I couldn't breathe.
Or maybe I could. Just didn't want to.
The woman—Dr. Reyes, according to the man beside me—watched me like I was a puzzle she already knew how to solve.
"You're confused," she said gently. "That's normal. We only blocked what you weren't ready for."
I shook my head. "You mean you lied to me."
"We protected you from yourself," she corrected. "Until now."
I backed up another step.
She didn't follow.
Instead, she sat down at the desk like this was just another meeting.
"I used to be like you," she said. "Years ago. I saw things before they happened. Thought I was going crazy."
Her eyes met mine. "Then someone found me. Showed me the truth."
I swallowed hard. "And you stayed."
"I chose to," she said simply.
I wanted to argue. To tell her she was wrong. That I would never choose something like this.
But then—
A flash hit.
Not of the future.
Of her.
I saw her standing in front of a group of people, just like I had in my vision.
Telling them what would happen next.
Telling them what to do.
Just like me.
Just like us.
The door behind me opened.
"Alex."
Lena's voice snapped me back.
She stood in the doorway, breathing hard. Ava was right behind her.
"You don't belong here," Lena said.
I looked at Dr. Reyes.
At the screen still playing footage of me—talking like I belonged.
Like I had chosen this.
Then I looked at Lena.
At Ava.
At the life I still remembered.
And I made my choice.
I turned toward the door.
And walked out.