Free Lars Kepler 2-book Bundle by Lars Kepler

quickly drops to zero.
    “I’m going to start counting backwards now, and with each number you hear you will relax a little more. You will feel yourself being filled with great calm; you will be aware of how pleasant everything around you is. Relax from your toes, your ankles, your calves. Nothing bothers you; everything is peaceful. The only thing you need to listen to is my voice, the numbers counting down. Now you are relaxing even more, you feel even heavier, your knees relax, along your thighs to your groin. Feel yourself sinking downwards at the same time, gently and pleasantly. Everything is calm and still and relaxed.”
    Erik rests a hand on Josef’s shoulder. He keeps his gaze fixed on the boy’s stomach, and with every exhalation he counts backwards. Erik had almost forgotten the feeling of dreamlike lightness and physical strength that fills him as the process runs its course. As he counts he can see himself sinking through bright, oxygen-rich water. Smiling, he drifts down past a vast rock formation, a continental fissure that continues down towards immense depths, the water glittering with tiny bubbles. Filled with happiness, he descends along the rough wall of rock. As Erik falls through the bright water, he reaches out an arm, grazing the rock with his fingers as he passes. The bright water shifts slowly into shades of pink.
    The boy is showing clear signs of hypnotic rest. An expression of great relaxation has settled over his cheeks and mouth. Erik has always thought that a patient’s face becomes broader, somehow flatter. Less attractive but more fragile, and without any trace of pretence.
    “Now you are deeply relaxed,” says Erik calmly. “Everything is very, very pleasant.”
    The boy’s eyes gleam behind the half-closed lids.
    “Josef, I want you to try and remember what happened yesterday. It started just like an ordinary Monday, but in the evening someone comes to the house.”
    The boy is silent.
    “Now you’re going to tell me what’s happening,” says Erik.
    The boy responds with the faintest of nods.
    “You’re sitting in your room? Is that what you’re doing? Are you listening to music?”
    There is no reply. His mouth moves, asking, seeking.
    “Your mum was at home when you got back from school,” says Erik.
    He nods.
    “Do you know why? Is it because Lisa has a temperature?”
    The boy nods and moistens his lips.
    “What do you do when you get home from school, Josef?”
    The boy whispers something.
    “I can’t hear,” Erik urges gently. “I want you to speak so I can hear you.”
    The boy’s lips move again, and Erik leans forward.
    “Like fire, just like fire,” Josef mumbles. “I’m trying to blink. I go into the kitchen, but it isn’t right; there’s a crackling noise between the chairs and a bright red fire is spreading across the floor.”
    “Where is the fire coming from?” asks Erik.
    “I don’t remember. Something happened before …” He falls silent again.
    “Go back a little, before the fire in the kitchen,” says Erik.
    “There’s someone there,” says the boy. “I can hear someone knocking at the door.”
    “The outside door?”
    “I don’t know.” The boy’s face suddenly grows tense, he whimpers anxiously, and his lower teeth are exposed in a strange grimace.
    “There’s no danger now,” Erik says. “There’s no danger, Josef, you’re safe here, you’re calm, you feel no anxiety. You are simply watching what is happening; you are not there. You can see it all from a safe distance, and it isn’t dangerous at all.”
    “The feet are pale blue,” the boy whispers.
    “What did you say?”
    “Someone’s knocking at the door,” the boy says, slurring his words. “I open it but there’s no one there; I can’t see anyone there. But the knocking keeps coming. Someone’s playing a trick on me.” The patient is breathing more rapidly, his stomach moving jerkily.
    “What happens now?” asks Erik.
    “I go into the kitchen