Paralysis

17th Level

Guillaume’s perspective

Dawn has just broken. Samira is still asleep. I hardly slept a wink all night. For several days now, I’ve been having nightmares in which I find myself locked up, sometimes in a chest, in a very cramped room. It’s different every time and feels more and more real. Last night, I dreamt about that woman from yesterday... Khrystal, I think. Every time I see her, she’s crying. The more I think about it, the more familiar her face seems. Perhaps I know her, but from where?

Khrystal’s perspective

Last night I ran for quite a while. Then I walked, in the rain, almost all night. I ended up sitting on a beach until daybreak.

The sun is rising gently and its warmth is warming my body. My head is empty of thoughts, my heart is empty of emotions and my body is empty of strength. I’m simply savouring this moment of beauty and tenderness. The sun’s reflection on the water, the waves gently lapping at my feet, the soft warmth of the sun on my skin.

The sun is now shining at full strength. The streets are starting to fill with people. Too much noise; I get up and take a taxi back to the hotel. No sooner said than done, I arrive at the hotel in no time. In the end, I should have walked. I go in; Leonard is at reception tapping away on his phone. He looks up and worry spreads across his face when he sees me.

_ Khrystal, there you are at last...

He rushes towards me and I let the exhaustion wash over me. As soon as he takes me in his arms, I lose consciousness.

Four-month gap

Days pass, weeks pass, months pass. I still haven’t heard a word from Guillaume. “It could take days, months or even years, but he’ll get his memory back.” Those words help me keep hope alive, but I’m worried more than anything else. Knowing he’s in the same house as that witch sends a shiver down my spine.

The last time I saw her, I punched her. Knowing that the first time I did that, she chained me up and subjected me to a thousand tortures, I wonder if she isn’t hatching some scheme. Some time after our confrontation, she tried to come and see me. Leonard flatly prevented her. I didn’t even have to see her viper-like face.

Leonard behaves like a true gentleman towards me. I asked him to stop the free consultations. Now we simply see each other as friends. A few days ago, he confessed that he’d like to have a more intimate relationship with me. I refused, of course. But according to him, the best way for me to recover from my trauma is to start a new life; Sarah agrees with him. They may have lost hope, but I haven’t. I know he’ll eventually get his memory back; at worst, if it takes too long, I’ll manage to overcome my fears and phobias and I’ll face Samira.

Ring... ring... ring...

The ringing of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts. It’s Leonard; I pick up.

_ Hello, says a voice that isn’t Leonard’s

_ Hello, who’s speaking?

_ It’s the hotel bar manager. Mr Kinsley has had one too many, could you...

_ What!? I’ll be right there

I put on a long-sleeved shirt to cover my off-the-shoulder dress, and head out towards the bar. What’s got into him? Why has he drunk so much that they’ve had to call me?

I walk into the bar; he’s on the counter, dead drunk, knocking back drink after drink. I walk over and snatch the glass from his hands. He nearly chokes and looks at me, annoyed. When he realises it’s me, he smiles and tries to stand up, but in his advanced state of drunkenness, he falls flat on the floor. I shake my head, hands on my hips, at the sight of his blissfully idiotic expression.

“Mr Kinsley, may I ask how long you’ve been drinking this much?”

“Since today, miss,” he says, hiccupping.

“And why?”

“Because… today I’m officially single… I’ve signed the divorce papers…”

Wow! I’m lost for words. It must be a real blow for him; I know he still loved his wife. I say no more and help him to his feet. He leans on me and we head for the lift while he grumbles about wanting more drink. The lift starts moving; he takes his arm off my shoulders, turns around, staggering, and looks at me.

_ It’s really sad. I loved my wife, but she loves someone else. I love you, but you love someone else. I’m a right useless bloke, but I’m a good therapist, he says, bringing his face close to mine. And… I know that to solve all your problems... you need to have sex

I don’t have time to think; he pushes me against the wall and kisses my neck awkwardly. I try to push him away, but he’s heavy, and even drunk, he’s still very strong. He puts his hands on my bottom and squeezes it hard through my dress, which he’s trying to lift up.

_ LÉONARD!!! STOP!!!

What am I going to do? Help. Tears well up in my eyes.

Suddenly, the lift doors open to reveal intensely deep blue eyes. I freeze and can’t look away. A swift, powerful punch lands on Leonard’s face; he’s just as surprised as I am to see this man. Leonard collapses and passes out. I’m pulled out of the lift before it closes, and land in arms as gentle as they are strong. At the touch of those long-sought-after arms, an electric current runs through my body, sending shivers down my spine.

_ Glad to see I still have the same effect on you

He smiles... That smile... his eyes... his arms... that sensation... I’m not dreaming... It really is him. It’s all too much for me; I lose consciousness.