Autopsy of a Mind Chapter 70: Sleep With Me

"You haven't read the files, have you?" she smiled.

"No, Sebastian told your symptoms but never really spoke about the trauma. I didn't think it would be brought up during our primary session. We haven't created a rapport for you to tell what happened to you and I certainly don't want to create a plan without getting a detailed note on your symptoms. But I will have to tell you that psychiatrists aren't privy to case files. You'll have to tell yourself." He smiled reassuringly.

"Have you heard of Alicia Williams?" she asked, leaning forward.

"I believe so. Notorious cannibal and serial killer. Quite a few police officers had to co by and get it off their shoulders." He shook his head. "Were you a victim?" he asked. He must have known. But he didn't let the answer show.

He was testing . To see if I considered myself a victim.

I juggled my options. To lie and say that I was a victim or reveal what I really thought. I chose the middle ground. "Yes, she captured from my house after murdering my whole family, including my father who was the lead investigator in the case. She also made watch as she tortured the subsequent victims and tried to get involved. I cooked for her. I also ate the sa things she did."

I had to smile to stop the real expression on my face from revealing.

"And what did you eat?" No, he didn't ask what she ate. He asked what I ate.

"Humans. Human at. I ate human at."

There was silence. It took a mont for the room to get back into the normal place.

"Okay, that will be all for today. For now, I'll be telling you sothing you already know. You do have PTSD. There are other underlying issues that I need to discover and help you co to terms with, as well. I'll give a full plan to you the next ti we et."

He scribbled so more on the notepad. "We'll be eting twice a week for the first few months. Then, as we progress, I'll make the frequency of the sessions lesser. But the most pressing aspect of this is your lack of sleep."

"My lack of sleep?" I raised my brow.

"Your source of protein is mainly from non-at products and you work very hard. You have a fairly healthy body right now but without sleep, your body will crash. Lack of sleep also worsens the symptoms. Therefore, we need to help you sleep."

"Are you going to prescribe a dicine?" she asked, frowning.

"I'm not a fan of prescribing dicine when there is no need for it. Right now, we will get you under a routine."

He wrote so more down. "Do you know how a baby falls asleep?"

"From what I have heard, rarely when it is needed." A smile curled at the corner of my lips.

"No," Dr Knight chuckled. "They follow a very specific routine. And that routine basically tells their brain that it is ti to sleep. You need to create a routine and get used to it." He flipped the paper around to show her.

"First, don't look at anything work-related or any form of entertainnt an hour before you plan on going to sleep. Make your bed yourself and take a cold shower. Follow your night routine to the dot and then lay down on bed and close your eyes."

"Does that help?" I asked skeptically.

"Studies show that it does," he reassured. "You'll have a lot of bad thoughts. Write them down. We'll review them in the next session, but don't give up on falling asleep. Just lay there in the darkness. Listening to calming music or a podcast also helps if you don't look at the screen."

I thought for a bit.

"Anything else that I need to do?" I asked tentatively.

"Do you live with anyone?" I shook my head.

"Is there anyone you can trust and ask to stay with you?" I thought about it for a mont even though the answer was obvious. I didn't know how I would even ask him to stay with . "I can see there is soone that you do trust but you are reluctant..."

Dr Knight paused. "Okay, I was going to tell you to sleep in the sa bed as them for a ti, like a safety blanket of sorts, and to monitor you. Think about it. If you do manage, we'll continue with this thod, or I'll tweak it to suit you. How does that sound?"

I had to smile. "Perfect."

Now, I just had to think if I could ask Sebastian or not. I took my leave shortly after booking my next appointnt with him.

"How was it?" Sebastian asked when I ca out of the door.

"It was fine," I shrugged. Sebastian placed the magazine aside and stood up.

"Okay, let's go back, then." His announcent was followed by him heading for the door. I followed behind without a sound. "Sothing you need to tell ?" he asked after a while.

"So, you know," I sighed.

"Your face is like an open book. I don't need to be a mind reader to know that you are in a dilemma and it has to do with ." His voice was proud as usual. The man really did know everything.

"I was asked to make changes to my sleeping pattern," I inford him. I bit my lip as I tried to say the next bit.

"Ah, so make a concrete routine and stick to it. It works very well," he said. I looked at him surprised, suddenly realizing that he thought I needed reassurance or comfort from him. I had to smile at that.

"Yes. I also need your help."

We had already reached the car. I slid in and watched him walk to the other side. I wondered if he had heard what I said.

"Ask away," he finally said when he had bucked himself in.

I turned to him and with the blandest voice I could muster, spoke the next words.

"Sleep with ."