The psychiatrist, Dr. Graham's clinic did not feel like a hospital. The room was warm and quiet, lit by soft yellow lamps instead of harsh white lights. The walls were painted a calming shade of pale blue. A small indoor plant sat near the window, and shelves filled with books lined one side of the room. Everything about the place felt peaceful. It was designed that way.
Dr. Graham believed a troubled mind opened more easily in comfort than in fear. He stood when Noah and Evan entered, putting down the document summarising Evan's condition on his desk.
"Welcome," he said with a friendly smile. "Please, sit wherever you feel comfortable."
Evan sat slowly on the long couch while Noah took the chair beside him. Dr. Graham leaned back in his seat casually, crossing one leg over the other. For a moment, he simply studied Evan. Then he spoke in a light tone.
"Before we begin anything serious, let's talk like normal people."
Evan blinked slightly.
"Normal people?"
Dr. Graham chuckled.
"Yes. Psychiatrists are humans too."
Noah gave a faint smile.
"So tell me," Dr. Graham continued, turning to Evan, "what's your favorite food?"
Evan looked confused.
"That's… the first question?"
"Food reveals a lot about personality," the doctor replied with mock seriousness.
Evan thought for a second. "Noodles," he said.
"Street noodles or restaurant noodles?"
"Street."
Dr. Graham nodded approvingly. "Excellent choice. Street food always tastes better."
The conversation continued. Slowly. Casually. Dr. Graham asked about movies Evan liked, Music, Whether he preferred mornings or nights, Whether he enjoyed crowded places or quiet ones.
At first Evan answered carefully, unsure of where this was going. But Dr. Graham spoke like a friend rather than a doctor. Sometimes he joked. Sometimes he shared a story about himself.
Gradually Evan relaxed. Without realizing it. He started talking more. About his job. About how he preferred being alone, About the stray animals he often fed near his building. Even Noah noticed the change. Evan's voice sounded lighter.
Dr. Graham listened patiently. Then slowly, the direction of the conversation began to shift. His voice remained gentle, but the questions grew deeper.
"Evan," he said quietly, "a lot has been happening around you lately."
Evan nodded.
"Yes."
"How does it feel?"
"Confusing."
Dr. Graham leaned slightly forward.
"When do you think it all began?"
Evan hesitated.
"I… don't know."
"What about the visions you've been experiencing?"
Evan looked down.
"I don't understand them."
"Do they feel real when they happen?"
"Yes."
"Very real."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Dr. Graham sat back again.
"I think we may need to try hypnosis."
Noah immediately looked concerned.
"Hypnosis?"
"It may help Evan access memories buried in his subconscious mind," the doctor explained calmly.
Noah frowned slightly.
"Are there any risks?"
Dr. Graham shook his head.
"Very minimal if done carefully."
Noah was still unsure.
But before he could object, Evan spoke. "I'll do it."
Both men looked at him.
Evan's voice was steady.
"If it helps us find answers… I'll do it."
Noah studied him carefully.
"You don't have to push yourself."
"I'm not," Evan replied quietly.
"I need to know too."
Noah slowly nodded.
The hypnosis session began shortly after. The lights in the room were dimmed. Evan lay back on the couch while Dr. Graham sat beside him, speaking in a slow, calm voice.
"Relax, Evan. Focus on your breathing."
Evan followed the instructions.
"Inhale slowly…Exhale…Let your body relax."
Minutes passed. Gradually Evan's breathing became steady. His muscles loosened. His eyes remained closed. Dr. Graham spoke again.
"Evan… can you hear me?"
"Yes," Evan murmured faintly.
"Good."
The doctor continued carefully.
"Tell me about yourself."
"My name is Evan…"
"What do you see yourself doing?"
"I see… a road."
"Are you alone?"
"Yes."
Dr. Graham nodded slightly.
Then his voice became more focused.
"Evan… I want you to go back to the moment when you first met the man known as Hunter."
Evan's body stiffened slightly.
A few seconds passed.
Then he spoke slowly.
"I was feeding a cat."
Noah watched closely.
"She always seemed alone," Evan continued faintly. "Like me."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But somehow… she connects with me."
"And I connect with her."
Dr. Graham nodded gently.
"Good. Stay in that moment."
"Now Evan… look at the man who came to you."
"Look at his face."
At that exact moment Noah's phone began vibrating in his pocket. He frowned slightly.
The caller ID showed a name...Kai...
Noah stood up quietly.
"I'll be back in a minute," he whispered before stepping outside the room.
He answered the call. "Kai?"
On the other end, Kai's calm voice replied, "Noah. Where are you?"
"I'm with Evan."
Kai paused. "At the station?"
"No," Noah said. "We're at a psychiatrist."
Kai frowned. "A psychiatrist?"
"Yes. Evan is undergoing hypnosis right now. We're trying to see if he can remember Hunter's face."
For a brief moment, Kai's heart stopped. His mind froze. What if Evan recognized him? Right now. At this exact moment. A cold chill ran through his spine. But his voice remained steady.
"Oh… I see."
Inside his mind, however, thoughts began racing wildly.
What if he sees my face? What if everything ends right now?
His fingers tightened slightly around the phone. Part of him felt fear. A deep, dangerous fear.
But another part of him felt something else...Excitement... The thought of Evan finally remembering him. The moment when everything would collide. The chaos that would follow. A twisted smile almost appeared on his face.
Will this be the moment, Evan? Will you finally see me?
His heart beat faster. Yet he spoke calmly.
"Well… I hope he remembers something useful."
Inside his mind he whispered something very different.
No… Don't remember. Not yet.
Inside the hypnosis room, Dr. Graham's voice continued.
"Evan… look at his face."
"What do you see?"
Evan's breathing began to change.
"He came to me…"
"What did he say?"
"He asked… for directions…"
Dr. Graham spoke carefully.
"And then?"
"I… I don't know…"
Evan's breathing became uneven.
"I was…"
His fingers trembled slightly.
"Haa… haa…"
"I was blindfolded…"
Dr. Graham leaned forward.
"And then?"
"I was… tied…"
Evan's breathing suddenly spiraled out of control.
"Haa… haa…humm" His chest rose rapidly.
Noah heard the commotion from outside and rushed back into the room.
Dr. Graham quickly raised his voice.
"Evan! Listen to my voice!"
"Come back!"
"Focus on my voice!"
"Come back now!"
Evan suddenly gasped and opened his eyes. He jerked upright.
Noah immediately hugged him tightly.
"It's okay," Noah said softly.
"It's okay."
Evan's breathing slowly began to calm. Noah's phone was still pressed against his ear. Kai was still on the call. From the room he could hear Dr. Graham asking the next question.
"Evan," the doctor said gently.
"Did you see his face?"
Evan, after taking a deep breath shook his head weakly. "No."
"Do you remember anything about the man?"
Again, Evan shook his head. "No…"
Dr. Graham sighed softly.
"I think we will need more sessions."
Noah listened quietly while holding Evan.
On the other end of the phone, Kai slowly exhaled. The tension left his body. For now, he was still safe.
But somewhere deep inside him that strange thrill remained. Because one day, sooner or later, Evan would remember.