I walked around for an hour, it brought no comfort. I could barely think, I was just numb. All I see now is a cage, a prison. The greatest gift ever bestowed on man, a pretty jail cell.

I went home and plopped on the couch, shoes and all. I just didn't care anymore. How foolish have I been? This isn't real. None of this is real. It was created by the delusional thoughts of a mad man. Those eyes, those big dopey eyes. I wanted them, like ordering a new car with heated seats. They were an option, designed to entice me into the sale. I wanted her so bad on Earth- so fucking badly- but I couldn't afford her, or someone like her. The cost was just too high.

Then she magically appears, and all those delusional dreams come true. This house, this place, this ship, and her. All the treasure on Earth couldn't buy any of this. And I have to live up to some unreachable standard to afford all this. This gift has a price tag, and I don't know if I can make the payments.

She trudged sleepily down the stairs, in her green flannel night gown and her typically messy hair. This was just another thing that was by design, like a product. We all laughed when that scene came on in the movie, it was funny, and meant to elicit an emotional response. I'm supposed to look at it and feel the same way. It's all by design. When she fell out of the tree, I acted predictably, I told her I loved her, instead of standing over and laughing; "Serves ya right, you stupid bitch!" That's the response I should have had. I would've failed my test, but that's the true answer in the face of this gigantic lie that I now live in.

How can I possibly lead these people? It's just another sick delusion I've made for myself. Peace. Love. Harmony. All a bunch of hippy bullshit that I spread out like fake cheese in a can on a cracker.

She came up to me and gave me a hug, but I did not reciprocate.

"What's wrong?, I thought we had all this settled last night?"

"I talked to Olaf this morning, and he kinda' 'spilled the beans' on what you are."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your a product, Anna. A thing. You've got a price tag on you, and it's one I can't afford. I always feared this. When you ran away, when you got hurt. They were testing me Anna, to see if I was worthy of their gift, and that gift was you. Your a thing, Anna. A product just as if I ordered you online, and paid extra for express delivery." She started breathing very heavily. She had no idea how to handle this, and frankly, neither did I.

"Now what am I supposed to do?!" She started crying, and I felt no sympathy for her, I felt nothing.

"I don't know Anna, I'm not sure what your return policy is." With that she ran up the stairs, inconsolable.

Just then Olaf came out of his hole and went up the stairs. I have no idea what was said. When he came back down I told him to cancel our dinner plans and why.

"You are making a grave mistake, Michael. You should not look at it this way. No matter how she came into your life, she still loves you. Please reconsider, you are her world."

Ugh,... I've never had a bigger headache than now.

I just didn't know what to do, I felt trapped. I'm going to need some help. I can't fix this alone. This is just more than what the human mind is able to comprehend at this point. It's just too much.

"If I may be so bold, Michael, why don't you go and see a therapist. We have one that lives nearby, maybe she can help you."

Well, isn't that convenient? I think I need help and Olaf here has an immediate solution- right on cue- guess I'll play along.

"OK, Olaf. Can you set me up an appointment for today?"

"Shouldn't be too difficult, Dr. Shwartzbaum has a free schedule." Yea, I bet she does. There is a plan afoot here, now to figure out what it is.

"Don't worry Michael, this too can be fixed."

"I hope so Olaf, I just know right now my head isn't on straight."

"I understand Michael, I'll make the call."

Oh, the pain, the pain...

"Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Shwartzbaum."

"You're welcome, and the pleasure is all mine. I was there for your speech, and I met Anna at the mixer. She's very beautiful and charming."

"Yea, she's all that." Her home was typical German terra-cotta like construction, I remember what they looked like from my two year stay in that country. She had set up an office, with comfortable chairs and a somewhat dark, somber appearance to the wall treatments. Soft music was coming from somewhere, and had a few large plants. She had some of her degrees displayed which made me think that the Masters had kinda' seen this coming. While they were experts at fixing us physically, they were a pile of shit when it came to our minds.

Really, I always wanted to do this. I knew I was in trouble, but as long as I wasn't shootin' up a kindergarten, I figured I was OK. As it turned out, that was another lie I told myself. My biggest fear was they would just shove a prescription for crazy pills at me and that would be the end. I knew what I needed, love. And in great quantities. I had love in spades and now I feel nothing. But that love was fake, and manufactured. Now I doubt if I can hold onto it. Let's see what the doc has in mind.

