Chapter 100: Candle Wax

Back in college, Sarah had been fascinated by psychology and even took a six-month course in hypnosis. With Mario Walton, she used some of what she'd learned. She wasn't a professional, but he'd let his guard down and opened up to her, so it was easy to guide him into that gentle state. It wasn't mind control. It was just the soft thread of her voice, coaxing him to relax his shoulders, to breathe, to appreciate the quiet and the simple sweetness of being alive. She led him on until his eyes drifted...