Chapter 5 Part 5: Girl Ran Towards The Starting Point.

I enjoyed playing single-player games. I was used to being alone.

I started a game I’d bought but never played, offline mode, and cracked open a beer.

Bitter. The carbonation tickled my tongue, but the aftertaste was unpleasant. I couldn’t swallow.

“Ack!” I coughed, spraying beer everywhere.

I put the can down, flustered.

“You okay?” Ramonax offered a tissue.

I took it and wiped my clothes and the desk. This body was inconvenient. I’d expected the increased craving for sweets, but not the aversion to beer.

I tossed the wet tissue in the trash and picked up the beer again. My small hand fumbled with the large can. It felt enormous.

I licked the beer. The taste and smell made me grimace. I wanted a pleasant buzz while gaming, but this wasn’t going to work.

“Want a cola?” Ramonax headed for the refrigerator.

He’d bought some yesterday, but my pride wouldn’t let me accept his offer.

I closed my eyes and took a swig. The cold liquid slid down my throat. The aftertaste almost made me gag. I swallowed, barely.

“Ugh…” I finished the can with difficulty. My stomach felt bloated.

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

Ramonax returned with two mugs, but ended up keeping one for himself.

I played the game, feeling the beer slowly taking effect. Stronger than I expected. It was the same brand I usually drank.

My flushed face reflected in the loading screen.

“How do you feel?” Ramonax asked.

“I want more, but I think I’ll pass out if I have another.” I rubbed my warm cheeks.

I considered having another beer. It tasted awful, but the buzz demanded more.

“Should I have another one?”

“Probably not a good idea.” Ramonax was writing in a small notebook, likely doing something for Hebrum.

I took the cola he offered. A large mug, filled with fizzy cola.

“You want me to drink this?”

“Yes.”

I sighed and chugged it. The sweet, cold, fizzy liquid was perfect.

“This body is identical to the test subject’s, right?” I asked Ramonax.

“Probably. Dr. Hebrum made it.”

“Would she like cola too?”

He flinched. After a pause, he said, “Probably.”

Maybe it was the alcohol, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“How old was she when she came here?”

“I don’t know.” He scratched his cheek and looked away. His eyes shifted nervously. He knew something.

“I don’t even know her name.”

“Her name?”

“I can’t keep calling her ‘the test subject’ forever.”

“You’ve been doing it for a year.”

“I know, but…” I trailed off, looking at him. I held up the empty mug.

“More.”

“I don’t think she has a name. She’s referred to by her test subject number,” he said, refilling my mug. The fizzing sound made my mouth water.

“I think I’m starting to prefer cola to beer.”

“Cola suits you better in this form.”

I put the mug down and rested my chin on my hand. My cheek squished pleasantly. I swung my short legs.

“I see.” I finally understood why the convenience store clerk hesitated. He thought I was too young to buy beer.

Ramonax left late that night. I grabbed another beer after he left.

Hiss. Clink! The last sounds I remembered.

Beep, beep, beep! The alarm woke me. My hair was a mess. Empty beer cans littered the floor. I’d drunk more than I thought. There was also a ripped bag of snacks, spilling its contents.

I rubbed my aching head and stumbled to the shower. I needed to clean up, but the hangover made it difficult to move.

My reflection stared back. The hot water made my flushed skin look healthy. I forced a smile. It looked good. I wanted to see her smile, not just this body’s.

I dried my hair. Long hair was such a hassle.

I cleaned the room, my body protesting with every movement. I needed more sleep. I grabbed a small pillow and the books I’d borrowed yesterday. I wasn’t hungry, but I craved cola.

The staff stared as I walked down the hallway, clutching a pillow.

I stopped at the convenience store. One cola wasn’t enough. I grabbed two and went to the counter.

“I need to pay.”

The clerk looked up from his phone. He looked at me, then at the colas, and smiled.

I went to the library, returned the books, and headed to the girl’s room. Hebrum’s lab was dark. Still asleep, probably.

Day Three.

I turned on the lights, sat down, and picked up the microphone.

The girl was awake, watching me.

I felt awkward. I looked away, then pressed the button. The static hiss of the speaker activating.

“Hello?”

Silence. I asked a few questions. No response.

I realized I’d never asked her name.

“What’s your name?”

Her eyes widened. She stood up and touched the glass.

“Do you have a name?”

She opened her mouth. I saw her tongue move. My heart pounded. Her first words in a year. I was about to learn her name.

“Tell me your name.”

She spoke.

“Shine.”

Or so I thought.

Bang!

The speaker exploded. I covered my ears and crouched down, my vision blurring, ears ringing.

The girl mirrored my pose. She didn’t break eye contact.

Security guards rushed in. They saw me and the blown speaker.

They said it was a malfunction. A coincidence? The speaker exploding just as she said her name?

I looked at the new speaker, then at the girl. Was her name really Shine?

I turned on the microphone.

“Shine?”

No response. Then, sparks flew. An involuntary burst of my power. I looked around, panicked. Nothing seemed damaged. Thank goodness. Using my power in a place full of equipment could be costly.

I sighed in relief and waved at Shine. Telling anyone her name felt like a bad idea. Why? I didn’t know. It just felt wrong.

I turned off the microphone and lay down. I was exhausted. My head ached. I fell asleep quickly.

I woke up just before the end of my shift. I sat up, wiping my mouth, and grabbed the report.

No change. No unusual reactions. I checked the boxes and said goodbye to Shine.

As I left, I remembered the cola I’d bought for her. It was still on the desk. I couldn’t go back; I’d already swiped my ID card.

I gave my report to Hebrum.

“Any problems?” he asked.

“Plenty. Tons.” I waved my short arms for emphasis.

He chuckled. “Just four more days.”

I sighed and left.

“See you.”