Chapter 2 The Mysterious Patient

Back at her office, Sophia engrossed herself in Emma's file. The more she read, the more questions she had.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Rachel, what is it?"

"Your new patient, Mr. Smith, is here."

"Mr Smith"? Sophie repeated almost in a whisper.

Sophia's face tightened. She wasn't expecting or scheduling a new patient.

"Let him in," Sophia said reluctantly.

Mr Smith walked into the office glancing around like he was looking for something.

As she greeted Mr Smith, a chill ran down her spine. She felt uneasy. His eyes seemed familiar.

"Mr. Smith, what brings you here today?" Sophia said with a smile on her face, trying to control her mood.

Mr Smith's smile sent shivers down Sophia's spine. "Let's just say I'm interested in your... expertise, Dr. Patel."

Sophia's instincts screamed a warning. Who was this man?

And what did he want?

Sophia's eyes locked on Mr. Smith's, searching for any sign of deception. His smile seemed genuine, but her instincts remained on high alert.

"So, Mr. Smith, what seems to be the problem?" Sophia asked, with a low and concerned tone.

Mr. Smith leaned back in his chair. "I've been experiencing some... unusual memories." Mr Smith said and paused.

His gaze fixed on Sophia like he was expecting something.

"Okay?" Sophia replied in a tone that demanded him to continue.

"Fragmented images, mostly. I'm not sure what they mean." Mr Smith concludes.

"Can you describe these memories?" Sophia asked, sounding very curious.

Mr. Smith's eyes glazed over. "Dark rooms, faint scents like incense, I think. And a voice, whispering my name."

Sophia's grip on her pen tightened. Incense? The same scent Emma mentioned?

"Mr. Smith, have you experienced any traumatic events in your past?"

Mr. Smith's expression turned serious. "Nothing that comes to mind."

Sophia sensed he was hiding something. But what?

As the session progressed, Sophia's unease grew. Mr. Smith's answers seemed rehearsed, and his eyes kept darting toward the clock.

Suddenly, Mr. Smith stood up. "I think that's enough for today, Dr. Patel."

Mr Smith made a sharp turn and headed his way to the door without waiting to hear any more words from Sophia.

Sophia's instincts screamed a warning. This wasn't a normal session.

"Mr Smith, wait"

Before she could finish the word, Mr Smith was already gone, leaving Sophia with more questions than answers.

Sophia's mind whirled with questions. What was the significance of incense? And why did both Emma and Mr Smith mention it?

Sophia could not stay in the office for the day. Her mind was not at rest, there was no way this would be a matter of coincidence. There was still time, but she sighed out for the day even though she knew it would call for questions.

She decided to pay a visit to her colleague, Dr Lee, an expert in olfactory psychology.

"Dr. Lee, I need your expertise," Sophia said, explaining the intense connection.

Dr. Lee's eyes widened. "That's fascinating. Incense can evoke strong emotional responses. But in this context, it might indicate..." Doctor Lee was not done when Sophia's voice interrupted.

"Mind control?"

Dr. Lee nodded. "Or manipulation. Incense can be used to induce relaxation, making subjects more slavish to suggestion."

Sophia's guts tightened. "What if it's not just a coincidence? What if Emma and Mr. Smith are connected through this cult?"

Dr Lee's expression turned serious. "We need to investigate further. But be cautious, Sophia. If this cult exists, they won't hesitate to silence you."

Sophia's determination grew. She would uncover the truth.

She doesn't understand yet, but she sees herself being connected too to whatever it is that is happening to Emma and Mr Smith.

Back at her office, Sophia received an unexpected package. Inside, she found a small incense sachet and a note:

"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

The message was unsigned, but Sophia knew who was behind it.

Sophia's heart pounded as she approached the abandoned warehouse. The incense sachet's scent lingered in her mind, a constant reminder of the mysterious message.

She hesitated, wondering if she should have brought Detective James. But the note's warning echoed in her mind: "Come alone."

As she entered the dimly lit warehouse, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Welcome, Sophia," Mr. Smith said, his voice low and threatening.

Sophia's instincts screamed a warning. "What do you want?"

Mr. Smith smiled. "You're curious about Emma, aren't you? And the incense?"

Sophia's grip on her purse tightened. "What do you know about Emma?"

Mr. Smith stepped closer. "Emma is part of our family. And you're getting close to the truth."

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "What truth?"

Mr. Smith chuckled. "The truth about the Order of the Knights. Our little secret society."

Sophia's mind skipped through time. "What does the Order do?"

Mr. Smith's eyes gleamed. "We help people forget. And remember. Whatever suits our purposes."

Sophia's skin crawled. "Mind control?" Sophia asked

Mr. Smith shrugged. "Just a little...guidance. For the greater good."

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the warehouse. Mr. Smith's expression turned cold.

"Looks like our time's up, Sophia. You shouldn't have come here."

Sophia turned to flee, but Mr. Smith's grip held her back.

Sophia struggled to break free from Mr. Smith's grip, but he held tight.

"You shouldn't have meddled in our affairs," Mr. Smith hissed.

Sophia's eyes scanned the warehouse, searching for an escape route. The footsteps grew louder.

Suddenly, a figure burst into the room, tackling Mr. Smith to the ground.

"Run, Sophia!" the figure shouted.

Sophia didn't hesitate. She sprinted toward the door, the unknown rescuer's words echoing in her mind.

As she emerged into the ray of light outside the building, Sophia stumbled upon Detective James.

"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked, breathless.

James's expression was grim. "I tracked your phone. What happened?"

Sophia's eyes darted back to the warehouse. "Mr. Smith...the Order of the Knights...mind control."

James's grip on her arm tightened. "We'll get to the bottom of this. But first, we need to get you to safety."

Sophia nodded, her mind filled with questions.

Who was her mysterious rescuer?

What secrets did the Order of the Knight hold?

And how far would they go to silence her?