Chapter 1: Introduction
The waiting room was sterile, the air conditioning blowing a chill breeze that did little to ease the sweat on John's palms. The hum of fluorescent lights was a constant buzz in his ears, and the ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to echo the pounding of his heart. He sat alone, his knees bouncing nervously as he flipped through an outdated magazine, the words swimming before his eyes.
Dr. Thompson's office door creaked open, and the man himself stepped out. John had met him only once before, but the sight of the doctor was enough to send a jolt of fear through him.