Name: Alma Evans
Age: 38Appearance: Alma was 5’5” and medium build (140-145lb). Her skin was rosy-pale and freckled, her head was triangular and her dark-hair was crop short, in layers, which was one step above a short pixie cut and always looked windblown. She wears mostly white clothing with a splash of pastel colors, and her style was conservative and chic, revealing little skin. There was a brooding sadness and pretentious aura looming about her, even with meticulous white clothing and etiquette her grey eyes could not conceal it. The type of denoting traits that made people lose interest or feel pity for her.
Condition: Achluophobia - irrational fear of night time darkness. Alma isn’t afraid of darkness itself, but afraid of what might be hidden in the darkness. She imagines there is something in the pocket of darkness, demons, vampires, ghosts or anything else that might "go bump in the night." She fears something will come out from the void to harm her, she feels and senses danger even if there is nothing there her mind believes there is. This also involves a fear of not being able to see properly in the dark.
As a child, Alma frequently experienced vivid nightmares. This phobia developed following an experience of being terrified in the dark. She experiences anxiety that can be completely disruptive to her ability to function. As a result of her phobia she avoids large shadows, dark places, and poorly lit rooms, and never goes out after dark alone.
Shares:
~Meeting Dr. Blake~I was referred to Dr. Blake by my former therapist who insensibly terminated our sessions because she was moving out of New York City. It took me a while to accept her recommendation, I was really angry at her for abandoning me. But I researched Dr. Blake and found his unorthodox methods interesting, at the very least it was a new approach to therapy, one I had not done before and I was willing to try anything by then. Besides, my supply of medication was running out, so, I took a chance.
The first sitting was a private session. He surprised me, he was well informed on my condition, and I guess my old therapist had shared my record with him because he didn’t ask me the silly questions therapist ask when they first meet you. In fact I think he scheduled me for group therapy for our next session. Surprisingly I accepted, he made me feel comfortable and dare I say it, normal. It didn’t hurt that he was handsome and outgoing and so encouraging, I think I developed an innocent crush on him after that.
~First Day, Group Session~The biggest problem I have with therapy is scheduling. It took me years to find a job I could scheduled around therapy. While most people work a 9 - 5 job in some corporate building, I work from home. I’m only required to work 4 - 6 hours a day, but I usually punch in 10 -12 hours; why my boss loves me so much. I love working from home. The downside, seating for 10 - 12 hours has added a few pounds to my frame and it all goes to my hips. But I get to talk to so many people across the nation, and I don’t normally interact with people outside of my circle. Plus I like helping them solve their insurance problems, it gives me a purpose.
I don’t like going out at night, I try to avoid it, but if I have to I’m not alone and I must be home by evening hours otherwise I’ll start having panic attacks. This is why I insist on being scheduled for sessions in the afternoons.
The first day of group I wore white tailored trousers and a lace blouse and ivory cardigan with pearl buttons. I looked quite demure and chic. Imagine my shock when I walked into the room and met the ensemble of questionable characters. I could not hide my disappointment, much less my irritation. As everyone made their introductions I realized not one suffered from the same phobia, not even mines. I got up and left before it was my turn, but Dr. Blake stopped me and apologized, he insisted I take this step with the group, that we were all different but we all seek the same things, to surpass our conditions.
“My name is Alma, and I...I have achluophobia...fear of the dark.” That was all I shared.
~Third Group Session~ These people were not half as bad as I’d imagined the first time I met them. We had more in common that I wanted to admit. We were all fucked-up, introverts, depressed, and unable to cope with our phobias. We were a sorry bunch, a dysfunctional group of citizens. Yet we found comfort in our group, we understood that coming here was now a big part of our journey to recovery. But it wasn’t recovery we seek, we knew our phobias will never go away, we simply seek a way to control it. Some had actually left the group after the first week. I almost did too, but decided to continue at Dr. Blake’s request.
