Dr. Tersten adjusted the sensors. He waited a moment and seemed to be satisfied with the readings. “Amy, is that better?”

The small pinpricks that were taking brain readings did not hurt now but were still itchy. She had to keep reminding herself that she was here voluntarily and any short term suffering would be worth the price if she could be cured. She nodded in answer to the doctor’s question.

“Good. Very good.” He glanced at the monitor one more time and then walked over to the counter. Picking up the needle, he said “This is a bad time, I know. But I want to remind you about my price. You do intent to fulfill that, right?”

Of all the times to bring that up! Yes, she intended to pay the bill for this. After all, what good did it do her? What happened after he took it out was his business. She just wanted it gone. The sooner the better. She nodded again.

Dr. Tersten walked over to her with the needle. “I know, it wasn’t a great time to bring it up. Still, I am glad that you didn’t stop.” He pushed the needle into her arm. “Very glad indeed.”

Her first thought was that nothing had happened. She was waiting for the effects of the drug when she heard someone calling her name. Why was Dave calling out to her?

“Hey, where have you been?”

Amy looked around. She was back at the apartment. It was three weeks ago. The night that they broke up. Why was she back here?

Dave grabbed her arm. “Are you listening? I asked you where you were.”

She remembered this. They yelled at each other. Amy tried to open her mouth. Nothing came out. Dave kept on talking.

“What do you mean you ‘Out’? I came home to get you and you weren’t here. Where were you?”

I went to the movies with Ann. She tried to say that. Amy tried again to speak but nothing came out. She stood mute in front of Dave.

“Ann? I told you to stay away from her!”

That was it. She remembered now. It was at this point that she decided to leave him. They had been together for months and he had been trying to change her. She needed to leave. She turned to go.

Dave started to fade out, his voice first then his whole body. As Amy watched, everything else faded along with him. She heard someone calling for her again.

“Amy. Amy? Can you hear me?”

She opened her eyes. “Yes. I hear you. Was it successful?”

The doctor flicked a small plastic cube. “Completely. And thank you.” He walked over to a shelf and placed the cube next to several identical others before looking back. “One more thing. How is Dave?”

Amy thought for a moment. “Dave who?”