Contents
Part Two — Chapter Four
Overview
Alicia arrives clearer after reduced medication but maintains silence as Theo attempts to build trust through shared quiet. After he appeals to help her “see clearly,” Alicia violently attacks him, forcing an alarm response and sedation. Theo concludes Alicia doesn’t seem psychotic, reframing her condition and raising the stakes of treatment.
Summary
A few days after Alicia’s medication is reduced, Theo notices she moves more fluidly and looks clearer. Escorted by Yuri, Alicia enters, judges the room safe, and sits without prompting. Theo invites conversation, then opts for therapeutic silence to convey safety and patience while he absorbs palpable despair and headache-like distress.
As the session ends, Theo breaks his reserve, offering, “I want to help you … to see clearly.” Alicia fixes him with an intense stare that Theo reads as accusatory. He’s struck by how lucid her eyes seem despite years of medication, concluding she doesn’t look mad, and searches for the right word.
Suddenly, Alicia lunges and knocks Theo to the floor, bashing his head and clawing at him. She strangles him as he fumbles for the alarm. He finally triggers it, and staff rush in while Alicia fights with feral intensity.
It takes four nurses to restrain Alicia. Christian arrives and sedates her, restoring silence. Shaken but observant, Theo reframes his understanding: Alicia’s presentation feels less psychotic than profoundly defended and distressed, altering his sense of the therapeutic path and risks ahead.
Who Appears
- Theo FaberPsychotherapist; conducts a silent, trust-building session, is violently attacked, and concludes Alicia doesn’t appear mad.
- Alicia BerensonSilent patient; clearer post-med reduction, abruptly assaults Theo, is restrained and sedated.
- Christian WestGrove psychiatrist; responds to the emergency and sedates Alicia after the attack.
- YuriNurse; escorts Alicia to the session and calls for backup during the assault.