Chapter Text
The recorder rustles as Dr. Bright picks it up. A click is heard as she presses the button; a faint hum of the motor follows as the tape starts moving.
“Session 4, Patient number 10-15. Found out his ability as an emotion projector in an incident. The subject displays deep trauma about it, thinking he is the sole problem. As a result, he has become more shy and introverted. The goal is to increase his ability to control, so he is more confident and can socialize normally.”
The soft ticking of the clock fills the room while Dr. B examines Foggy for any outward emotion. It starts with observing from her chair, then gradually getting closer. Touching his jacket, continuing to his shirts, and finally holding his bare hands. Dr. B tries not to show any emotion, as it might frighten Foggy. She lets go of his hands and takes a few seconds to compose herself.
“Your ability to control yourself is improving, Foggy. I can only feel a faint emotion from you,” Dr. B says as she writes in her notes. That is even when I really tried to feel it. I'm not even affected by it.
"Good, good... good to hear that," Foggy replies nervously.
"I must say you should still keep using long sleeves or clothing just for precaution. There’s still faint emotion radiating from you, but a short light touch would be fine."
“That feeling, at the accident? Sometimes I still feel it when I get too close,” Foggy speaks softly. “Will it ever go away?”
“It might, with time.” Dr. B pauses. “But we’re shaped by our past. Forgetting isn’t always the answer, but you can see it differently.”
Foggy breathes deeply, his hands grasping each other tightly. Longing for a touch.
”Foggy, when was the last time you had physical contact with others?”
“It’s been a while, honestly. I also avoid people at home.” He ungrasps his hands, putting them at his side. “I used to hug them every moment, you know.”
“Maybe you can start with me? If something happens, I'll know and I'll release the hug.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Come here.”
Dr. B steps from her chair and approaches Foggy with open arms. Foggy accepts, although not fully. There's still a part of his mind that is afraid of physical touch.
“Feeling better now?”
“Yeah, but I’m sure you can feel it, don’t you?”
“Sure, there’s a lot of relief, with a hint of fear.” Dr. B holds back, worried she might reveal too much. “But then again, it’s because I’m actively searching for any feelings. Other people would not think about it.”
“Maybe I should start using thicker clothing, I guess,” Foggy jokes as he eases up.
“If that makes you more comfortable.”
“Or maybe I should get a bigger body? More natural layers!”
“I see your humor is returning, Foggy. I appreciate it. But don’t get too big—don't hinder your own health.”
“I guess that’s all for today then, Dr. B? It’s already 5 PM.”
“Is there anything you need to ask first?”
“Nope. And I must say thanks for the hug. I really needed it.”
“No problem. Maybe you can try it with your parents at home. See you again in two weeks?”
“Sure. Goodbye, Dr. B.”
“Goodbye, Foggy. Have a nice day.”
Foggy leaves the room with a new spirit. I should start talking to people, it should be okay now, Foggy thinks. No worries, Dr. B said so. After exiting the facility, he sits at the park in front of Dr. B's building, settling his thoughts. He is interrupted by a man walking in his direction.
“Hi there! I see you came out from the building. Are you a patient of Dr. B, too?”
“Ah, yes?” Foggy replies cautiously.
“Nice! I was, but now she doesn’t see me. What’s your name?”
“I’m Foggy,” he says, frightened.
“Don't be afraid. There’s only two reasons she doesn't see a patient anymore. It’s either they're finally able to control their power, or they're too evil that she doesn’t want to get close. Which one do you think I am?”
“Hopefully the former?” Foggy doesn't want to reply, but the words keep spilling out of his mouth.
“Good choice.” The man smirks. “If you’re with Dr. B, I assume you’ve got something special. What is it this time?”
“I’m an emotion projector.” Foggy is surprised that he keeps talking. What is this man's power?
“Ah, another outward power! We should be buddies.” He speaks enthusiastically. “A bit different, though. I could change how someone thinks. Not just influencing emotion! Much more fun than just influencing feelings, am I right?”
Foggy just stands there, thinking. Is it really more fun? With this ability, he was afraid to talk to people, and now that he is free from that, the memory still lingers. He wants to forget. That accident made him antisocial for a while. The accident where he couldn’t touch anybody without fear. The accident…
“Foggy, are you still with me?” the man asks. A scary feeling has seeped into Foggy's mind. “Foggy, control yourself!”
“I… I just want to forget. That accident, these sessions of therapy... it's too much.” Foggy's body starts to shake.
“Don’t, please don’t ask for forgetting things. It never ends well. I have done it, and it—shit!”
The mysterious man runs right into Dr. B's office, skipping the receptionist. He knows something bad might have happened.
“Dr. B, Dr. B! I need your help!” he shouts while banging on the door. “I’m not joking this time!”
“I’m not buying it this time,” Dr. B replies from inside.
“It's Foggy! He... he wants to forget. I don’t know if I already pushed it into his mind!”
“What have you done? Where is he now?” Dr. B opens the door, her recorder still in her hands.
“He’s on the bench at the park.”
“Okay, you stay here. Don’t go there and make it worse. You both have delicate powers that might interfere with each other.” Dr. B moves quickly as the mysterious man follows. “Don’t mind manipulating me this time, or you'll be making the same mistake again.”
The man stops, standing still as he watches Dr. B rushing through the door, knowing she will do her best to save Foggy.
The recorder rustles as Dr. Bright picks it up. A click is heard as she presses the button; the faint hum of the motor returns.
“Patient number 2345. Found out his ability as an emotion projector in an incident. The subject displays deep trauma about it, thinking he is the sole problem. As a result, he becomes more shy and introverted. The goal is to increase his ability to control, so he is more confident and can socialize normally.”
Dr. B sits at her desk, taking the recorder, and starts taking notes of the event.
“Additional session 4, patient 10-15. Due to his unexpected meeting with another atypical, a powerful loop was created, causing the ability of said atypical to multiply. With the patient already showing a desire to forget the ability and all associated events, the patient now shows no memory of knowing his ability. A residue of emotion can be felt, while whether the strength of his power has changed is unknown. I assume there will be no next session if he has forgotten, and by that I can measure it. Hopefully, the patient is still able to control his power, as was seen in our last encounter. End of file.”