Cory shook his head, he was stunned. He remembered everything. He saw it and it was as real as seeing Dr. Taylor in front of him. Seeing the little Mongolian girl, and the horses. He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. He also felt a tight knot slip loose. That tight and crushing fear of fire. He was still afraid, but now he knew why.
“How does me burning to death as someone else affect me now, if that was even me? I don’t understand it.” Cory said, his teeth biting his lower lip.
“It would seem that your consciousness or soul, has lived other lives. It remembers the essence of a fear and it has been brought forward into your life now. It seems we have tapped into something very deep in your subconscious. I know this is disconcerting Cory, but would you be willing to explore your past lives? Perhaps that will be the key to unlocking your fears and phobias.” Dr. Taylor asked.
“Yes, but I’m almost afraid of what I might learn.”
“You’re safe here Cory and I’ll make sure that when you remember, you’ll not feel the fear or pain of those previous lives. You’ll only retain the knowledge. If you want, we can set up sessions for twice a week. I’ll begin to record an audio diary for you. That way, we can listen after and discuss what comes up.”
“Sure, that sounds good. Thanks, Dr. Taylor. This is really freaky, but I’m glad we found the source of my fire fear.” Cory smile wanly, he was tired but happy. For the first time in years, he felt hope.
§
Renda sat in her office making notes, Cory was due soon and she wanted to be ready. She was so thrilled about their last session. Who could have known? She was interested to see if any of the three previous lives would come back. It would be interesting to see. She’d not told any of her associates yet, this was just too exciting and a delicate process to say much to anyone. She set up the recording app on her computer and made sure it worked. She didn’t want technical difficulties during the session. She would also write down notes as well.
Getting up from her desk, she went to the door. She looked around her office, ensuring that everything was in place. She opened the door and smiled at Cory, she thought he looked excited, rather than his usual anxious countenance.
“Come on in Cory, how are you feeling today?”
“Good, nervous and excited.” He grinned shyly, hunching his shoulders up around his ears.
“Not to worry. You’re in a very safe place. Please have a seat and we’ll get started. I’ll be making an audio recording, so we can go back over the session if need be. I’ve set this appointment open ended, so it can run as long as you’re comfortable. I didn’t want to stop you too soon. I want this to be as organic as possible, letting your subconscious guide us.”
“Okay, thanks. I’m so curious to see who’s next. I thought about what those people had said and their lives. I even found the ship that Llorente spoke of. It was so cool. I also saw that the ship sank in 1708. I wondered if Llorente survived.”
Within a few minutes, Dr. Taylor had Cory in a deep state of relaxation. His face was very relaxed as was his body, his gray eyes half open. His feet were propped up and Renda hit the record button.
“Cory, I’m going to take you back, as far as you think you wish to go today. Let your mind find its way to the past. Can you tell me, what do you see?”
“I see my mother.” Cory said softly, a soft smile curving his lips.
“What is your mother doing?”
“She’s holding me, I… I think I was just born. Her eyes are tired and there are deep lines on her face. She seems happy, but sad. My mother is a slave.” Cory said. Dr. Taylor’s brows went up. This was a new past life.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Mary. Our souls aren’t on a linear state, time has no relevance here. I want to tell you about my life and my family. I want to tell you everything.”
§
Ida’s back was hurting badly, she felt as though she would pass out from the excruciating pain. Nausea pulled at her throat, but she didn’t dare stop working. She only had half her quota of cotton and Ida knew only too well the overseer, Lester Clark, would strip her back if she were to come in with less than two hundred pounds of picked cotton. She could feel the contractions grip her round belly. She panted softly, working through it, her dark hands rapidly picking the fluffy tuffs of cotton off the bush, her strong hands covered with nicks from careless aim.
The labor pains had started just after lunch. At first, Ida thought it was the potato she had eaten. Perhaps the potato had gone rancid and upset her stomach? But the pain had kept on hurting, down to her lower back and Ida knew in her soul her time was near. Lawd, don’t let this child come too soon, she prayed. She wanted to be in her bed when the baby came, not out here in the fields. Especially with Mr. Clark watching on, he was an evil bastard.
Another contraction gripped Ida and she faltered, going down on one knee.
“Gal, you betta get ta work, Clark, he gonna give you a whuppin’.” Liza hissed, worry creasing her face. Sweat was beaded across her broad brow, running rivets down her broad face. Liza’s capable hands never ceased their actions, as they