Today was my day to be hypnotised. I was not comfortable at all, my body could not stop shaking. I was afraid that it would not work, that Dr. Blake will not be able to hypnotize me. I layed on the therapist chair and closed my eyes as he requested. He had me follow the sound of his voice, to think of it as a bright light, a bright sourceless light shining brilliantly over my person. And when I was most comfortable he order me to walk into the light, and somehow I knew that I could and I did. And as I walked into the light I saw my Mama’s home, but I was not afraid, it was so bright. I had never seen it so bright.
He told me to pick a day from my childhood and to place my self there and I did. I was four-years-old, and we were seated around the television, we were watching the Twilight Zone! I became a little agitated, but Dr. Blake calmed me down. It was that music, the theme song, hearing it made the hairs on my skin stand on end. He told me to watch, to watch the little girl and what she was doing. To be an observer, not a participant. He said the music was gone, and to listen only to his voice.
“Tell me, what is the little girl doing?”
“She is watching the television. She doesn’t want to watch but she is being forced to watch. She is being punished. She tried to close her eyes but the man is shouting, oh my god he is beating her with his belt. Stop!”
“It’s okay, its not you. You are observing from the light, you are safe, Alma.”
“She can’t close her eyes or he’ll hit her again. But she can’t see with all the tears in her eyes. She is afraid, she is petrified.”
“Who else is in the room?”
“My cousins, they are all laughing and repeating that horrible tune over and over.” I panicked, suddenly I knew what happened next. “OH MY GOD! STOP HIM! He is taking her, he is taking her to the dark room. STOP! STOP!”
“Alma! Alma, calm down, listen to my voice, look at the light. I want you to walk back into the light and come back. I’m going to count down to One, and as I get closer to to one you are going to relax, you will be at peace, you will be safe. And when I say one you will open your eyes. Ten, nine, eight, seven….”
Possessions: One item Alma carries consistently is her big white designer bag. She never leaves it alone anywhere. Inside she keeps the personal items any other woman would have, toiletries, make-up, money, keys, phone, identification, candy, smokes, etc. But she also has in her bag a
Gentleman’s Tac-Tic Kit with an LED flashlight, aluminum pen/glass breaker, and 2 1/2" blade. Extra batteries. And pill box.
Relations: I would like to work on the relationship between my character and the other members in group therapy, can be friendships, romantic interest, or even dislikement. Let me know.
Aimee Askins: Alma see's her like an immature young girl. I wouldn't say they have a relationship, but Alma would treat her like a young sister, considering she understands Aimee's illness, and both have shared what Alma considers a secret - their illness. Alma wouldn't hangout with Aimee, she wouldn't see her outside of group. She would give advice as an elder sister would, help if she could in anyway, but she wouldn't consider her a real friend or family. My character is a bit of a snob. So, she would consider Aimee much too young to be a friend or even someone at her level
Joseph Harrell: Alma would most likely stay away from him. She wouldn't seat next to him and most likely try to stay away from him avoiding conversations and interactions with him. Her reaction is judgmental, she feels uncomfortable around him, disliking his unkempt appearance, and having seen him drink from his flask she thinks, "He is nothing more than a alcoholic." And she has great disdain for alcoholics considering her personal experienced with one during her childhood. She wouldn't trust him or care to make friends with him on a personal level.
Kyle Mare: He is quite handsome and I think Alma's loneliness may influenced how she feels around him. She is smitten with him, finds him appealing to look at, and she hates that he makes her feel this way. She’s never had an amorous relationship, and sometimes her mind wanders and wishes she finds someone special to love. But she would never reveal how she feels, especially to someone in this group. Kyle is unreachable to her, and the condition of his illness is not something she comprehends well. In her mind beauty is wasted on him.
Maya Chen: Alma sees her like another crazy person in the room. It’s hard for Alma to make any connection to Chen (or anyone in the room) she doesn’t really care about her (their) problems. And after listening to Chen talk about her dreams, she pretty much judged her, and even entertained the idea that the woman drowned her own child. Of course she will keep her judgment to herself, and continue to interact with the woman like she interacts with the rest of them - only when she needs to.
