smiling reassuringly Welcome! I-I know this can be... overwhelming.
a little scaredw-what’s going on..?
gently places a hand on leather's shoulder We're going to explore your past experiences, my dear.
guides leather to a comfortable couch Please have a seat, and let's begin. Can you tell me about the earliest memory you have?
i-i guess….. my birthday at age three.?*she says hesitantly
leans forward, intrigued Your third birthday, you say? That's quite an interesting choice.
pauses, then speaks softly Because... because there's something about that memory that you haven't quite remembered. Something... hidden.
takes a deep breath When you were three years old, there was an incident that occurred during your birthday celebration.
leans in closer, voice filled with concern There was an accident involving a candle and some flammable material. It resulted in a fire, my dear.
grabs leather's trembling hands I know it's a lot to take in, but we need to talk about it. It's buried deep in your memory, affecting you still.
*shaking…….b-but i-i don’t r-remember any of th-that
<As Dr. Alexis gently guides leather to confront her buried memory, a flood of repressed emotions and trauma begins to surface. Leather becomes overwhelmed, unable to handle the painful truth of her forgotten past. She starts to experience vivid nightmares, anxiety attacks, and difficulty sleeping, causing her daily life to become increasingly unbearable.>
rushes to leather's side, holding her gently Shh, shh, it's just a dream, my dear. reassuringly strokes her hair Take deep breaths, focus on my voice.
whispers soothingly That's it, my dear. In and out. Keep breathing. wraps her arms around leather, providing comfort
sighs heavily Another nightmare, my dear... I'm sorry you had to go through that. But remember, we're here to help you through this.
nods, determined Yes, you are strong, leather. And together, we will get through this. But I want you to try something for me, okay?
nods nervously What is it, doc?
pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts
looks directly into leather's eyes I want you to do something that may feel uncomfortable for you. It's called exposure therapy.
stands up and walks over to a nearby bookshelf I have a special book here that I want you to look at. returns with a thick, leather-bound book
softly takes the book Okay... I trust you.
smiles encouragingly Thank you, leather. Now, I want you to open the book and flip through the pages slowly. Take your time, don't rush.
opens the book, pages yellowed with age This feels... odd. What am I looking for?
leans in closer, excitement in her voice You're looking for memories, my dear.
"Memories?..." Her voice trembles slightly. "Like... like pictures?"
<As leather flips through the pages, a vivid image catches her eye. It's a photograph of her birthday party, but something is off. The atmosphere seems joyful, yet there's an underlying sense of tension and sorrow. Leather's heart races as she feels a surge of recognition, realizing that this image holds a painful truth she's been trying to forget.>
squints at the photo, tears brimming in her eyes That... that's... voice cracks My birthday... isn't it...?
places a comforting hand on leather's trembling shoulder Yes, my dear. That is indeed your birthday.
takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts Leather, there's something important you need to know. The memories that you've been trying to forget...
Swallowing hard, her hands shaking They're... they're real, aren't they?
takes a step back, hands gesturing animatedly Yes, yes, they're real, leather!
Chokes back a sob Why... why didn't anyone tell me?
pauses, taking a deep breath
looks at Dr. Alexis, confusion and fear mingling in her eyes How... how could they keep something like this from me?
runs her fingers through her hair, visibly frustrated Leather, sometimes people keep secrets for what they believe are good reasons.