“Making holes in peoples’ memories is usually more trouble than it’s worth,” Summer commented dryly. “You’ve gotta find him a reason to live. Or at least a reason not to go chasing those shadows.” She shoved herself up to her feet, watching Lex. “Having been down that far myself, I assure you it is not going to be easy.”
Thinking back to her own past, she added, “Sometimes you have to hammer at them for years before things change. Do … you want my help?”
“I know, but… I could fill his head with, let’s say… ‘fake’ memories, he wouldn’t even know that they didn’t really happen. He’d live his life just like he did before everything went down. I won’t do it if he doesn’t agree, and I don’t like that option either, because I’d probably have to stay away from him… but…” Lex buried her face in her arms for a moment, before looking up to Summer again when she heard her words.
“A reason to live? How? I cannot… I don’t have the time! He said four days!” Lex’s eyes were swimming in tears again. “How would you help me?”
“If he agreed to put it off even once, it’s that much easier to coax him to do it again. But I … ” Summer hesitated. It was, always, one thing to listen to someone’s heart passively, even to go into it and listen. Active alteration … active alteration was risky.
Suicide was final.
” … I can go in, with his knowledge, and lock up his emotions, block out what he’s feeling that’s driving the suicidal impulse, long enough for you to speak sense with him.”