by Devin Morgan
“Fine.” She rose to move across the room. Sitting in the straight back chair resting near the leather recliner, she gestured toward him. “You’ll need to move over here.”
Carlos sat down. He leaned back in the recliner, closing his eyes. “It felt good when you put me out last time. I felt real calm and I like that.”
“Good” she crossed her legs. “Now, begin to focus on your breath.”
#
“Fully relaxed, you begin to move down the stairs and with each step, you become even more relaxed. More at peace. More calm. As you step off the last step, there is a door in front of you. It’s a huge wooden door that has large brass hinges and an ancient latch. This door will lead us back through time to a different place; a place where you were a different person with a different life. In a moment when you are ready, you will step through that door and it will be revealed to you.”
Sarah stared at the face of the handsome young man watching for the physical signs of his hypnotic state. He appeared to be deeply responsive to all her suggestions.
“If you are ready to move forward, nod your head yes for me.” Very slowly his head moved up and down. “In your imagination, you step to the door. You open it. It is very heavy and swings open slowly. On the other side is a forest. It is a wild forest. Tall trees with enormous thick trunks and dense, dark green leaves shield the vine covered ground from the sun. Brambles and bushes surround you. A thick, gray mist hovers over the soft earth making the air cool and moist.”
A strange smile played with the corners of his lips as she continued. “In the distance you see a path through the trees and you walk to it, beginning to follow it. The light grows dimmer yet you feel very safe and secure. The deeper you move into the forest, the more relaxed and calm you feel, the deeper your hypnotic sleep.
“There are sounds in the forest and they are calming and peaceful. You move forward hearing the muffled shuffle of your own feet on the path. And the deeper you travel into the forest, the deeper the sleep.”
Leaning forward, she watched the movement of his eyes behind his eyelids in order to gauge the depth of his trance. She couldn’t help noticing the shadows of his eyelashes on his cheeks, the faint circles beneath his eyes.
“As you travel forward you see the forest thinning and in the distance, a faint light, then a clearing. As you near the clearing, you see a structure. Can you see it? If you can, nod your head for me.”
Again, the faint movement of his head as he answered her request.
“Can you tell me what you see?”
He was silent for a moment as if he were remembering how to speak. “Yes, I see a castle.” His voice was the same yet different. Deeper. More resonant. His accent had changed. There was a distinctly British ring to his words. “It is Hever Castle.”
“Where are you?”
“I am in England.”
“What is the year?”
“It is 1529.”
Her eyes opened wider in wonder. “And what are you doing in England?”
“I have been summoned to Kent by Anne Boleyn, the mistress of King Henry VIII.”
Tudor England. How strange that this young man from the city would see Tudor England.
“Why has she summoned you?”
“I know not. I have yet to speak with her.”
“Are you walking?”
“No, I am seated on my horse.”
“Who are you?”
“I am one of the King’s knights. A warrior. A hero. One of the undead.”
Sarah hesitated, bewildered. “Undead? Tell me more.”
“I shall speak no more this day.”
“Who are you?” The room was silent except for his slow, gentle breathing. “What is your name?”
“I’m Carlos Havarro.” His words were slow, his speech stilted.
“Tell me more of your time in England?”
“I’ve never been to England.” His Spanish accent returned.
It was obvious to her he was back to present day. She glanced at her watch, realizing the regression had been short yet quite clearly successful. After a thoughtful moment, she decided to bring him out of hypnosis to continue talk therapy.
“I will count from zero to five. When I reach the number five you will open your eyes, wide awake and feeling fine. One, coming up, feeling your breath move in and out of your body. Two, being more aware of the recliner beneath you. Three, experiencing the movement of the air currents in the room. Four, completely focused inside your body. Five. Eyes open, wide awake.”
Slowly his eyes opened as he turned his head to look at her. There was a strange, puzzled look on his face as he sat up in the chair. Then he grinned.
#
It was past eight o’clock when Sarah glanced at her watch. After taking a sip of the cold Earl Grey tea sitting on her desk, she completed her notes in everyone else’s file before she opened his. He intrigued her as much as he made her nervous. His incredible masculine beauty. His childhood. His emotional battles. His past life regression. What had he meant by undead? She heard the term in old vampire movies and she knew that present day movies about them were all the rage. The media was bombarded with films, television programs and one book series after another. Had he really been under or was he just playing with her?
“No, he had all the signs of a deep hypnotic state,” she spoke quietly to herself. “What in the world is his subconscious telling me?”
Reading over her notes from their talk therapy session a third time, she was still unable to make a logical connection that would link him with England.
His parents were both born in Mexico and even though his paternal grandparents were incredibly wealthy, it was in no way similar to a royal court. Besides, his mother was of peasant stock and they left Mexico long before Carlo’s birth so he wasn’t exposed to the affluence of the family. She was lured forward by the mystery of his regression.
She closed the file, shutting down for the day. As she turned out the light and locked the door she was glad it was Friday. At the same time, she wished she didn’t have to wait another week to see him. His past police record made her uneasy working with him yet she didn’t really feel he was physically dangerous and the story he was telling was more than unique. She couldn’t forget the odd look he had given her when she brought him back to real time. Bewildered and strangely compelling.
