Chapter 3

"Now, start at the beginning, Samantha."

She sat completely still on the couch she had heard about from others.

"There really is nothing to say."

"Now, Sam, you have to work with me. Who is Erik?"

A smile came upon the child's face as she closed her eyes and looked up to the sky.

"He is my angel and protector. But most of all, he is my teacher and lover."

"What kind of teacher?"

"A music teacher, sir."

"Where does he live?"

"I'm not totally sure...he is always in my room."

The doctor sat back and began writing on his paper.

"Now, you say he is your lover? Do you have relations with him?"

"Oh, no, I'm still a virgin! But we do love each other very much."

"I see..." said the doctor.

"When does Erik usually come to see you?"

"Whenever I am sad or lonely. Sometimes he just comes to teach me to sing, or just to read me a story."

The doctor looked up at her innocence and set his paper down.

"Samantha, is Erik with you now?"

Samantha began to look around. Then with a smile, she pointed towards an empty chair next to her.

"He is right here next to me."

The doctor began to write down more of his ideas as Samantha held the arm of Erik's chair and smiled towards the air.

"Doctor, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"Oh, I beg your pardon, Erik. I'm very pleased to meet you."

Samantha stared at Erik's chair. Erik smiled at her and grazed her hair with his hand as he brushed a stray wisp away from her eyes.

"My beloved." he whispered.

She smiled brightly and leaned over to be nearer to him.

The doctor kept writing more on his paper until he had to flip it over.

"Samantha, I think our time is up. Please send your mother in."

As Samantha walked into the waiting room, her mother jumped up and almost ran into the doctor's office and shut the door behind her.

"Well doctor?"

The doctor sat back and crossed his legs.

"Mrs. Belle, your daughter believes she can see a man by the name of Erik so seriously, that she could see him clearly in this very chair. I believe your daughter may be developing signs of being psychotic. I need to see her at least 3 times a week from now on."

Mrs. Belle thanked him through tears and walked back out to get her daughter. She knew her life would never be the same from then on.