going further with hypnosis

You and Sarah continued the sessions over the next few days, repeating watching the videos and going through Renee's social media. She had a pretty active presence, especially on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok - but even some activity on Facebook and Twitter. Sarah got better and better at mimicking Renee, now aping her style and clothing continually. "I need to get used to dressing like this," she pointed out, though it started to make you feel a little strange.

She used her social media info as a checklist of Renee's like and dislikes, choosing to eat and drink only what Renee would, watching her shows, listening to her music. You missed sitting with Sarah in the evenings to watch your favorite shows together - instead she watched the YA and reality tv that Renee loved (and you hated). And as she practiced talking like Renee and copying her habits, you felt more and more like you were living with your stepdaughter instead of your wife. You felt awkward getting into bed with her at night, even though she turned off 'Renee mode' then. The incongruity of her behavior through the day with her desire intimacy with you at night threw you off - but didn't prevent you from being physical with her and enjoying her fit and attractive 18 year old body.

You were just starting to get used to it by the end of the week when Sarah threw another wrench in your routine. You came home from work that Friday to find Sarah frantically going through all of Renee's online info once again. "What's up?" you asked.

She looked up in a state of panic. "Terri, Jo, and Kylie are coming over. They want to take me out!"

"Huh? okay..." you started.

She continued. "They saw me online and started chatting. I tried to ignore them but they kept at it, worried that they hadn't heard from me since 'my mom' died. They'll be here in an hour or so. I'm not ready for this yet!"

"shh...it's okay," you said, trying to calm her. "Come here!" You pulled her away from the computer. "What can I do to help?"

She looked at you desperately. "Put me under again. Help me relax and get threw this, please!"

She cajoled you until you agreed, but it took some time to calm her down enough to hypnotize her. Once you had her under, you tried to give her suggestions that would help her relax throughout the evening, but you didn't have much time and weren't sure exactly what would help her.

You got an idea. You kept talking to her in a low, calming tone to keep her under while you retrieved a small mirror. You held it in front of her.

You: "Sarah, you are still very relaxed, floating. I'm going to ask you to open your eyes in a moment but I want you to stay in this calm place, to not wake up. Understand?"

Sarah: "Yes"

You: "Now without leaving the warm, relaxed space you're in, open your eyes and look in this mirror. What do you see?"

Sarah opened her eyes. There was a fog in them and you could tell she was still deeply under.

Sarah: "Me."

You: "Who do you see? Whose image?"

Sarah: "Renee, my daughter."

You: "Look closely. Is that the reflection you see every time you look in the mirror?"

Sarah: "yes."

You: "And if that's your reflection, then who must you be? Who are you?"

Sarah: "....Renee?"

You: "Exactly! You look like Renee. Your body is Renee. So you must be Renee, right? You ARE Renee."

Sarah: "Yes...I am Renee."

You: "So take everything you know about Renee - her personality, her habits, her friends. All that knowledge you have. That is yours now - it is YOU, not someone else. So when you wake up, you will be Renee, not Sarah. Renee who is about to go out with her friends that she hasn't seen in weeks. Friends who want to cheer you up because your mother Sarah died. You'll go out and have fun with them tonight and forget about being Sarah because obviously you're not Sarah. You are Renee."

Sarah: "I am Renee."

You: "Now when I count to 3, you are going to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed. You will be Renee and only Renee. You won't remember the specifics of this, just that I helped you relax because you were upset about your mother's ****. And when I say the phrase 'Renee go to sleep', you will return to this relaxed state. Understand?"

Sarah: "Yes."

You: "Okay. On the count of 3. 1...2...3, open your eyes."

Sarah's eyes opened, blinking a few times.

"How do you feel?" you asked.

She looked at you in confusion. "I...I feel better, thanks." She stood up looking a little uncomfortable. Her expression and mannerisms were definitely Renee-like. You didn't see any sign of Sarah's love for you in her eyes but instead suspicion and distrust. "I don't know why I let you do that but thanks, I guess," she said.

She stood there a moment staring at you. "Aren't you supposed to be going out with your friends?" you finally asked, breaking the silence.

Her eyes widened and she looked down at what she was wearing. "Oh shit!" she exclaimed. "I've got to get changed." And she headed off to Renee's room.