The Secondhand Fatigue Curse
What he didn't know was that I'd laced it with a sedative I used in my practice for hypnotherapy sessions.
The air in the room was thick with the faint, calming scent of sandalwood incense—also prepped in advance.
I guided him to the couch, using the same calm, steady induction techniques I'd perfected over years of clinical work, easing him into a trance.
"Todd, look into my eyes.
"You're tired now. Very tired. You want to sleep..."
His gaze started to go slack. His breathing slowed, evening out.
"Tell me," I murmured, low and deliberate, "why does your exhaustion... become mine?"