A Treatment Plan?

"Now, I know it's early, but we need to get you ready for a few tests." Sam tells you. "The doc has a few ideas on what to do next but needs some input from you in order to determine what remedial treatment to use."

So Dr. Lybeck has been working on a fix for you. That's great news, soon you'll be back in your old body. So with a smile you respond, "What do I need to do?"

"Well, there's a few tests she's created to begin with, you know, in order to observe your current hormone levels and to figure out which way to go from here. She can describe it better than me, but I'll warn you, this is an entirely new situation. She can't guarantee a fix for this, in fact, she said there may even be more changes. It's really hard to tell because you're the first test subject this has happened to." You notice a sudden wash of pity falls over her face, "And I feel so bad about it too. I was so excited to get to introduce you to what we've been involved with and I can't help but feel entirely guilty for this."

Your face must have told her more than you thought. She wraps you in a strong hug, "Oh Jane, I'm here for anything you need."

There, in the very name you gave yourself, Jane, lies this odd sensation of comfort and terror. To know that Sam is here to offer sympathy and compassion allows a little reprieve, even though you wouldn't be in this situation if it hadn't been for her, and at the same time learning that your future depends entirely upon some medical science you can't even begin to fathom. That your entire idea of self identity hinges on what happens while still not even sure who you are at the present. Your mind is awash with so many thoughts that it's hard to let it all set in, to accept every detail.

So you do what anyone would do at this moment. You just let it all happen. Allowing Sam to hug you, to wrap her arms around you and to just be held. It feels good, knowing that you're connected to someone. To just be and not question. Here, at this moment, to let your fears melt away and to just let go and give up control, trusting in your friend to lead you towards a future you can accept. Maybe that's all you need to do for now.

An eternity passes in that hug, until you realize you've been crying into her shoulder for some time now. She holds you for a while longer, allowing your breath to come back to normal until finally taking your hand and with a knowing nod, she leads you out of the room.