---------------------------------------------- Prolouge(COMPLETED) ---------------------------------------------- "Ogden is ready for you on line three Ms. Schwahn." Came a stern and laconic voice through a small speaker on the desk. "Thank you, Felicity," Came a sultry voice from a luxurious executive recliner as it swiveled around to face the desk. It was occupied by a rather muscular woman in a finely fitted black suit. The fur on the arm that reached out to tap the surface of the desk was black, gold, and perfectly groomed. Her hand retreated to her and crossed with the other as she leaned back with a sigh. A large glow flickered to life in the air above her desk, a glow of hazy white that came into focus a mere heartbeat later as a soft audible tone sounded. The image of a wrinkled grey rabbit, two perked rounded ears atop his head, with a mottled gray and white beard to match his fur, came into view. "Good evening Ogden. I'm glad you had time for my hail." The black and gold-furred canine figure leaned forward in her chair, her coal-black eyes coming into the warm glow of the light from the screen. "I have need of another test subject." "Good evening, Madame," The elderly rabbit greeted cheerfully, his demeanor quickly became more sullen, however, as he continued. "I'm sorry ma'am, I don't have any patients on palliative care currently." "But, you have patients. I've chosen one of them who society would do better with less of anyway, the raccoon woman, spinal surgery, so many things can go wrong with such a traumatic injury." The dark-furred canine retorted with a sneer. "Ma'am, this woman provides a unique serv-" The rabbit began, his expression seemed one of shock at what the Doberman was suggesting. "I don't have time or patience for your pointless objections, Ogden. You Will do as your paid to do. This surgery will put this raccoon in the morgue, am I understood?" Her response came as a soft, yet threatening growl that caused Ogden to flinch subtly. "I am in the final phases of my work and time is of the utmost importance. You will be accompanied before, during and after the procedure, after which, we will retrieve the sample from the morgue post-processing." "...." The rabbit stared through the screen at the Doberman a long while before responding. He was fine with using individuals that were on palliative care for their experiments, but to use an otherwise healthy one? This was a line he did not want to cross. But had little choice in the matter. "Th-this... This is the last time I help you Susan." He stammered, his words slow and quiet. "Irrelevant. If everything goes to plan, this will be the last time I need your "assistance." And if you refuse. Well... You're just as replaceable as all the rest... Don't forget that. I've already won, now all that awaits is, my metamorphosis.." She sighed and leaned forward, tapping the desk again unceremoniously. The screen blinked away, and the room was quiet and dark again as she spun her chair to face back out the window behind her. Ogden's weary eyes stared at the screen, his mind engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts. How had he ended up in this predicament? He had once been a respected doctor, dedicated to healing and caring for his patients. But now, his moral compass had been twisted, forced to bend to the will of a manipulative and relentless figure like Susan. Her words echoed in his mind like a haunting refrain. "You will do as you're paid to do." The weight of those words hung heavy in the air, a testament to his dwindling resolve. He had never intended to cross this line, to sacrifice the well-being of a healthy individual for the sake of an experiment. But Susan's cold logic had seeped into his consciousness, her threats weaving a web of fear and uncertainty around him. Replaceable. The word reverberated in his thoughts, reminding him of his vulnerability. As he gazed into the darkness of the room, his reflection seemed to mirror the conflict within his soul. He had dedicated his life to the pursuit of healing, to the sacred oath he had taken. Yet now, he found himself teetering on the precipice of a moral abyss, forced to confront the consequences of his choices. The memories of the patients he had treated, the lives he had saved, flashed before his eyes. Their faces, filled with hope and trust, seemed to accuse him silently. How could he betray them? How could he forsake his duty as a healer? A heavy sigh escaped his lips, carrying the weight of a thousand regrets. The path ahead was treacherous, fraught with ethical dilemmas and compromised principles. But he knew deep down that he had little choice. His hands were tied, and the consequences of defiance were too great to bear. "I've already won," Susan's voice echoed in his mind, like the taunting chant of a conqueror. But had she truly won? Ogden couldn't help but wonder if her victories were all as ruthless and vile as this one. Resolute, he straightened his posture, steeling himself for what lay ahead. It would be the last time he allowed himself to be tangled in Susan's web of deceit and manipulation. This final act would serve as a catalyst for his redemption, a chance to salvage what remained of his integrity. The room remained cloaked in darkness, save for the faint glimmers of light from the city outside. As he prepared to embark on this ominous journey, Ogden's gaze shifted to the distant horizon. Somewhere out there, amidst the tangled threads of fate, he sought a glimmer of hope, a flicker of light to guide him through the darkness. With a determined resolve, he pressed the button to initiate the call, ready to face the consequences of his choices. Whatever awaited him on the other end of the line, he knew that he would never