Dr. Sophia Patel, a skilled psychologist, is plagued by a nagging feeling that something is wrong. When Emma, a patient with a disturbingly similar past, vanishes, Sophia's intuition becomes her only clue. As Sophia searches for Emma, she uncovers a complex web of deceit and secrets that threaten to destroy her own life. With each shocking revelation, Sophia's dark memories resurface, forcing her to confront the traumatic event that has haunted her since childhood. From the opulent mansions of the wealthy elite to the darkest recesses of the human mind, Sophia's desperate search for Emma takes her on a heart-stopping journey. But as the stakes escalate, Sophia realizes that her own life is in grave danger. Will Sophia's instincts be enough to uncover the truth, or will the dark forces of her past destroy everything she holds dear? Can she trust herself to unravel the mystery, or will the threads of her sanity begin to unravel?
Chapter 1 The Session
Doctor Sophia Patel's eyes locked onto Emma's, searching for any sign of discovery. The young woman's eyes, usually bright and full of life, now seemed dull and lifeless.
"Sophia, I don't know if I can do this anymore," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sophia's expression remained neutral, but her mind raced with concern. "What is making you feel that way, Emma?"
Emma's gaze drifted to the floor. "The nightmares. They're getting worse. I feel like I'm being watched all the time."
Sophia's gut tightened. She knew that feeling all too well. "Tell me more about the nightmares. I would like to know how it always happens and what you saw."
Emma's voice cracked. "I'm running, trying to escape. But no matter how fast I run, they're always catching up. And then...and then I see her."
Sophia's pencil paused midair. "Her?" she asked Emma in a low but curious tone.
Emma's eyes flashed with fear. "My sister. She's calling out to me, but I can't reach her."
Sophia's mind whirled with connections. Emma's sister had passed away a year ago, and Emma's grief was still raw. But there was something more, something Sophia couldn't quite put her finger on. Her mind was convinced that there was more to Emma's nightmare.
"Sophia?" Emma's voice brought her back to the present.
"Yes, Emma?"
"I think someone's watching me."
Sophia's gut feeling heightened. She had had this feeling before, a nagging sense that something was off. But she couldn't quite explain it.
"I'll look into it, Emma. I promise."
As the session ended, Sophia couldn't shake off the feeling that Emma's words had awakened something deep within her.
As Emma left the office, Sophia couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. She jotted some notes on Emma's file, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Doctor Patel?" her assistant, Rachel, nudged her head after calling her attention for the umpteenth time.
"Yes?"
"Your next appointment is here."
Sophia nodded, taking a deep breath. She needed to focus on her next patient.
But as she greeted her new patient, Sophia's mind wandered back to Emma. The incense-like scent wafting from Emma's perfume lingered in the air, transporting Sophia to a place she'd rather forget.
She immediately got lost in her past.
Sophia, at age ten, stood frozen in her bedroom doorway. Her sister, Sarah, was leaving for a sleepover. Sophia felt an overwhelming sense of dread.
"Sarah, don't go!" Sophia pleaded.
Sarah smiled reassuringly. "I'll be back tomorrow, kiddo."
Sophia had a very bad feeling that something awful was going to happen but, she couldn't explain it, and she didn't have the power to stop her sister from going.
But Sarah never came back.
" Doctor Patel! " Mrs Johnson called out to her.
Sophia's eyes snapped back to her current patient, Mrs. Johnson. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
Mrs Johnson's concerned expression mirrored Sophia's feelings. "Is everything okay, Dr. Patel?"
Sophia forced a smile. "Yes, everything's fine. Please continue."
Mrs Johnson knew that all was not well, but she waved it out and continued
As the session progressed, Sophia's mind struggled to stay focused. Emma's words and the incense-like scent had awakened something deep within her.
The unseen thread of her past began to unravel.
As Sophia wrapped up her last session of the day, she couldn't shake off the lingering sense of unease. Emma's words and the incense-like scent still haunted her.
She packed her bags, her mind drifting to Emma's file. Something didn't add up.
"Rachel, have you seen Emma's parents?" Sophia asked, nudging her head into the reception area.
Rachel checked the schedule. "Not today, Dr. Patel. But Mr Johnson called earlier. He wants to schedule an emergency meeting with you tomorrow."
Sophia's gut tightened. What did Mr Johnson want to discuss?
As she left the office, Sophia's phone buzzed with an unknown number.
"Sophia Patel," she answered.
"Sophia, it's Emma." The voice was barely audible.
"Emma, where are you?" Sophia's heart raced.
"I...I don't know. They're watching me. Please, Sophia, help me."
"Who? Where are you, Emma?" Sophia asked.
There was no sound coming from the other end of the phone.
Sophia's grip on her phone tightened. Who was watching Emma? And why?
She quickly dialed Detective James, an old acquaintance.
"Look who remembered me today", James said from the other end of the phone and let out a short laugh.
"James. I need your help."? Sophie said in a low but serious tone.
"What's going on, Sophia?" James's voice was firm.
"One of my patients, Emma, just called. She's in danger. I think it's connected to her sister's death.
James's tone turned serious. "Meet me at the station tomorrow at nine. We'll investigate."
Sophia's unease deepened. She knew she was stepping into something much bigger than herself.
But she couldn't turn back now.
The unseen thread of her past was linked with Emma's story and current situation, pulling her into a dark web of secrets.
And Sophia was determined to unravel it no matter what it took.
Sophia arrived at the police station, her mind still reflecting on Emma's uneasy phone call. Detective James greeted her with a firm handshake.
"Sophia, thanks for coming. Fill me in on Emma's case."
Sophia briefed James on Emma's sessions, the incense-like scent, and the ominous phone call. James's expression turned grave.
"We'll look into it. But I need you to stay out of this, Sophia. This could get dangerous."
Sophia exhaled. "I'm already involved, James. Emma trusts me."
James nodded. "I understand. But be careful. We don't know what we're dealing with.
" Thanks for your concern James, please I would like this to be treated as urgent. I don't know what is going on, but I have a strong feeling that Emma's life is on the line here," Sophia said in a frustrated tone.
" I promise you, Sophia, I will see to it myself, but like I said, Sophia, be careful until we can come up with the right information about what is happening," James said in a concerned tone.