in the scene. I hadn’t stirred or left my bed; there were no shadows moving in the dark, no signs of anything unusual.