Chapter One: 12:44 A.M.

“Something more complete than sleep. Twenty-four hours of absolute relaxation. No nightmares, anxiety, or guilt born from other people's expectations.” I assumed she was selling an unlicensed sedative. “Name, dosage, contraindications.” “There are no drugs.” She drew back a curtain. A white chair shaped like a shell stood in the room. Silver filaments ran from its arms to a transparent bottle suspended above it. “We accept only one painful memory you no longer need.” I laughed, and the sound frightened me with its dryness. “Illegal hypnosis?” “The memory will not be destroyed. It will simply leave you. Choose the greatest pain or the smallest. In return, you receive one genuine day of rest.”