Thread: Standing Appointment - Hollow x Praxis

No, that's me. I'm your five o'clock. Anna Fender. The therapist replied. Your name is Anna Fender. Her mind was searching for a thread of authenticity here, but everything about the situation was wrong. This was already shaping up to be a problem, which of course new patients always are. Last patient of the day of course on Monday of course fucking of course. He wore a nice navy blue suit with short cropped black hair gelled into a wave, trimmed scruff and otherwise well groomed with an easy smile - somehow, she'd have been more relieved if he'd looked a little more off. Get it? He grinned wider. Ann afFender? He held up his phone for ten long silent seconds and then stepped into her office. Within the phone she would find a picture of a necklace that meant the world to her pearl set in silver with a matching chain, a locket at the end with a childhood and adult picture of her sweet long-past grandmother. Boyfriend's talkative down the pub. He loved to go to an English pub outside his work on Fridays with friends. Word was you're the best in the business. Private practice, quiet life, focusing in helping the families of the victims of violent crime start over. Started in criminology? You're very highly respected in those circles to this day you'll be proud to know. He walked from the waiting room through her treatment room to reach behind her desk, opening a drawer to find the bottle of vodka her boyfriend had whispered was there. He poured her a rediculously full glass and sipped from the bottle. I bet you pay an arm and a leg for this shit. He made a sour face, and drank again. They used your name to scare me once, you know. They told me who you were and they said you were coming in for me special. Never made it, though. Personal emergency. There was a glint in his eye. You dropped out of consultancy, moved here and opened your business. He tucked his left hand into his pocket, looking very self-satisfied. Once I knew where you lived it wasn't hard to figure out where you worked, and after a couple weeks I moved on your boy toy. He was all too happy to give me everything I needed. He drank again, regarding her evenly. I need your help. He moved over to the client seat and crossed his legs broadly, balancing the bottle on his knee. I've been thinking. It could be useful to understand myself a little better. I'm kind of hitting a wall lately. His eyes flared when he said wall, swirling his bottle, moving a bit in his seat while he spoke. My job is kind of high stakes aaaand... it's getting tough to trust my instincts. Kinda feeling like I need an edge, change things up, update my... He drifted off, looking out the window. Steez. He blinked, regarding the blue sky, and after another pause sipped from his bottle. I figured the necklace was just enough to get you to take my money without feeling so panicked you'd be ineffective. Obviously I'm going to keep it for a while. If this goes well... we can talk. He looked at her evenly maybe for the first time. I'm not a bad person, Doctor. I'm just sick. And I'm alone with this. And I need help. And you're the only one I trust to do it right. And I don't think you could name anyone who could do it as well, if you're honest. I obviously need your help. He seemed to repose in the chair without really shifting too much. A hand drifted out in an opening gesture. Just look at me. He drew from the bottle again with raised, helpless eyebrows. His cellphone popped out. The necklace can be pawned with a text. Make the call. Police, now, and I delete everything - including Mee Maw's last offering - and disappear, and there's you with an enemy. His eyes shone, but he seemed more pleased than predatory. More than one. Okay, now he looked a little predatory.