Chapter 3: The choice

Rachel approached the entrance to her office, instantly spotting a woman waiting nervously outside. Her heart rate quickened as she recognized Emily – a delicate figure with an air of vulnerability that was impossible to miss. Emily’s wide blue eyes were filled with fear and uncertainty, darting back and forth as if searching for an escape route.

„Good morning, Emily,“ Rachel greeted her in a calm, steady voice, trying to put the young woman at ease. „Do you prefer coffee or tea when it rains?“

The question, seemingly innocuous, carried a hidden purpose – to determine whether Emily was there for a genuine therapy session or seeking Rachel’s unique talents.

„Tea, but only when it pours,“ Emily replied hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Satisfied with the coded response, Rachel unlocked the door and gestured for Emily to follow her inside. Instead of leading her to the main office, however, Rachel moved to a corner of the room and opened a concealed trap door. She descended the hidden staircase, and after a moment’s hesitation, Emily followed suit.

This secret chamber was Rachel’s pride and joy – a near-impenetrable fortress designed specifically to avoid prying ears and eyes. She had spared no expense in its construction, enlisting the help of a skilled craftsman who had attempted to blackmail her once he deduced the room’s true purpose. Unbeknownst to him, Rachel had noticed the telltale white band on his finger where a wedding ring should have been and quickly turned the tables. He dropped his demands, never realizing just how close he’d come to exposing his own secrets.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Emily took in the room with wide-eyed curiosity. The space was dimly lit, the walls lined with soundproofing panels and bookshelves filled with various texts on human behavior and psychology. In the center stood a simple wooden table with two chairs, one on either side. A small, unassuming lamp provided just enough light to read by, adding to the room’s air of mystery and secrecy.

„Please, have a seat, Emily,“ Rachel instructed, her voice steady and authoritative. Emily complied, perching nervously on the edge of one of the chairs as she clutched her small black notebook tightly to her chest.

„Let’s start with the basics,“ Rachel began, her mind racing as she prepared to delve into Emily’s story. „Why do you want to disappear?“

As Emily hesitated, her foot tapping anxiously beneath the table, Rachel knew that every word exchanged in this room would be a matter of life or death for the young woman sitting across from her. There was no turning back now.