What about it scares you? Hazeline asks to kick off the session.

 

The way it never ends. Like the idea of infinity. Terrifying, Leonard answers.

 

When she draws an enormous circle on the blackboard behind her, Leonard shuffles in his seat.      When she draws another he becomes visibly agitated.

 

How do you feel now?

 

Unsafe.

 

You’re safe now. I promise you.

 

When she draws a third circle interpenetrating the others, Leonard stands up, his fists balled.

 

Erase them, he tells her. Now.

 

She does.

 

Now tell me how that made you feel…

 

Later, Hazeline is willing to admit to herself how scared she was. Here at Red Ward it is Leonard, at twenty-three the youngest and most volatile patient, that has only ever made her fear like that.

 

From that day onward, a muscle man is always outside her door during a session.