When Vinyl opened her eyes in Earthilium, it felt as if she had never left her body. The room was the same, but now there was a man next to her. It felt strange.
"Welcome," said the man, dressed in white and with a strange marking on the neck. She surveyed her surroundings with a mix of suspicion and awe. She spoke directly to him. "Did it work? Have I lost anything?" The scientist looked at her with calm eyes. "Youâre fine. According to Liwa, youâre fully present with us." â "As if Iâd trust her," she retorted.
The scientist smiled. "You should be able to walk now. Letâs proceed."
He led her to an adjacent room. Everything appeared normal, yet nothing felt right. Everything looked the same, yet it was not. She kept glancing around like a mouse leaving the safety of a hole in the wall.
Introducing himself as Charron, the scientist gestured for her to take a seat.
"Alright," he said. "I know you donât trust anything around you. I know you donât trust me nor the others, nor Liwa. But now that youâre here, letâs review what you need to know."
He detailed everything Vinyl needed to understand to adapt to her new environment. Her fear did not leave her. And neither did her suspicion. "I know youâve taken something from me. What is it?" Charron assured her that nothing had been taken, and nothing would be. The girl smirked. "Of course, youâd say that. And stop smiling like that, puppet!" Charron's face betrayed no emotion.
Growing increasingly uneasy, Vinyl began to tap her feet impatiently against the chair. Seeing her obvious discomfort, Charron thought it best to take her to her new home.
A home, he guessed, she'd probably soon reject.
* *
*
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
They left the facility on foot. Vinyl noticed she was dressed in her typical light shoes and a long white shirt cinched with a belt. She could not quite remember having put it on, though. And she was quite sure her shoes had been lost during the transfer. Her thoughts swallowed her focus.
This place... Why... Why... Why...? Why is it so unsettling? Why did I come? This is a terrible mistake and there's not even a way back! My body's probably already been recycled. I want this guy gone.
They did not walk for long. "Here we are," Charron announced as she spotted a quaint caravan with a small garden. She looked at it, amazed.
This feels kind of homey... It's the first thing that looks good. Maybe it was ok to come after all... if things are going to be like this, perhaps it's better than what I had back then. I haven't felt physically threatened at least for now...
Her thoughts were interrupted and reality tugged at her as Charron said: "If you require anything, speak to Liwa. Farewell for now."
TO LIWA!?!
She opened her mouth to hurl vile insults at Charron, only to find he had already vanished. She shouted.
"DAMN HER! DAMN HIM! DAMN ALL THESE SOULLESS SHITS!"
Enraged, she hurled the door open and smashed it shut behind her. She paced angrily around the small living space.
Why? Why did I come? I knew that devil would be there. I walked willingly in her den. Now I'm stuck in her web and she can take her time to devour me. Why did I? Why...
It is said that anger is a short-lived folly. As her pacing receded, her nerves relaxed and she was able to focus again.
She did not feel tired and this was odd. Her eye caught sight of the the little garden. It looked nice and inviting. The caravan type of living was definitely her thing, especially if it had a garden. But the thought of having lost part of herself kept itching.
What have I lost? How can I know whatâs been taken from me if I donât remember it? If they took something, it's gone forever. No wonder she doesn't let you take mind backups with you to check. She wants full unchecked control. Fucking tyrant.
These thoughts were paralyzing. If anything had been removed from her memory, her personality, her tastes, her DNA, her likes and dislikes... how would she know? She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
Strange though. If anything, I can still hate Liwa. That should have been the first thing to go. But she must have plans. She never acts bluntly like a drunk idiot drooling over girls. I know it.
These thoughts raged against her efforts to stay calm, as shadows creeping over the floorboards with the waning sun.