Chapter 108: the experiment part 1

Jordan took a deep breath, his grip tightening around Tyler’s hand as they followed Dr. Sutton into the lab. The room was stark white, sterile, and filled with monitors, strange medical equipment, and a reclining chair surrounded by wires. A team of doctors and technicians stood ready, their expressions a mix of professionalism and curiosity.

Dr. Sutton gestured toward the chair. “Alright, Jordan, Tyler, we’re about to begin. This procedure will involve a combination of neurological stimulation, memory reactivation therapy, and cognitive retraining. The goal is to reawaken the parts of Tyler’s brain that have regressed. It’s going to be intensive.”

Jordan helped Tyler onto the chair, watching as the medical team secured a few sensors to his temples and chest. Tyler looked around, confused, but didn’t resist. He clung to a small plush bunny Jordan had brought from home.

“Daddy Jordy?” Tyler’s voice was small, uncertain.

Jordan knelt beside him. “I’m right here, Ty. I’m not going anywhere.”

Dr. Sutton nodded and signaled to his team. A monitor lit up with a scan of Tyler’s brain, his activity displayed in real-time.

“We’re going to start by stimulating the sections responsible for higher cognitive function. He may experience flashes of old memories or confusion. Stay with him, Jordan.”

A soft hum filled the air as the machine activated. Tyler flinched, his fingers tightening around Jordan’s hand. His expression shifted—first to wonder, then fear.

“I… I had a bike,” Tyler whispered suddenly. “It was blue. I—I crashed it. I skinned my knee.”

Jordan’s heart leaped. “Yes! Yes, you did! You were so mad that day, but we put a bandage on it, and you were back on it the next day!”

Tyler’s face scrunched up as if in pain. “No… no, I don’t like the pain. I don’t want it. No pain.” His voice reverted, childlike once more, and he whimpered, curling into himself. The monitors flickered as his brain waves shifted again.

Dr. Sutton frowned, making notes. “His mind is fighting between two states. We need to keep going.”

Another pulse of energy surged through the sensors. Tyler gasped, his eyes darting wildly. “Baseball! We played baseball! Jordan—you pitched—I hit a home run! You were so mad!”

Jordan laughed, tears forming in his eyes. “I wasn’t mad, Ty! I was so proud of you!”

Tyler’s breathing grew heavy, his fingers twitching. He groaned, pressing his palms to his head. “It’s… too much… too fast…”

Dr. Sutton hesitated. “We need to slow the stimulation or risk overwhelming his mind.”

Jordan shook his head. “Can we do phase two, then stop for now? Let him have a small break?”

Dr. Sutton studied the monitor, then nodded. “That’s a reasonable compromise. We’ll proceed carefully.”

Tyler’s gaze locked onto Jordan’s. “I… I don’t want to forget you.”

Jordan swallowed hard, forcing down his emotions. “You won’t. I promise.”

Dr. Sutton adjusted the settings. “Let’s move to phase two.”

The experiment was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, hope flickered in Jordan’s heart.

---

**Phase Two Begins**

Dr. Sutton turned to his team. "We’re going to introduce targeted memory triggers now. These are images, sounds, and even scents from Tyler’s past, designed to stimulate deeper recall. We’ll watch how his brain responds."

The lights dimmed slightly, and a screen in front of Tyler flickered to life. A series of photos appeared—his childhood home, his favorite park, his old school. Tyler stared, blinking rapidly.

“That’s… my house?” he murmured. His grip tightened on Jordan’s hand. “I remember… my birthday. Balloons. Cake.” His voice wavered.

Jordan leaned in. “Yes! You had a superhero cake, remember? You made me wear a cape with you.”

A hesitant smile crossed Tyler’s lips. “You looked silly.”

The doctors exchanged glances, noting the activity spikes on the monitors.

Next, a voice recording played. “Tyler, come inside! Dinner’s ready!” It was his mother’s voice.

Tyler gasped, his whole body tensing. Tears welled up in his eyes. “Mom?” He clutched his head as if in pain. “She—she’s not here.”

Jordan rubbed his arm. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m here. Just breathe.”

Dr. Sutton adjusted the settings. “He’s showing progress, but we need to stop before he gets too distressed.”

Tyler shuddered, looking at Jordan with wide, uncertain eyes. “I… I feel funny.”

Dr. Sutton nodded. “That’s enough for today. Let’s give him time to rest and process.”

As the machines powered down, Jordan pulled Tyler into a tight embrace. “You did amazing, Ty. We’ll do this together.”

Tyler nestled against him, whispering, “Don’t let go.”

Jordan held him close. “Never.”

---

That evening, back home, Tyler sat beside Jordan on the couch, looking deep in thought. The house was quiet, the others giving them space after the intense session. Tyler chewed his lip before looking up. “Jordy… I think I peed.”

Jordan blinked, then smiled softly. “It’s okay, buddy. Let’s get you changed.”

As he helped Tyler, Jordan couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of determination. If today had shown anything, it was that Tyler was still in there—somewhere. And Jordan was going to do whatever it took to bring him back.

As Jordan secured the clean diaper, Tyler looked up with glassy eyes, his lips quivering. "Jordy... I wa-wa-want..." he started but then lost focus, his mind slipping once again. Jordan gently cupped his face. "It’s okay, Ty. We’ll take it one step at a time. I’m not giving up on you."

Jordan then took Tyler back down and placed him in the playpen with Jake, Alex, Evan, and Noah, who were playing a game. He sat on the couch and turned to Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper. "I think it's working. He was talking to me. He wanted something but lost focus before he could finish."

Mrs. Faulkner smiled gently. "Then we keep going. One step at a time."

Jordan nodded, then reached for the phone. He dialed Dr. Sutton’s number. “When’s the soonest we can continue?”

Dr. Sutton’s voice came through the receiver. “The soonest is tomorrow. The safest is two days. We pushed him a lot today.”

Jordan exhaled. He wanted to move forward as soon as possible, but he also knew Dr. Sutton was right. “Okay. Two days, then.”

He hung up and looked toward Tyler, who was happily babbling in the playpen. One step at a time. They would get through this—together.

Tyler suddenly looked up and clutched Jordan’s sleeve. "Jordy, I hungie."

Jordan smiled, brushing Tyler’s hair back. "Alright, buddy. Let’s get you something to eat."