Enter Dr Somnos by Trekker1071

Enter Dr Somnos—a White Owl adventure by Trekker1071
“Alex, what's wrong?” Athena asked her older brother. Alex took a sip of red wine. He looked troubled as he sat on the couch across from her sister. “It's Beth, she's been on a spending spree lately.” “Beth? Our Beth? The queen of thrift?” Athena said, smiling. “Yes, and it's bothering me. She's not buying things for herself, you know how she hates doing that. But she's paying $5000.00 per session for some weight loss program.” Athena gulped, nearly choking on her own wine. “That's insane...I'm sorry Alex.” Athena said after catching her breath. “It's ok. Have you ever heard of Professor Somnos?” Athena pondered for a few moments. “He rings a bell, but I don't know anything specific.”
Alex began, “I'm just learning about him, but here's what I know: He's a hypnotherapist to the wealthy. He's well respected and very successful.” “But why did Beth look him up?” Athena asked. Alex sighed, “She's been trying to lose 10 pounds and not having much luck. I keep telling her she looks fine, but every time we go shopping, she complains that she can't find decent clothes that fit.” He paused, took a long drink. Athena was surprised, she had never seen her brother drink like that.
“Remember the cruise we were planning for next summer?” How could she not? She remembered how excited Beth was when she told her that they were going on the QE2 for a 3 week cruise. “She tole me last week that she canceled it. She said that unless she could fit into a bikini, she wouldn't go.” Athena's jaw dropped. That trip was something they had been planning for nearly 2 years.
“You're right, something is very wrong here.” Athena said to Alex. “I know, but what can we do?” She reached over and placed her hand on his knee. “Let me do some research on this Somnos. And try not to worry, ok?” Alex nodded, trying to smile.
After he left, Athena called Lt. Winslow. She took a deep breath, trying to relax as she heard a familiar voice. “Winslow.” “Lieutenant, this is White Owl.” “So how is Queen City's favorite vigilante today?” She had to smile. “I'm fine, thank you. I need some information on a man calling himself Professor Somnos...” “Yes, we're familiar with that character.” He started, “We have had several complaints filed on him, mostly from angry spouses and family members.” She heard the sounds of the keyboard being used. “We've looked at his business and he's clean. No mob contacts, doesn't drink to excess or do drugs. But he does have expensive tastes: penthouse apartment at the Bentley, 3 Rolls Royces, a Gulfstream 5 private jet and a lot of of other houses all over the world.”
“Also, he is a licensed physician and hypnotherapist. He specializes in weight loss and smoking cessation for the rich and famous. Educated at the Sorbonne, graduated top of his class. Ah, here's something interesting. He married a rich Frenchwoman in 1990, she died in a car accident 8 years ago...And get this, the accident investigation was inconclusive. Apparently, the two of them were arguing, she drove off and ran right into a tree, dying on impact. There were no skid marks. The cell phone records showed that Somnos called her 2 minutes before the crash. Her family accused him of somehow killing her, but could prove nothing. The good professor inherited everything and moved to the U.S. soon after. He charges a lot for his therapy, but according to the law, it's not illegal to overcharge rich idiots.” Athena bit her tongue.
“White Owl, why the interest in this guy?” She took a deep breath, thinking. “A friend of mine is involved with him and she's acting strangely.” “Then God help the professor, but be careful, White Owl, his website claims he can hypnotize almost anyone. I sure hate the thoughts of him messing around with that pretty head of yours.” “Aww, lieutenant, what would your wife say if she heard you say that?”
The heroine could hear the officer smile. “She'd read me my rights and beat the snot out of me.” White Owl laughed, “I knew she was a smart woman. Thanks for the info and I will be careful. Bye.” She hung up and looked at the clock: 4:15 PM. She went to his website and saw that he closed his office at 5 on Saturdays. “More than enough time.” Athena thought as she donned the Nu-Silk, applied her mask, pulled on her gloves and boots before buckling the wide belt around her slim waist.
By 4:38, she was airborne, the sun setting in the late fall evening. It was chilly enough for her stylish but warm jacket, but she didn't think she'd need it when she was changing earlier. 'Have to break it out when I get home.' She reminded herself, curving west toward the expensive part of town.
White Owl circled the small, ornate house Somnos used for his office. Sure enough, a white Rolls Royce sat in a secure parking spot. It looked like a mid 60's model, White Owl thought. She orbited the home silently, waiting for the last clients to leave. She was angry as she thought about her sister being manipulated. White Owl was no expert on hypnosis, but she knew that a hypnotic suggestion that didn't violate the person's core ethics could be used with great effect.
