I tried to sit up. My body was locked. I reached to push the button to call a nurse, but my hand laid still. It was like I was talking to a wall, only the sound didn't bounce back. I could barely look with my eyes around the room. Is this what it's like to die? No. Probably not even close. I felt claustrophobic. Like being trapped and crushed beneath rubble. I tried to scream, and only a whine escaped from my barely parted lips. The machines around me started beeping, and soon Clementine came in, and looked down at me, asked me questions. I couldn't respond. She called the doctor in.

They talked to the nurse off to the side, I couldn't make out what they were saying. The doctor walked up to the side of my bed, lifted up my hand and watched it drop. There was a somber look on their face.

"The cancer has started damaging the Myelin sheath which insulates and protects your neurons. It's critical that we start your passage into Ever-life, if you choose, very soon. We're going to bring in some equipment that will let us communicate with the language centers of your brain."

I wasn't ready? I can't believe this happened over night. I had time left! I couldn't do anything but turn over in my mind until they brought in a small temporal visor.

"Luckily, we already have a strong mapping image to draw from should you choose Ever-life. However, we need to remove the structures in your brain responsible for your being or the cancer will irreparably damage them. Without it you won't be capable of Ever-life. Do you understand your situation?"

I thought, yes, I'm pretty fucked.

"I'm sorry we can only give you a little while to decide. Maybe hours. So please try and think of any questions you have before I leave."

I've researched this pretty thoroughly. I think I just need that time.

"Okay, we'll keep monitoring you and come back in a little while unless something goes wrong."

Thank you?

"If it makes any difference, our experience is a lot like some of Ever-life, and from what I understand it can be better than the life you've lived."

I've also heard tales of what happens when things go wrong.

"Yes, those fringe cases can be off-putting? Your mapping already being done with current standards reduces those chances considerably though. " They said.