#
Shutting off the light, Sarah pulled the covers over her shoulders and nestled into her pillow. She was tired but couldn’t sleep. The session with Carlos played over and over in her mind. She was still wondering at his reference to the “undead” when her mind finally quieted and she drifted off.
A sound close by roused her. Her dream vision was with her once more. Standing next to her bed, his broad shoulders were outlined by the moonlight coming through her window. She sighed, giving herself over to the enchanted fantasy.
His large hands reached to slide the comforter to the foot of the bed. She was amazed at their gentleness as he leaned toward her to stroke her hair. Shadow obscured his features but she could see the soft thick hair that barely touched his shoulders was light in color. His fragrance was overpowering, a scent warm and mysterious, woody and primeval, an aroma that wrapped around her as he sat beside her. She prayed she would not awaken.
They were in silence as his hands caressed her face, her neck. She shivered with pleasure. Slowly, he lowered his lips to press them to the hollow at the base of her throat. Gentle kisses traced her chin to find their way to the corner of her mouth. His was lush, his breath warm and sweet. She felt her heart quicken.
Tender hands massaged her shoulders then leisurely began to unbutton the top of her pajamas. Sliding his arm behind her, he lifted her until she was sitting in bed. He slid the soft fabric from her body then dropped it to the floor. He laid her down into her soft pillows. Her breasts were round and inviting. The pounding of her heart was answered by a deeper pulsing that began in a dark place inside of her.
&nbs
p; His hands cupped her breasts and his lips found the deep valley between them.
The shrill sound of the alarm brought her wide awake, her heart exploding in her chest. As she reached to turn it off, she halted in mid-move. There, lying on the floor next to her bed was the top to her pajamas. She gasped as her hand hit the alarm button and the room became silent except for her panting breath.
CHAPTER 4
Sunday morning was her favorite. Her weekly ritual was to laze around her apartment, drinking coffee while she read the paper. Sitting on the beige living room sofa facing the sliding glass door, she was cozy and warm as she watched the snow accumulate on the patio. The cold wind blew it into a small drift against the window glass. She propped her feet on the light oak coffee table, picked up the paper and began to skim the weekend segments. Avoiding the headlines, she went straight to the calendar section. The cover showed a photo of a handsome young couple at a movie premier. “More vampire stuff. I can’t get away from it, even in the paper.”
Carlos had been on her mind since their session and here it was again. Vampire. She turned to the review of the film. On a whim she decided to spend the cold, dreary afternoon in the dark of a movie theatre seeing just what the fascination with the Goth world was. She didn’t want to wait until evening to be surrounded with teenage girls swooning over the sexy young actor. Checking the film schedule, she found there was plenty of time before the matinee.
After folding the paper carefully making sure she didn’t create any new creases, she placed it on the coffee table, then picked up her cup and carried it to the kitchen. Sarah washed and dried her dishes, carefully placing them in the cupboard so all the cup handles faced in the same direction. She smiled as she looked around her. There were baskets hanging from the ceiling and fresh basil and dill hung drying from the handles on the blond wood cupboards. She loved her new home but the kitchen was one of her favorite rooms. She turned off the light then went to her bedroom.
Tilting her blinds to give privacy, she prepared for her shower. Stripping out of her blue and white stripped flannel pajamas, she folded them neatly, tucking them under her fluffy white pillow keeping her life and world in neat order.
The skylight in the bathroom opened to the dull gray early afternoon clouds, casting shadows on her face as she looked into the mirror. She leaned closer to examine the fine lines around her blue eyes. “Not too bad for a vintage woman,” she repeated Maggie’s words to herself then opened the shower door to turn on the hot water. As she glanced at her body in the full length mirror on the wall, she was quite happy with her reflection. “Working out is miserable but it pays off.” She smiled at her newfound vanity. The gym was one of the many new facets to her life after her divorce.
Working out helped her lose the fifteen pounds she added during her marriage, and her therapy with Bonnie helped bring back the balance that had been missing in her life for such a long time. During her marriage, her husband was always a priority to her. The unfortunate issue was that Jeff was also the priority to himself. For many years, he came first to both of them.
Accepting their marriage was one sided, she determined to stick it out; to make the best of it. She actually thought they were doing well. When he asked for a divorce telling her he loved someone else, she was sincerely shocked. Questioning her ability to see the truth about Jeff when it was right in front of her all the time, she began to question her ability as a therapist. Bonnie’s insight and therapeutic expertise put her on a journey to finding her confidence once again. It had been a difficult process.
At last, the success of her book and the recognition by her peers was a rite of passage, a symbol of her own personal success in finding herself again. Once again she saw her work affect her client’s lives, changing them for the better. Now, working with Carlos was another step. His situation was one she had never experienced; it frightened and intrigued her at the same time.
