The Enemy's Embrace

HE

e I am in control and for the life of me, I can't figure

at?" She asks, h

ur

sitting quietly on the leather couch in the corn

," I tell he

ng to get under my skin, not fidgeting or hesitating. Her poise

cou

st my desk. "You have got five min

notice," she begins, her voice steady but with a hint of warmth. "I fel

casm. "Oh, you felt bad? And here I thought t

ach her eyes. "I assure you, Mr. Kingston, my skin is

urse,

for the briefest moment

someone to help you untangle whatever is happening,

, bitter sound that fills the room. "You

f my work, Mr. Kingston. And right now, my work

her now. "Why?" I ask, stepping closer. "Why do you care? Are you th

n hardens, ju

p, and like I said, I take my job seriously. If you were expecting me to wal

t stings more

sn't look away. If anything, she leans into the tension

her job title,

't give up, do

to disarm me. "Why would I? If you were drowning, would yo

ens. "I'm no

says, her voice

eg, who's now sitting forward, his elbows resting on his

hing, but his expre

says finally, his tone careful.

"I don't need

And that is not an insult, Mr. Kingston. It is reality. You told me yourself that the blackout

st beneath the surface. "You think I don't know that?

help you," sh

ike she knows exactly how to push

what it is like to lose time, to wake up s

ehind her eyes. "No, I don't. But I know what it is like t

e. "Sir, think about it. You said it yourself- this is getting

ost me," I mutt

nwavering. "And what if you can't fix me

broken, Mr. Kingston. You are just... lost.

e's right, sir. You have got nothing to lose by trying. But if yo

ssing down on me. I hate this- feeling cornered, fee

ting bitter on my tongue. "I'll do

she doesn't look smug or

anno

I can assure you, you are

d quickly, holding up a ha

slightly. "Wh

"The sessions will be held in the privacy

about to respond, but she h

feel like I've regaine

work wi