Local Tonight

Part 2

- By Gwydion R.

Prisha let Doyle guide her a few steps before stopping. She looked up, surprised. "Well, that's... quite a big spike. Should I be worried?"

Avery was posing with the prop, her finger on the tip to show it was sharp. She turned to Prisha- "You've got this! Trust me, Doyle's done this hundreds of times. Well, dozens. Just relax and follow his lead."

"Easy for you to say- you're not the one about to be skewered!"

Avery laughed softly.

Doyle placed his hand gently on Prisha's back. "Uh, yeah, no need to worry, Prisha. I've got you covered. Now, stand right here and uh keep your back straight, arms loose. Right, like that. Okay, I'm going to, um, put you into a light trance- just to help you relax. It'll make everything smoother."

"A trance, huh? Well, I guess that beats sheer panic."

There was some laughter from the audience, which quieted as Doyle raised his hand in front of Prisha's face. He continued low, his voice softening. "Just focus on my voice. Let yourself relax, breathe deeply, and, as you exhale, feel the tension melt away."

Prisha breathed slowly, and her eyelids fluttered closed as she relaxed visibly. Doyle continued. "Perfect. You're calm now, stay still, and relax, and I'll take care of the rest."