Beth was a generous person, often making sizable donations to worthy charities. White Owl figured that was the lever Somnos used on Beth to get money from her. If that were true, she'd put a stop to that.
Finally, the last car left. White Owl descended gracefully, landing in the parking lot. She looked around, saw no cameras or other security systems. She walked purposefully toward the front door. She rang the bell, forcing herself to be calm, otherwise she may have jabbed the button clear through the door frame.
A speaker came to life. “I'm sorry, but the office is closed. Please call my receptionist to set up an appointment.” “Professor Somnos, this is White Owl. I need to speak with you immediately.” There was a pause, then “White Owl? This is indeed an honor. Please hold on, I'll be right there.” She waited, her toe tapping impatiently on the threshold.
It took over a minute for him to appear. White Owl knew that was an old trick to let her know that he was in control. She fought back the urge to knock the door off the hinges, hand it to Somnos and say, “Don't you know it's rude to keep a lady waiting?” But she refrained from doing so.
Finally, she heard the door being unlocked. From the picture on his website, she knew that Somnos was a handsome man and no doubt he would use his wiles to throw her off balance. As the door opened, she looked at him. Somnos was only a few inches taller than herself, but the cut of his handmade suit made him look taller. His hair was dark and expensively styled, he flashed a winning smile at her. “White Owl, what a pleasant surprise. I apologize for the delay, I was on the phone with a client.” He stepped aside, gesturing White Owl to come in. She did.
There was a short hallway leading to the waiting room. As soon as the door was closed, White Owl sensed more than heard, pleasant, low frequency tones. It sounded somewhat familiar but she couldn't quite remember where she heard it. So as she followed Somnos, her mind focused on the noise, trying to identify it. It was like hearing part of a song that you couldn't remember the name of.
Somnos was saying something, but the sounds had distracted White Owl. She had to concentrate on what he was saying, but she suddenly didn't feel the urgency to listen to his voice. She liked the sounds, they were relaxing, comforting. It was like Daisy's purring. It was so nice, so sweet and nurturing, she found herself smiling but didn't know why.
Somnos also had a smile on his face, but for a whole other reason. The white noise he was playing could relax a rabid elephant and he saw that White Owl was quite calm. He walked slowly, giving the noise as much time to effect the powerful heroine as possible. He had used this method on his wife, Elaina, using the tones to relax her will, allowing him to subtly plant a series of suggestions that used her chronic depression as a lever to appeal to her occasional suicidal thoughts.
On that day she threatened to divorce him, she had stormed out of their mansion, ignoring the chauffeur's request to drive her into town. As she sped away in her 1965 BMW 2000 CS, he called her, speaking a series of eloquently crafted instructions to her. As a result, the suicidal thoughts conquered her will and she drove into a century-old tree at over 90 miles per hour, dying on impact.
As a result, Somnos, his real name DeGaulle Fournier, inherited 340 million Euros, as well as Elaina's property holdings and possessions. Her family was suspicious, but they knew she fought depression for years and to prove that Fournier murdered his wife was impossible to prove.
And now White Owl was falling under his mental dominance. And to him, White Owl would be his ultimate tool, as well as his ultimate toy. His plans for the heroine were sinister, but first, he had to conquer her formidable will.
Leading her to his treatment room, actually a small stage, complete with a theater style curtain, he told White Owl to stand still. She did without question. He smiled again. “White Owl, don't move until I tell you to. Do you understand?” “I understand, I won't move until you tell me to.” She replied evenly.
“Very good, White Owl, very good indeed.” Somnos said warmly. Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a small globe hanging from a gold chain. Pressing a hidden control, the globe lit up, throwing a gentle glow on White Owl's beautiful face and body. “White Owl,” Somnos began. “I need your help.” “I can help you.” She replied confidently. “Good, I need you to concentrate on this light. It is vitally important that you concentrate on the light. Lives of innocent people depend on your complete concentration on the light. Will you help them, White Owl?”
“I will help them, Professor.” White Owl replied instantly. “Good, now clear your mind of all conscious thought, conscious thought will cause harm to innocent people. The power to protect them is in the light, but you must focus your whole mind on the light. Listen to my voice, I will help you to focus. The light will make you powerful, it will cleanse your mind of doubt and fear. Focus, White Owl, focus on the light, listen to my voice and you will protect innocent people.”
“I will focus on the light, I will listen to your voice.” White Owl said. Somnos began gently swinging the globe back and forth. “Watch the light White Owl, do not look away. Innocent life depends on you watching the light. Focus on the light, White Owl.” He watched her, her eyes following the lighted globe obediently. It began to spin gradually.