Sighing, she stepped into the shower. The water was steaming as she scrubbed her skin with a soft brush. She rinsed the soap then lathered her hair. Sunday was a day when she just went natural. No hair dryer. No makeup. No heels. Just jeans, warm boots and a roomy, soft sweater. She loved it. After she used a squeegee on the glass walls of the shower stall, she stepped onto the white bath mat. She dried herself, shook her towel then folded it neatly. Her hair curled around her ears in soft, damp ringlets.
She finished dressing with plenty of time for a cup of tea before the movie. The steam rising from the cup carried the smell of apples and cinnamon to her nose as she curled up on the sofa. Reaching for the paper, she opened it to the health section.
#
The line for the show trailed around the corner as Sarah stamped her feet to keep warm. She was glad when it began to move slowly. Finally able to enter the building, she stopped at the counter to buy a small box of popcorn and a bottle of water. She was surrounded by a novel excitement emanating from all the young girls and women standing in line with her. Surprised at the number of women past their youth waiting along with all the high school girls, she couldn’t help but wonder what it was about a teenage vampire movie that could interest such a broad spectrum of females.
After paying the young man behind the counter, she grabbed napkins. As she opened the door to the darkened theatre, loud music from the advertising trailers blasted her ears. She climbed the stairs, easing past a group of girls to a single empty seat in the center of the row.
Just as she settled down, took off her coat and popped the top off the water bottle, she recognized Carlos taking a seat in the row two up from hers. He was alone looking a bit uncomfortable being surrounded by nothing but young females. Smiling to herself, she wondered what he was doing there on a Sunday afternoon. It didn’t seem to be the type of film that would interest him. He appeared to her to be more of an action/adventure type than a teen vampire falls for a teen human type. But, there he was, his handsome face reflected in the flickering of the refreshment counter advertisement. Slowly the dim overhead lights were extinguished and the theatre grew very dark. She found a comfortable position in her seat letting Carlos slip from her mind as the movie began.
#
The sky was dark. Ominous clouds covered the city signaling more snow on the way. Sarah reflected on the plot of the movie as she bundled her blue muffler close around her throat. As she hurried from the theatre, street lights came on.
“Miss Hagan? Sarah?”
She stopped suddenly, startled to hear someone call her name. She turned quickly and there, right behind her stood Carlos. Her body stiffened, her heart raced. Forcing herself to relax, she took a deep breath. The neighborhood was well lit and their last meeting ended on a much more friendly note than when it began. Besides, Colleen had assured her he wasn’t dangerous, just a very troubled young man who needed some guidance.
“Hey, what’re you doin’ at this movie? It isn’t what I’d think a shrink would like?”
“I could say the same thing to you, Carlos?”
He laughed, “I guess you could, couldn’t you.” His teeth were white against his golden skin; his eyes sparkled as he grasped her elbow to help her off the curb. His gesture shocked her. She wasn’t quite sure she appreciated his familiarity. But when he held her in a gentle hand to guide her carefully across an icy patch of concrete, she realized she was seeing another unexpected side of him. “You in a hurry? Want to grab a coffee?” He motioned toward a diner just across the street.
She knew he was an ex-con but, for some strange reason, she wasn’t afraid of him. She experienced a brief confusion at the warmth she felt having him by her side. “Sure, I mean, I’m not in a hurry. Coffee sounds great.”
He held onto her arm as they crossed the street but as soon as they reached the opposite curb, he released her. The spot where his fingers had been felt suddenly cold. “What the hell is that,” she thought. He held the door for her and his eyes met hers. Feeling embarrassed by her thoughts, she stared at the ground in front of her as she walked
into the restaurant.
They passed the counter moving toward the back of the diner. Only a few tables were occupied. She was glad it was quiet so they could talk easily. Sarah took off her coat, hanging it on a single hook coat rack attached to the bench seat of their booth. He wore his jacket but unzipped it. He leaned back in the seat. Sarah was still stuffed from the popcorn and he said he wasn’t hungry so when the waitress came, they only ordered two coffees.
“I’m glad I ran into you Carlos. I’d like to get to know a little more about you before our next meeting. You left rather suddenly after our last discussion.”
“Yeah, I needed some fresh air.”
“Do you remember the session?”
“Sure. The thing I liked was the calm way I felt when it was over. I stayed like that for a few days and that’s cool. Everybody thinks I get off on my anger but I don’t. It’s just something that takes me over and once it starts, I can’t control it. At least, not until now. It’s been easier to stay mellow since I’ve been seeing you.”
“So Carlos, do you remember what happened in your regression?” The waitress brought the cups. She filled them with steaming hot liquid.
“Sort of. You took me down some stairs and through a door. I remember a forest or something like that. Then it gets kind of fuzzy. I think I was walking or riding through the woods, but I’m not sure. It was kind of freaky but okay. At least I think it was okay.”
“You said you like the calm way it makes you feel. What didn’t you like about it?”
“I felt kind of weird after I came back to, what’d you call it? Real time?” She nodded her head yes. “Well, I can’t really explain it.” He looked puzzled and was silent for a moment. “No, I can’t explain the feeling. Just weird.” His eyes met hers. Then a broad, cocky smile spread across his face, his eyes narrowed as he laughed out loud.