Copyright Shaktiti Sharma
“So…” said the therapist, weakly, “did you feel better… afterwards?”
I considered briefly. “Not better. Different, perhaps.”
He shifted uneasily.
“You didn’t feel any remorse… shame for your actions?”
“I suppose there was an element of regret.”
He brightened.
“Regret?”
“That I hadn’t taken more time over it.”
He stood, pushing back his chair.
“I’m not sure I’m the person to help you,” he said. “I’ll refer you elsewhere.”
I stood too.
“As you like. I’m done here anyway.”
I left, reciting the address I’d memorized from the identity tag on his briefcase.
He hadn’t helped.
But I had learned something.
I’ve decided to go sinister for a change this week, though I’ll never hold a candle to the Master of Menace, C E Ayr. Thanks to our illustrious leader for shepherding the Friday Fictioneers forward into the fold of autumn. Good luck with As One Must, One Can, Rochelle.
castelsarrasin 
Yup, that’s sinister. This can only end one way. With fava beans
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And a good Chianti Classico, I think. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
I hope the therapist called someone when his patient left. This doesn’t bode well. Wonderful writing as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think this might be a time to dispense with the old ‘patient confidentiality’ business, don’t you? 🙂 Thanks Rochelle.
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The only thing worse would be if the therapist was a priest in confessional. Confidentiality be damned. 😉
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This is just fabulous.
I laughed as I shuddered.
And I am deeply flattered to get a mention from a writer so clearly on a higher level.
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I’m glad you liked it. I could almost hear your voice in there as I wrote it. 🙂
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Me too.
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Very sinister indeed. Lovely writing as always.
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Thank you Claire. I loved your story this week.
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I dread to think what happens next…shudder. wonderful writing.
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So do I, Iain. 🙂 Thank you.
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What WILL he do now? A great mystery in the making.
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Thanks for reading Caerlynn.
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“See you later.” Ominous and well told.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Oh dear oh dear oh dear!
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I think so. 🙂
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Excellent with a lovely dose of suspense and anticipation.
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Thanks for reading Graham.
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Yikes, you do have a dark side, Sandra!
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I keep it better covered these days, Sue.
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😀
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Sinister indeed! I am left wondering what he had done and what he would do! A great take on the prompt.
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Thanks Clare. 🙂
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Ooh, I like your sinister, Sandra. I wonder what the address is and where it will lead? And what your character did that was so awful in the first place? Such a lot of tantalising clues. Great story. Did I see you were runner up in a Writers’ Forum story comp on a lift theme? Congrats if so – the story sounded very intriguing 🙂
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Thanks for reading Lynn. Yes, you did. A hurriedly submitted piece a couple of hours before the deadline, which drew a fairly accurate comment. 😉 That one might come out again, with a bit more care.
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Well done! No mean feat, coming runner up if you rushed the submission! I’ll look forward to reading it if you post it. Well done again 🙂
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Reminds me of Dr Lecter lining up his next meal.
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I couldn’t help but smile about the regret part. Very well done.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Sinister but actually quite funny… I guess if you are dealing with the criminally insane you should really be more careful about giving our information… Great write.
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Thanks Bjorn. 🙂
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I never liked the briefcase: but I liked your story.
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Thank you Michael.
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Ooooo what happens next? The humor in this contrasts nicely with the sinister aspect! Great work.
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I like black humour. 🙂
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This plays like a thriller in my head. Sinister and humorous. You make us like the horrible. Great story.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Shaking head in disbelief. Sandra, you do sinister a service by keeping it away from C.E. Ayr and making it your own! 😀 All in all a terrific story. I need to study your methods closer.
Five out of five briefcases.
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Thank you Kent! 🙂 Don’t watch me too closely though, I’m easily spooked.
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But you always put it down so well on cyber paper. 😉
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A great story about doing research. All jobs need it.
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Be prepared, I always say. Thank you!
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Sinister is right! You had me shuddering from the very first.
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Yep, you went sinister all right. Well done.
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Oh this is very disturbing.
Very disturbing.
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A sociopath? Or was it something less sinister — maybe the narrator grew up in a strict home did something that had been forbidden but society as a whole wouldn’t see as shocking.
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Sinister indeed. Great story.
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Oh my… who was analysing whom? Definitely must break the patient confidentiality rules here!
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Picture of a psychopath! Woooooh!
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That’s… disturbing. 🙂 Great story!
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I sense danger lurking in the doctors future. YIKES …!!!
I enjoyed this, Sandra. I could enjoy more.
Isadora 😎
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Wow, very chilling. Next victim chosen…
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A chilling story. I can feel the tension building up throughout the conversation and I was wondering where it would take me. Perfect ending.
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So delightfully sinister I read it again, for the sheer pleasure of it.
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When the creator was handing out emotions such as regret and remorse, this individual must have called in sick.
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Gave me the shivers
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I hope someone has that poor man’s back. What Rochelle said reminded me of a movie I saw on TV called “The Rosary Murders”. A mentally disturbed man is killing priests and nuns and makes a confession. The priest knows but can say nothing because of the “seal of the confessional” which priests take very seriously. It’s an absolute. Priests have gone to jail rather than reveal information from the confessional; When the man confesses, the priest thinks the man will kill him. It keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. Good writing as always, Sandra. — Suzanne
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nice post
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