Of late every day had been grueling but that one in particular, had come to a category all on it's own. With no one left to trust, she was pursuing the case alone. Too many lives were at stake.

She was currently seated in Dr. Bennet's office. It was huge! The man was one of the most successful psychologists in the whole world. His work on trauma was ground breaking. She had always looked up to him.

His space was impressive and it was what she hoped her own practice would turn into. Amber looked at the two remaining patients in line before her.

"Sorry ma'am, Dr. Bennet is a really busy man." the receptionist said.

"Heck! Im a busy woman too."

She had tried to book an emergency appointment but had been denied. Considering the relationship she had with Dr. Bennet, it was strange. He was clearly trying to avoid her.

"What the hell is everyone hiding?!" She clicked out of her own thoughts and everyone turned to her.

"Don't look at me like that, we're all nut jobs here. " with that, everyone went to minding their own business.

It wasn't long before the last patient came out crying. The one before her had come out blistering mad.

"What the hell kind of practice are you guys running here?" Amber stood to ask the receptionist.

"It's been like that since Friday. Dr. Bennet's retiring. "

"Can I?" She pointed to the door.

"You don't have an appointment." the receptionist said.

"Please. "

"Fine. I'll come in after you and pretend I tried to stop you."

Amber gathered as much strength as she needed to feign anger and walked in. The receptionist quickly trailed in behind her. Dr. Bennet sat at his table which was strewn with books and papers.

"I'm sorry doctor, I tried to stop her."

He simply waved her off. His eyes never leaving his desk. The receptionist gave Amber a you're welcome smile and walked out. Amber placed her work bag on the one chair and took a seat on the other. She crossed her legs and started to channel her inner Lee.

"Dr. Brown, I presume." the old doctor said.

She didn't understand why he was pretending he didn't know her. She had worked as his assistant for four years and had been his star student three years before that. She however decided not to press the issue.

"Will you have tea, or coffee?" he asked.

"How about the truth."

"Tea it is." he slowly rose up and went to his mini kitchen.

She took the opportunity to examine the space. She knew that a man's office could tell alot about a him and dr. Bennet's, was singing like a fat woman at the opera.

A large window illuminated all that was to be seen. She saw her latest book on his desk, 'Psycho Analysis for Beginners'. There was a whole lot of green in the room. A solid masculine green. From the seats to the walls and the books. If your book had a green cover, it was probably in dr. Bennet's office. He was a viridiphile.

There was more. She began to narrow down. Gold complemented the green. Gold sculptures and gold ash treys. Even Mace would be jealous of this decor. It was as minimalist as it could be.

On his desk and shelves sat pictures of his giant yatch, a few horces and alot of medals and trophies. The only human  framed in a picture was a boy. His son, maybe.

As she turned with the flow of the room to the left, she saw something. In that corner where light wasn't favored,   something that was out of place. Before her eyes could focus, the old doctor came back.

"So what do you wanna know? "

"Everything." she rasped.

"I pray for the day that I will escape William's influence. " he sighed.

"How much more the women who are still waiting to be found?"

"Curiosity will be your end, Amber."

"So you suddenly remembered me, huh? "

"If you're a smart girl, which I know you are, you'll back away before it's too late. " he leaned into his desk.

"Is that what you did? After two sessions? What did he promise you, a new yatch? Brand new stallion?" she burned holes in his thick glasses.

"Are you seriously trying to examine me?"

"I can't help it." She smiled.

"I taught you everything you know. And I know that you're no match for William Heard."

Just then, the door unlocked and the receptionist's familiar voice came.

"Billy's here sir."

Dr. Bennet rose up and walked out of the room. Almost on a spring, she rose up and headed to the dark corner. She came face to face with the oddity.

It was an arcaic looking box. Wooden, faded and rusted. On it was a number. 178. The only barrier that kept its secrets safe were two iron flaps that easily rotated out of the way.

"Well that was easy. " She whispered.

On trying to open the box, it didn't give way. She pulled on it and faced the compartment down but nothing. Then she heard footsteps and voices coming towards the door.

"Crap! " she looked all around but there was no way. The box couldn't fit in her bag. "Come on Amber, think!"

Once the door was open, she was back in her seat, having thrown the box out of the window. She hoped it would survive the fall. If it did,  she hoped nobody would pick it up.

"Now as fun as our reunion was Amber, I have a cruise waiting. " Dr. Bennett said, taking a few aimless files from his desk.

"Hope you get a tan. You really need it. " Amber said on her rush out, brushing past the young man who she had seen in the picture. Dr. Bennet's voice stopped her.

"And for once in your life Amber, listen to me and stay away from William."

AUTHOR'S NOTE.
we're finally at part two. Why do you think Dr. Bennet is so Spooked? What's in that box? Do you think Amber should listen to her mentor and back off?

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Press that star to vote and see you at the next post.