Free Irresistible Fear by A. Meredith Walters

minutes Dr. Hammond came bustling in. Emily had always liked the female physician. A lot of people thought she was curt and gruff but Emily appreciated her short and to the point manner. The doctor’s frizzy brown hair stuck out on all ends as if she had anxiously pulled her fingers through it over and over again. Despite her frazzled appearance, when she spoke she instilled immediate confidence in her patients.
    “Hello there Miss Emily. What can I do for you today?” Her easy smile reached her eyes. Emily found herself smiling back but was hesitant to share what was going on with her. But this is why she was here. If there was something Dr. Hammond could do to help her, then she needed to get it out there.
    “Well. I’m having trouble sleeping.” She took a deep breath. Dr. Hammond began taking notes on her clip board. “Okay. How are you having trouble sleeping? Is it insomnia? Trouble going to sleep? Looking at your blood pressure I’m noticing some elevation there. Are you stressed out? A lot going on at school?” She fired question after question at Emily at an overwhelming rate.
    “Well, no it’s nothing like that. I’m just having these horrible nightmares. I just don’t ever feel like I’ve slept at all. I’m exhausted all the time and I just feel so run down.” Emily clenched her shaky hands in her lap and made eye contact with the doctor. Dr. Hammond peered at her with analytical eyes. “Nightmares? Tell me a bit more about them.” The doctor pulled up her chair and sat down.
    Dr. Hammond was aware of Emily’s history with her mother. The kind physician had called social services herself on several occasions after seeing odd burns and abrasions marking Emily’s body. So by the doctor’s expression, Emily could already see where her mind was going.
    “Well, they’re pretty horrible.” Dr. Hammond gave a humorless chuckle. “Well I’ve never heard of a 'pleasant' nightmare.” Emily smiled weakly. “They’re so vivid, Dr. Hammond. But when I wake up, it’s like I just went to sleep. I feel terrible and it just seems to be getting worse. And I’m so paranoid all the time. I think it’s because of the nightmares. And I think I’m seeing things and I just feel like I’m being watched constantly. I know it’s probably because I’m so tired. I guess I just want confirmation that I'm not a couple cans short of a six pack, you know.” She finished in a rush.
    Dr. Hammond continued to take notes as Emily spoke. When she finished, Dr. Hammond looked up at her again. “Well, I can definitely say I don't think you're crazy.” The doctor smiled reassuringly. She looked down at her clipboard again and then continued. Emily, I’m going to ask you some questions. Please don’t be offended by them, but they are standard when we’re dealing with the things you’re talking about here. I’m not by any means diagnosing you with anything here. Because that's not my specialty. Just trying to gather some info. Is there any family history of mental illness?”
    Emily suppressed her groan. But she shook her head. “Not that I know of. Well, there’s my mom but her crazies are more about her drinking then mental illness I think.” Dr. Hammond nodded.
    “Okay. You say you see things. Like what specifically?” Emily took a breath. “Well, it’s more like shadows. I'll see them out of the corner of my eye and when I look, they're gone. Not like full on hallucinations or anything and I’m never really sure I saw anything to begin with. It’s like when your eyes play tricks on you.”
    “No voices? No strange noises or compulsions to hurt yourself or someone else?” Dr. Hammond’s voice took on a very clinical tone. “No, Dr. Hammond. I have no desire to hurt myself. I promise.” Emily said lightly. Dr. Hammond didn’t smile, only nodded briskly. “Good. I’m really glad to hear that.” She made a few more notes and then looked up at her again.
    “Well Emily. As you probably know,