Others detailed victims rescued after years of captivity whose minds had fractured beneath prolonged torment until memory itself had become unreliable, forcing them to question every face, every voice, and even their own names.
Only a small section of those records dealt with the deliberate suppression of memory.
Even that portion had been filled with notes written in darker ink than the rest, margins crowded with warnings, revisions, and cautious observations that reflected how rarely anyone had dared attempt such treatment.
One of the younger physicians finally broke the silence.
"Has this procedure ever been successful?"
The question lingered over the table while the older physician continued studying the faded writing before him. His fingers rested lightly upon the parchment as though he hoped another answer might reveal itself if he looked long enough. Eventually he released a slow breath and lifted his eyes toward the others.
"I honestly cannot tell you."