Slowly, he increased the length of the swing, White Owl kept her gaze locked on it. “Wonderful, White Owl, you are saving innocent life. Now give your will to the light, hold nothing back, innocent lives will be saved if you do.” “I understand.” White Owl said, strain in her voice as she tried to obey his commands. There was no way she could allow innocent people to be harmed.
The light was so bright, so inviting. White Owl sensed its power, its purity. Focusing her mind on it, she let the light shine into the deepest parts or her mind, her resistance melted. Her desire to save the innocent was total as her will merged with the light, becoming one with it.
Beth was forgotten, Winslow's warning was forgotten. Her desire to defeat Somnos was gone. White Owl's eyes are drawn to the shining, spinning object and she can hear Somnos' voice in her head, banishing all thought! She drops her arms and stands silent, her will to win vanquished.
Somnos saw White Owl's surrender, her face and posture relaxed. He could hardly believe his luck! He owned a superheroine. With White Owl's mind under his control, Somnos laughed. White Owl ignored the sound, her mind absorbed by the light.
“White Owl, you've done it! You've saved innocent lives!” She said nothing, but the smile on her face told Somnos that the mental lever he had selected was the proper one for White Owl.
Somnos exulted in his victory over White Owl. She may have great physical strength, but her mind was as normal as anyone else. He wondered what to do with her, He could order her to commit crimes, saying that the things stolen belonged to him and only she could return them. But again, White Owl was a woman and he was sure, fairly celibate or avoided deep relationships because of her heroine identity...
He wondered how much he could get if he auctioned White Owl off. Or even better, an auction where the winner got to unmask White Owl. But she was so incredibly beautiful and he hated the thought of losing her without knowing her intimately.
But again, she would make a useful tool of vengeance. There was a private investigator named Molly Bryson. She had been hired by the wife of one if his more lucrative clients. Somnos had taken several million dollars before “curing” him of a 4 pack day cigarette habit.
But still, the detective was looking into his affairs. Perhaps White Owl could put an end to her prying eyes. He stared at the heroine, so beautiful, her skin glowing softly. Her hair shiny, elegantly framing her face. Her figure was magnificent, her breasts barely contained by the thin white leotard. Her legs shimmered under the tights that embraced them. He shook his head, breaking a spell as old as humanity: the desire for a beautiful woman.
He took a deep breath before speaking. “White Owl, there is a criminal only you can stop. Follow me to my office.” “I will follow you.” She said vacantly. In a few minutes, in his plush office, White Owl floated over Somnos's right shoulder, staring at a picture of Molly Bryson.
“White Owl, this woman is a terrorist. She plans on detonating a bomb in the Children's Hospital. If you stop her, innocent lives will be saved.” “I will stop her.” White Owl intoned solemnly. “White Owl, she must be destroyed. If not, she will come back and harm innocent lives.”
“Destroy her?” White Owl asked. Somnos heart nearly stopped. She was resisting his suggestion. 'She doesn't kill, only captures.' He thought to himself. He quickly came up with a new plan “White Owl, sit down.” He watched, amazed as she glided silently over his desk and into the leather chair across from him. “White Owl, she is not human, she is an alien. She has been hiding among us for centuries, quietly taking innocent lives. Only you can stop her.” He added force into his voice. “White Owl, you must destroy the alien to save innocent lives.”
Quickly, Somnos produced the globe. “White Owl, the light will show you that I am telling the truth. Look into the light, White Owl. Focus on it, see the truth in my words and take strength from the light.” He gently swung the globe, watching White Owl focus on it. He watched as his captive's face took on the relaxed expression as before.
“I see the truth, I will destroy the alien.” White Owl announced. “That is wonderful, White Owl. You will save many, many innocent lives.” He told her where to find Molly and she flew off at maximum speed across town, to the north side of Queen City.
Molly was in her office. It was nearly 10 PM, but she was working late on some files when White Owl burst through the window. The glass sprayed through the office. A few shards flew across her desk, cutting her arm as she ducked below her desk.
That cover was eliminated as the desk was violently picked up and tossed across the small office. Molly had no idea what was going on until she saw a pair of gloved hands reaching down and pulling the front of her blouse.