"OK, Michael, have a seat. Please start at the beginning, so I can get a baseline of you."

So I went about talking about my former life on earth, how miserable it was, and about getting sucked up into here. Then I discussed meeting Anna, and how freaky that was.

Then we talked about my speech, and where the incite for that came from. It was now time to get to the heart of the matter.

"Tell me where your problems began here with Anna."

"We had our first sexual relations the other night in the tree house we had just finished. We managed to way over do it that night and missed a run with our friends the Zahir's the next morning. We wanted to make it up to them as Anna was rather rude to them in her sleepy state when they showed up in front of our house."

"When we were discussing inviting them over for dinner to our assistant, Olaf, he and I were discussing his spying on us that night. Anna was absolutely indignant. When we talked about it, her feelings were very hurt, but I wasn't affected at all. I'm a guy, and I knew they spied on us anyhow. When she felt I was on their side, she stormed off in a huff."

"So, how did that make you feel?"

"In a way, very good. She had her own feelings, and I want her to be independent."

"Do you feel she's really becoming independent?"

"No, it's all too convenient. Like she's designed to do the things she does. What's even more disturbing, Olaf practically admitted that they were testing me. Every time I do something now, I have to think about the implications of my actions in their eyes."

"You think they spy on us?" Uh-oh, the doc is off on a tangent other than therapy.

"I believe we are all monitored, all the time. I got the unique privilege of seeing Anna's accident in 3D this morning. The Hybrides themselves may be spies, even without their knowledge."

"It's obvious your relationship with Anna is extremely complex. The truth is I'm going to need to rewrite the book on psychotherapy and relationship counseling from scratch. In my practice on Earth, we just didn't have these issues.

Here's what I want you to do. Your mind created her, so those positive thoughts are still in there. Try channeling those thoughts to a single point, put them all in one spot, and go to them when things get rough."

"OK, Doc. I'll give that a try. But I have to ask, is this a common problem among us?"

"Doctor/patient confidentiality prohi..."

"Doc, please. If you heard my speech then you know what I'm about."

"OK, um... yes. I've had several Earthlings with similar complaints."

"Alright Doc, take notes, develop any theories you can. My original thoughts in my speech are still the same. We must make this work, we'll die out if we don't."

"Just don't take your feelings for the Masters out on Anna. It's not her fault she was made the way she is- and technically- it's yours. Try to keep that in mind when talking to her. She can't help but love you. She is still a sentient being. I know- I live with one too- and I have essentially created a monster."

"OK, I'll see you in a few days doc, sooner if things go to hell."

"Take care, Michael, I'll do what I can to help solve these mysteries, I believe in you."

"'Bye!"

"Tschüss!"

As I walked home I thought about what a total ass I've been. The Doc may not be any help right now. She needed a university study group and dozens of students and professors working non-stop to get a handle on what's happening here. I have to fix this,... me. Just when I was professing a need for help, what do I do? But it was just the first visit, I should give this some time, it's one thing we have an abundance of. Focus.

I got home to an Anna who was sulking on the couch.

"They'll take me back." She said very stoically.

"What?"

"I talked to Olaf, the Masters will take me back if you don't want me. They'll put me in suspended animation for the rest of trip, then I'm on my own."

Sacrifice. She did it again. She was willing to give up her own life to make me happy. I just broke down, and collapsed to the floor, now I was the one drowning. I had snapped. I feared this moment would come one day, my mind turning into a spinning fog, I couldn't make rational decisions, or say what I meant. It all fell apart, in just one instant.

"I don't deserve you, or any of this! It's just too much, I can't take this any more!"

I passed out, I don't know how long I was out, but the orange glow of the nebula was shining thru the windows. I was covered up on the couch, my head getting ready to split open and give birth to live baby alligators.

So I forced my eyes open, grabbed the railing to the staircase and forced my way up. No Anna, she was gone.

"Olaf?!"

"Yes Michael, how may I help you?" There was something in his voice. Was he,... pissed at me?

"Where's Anna?"

"She is currently at the Zahir's, should I try to contact her?"

"No, she's in good company. This can wait until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow may be to late, Michael. Her shuttle leaves at first light."