I turned away from the desk I had been leaning against, determined to leave the clinic's administrative wing for the tenth time. But before I could take two steps, the handle clicked, and the door swung open.

Soft laughter spilled into the hallway.

My eyes snapped toward them just as Rosalina and Janet emerged from the private quarters. The laughter died instantly on their lips. The color drained from both their faces as their eyes met mine, realization washing over them in a wave of pure,  panic.

"Tell me I'm dreaming," I said, my voice shaking.

"We... we..." Rosalina stammered, her usual unyielding composure completely shattering into a deep, crimson...