The conversation goes silent, now replaced by the dull hum of a machine that brought us here in the first place. Riley and the doctor show no sign of a plan, not even a hint of a plot to fix this. And worse, Alexa’s reflection stares back in the exam-room mirror, just as empty handed as everyone else.

“Whatever.” I scoff, “Alexa’s gone, and now I’m the one making the medical decisions.” I’m not crying…Just stressed about this…everything.

“Riley, I really am sorry she put you all through this.”

“It’s okay, Lex,” she lets out a sigh of relief and stands tall. Surprisingly, she smiles, “You and I worked this out before. That’s what friends do.”

I smile back to her, but shake my head. “Maybe, but I don’t want to do this to you, or anyone else again.”