Page 55 of Everything We Left Behind

“Cautious.”

“Weak.”

My hands curled into fists. “Untrusting. Are we through here?”

Thomas leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I came across some interesting cases during my research. You know there aren’t any meds available to help you.”

“I don’t need help. I’m fine the way I am.”

“Have you tried hypnosis?”

“We’re done here.” I stood.

Thomas expelled a long sigh. He looked across the room, his gaze not focused on anything in particular. He knocked on the tabletop and stood. “I’ll take you to your hotel.”

On the way out, Thomas’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then at me. “Excuse me, I have to take this.” He answered the call as we walked to the car. “You’re ready?” He paused, listening. “I’ll be right over.”

He frowned at the phone as he disconnected. “I have to swing by our warehouse. It’s a new location, but it’s on the way. Do you mind? It’ll only take a moment.”

“Sure.” As long as it got me closer to a hot shower, clean bed, and a moment of privacy to call Natalya.

We drove to the warehouse and Thomas parked in back. “I’ll only be a few. Interested in coming inside?”

“I’ll pass. Thanks.”

Thomas studied me for a moment. “Suit yourself.” He opened the door and left.

I watched him punch in a code in the box by the door and heard the click as the lock released. Thomas went inside and I waited in the car. Five minutes later, I was still waiting. Ten minutes later, I got out of the car and paced. Twenty-five minutes later, angrier than a hornet’s nest, I decided to go inside and haul his ass out.

Then I remembered the door had an automatic lock.

I knocked and no one answered. I banged on the door. Still, no one answered. I yanked the handle and the door flew open. “Whoa.” I stopped the door’s momentum with my foot and peered inside. It was pitch-black.

“Hello?” I listened. Somewhere off to my left, plastic crinkled.

I moved into the warehouse. The door slammed behind me. I skimmed a hand along the wall, found the light switch, and flipped it on. A high-wattage bulb buzzed on a few feet from my face, blinding me.

Shit.I held my forearm above my eyes.

“Carlos.” A disembodied voice said from beyond the light. “Look at me until I say something.”

I lowered my arm slightly and squinted. “Who’s there?”

“Don’t talk. Just listen. Listen ... listen ... listen.” The voice soothed in an even cadence. “In a moment, I’m going to say one, two, three, and when I do, I want you to nod.”

I listened and waited.

“One ... two ... three,” came the monotone voice.

I nodded.

“Now continue to nod, and as you nod I want your eyes to close. I want them to feel heavy like you’ve stayed up too late. You’re tired, Carlos.”

I weaved.

“Your eyes feel heavy ... they’re very heavy ...”

My eyelids closed.

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