"Focus Ms. Novak. This is your only way out" said Dr Elior.
I'm currently at MRC short for Mental Rehabilitation Centre.
"There are five levels of psychological training provided at my centre.
S,A,M,T,P. Allow me to explain,
S- socially retarded people
A- anxiety
M- mentally unstable people
T- trauma aka people suffering from PTSD or to be precise people like you
P- for eh-psychos"
"So what you are saying is, I belong to the 4th level of mental disability, just before I completely lose my mind. Is that right?"
"Umm.. you don't have to deadpan it like that but yes, I would say so"
"Fine, let's say I choose your chimera thing which is definitely useful and not because you want to rob my money. But how am I going to survive that long? What if I die due to malnutrition?"
"Ohh, that definitely won't happen. You see, when you enter Chimera, the time difference is different. 1 min would be an hour as compared to reality. Moreover it's like you enter hibernation, your metabolic rate slows down. In case that does not suffice you, you will be supplied the required nutrients via IV"
"Are my memories affected in any way? For instance memories from the Chimera; will I retain any of it? Or are they temporary?"
"When you enter the Chimera, you will have partial memory-"
"Partial what?"
"That, well... it only happens while you are connected to the system. The brain always seeks to protect one's memories meaning none of your actual memories are affected; through this treatment you're essentially trying to artificially create a coping mechanism for your body. In simple words, we are trying to boost your body's mental capability so you are able to face your PTSD better. Of course, our body can always heal itself and so does the mind. A deteriorated mind has its limits and just needs a little push in the right direction."
"I see.."
"As I was saying, partial memory is acquired in order to provide the most effective therapy. It would seem as though you're reincarnated each time you enter a world. After you are out, you will remember this as a break from your life to cure your PTSD meaning I suspect no overlaps whatsoever"
"You mean I won't have any idea that all of this is just a dream until all of it is over. What if I get traumatised because of something?"
"Those memories are going to be deleted"
"Isn't this basically brainwashing? You get to delete any memory you like. Aren't you invading my privacy?"
"Oho! We can't do anything we like to your memory Ms. Novak. If that were the case why would we even need all this, we could have just deleted your previous traumatising memories and be done with it right? But that is not the case, we only have access to your fictional memory created from the Chimera. The system only deletes things that are going to affect your daily life if for instance you experience trauma"
"Fine, so how does this work? I am going to enter different fictional worlds and be given stimulus. Then what? How is that going to help? What if I just react to it the same way? How would all this cure my PTSD? What are you going to do if all of this doesn't work?"
"Umm… good questions Ms. Novak. Yes, you will be given different situations where your trauma based reaction will be assessed and in order to prevent you from reacting the same way, there will be a Guide in the Chimera who will help you through all this. All of this is going to make you see the different sides of your trauma. Given the degree of dishevelment in your mind, this is the best treatment I can suggest for you Miss Novak. When one starts questioning oneself, one often fails to discern the locus of the situation.
Confused, scared, guilt, pity, self depreciation- this is your state of mind. We are going to untangle it one by one. If this doesn't help, then I will try other methods until it does."
"You really have a way with words Dr. Elior"
"Haha. That is one of the perks of being a psychiatrist ma'am"
"Are you saying being manipulative is a perk???"
"Is that how you see it? Regardless, what is your answer going to be?"
"Hah! I suppose, I will give this a chance as well."
"Great! You won't regret it. Please come to the centre at 10am tomorrow morning. And please don't take any medication until then. I know it is going to be hard but please bear with it until tomorrow"
"Hah! It's going to be one heck of a day. I suppose seeing him one last time in my nightmares won't be that bad."
"Please don't say it like that Ms. Novak. You're making me feel guilty"
"You gotta pay the price for making me suffer even though you're my Doc. Anyways, see you later"
"You too. "
*****
Dr Elior's bright face instantly turned dark after she left and heavily sighed. She looked through a few set of papers from the drawer and threw them back in. She shut her eyes while massaging her forehead.
"Looks like I will need pills myself"
"May I come in, ma'am?" An attractive slender woman in her late twenties came in the room. Her dark brown hair pulled into a bun while mischief brewed in her hazel eyes, as she stood there wearing her usual attire.
"Drop the formalities, like you ever use it. I need a coffee."
"It's right in front of you, is your age already in effect?"
"Women age faster and are wiser."
"Yeah right, so are you sure about this?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Uncertainty lurked on her face as she got up and left the room.
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