1:
Amy strode through the subway station, her boots clicking on the tiled floor with each confident step. Her dress clung to her curves, and her makeup and hair were flawless as always. An elegant necklace tied the ensemble together – the latest gift from Amir, her husband. Yet, despite her composure, Amy couldn’t shake the unease festering in the pit of her stomach. She despised this place. Sure, it was late, and the station was nearly empty, but besides that, there was something sinister about the insectoid buzz of the fluorescent lights. It reminded her of...something, like a memory floating just out of reach. She quickened her pace, eager to leave the station and whatever darkness it dredged up from her subconscious. But before she could reach the exit, a hand shot out from the shadows and grabbed her wrist. Amy gasped and tried to jerk away, but the grip was firm, pulling her into a lightless corner. A woman stood before her. She had a tired look in her eyes, and her clothes were rumpled and worn, but there was an undeniable strength and grace in how she carried herself. A wild mane of curly hair framed her face, and her full lips were set in a determined line. “Kev! Oh, thank God, I found you.” The woman’s voice was low and husky. “It’s me.” Amy frowned. “My name’s not Kev. Let go of me, please.” Disappointment washed over the woman’s pretty face. “Damn. You haven’t broken through the programming yet? They must’ve really done a number on you. Look, I don’t have time to explain. You need to come with me. Now.”
2:
Amy’s heart raced as she was dragged toward the exit. She tugged, trying to break free, but the woman’s grip was shockingly strong. “I don’t know you and I’m not going anywhere.” Amy’s voice was firm, but the fear behind it was unmistakable. The woman sighed as she pulled her along. “Shit. They can’t have erased everything. Do you remember your favorite childhood memory? The one where you and your brother snuck into that abandoned house, and you found the old wooden box filled with antique coins.” Amy stopped struggling, her eyes wide with disbelief. “How could you possibly know that?” The woman gave her a sad smile. “Because I was there, Kev. We were inseparable. My name is Jim, and you’re my brother.” “Stop! Jim died when I was a girl.” “No, I didn’t. And you were never a girl. We were investigators before they took us and turned us into these... these dolls.” She gestured towards Amy’s perfect outfit. “They wanted to control us, to stop us from digging too deep.” Amy scoffed. “You’re insane. I have a husband, a life.” But even as she spoke, Amy’s vision blurred. For a moment, the woman’s face transformed into that of a young man, with a strong jaw, even curlier blonde hair, and a glimmer of mischief in his green eyes. It was like looking into a distorted mirror, and a strange jolt of recognition shot through her. The moment passed, and the woman’s face returned. “Look, Kev... Amy, I know this is hard to believe, but you need to trust me. Your so-called life is a fabrication. We have to go. They’re coming for us.” Desperation edged into her voice.
3:
They burst through the doors and into the night, and Amy squinted as her eyes adjusted. “Let go!” Amy shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. “This is crazy.” The woman’s grip softened, but she didn’t release her. “I know this sounds unbelievable, but I have proof. Just give me a chance to show you. If I’m wrong—” Two men in suits appeared and grabbed the woman. She struggled, her voice rising to a shout: “Fuck! No. Get off me, you bastards! Amy, you’re not who you think you are! You’re Kevin Fuchs! You’re a man!”  As the enormous men dragged the crazy woman away, another younger man approached Amy. His expressionless face was framed by a neatly trimmed beard, and his dark eyes bored into her like laser beams. He reached out and gently touched her arm, his voice oddly soothing. “I’m sorry for the disturbance, miss. That poor creature escaped from the psychiatric hospital. We’ve been trying to catch her all morning. Are you unharmed? Do you need medical assistance?” Amy took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “I’m fine. Just a bit shaken. Thank you, sir.” The man nodded, extending a business card with a discreet flourish. On the card, an embossed phone number glinted in the headlights. Amy noticed his well-groomed fingers as they brushed against her own trembling hand. “Miss, you are a testament to your sex. Should you require any assistance or suffer emotional distress or… confusion… from this ordeal, please don’t hesitate to call the number on this card. We’re here to help.”
4:
As the man pivoted to leave, he paused. “By the way, that necklace suits you. Quite exquisite.” The corner of his mouth curled up in a smile, and Amy noticed his unnaturally white teeth gleaming in the streetlight. Goosebumps erupted on her arms. Compliments from men were expected, but the intensity of this one’s gaze was unnerving – as if she were a rabbit caught in a hawk’s sights. Time slowed. She felt the clammy dampness of her palms and her fingers twitching involuntarily. Then, with a nod, the strange man disappeared into the night, leaving her alone on the deserted street corner. She glanced at her phone, her hand trembling. She had to get home! Amir must be wondering where she was. The poor man always worried if she wasn’t home before sundown. The city could be a terribly dangerous place, after all. She wouldn’t tell him about this encounter, though. She’d make up some excuse. It’d only worry him further and...  Amy shook her head. Wasn’t Amir gentle? Yet a small but insistent voice whispered that he might not react well to this incident. No. This would be her little secret. After all, she had so few of those these days. There probably wouldn’t be much conversation anyway. She was making a roast for dinner, his favorite. And her cooking always made him hungry for more than just food. Which was a good thing, considering they were trying for a baby. Pushing the bizarre encounter from her mind, Amy hurried home, eager to return to her real life. Her heels clicked on the pavement, each step bringing her closer to the safety of her carefully constructed existence as a wife and mom-to-be.