Red Rabbit

Woah! That’s green!

Like a small green hill, the sofa stood in the middle of the room. For a second, the grinning face of a hobbit came into mind. Harvey suppressed a snort. Then his gaze was drawn to the light-yellow armchair next to it. The afternoon sun cast a golden ray on the fabric, making some of the threads shimmer golden. He even thought to smell a flowery scent in the office.

“You may take a seat over there, Mr. Meddlon. Doctor Lambert is going to be there in a moment.”

Harvey turned around, a polite smile plastered on his lips. He focused his eyes on the white blouse and kaki trousers of the receptions. He smelled flowers again.

Ah, that makes more sense.

“Thank you.”

The woman lingered a few more moments, but Harvey didn’t go into the direction of the imposing furniture. Nor did he move at all.

“If you need any help, let me know at the front desk.”

“Yes, sure. Thank you.”

At least have the decency to look at her.

Harvey blinked a few times. Then he turned around just to see the door fall shut. He pressed his palms against his temples.

She’s offended. I would be too. But she should be used to it. What was her name again? Maybe I should follow her. Apologise.

He stared at the white door. His legs didn’t move. Focusing on his breathing, like his GP had told him, he managed to unclench his jaw and lower his arms.

“Ah, Mr. Meddlon. Have you been waiting for long?”

A warm, slightly husky voice sent shivers down his spine. He whipped around. A tall woman was standing just a few steps away from him. Her white dress swayed as if a gentle wind was blowing. For a moment Harvey forgot his resolve and looked up.

Voices filled his head. Shrieking. Shouting. Yelling. Pleading.

The gentle smile turned into a frown. The voices grew momentum. Harvey started to feel dizzy. The voices grew louder.

“Breathe!”

The command rang over all the noise.

But how do you breathe?

Dark spots danced in front of his eyes. There was a low raspy laugh slowly cancelling out the other voices.

“Breathe, Mr. Meddlon. Here.”

Suddenly, a hand pushed down his shoulders. Immediately, he closed his eyes. Fuzzy darkness embraced him.

“Good. Now breathe in. Hold it. Breath out. Slowly.”

Listening to the calm voice wasn’t difficult. The other voices quieted down soon enough. Only the laughter persisted longer. But Doctor Lambert guided him with patient words, until even the last giggling sound had disappeared.

“Well, Doctor Pomodos has forwarded me our information. I hadn’t expected such an intense first interaction.”

His eyes still closed, Harvey felt Doctor Lambert’s hand. She guided him over to where the sofa must be. With one hand, he felt for the soft fabric and the professional helped him to take a seat. The moment he sat down, he sank into the cushions as if the sofa was ready to devour him.

Don’t think that. Don’t give them ideas.

“So, Mr. Meddlon. Welcome to your first session.”

How can she be so calm? This is a mistake. I will figure a way to deal with it. Just wear shades all the time. Tell everyone that I had eye surgery.

“Well, why don’t you tell me a bit about you first. As it’s our first session together, getting to know each other is the most important aspect.”

Harvey balled his fingers. The pain his fingernails inflicted on his palms helped.

This isn’t a dream. I’m here to get help.

Slowly, he opened his eyes again. Staring at the white dress he concentrated on his breathing for a bit before he spoke.

“Hello, Docotor Lambert. My name’s Harvey Meddlon. I … I’m here today because … because …”

The cackling made him whip around. His eyes now wide open he stared into the corner of the room. The cackle grew louder. The shadows in the corner deepened.

“Mr. Meddlon. Why exactly are you here?”

The light touch of fingers on his knee, made him peel away his gaze. He turned back to the doctor. With a forceful sigh, he focused with all his might on the white fabric of the doctor’s skirt.

“I’m here because I need help.”

Monday

Bed time: 10 pm

Switch off lights: 10.30 pm

Wake up: 1.23 am

The doctor said to keep notes when I wake up at night. So, I'll try. I’m tired. I feel restless. I took leave for one week. My boss isn’t happy. But at least there will be no more customer complaints. After the therapy session, I went to the supermarket. The sunglasses helped, but I had to hide three times to calm down. I have now enough food for the next week.

Tuesday

Bed time: 10 pm

Switch off lights: 10.30 pm

Wake up: 1.23 am

My eyes are burning. Maybe it’s from today’s session in the living room. I managed to throw out all the old furniture. I didn’t talk to anyone today. My mother called but I couldn’t pick it up. She’ll know that something isn’t right. She’ll worry. Then I’ll worry more.

Wednesday

Bed time: 9.30 pm

Switch off lights: 9.55 pm

Wake up: 1.23 am

I’m wearing my sunglasses inside as well. The sunlight makes my eyes tear up. When I was on the phone with the moving company today, I could only understand half of it. The voices kept interrupting. I’m lucky if my furniture is being delivered next week.

Thursday

Bed time: 9.25 pm

Switch off lights: 9.40 pm

Wake up: 1.23 am

I had a dream. I never dream. A red bunny was chasing me down a corridor. I ran. I repeated “It’s just a bunny.” But I knew I couldn’t let it catch me. I wonder, what Doctor Lambert is going to make out of this dream.

Friday

Bed time: 9.15 pm

Switch off lights: 9.20 pm

Wake up: 1.23 am

I saw the bunny today. In my garden. It was red. Maybe a rusty brown. But it was there. It stared at me. I stared at it. The voices were quiet. Even when I took off the sunglasses. When I took a step forward, it screeched. Then it ran away. Can bunnies screech?

Saturday

Bed time: 8.55 pm

Switch off lights: 9.05 pm

Wake up: 4.56 am

I caught the rabbit. Something told me, I had to do it. The voices are quiet around it. Even when I talk to people. I tested it today. The mailman had a weird look on his face. But the voices didn’t interfere. I always thought a bunny’s fur is soft and warm, but it’s actually quite cold and a bit sticky. Maybe because it’s a wild bunny.

Sunday

Bed time: 8.45 pm

Switch off lights: 8.50 pm

Wake up: 4.56 am

I tried to call my mother today. With the bunny, I feel I can talk to her. Bunny rested on my arms the whole time while I was on the phone. I felt calm. The voices are completely gone now. As are the moving shadows. My mother didn’t pick up. She visited me two months ago. So, my call was long overdue. I’m a bit worried. She might be sick. But she might also just be on a trip with her friends. The bunny reminds me, that I often worry over nothing. It might be right. It’s probably nothing.