“White Owl?” She exclaimed. The heroine said nothing, her face a mask of rage as she picked up Molly as if she were a doll. Her right hand wrapped around Molly's throat and suddenly she couldn't breathe as White Owl's hand started squeezing her tender throat. Her brown eyes bugged out as the pressure on her throat increased. She was completely confused. What was going on? Why was White Owl attacking her? Molly's hands wrapped around White Owl's wrist, trying to break her grip, but it was like pulling at a steel beam as long seconds passed.
Molly tried to speak, to reason with the heroine, but the only sounds the detective could make was a faint croak that turned into a rattle. Her heart thudded, her vision began to dim as her oxygen starved brain started to shut down. Her slim body felt a million miles away, her hands went limp, blood from her wounds dripped on the floor.
White Owl saw the blood. A slight flash of confusion fired through her mind. 'Red blood?' Then, unbidden, a rule that she held sacred seared across her subconscious: “Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.”
White Owl gasped, her hand releasing the dying detective. Molly fell to the floor, taking desperate breaths, filling starving lungs as White Owl stared blankly at the wall in front of her. Anguished thoughts trickled through her mind, they became a flood as the control of her mind shattered.
White Owl wailed, the sound raising the hairs on the back of Molly's neck. She watched, dumbfounded as the heroine fell to her knees, her hands gripping her head, her body rocking back and forth as her mind fought the programming. Her thoughts were a hurricane of feelings, reason and shame. Tears streamed from her eyes as she wept.
Molly sat on the floor, completely confused. As if a switch was thrown, White Owl rose to her feet. She looked at Molly, “I'm sorry...” She whispered and flew out the shattered window. Molly's mind was going a million miles an hour, trying to figure out what just happened and why.
White Owl zoomed up, past the clouds to see the brilliant stars. “Focus on the light...” she heard Somnos say in her mind. “I will not!” She screamed aloud. She dove now, below the clouds, her mind was clearing slowly and the rage she felt was lethal. “It's my turn to be in control, Professor.” White Owl said aloud. A plan began to form and the heroine smiled, but it was a smile that would frighten a murderer.
Somnos waited in his office, his TV tuned to the news station. He was expecting to hear of Molly Bryson's death. And as soon as White Owl returned, he would order her to become his personal assistant, taking care of his every need. And after he discovered her identity, she would do anything to keep him from revealing what he knew, even without hypnosis.
Perhaps he could make use of her abilities. White Owl would make a lethal assassin, hire her out to those who needed a difficult job done. She'd need a new costume. Red...no, black. A halter top and miniskirt, thigh boots and a sinister mask. Easy income, all he would do would program her to kill whoever could afford it.
Somnos smiled a wicked smile. Yes, owning a superheroine would have it's advantages. He wondered what she would be like in bed. A white clad form appeared in the hidden camera in the door. He smiled widely, thinking about kissing her as he unlocked the door...
An iron grip wrapped around his throat. He gurgled, his eyes wide. His hands clawed at White Owl's gloves. 'How? Not possible!' he thought desperately, his lungs demanding air. He kicked at her, dimly realizing that his feet were off the floor! “Look into my eyes Fournier.” White Owl said. “You're feeling very sleepy...” He did feel sleepy, hypoxia did that do people... It was his last thought as his eyes closed.
His eyes shot open and he gasped loudly. His office was gone! His arms were aching, his mouth felt strange. He saw stars overhead. As he began to feel his body, he felt...cradled. “Welcome to White Owl Airlines, this is your captain speaking. We're presently at an altitude of 8000 feet.” He realized that he was being carried like an child in White Owl's arms. Somnos felt steel around his wrists, trapping them behind his back.
“Mmmmph!” Somnos said before realizing that he had been gagged! “I hope you didn't like that tie very much. It was a bit tacky, I thought.” White Owl commented drily. He struggled. “I wouldn't do that if I were you, I'm the only thing keeping you from becoming a wide pool of strawberry colored goo on the ground.” White Owl said, smiling at him.
It wasn't her nature to be petty, but the look of terror on his face gave White Owl a deep feeling of satisfaction. “Sucks to be helpless, doesn't it? To lose your independence, your control of your life. You can't even talk. I know how potent your voice is so I took it from you.” His eyes flashed in anger.
“Temper, temper, Professor. I have a confession to make: I believe all life is sacred. I don't kill, the right to end life isn't mine.” She looked down at her captor, it felt odd to be the giver of bondage, not the receiver. It was a new experience and, to be honest, rather liberating.
“But Professor, in your case I can make an exception.” The heroine dropped him like a bad habit. He screamed into the gag, tumbling uncontrollably toward the ground, his expensive suit flapping in the wind. One of the primal human fears was falling, and he was face to face with that fear as gravity seized him, drawing him into it's crushing bosom. The ground was coming up fast.
