The lost self. Madina Fedosova

grief and emotional trauma, promising a path to healing and renewal. The text was carefully worded, filled with encouraging phrases and vague promises.

      The invitation seemed like a lifeline, a chance to escape the suffocating grip of grief, a beacon of hope in the darkness of despair. There was also a photo of Alistair Thorne, which Eleanor was very interested in. However, this charming invitation lacked key details that should have alerted her.

      «Mrs. Vance, we understand you’re going through an incredibly difficult time,» Dr. Reid said, her voice soothing and empathetic. «At Serenity Labs, we’ve developed a revolutionary new therapy, Empathon, that helps people process trauma and find peace of mind. We believe it could be immensely beneficial for you.»

      Eleanor hesitated. Serenity. The name still sent a shiver down her spine. But the lure of escaping her debilitating grief was too powerful to resist. She had nothing to lose.

      «What exactly is Empathon?» she asked, her voice barely audible. «It’s a carefully curated compound that targets the neural pathways responsible for emotional processing,» Dr. Reid explained, her eyes gleaming with scientific enthusiasm. «It helps to gently reframe traumatic memories, allowing you to find closure and reclaim your life. It doesn’t erase the past, Mrs. Vance. It simply helps you make peace with it.»

      After days of cautious inquiries, during which Dr. Reid shared details and reassurances, Eleanor reluctantly agreed to participate in the Empathon project. Despite Dr. Reid’s persuasive arguments, a nagging voice of doubt still lingered in the back of Eleanor’s mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss, that she was overlooking some crucial detail. However, the desire for relief, the yearning for a new beginning, ultimately outweighed her reservations. She thought of David, of how much his disappearance had affected her, and how much she wanted him back.

      She was transported to Serenity Labs, a sprawling, modern facility nestled among the tranquil hills of upstate New York. The journey itself was unsettling: a long and isolated drive along winding back roads that further separated her from the familiar world. As she stepped inside the building, she was immediately struck by the sterile and clinical atmosphere. The pristine white walls, the gleaming metallic surfaces, the silent corridors all contributed to a sense of detachment, as if she had entered a world devoid of emotion. But amidst this sterile environment, there was also a strange sense of calmness, almost hypnotic in its effect, as if this place was a refuge from the storm raging inside her. The place seemed quiet, but Eleanor had a feeling that she was locked in.

      The initial weeks at Serenity Labs unfolded in a carefully orchestrated sequence of consultations, neurological evaluations, and therapy sessions.

      Eleanor felt like a lab rat, subjected to a battery of tests and examinations, each designed to probe the depths of her trauma. The sessions were both physically and emotionally draining, forcing her to confront the pain she had been desperately trying to suppress. She was given little contact to the outside world and not allowed to connect with Sarah.

      She was introduced to the other participants in the Empathon project – a small, carefully selected group of individuals, each grappling with their own unique personal tragedy. There was a war veteran haunted by the horrors of combat, a woman consumed by unbearable grief over the loss of a child, and a man struggling to rebuild his life after surviving a violent crime. As they shared their stories, a fragile bond began to form between them – a silent understanding born of shared pain and a collective yearning for a better future. From their connection, Eleanor felt more comfortable at the facility, but she still had doubts about her decision.

      The facility encouraged their interaction, providing them with communal spaces where they could gather and share their experiences. These conversations, initially cautious and reserved, gradually evolved into more open and honest exchanges. Eleanor found herself drawn to the others, finding comfort in their shared experiences and strength in their collective resilience. They began to rely on one another, offering support and understanding in a place that often felt isolated and sterile. However, they were all acting very strange, like any personality they once had was washed away. Did that mean that Serenity Labs had already started their work on them?