Ender Cell Therapy [PROLOGUE]

        ‘Do you suffer from regret? Want to erase the memories of your past? Do you find yourself stuck reliving trauma and slowly spiraling into madness? The team here at Rembrain are proud to announce that we have developed a technology that can rid the world of both grief and anger. No longer do you have to hold onto pain and sadness. The time for true peace begins now. With Ender Cell Therapy we can remove the negative thoughts from your mind and leave only the happy memories. If this sounds like something you're interested in, we encourage you to take the steps towards peace and make an appointment today!’

"Dinner's ready. Turn the TV off and c'mon!"

"Yes, dear."

"Stop calling me that, would ya!?"

      It seems as though Rembrain has been taking over more and more lately. Ever since their facility opened up a few months back they've seemed to take over just about every news and media outlet with their “ground-breaking” technology. The science of it all is incomprehensible to me but I havr to admit, every patient they take in seems to leave happy with their decision. 

        I turn the TV off as I was commanded to do and make my way into the dining room where I'm met by a plate of spinach and bread. It's always the same. Here I am, a 57-year old man, well past retirement, feasting on scraps like an animal trying to survive. I sit down at the rustic mahogany table as my wife leers at me from the other side, what is about 5 feet away.  

        Silence brushed over us with only the clanking of forks to plates echoing in the dim-lit room. The bread was as tough as trying to bite through an over-cooked steak and the spinach was mushy and flavorless; there is no love in this dish. There also hasn't been love in this home since our son moved out.

        The last happy memory I have is of our son, Desta, wanting me to teach him how to play chess when he was about 14 years old. It was the first time he found interest in something that I loved. We bonded for hours that day as the excitement on his face only melted away into confusion when he couldn't figure out how to beat me. Nevertheless, a smile would find its way back onto his face as he declared his determination to get me back.  

        Back then, Suzetta and I were already in the process of divorce. Desta was unaware.The pain in my heart was only masked by the smile I felt obligated to mirror from Desta's face. As my smile lacked realism, I could only hope that his was genuine.

"Hey, have you heard from Desta?" I blurted out into the silence.

"Why are you talking to me? And no… I have not. " Suzette replied annoyingly.

There was more silence between us. Maybe five minutes, although it felt like twenty. 

"I know you’re hurting, Suzetta. I think we should give Ender Cell Therapy a try... it wouldn't hurt t-"

"Jirald! Stop trying to act like you want to fix things now. It's too late! We've tried every form of therapy in the past. You expect me to go along with whatever you say now when you slept around behind my back for years!?"

"I have atoned, Suzette!"

"It's because of you that our family is broken! It's because of you that I am old now and live a life of nothing but regret!"

        The tension grew and so I stood up in silence, turned and walked away. I paused at the dining room entrance and looked at the family portrait hanging on the wall.

"Just think about it, Suzetta." I proceeded to the bedroom. 

        Desta ran away from home one day when he was about 16 years old after he had found out about the affair I was having and the divorce. I can't say I blame him but if I could go back and do it all over again, things would never have to be this way. To a kid, it must be devastating when the person you look up to the most turns out to be just another scummy old man. Occasionally, he comes by to check on us. Rather, to check on Suzetta. 

        Luckily, his uncle, my brother, had taken him in. I can't say that I am completely okay with it but I'm sure Desta hates my guts now anyways so there's not much I can do about it. I can only be grateful he's not running the streets causing problems.

        The very next day, after things had calmed down between the missus and I, we found ourselves at the Rembrain facility. This tall, magnificent cerulean structure in the center of town that towered over every other building surrounding it. The place was swarming with Memorai, Rembrains's first robotic project that didn't really sit well with the public. They were built to not only be companions to people but to also serve as a memory bank of sorts and record every aspect of life to enhance its own intelligence.

"Sign here and here" the surgeon instructed us to do.

"Okay, that settles it. Thank you for coming in and don't worry about a thing. Your pain and trauma will no longer be a burden and we'll get you on your very own path to peace."

        Up until now, Suzetta hadn't said a word to me or even looked at me. But I could see something different in her eyes that I haven't seen in a very long time; fear. I tapped on her shoulder to comfort her but suddenly,

"I love you Jirald…” with tears streaming from her eyes and an uneasy smile plastered to her face. "I always have".

        I couldn't reply but I knew she could see the pain in my eyes. And before we knew it, we were carted into the surgery room. We took one last glance at each other before the anesthesia set in. With tears in our eyes we both faded away... 

        My consciousness slipped in and out. Memories of every argument and every fight played out right in front of me. Tears welled out from my eyes as I saw myself strike Desta at a young age. Everything turned blurry. As I returned to consciousness I heard a deep, manly voice in the backbackground.

“What's the estimated expiration, doctor?”

“Give or take a few months given their age.”

“Perfect, we'll set the retrieval to commence around that time.”

        My head was spinning and yet I felt joy. Insurmountable joy that I couldn't explain. I couldn't even recall anything from the therapy operation. I looked over to my side and saw Suzetta there as she woke. The biggest smile on her face just as mine. And a memorai by her side hooked up to the back of her neck by a thickly braided cord with a large grin on it's face as if we were one happy family.