He stopped! White Owl had swept under him and arrested his fall! “I know I'm defying the law of gravity, Somnos, but I never studied law.” White Owl said, smiling as she rose into the cool night air again. If Somnos had the use of his arms he would have hugged her, he hated it, but he was trembling. He noticed that they were climbing again. No, she wouldn't...”Pilot to bombardier, Pilot to bombardier, bombs away.” he heard White Owl say, doing a rough impression of Bugs Bunny. Somnos was dropped, the starry sky spinning sickly around him as he fell, he felt bile rising in his throat as terror seized him, his legs kicking as if he could run through the night sky. The ground was close now, every second it drew nearer. He was going to die, he hoped it wouldn't hurt. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact.
This time he felt a vise like grip on his right ankle. Somnos opened his eyes. He was maybe 200 feet up, below him was a forest full of trees. He felt crushing shame and relief at the same moment in equal measure. His heart was pounding and he felt a twinge of pain in his chest and arm.
“Once more for the Gipper!” White Owl cried out, grabbing Somnos' belt and tossing him in a graceful arc. His tumbling was more violent and the evil man felt his bladder releasing into his silk shorts and tailored pants. He made an awful scream into his gag as he sailed into the dark. Stars and ground blurred horribly as he spun helplessly through the air.
Just before impact, White Owl grabbed her would-be master by the ankle, arresting his fall painfully. He felt the warm patch on his pants and raged at the heroine. They came to a silent hover. “You and I are going to pay a visit to someone. While you're there, you may want to remember the old saying: 'Confession is good for the soul.' Do you understand, Fournier?” He nodded while White Owl carried him inverted to a wrecked office.
Molly had cleaned her wounds. Fortunately, they weren't serious. Her neck, however, was badly bruised and her voice was a little hoarse. Now she was cleaning up, sweeping the broken glass and other debris and trying to piece together the puzzle of the last few hours.
There was a loud thud and a figure landed badly on her floor. It took a few seconds for her to recover from her crouch in the corner. “Somnos!” the detective exclaimed, seeing him laying on his side. He was shaking, she detected the smell of urine. “May I come in?” A female voice asked. Molly looked at the broken window, saw White Owl floating just outside. “Funny time to find manners.” She said angrily. “Alright, come on in. I bet you have a hell of an explanation for this evening's festivities.” White Owl drifted in slowly. She noticed that Molly had her pistol in her hand, but aimed safely at the floor.
“Do you have a camcorder?” White Owl asked. “I did, but I don't know if you smashed it or not.” She saw that the heroine looked embarrassed, maybe even dejected. With her left hand, she opened her closet, pulled out a box and opened it. “Gee, it survived, fate must have been smiling on me.” Molly stated coldly.
“Actually, fate has smiled on you. You're going to hear a full confession. It won't be admissible in a U.S. Court, but it may be a help to you later.” White Owl said, going to Somnos and removing the gag. “Ok, Fournier, you will tell her everything. I'm going to stand behind you. If you try hypnotizing her, I'll snap your neck like a twig. Is that clear?” He nodded.
It took an hour, but Somnos told everything. Molly fought back her own excitement as he explained in detail how he murdered his wife and what he did to White Owl. “You sick bastard!” Molly exclaimed.
“It doesn't matter. Like White Owl said, this won't stand up in court. This confession was made under duress, ergo it's useless.” “In America, it is useless. But in France, the rules are different.” Molly said smugly, watching him grow pale. “And I bet Elaina's family has a few friends in high places that will make sure you go to trial. If memory serves, they still hang murderers in France, don't they?” The expression that twisted his face answered the question.
“Now then, why don't you tell us how to release the clients that you control.” White Owl suggested, thinking of Beth. Somnos felt her hands on his shoulder blades, then explained the counter suggestion for his hypnotic control. With that done, Somnos knew he was finished. He could only imagine the lawsuits that would be filed, never mind the murder charges. They would take everything, he would be a pauper, then he'd face years in prison, locked in a steel and concrete cage.
His prediction was partly correct. It took four months to get him extradited to France, where he was tried and convicted for murdering his wife. He did not get the death penalty, but sentenced to life in prison without parole. Months passed, his spirit breaking a little at a time until 3 years later, he died in prison of a heart attack.
Days later, White Owl was patrolling the skies of Queen City. She felt whole, in control of her life and her destiny. Still, she knew how close she came to losing everything she was. She would be more careful in the future, and she prayed that she would be strong enough to face the threats that would descend on her city.
End