“We’ve made an amazing breakthrough, Cox,” Greyson agreed. “Now for the most difficult part. Do you think you are ready for the steps?”

William Cox walked over to his window once more. It was still raining, and by now, it was very dark outside, save for that flickering red streetlamp.

“Can you see me from your window, Cox?”

William tried, but failed. “The rain makes the window too blurry – I can’t.”

Greyson took a deep breath. “Cox, do you trust that I am out here, under the streetlamp, as I promised?”

He shook his head. “Yes.”

“Are you ready?”

Cox closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he was ready. But it was now or never. “Yes.”

“Let’s begin.”

William Cox, for the first time in six years, opened his front door and placed a tentative foot beyond the threshold. It was frightening, and he felt a surge of panic from deep within. “I have to fight it,” he said aloud.

“You can do this, Cox,” Greyson reassured through the phone.

He closed his eyes tightly, and with one quick motion, he was outside his apartment. He opened his eyes to look back and was instantly filled with joy.

“It’s working, doc! I’m doing it!”

“Keep going,” Greyson urged.

Taking a deep breath, Cox worked on step number two: locking the door behind him. It wasn’t so bad; he was feeling strong now. “The door is locked,” Cox told Greyson.

“Very good, now step number three. I’m right here, under the streetlamp.”

The fear was beginning to leave him; it was as if William Cox had left the hurt, the pain, the guilt… it was if he had left it in the apartment. Maybe if he could do this, he’d think about getting a new place…

It was raining just as hard as Cox made his slow movement toward the street. The drops of water felt cool upon his skin. He was smiling; he couldn’t help it.

He caught sight of a man holding a black umbrella. It was Greyson. He looked just as Cox had pictured: tall, brooding, dark suit, dark umbrella casting shadows over his face. He was leaning against a black sedan, waiting. They were finally going to meet, and William Cox could thank the good doc for setting him free.