Now with the clinic’s entrance in sight, my situation suddenly feels real. Does whatever happen in here mark the end of my life? Or would it be Alexa’s life that’s over? There aren’t any good answers, and the feeling that I’ve asked this question before is just a little terrifying.

“Riley,” I ask, staring through the glass doors toward a receptionist at his pristine white desk, “How can I be sure that there isn’t some Akira shit going on in there? That I’ll still be me after this.”

She ponders for a moment, “I… don’t know what that is, and to be honest,” she confesses, “I’m not even sure what this doctor will do, but I promise that you were the one who told me to come back here if you ever started acting weird.”