be the same. The shadows of doubt and regret might linger, but he would strive to find his redemption and reclaim the essence of what it meant to be a healer. Meanwhile, in a futuristic interplanetary business headquarters, Susan strode confidently through the corridors. Her mind brimmed with a self-assured sense of triumph. The successes she had achieved, the plans she had meticulously executed, all pointed toward one ultimate goal: Perfection. "Felicity, have my personal laboratory prepared immediately, and get my cruiser ready for launch," Susan commanded with unwavering authority. Her voice echoed through the pristine hallways, conveying a sense of power and dominance. As she reached her elevator, the doors already wide open and waiting for her, Susan made a precise turn to face them before rising swiftly upwards to a rooftop transpad. It was there that her personal cruiser and assistant would be waiting. Her thoughts centered on the upcoming surgery that would forever alter her existence--a major spinal implant, a marvel of nano-technology that would enhance her beyond imagination. The doors of the elevator hissed open, revealing the visage of Felicity, a towering figure clad in onyx black armor. Susan looked up at her, her coal-black eyes meeting Felicity's intense emerald green gaze. A smirk danced on Susan's lips as she beheld the sight of her devoted protector. "Felicity," Susan purred, her voice dripping with confidence and authority. "You've done as I've instructed, I expect?" Felicity inclined her head, conveying her obedience and unwavering loyalty. Her voice, calm and controlled, rumbled through the air as she replied, "Yes, Ms. Schwahn. Your personal starship has been refit with the weaponry we obtained from the Reth delegate and awaits our departure. All preparations have been made at our destination for your arrival."Her voice was deep and had hints of electronic feedback. With Susan leading the way, the pair strode with purpose from the lift toward the pad which held her readied starship. Far below them, the storm clouds roiled and clashed against the walled cities' shields, casting a tumultuous backdrop of darkened skies. Felicity, her towering figure a stoic presence behind Susan, followed closely, her cybernetic hooves thudding with a weighty grace. The wind whipped through the balcony, causing Felicity's braided mane to sway gently, as if in sync with the storm's tempestuous rhythm. As they approached the sleek vessel waiting on the launchpad, Susan's eyes gleamed with anticipation and ambition. The starship, its streamlined curves glimmering in the ambient light, exuded an air of power and purpose. Its hatch opened with a hiss, revealing the vessel's pristine interior, bathed in a soft, pulsating glow. Without a moment's hesitation, Susan gracefully stepped into the ship, her gaze fixated on the controls and the possibilities they held. Felicity followed closely behind, her imposing presence filling the compact space as she took her position at the pilot's console. The vessel's hum of energy surrounded them, echoing their shared determination. "Prepare for launch," Susan commanded, her voice firm and unwavering, as she strapped herself into the co-pilot's seat. Her fingers danced across the control panel, familiar with the intricate mechanisms that would carry them beyond the planet's grasp. The sterile white glare of his holoscreen illuminated Ogden's despair-stricken face. His ragged breath filled the silent room as he dialed a sequence of digits, numbers that could spell his redemption or destruction. Each tone rang out like a chime, reverberating in the suffocating silence of his office, emphasizing the gravity of his imminent decision. The frail figure of the once celebrated doctor looked weary, overshadowed by the weight of guilt and the fear of consequence. Felicity, her actions precise and efficient, worked in silence, acknowledging Susan's instructions with brief nods and concise responses. The vessel's systems hummed to life under her skilled touch, each panel and display responding to her command. The air within the ship crackled with potential, mirroring the electric energy that surged through Felicity's veins. In a spectacle of sound and fury, the cruiser's engines ignited, their raw power vibrating through the vessel's hull. The sleek starship ascended, leaving the planet and its inconsequential storms in its wake. The twinkling cityscape receded beneath them, its light swallowed by the encroaching darkness. Back on the planet, Ogden felt the pulse of the ships departure as his desk and chair vibrated subtly beneath him, a distant echo of the departing cruiser. The vestiges of Susan's ominous influence were physically receding, but her haunting words remained, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. The darkened room felt claustrophobic as memories flooded his mind, faces of patients whose trust he had betrayed. Staring into the cosmic expanse, Susan reveled in the silent serenity of her triumph. The distant stars winked at her, their cold light a reflection of her own ruthless ambition. As the starship breached the planet's atmosphere, the serene infinity of space embraced them. Susan's vision expanded beyond the terrestrial constraints, as boundless as the universe itself. A soft chime sounded, pulling Ogden back from the precipice of his thoughts. The holoscreen flickered to life, presenting the face of a white rabbit woman. Her fur was as pristine as fresh snow, her emerald eyes ablaze with incandescent rage from beneath the black bangs that hid her face. He gulped, the lump in his throat nearly choking him. "Ogden," she spat out his name as if it were a vile taste in her mouth, "You've got some nerve..." Her fury palpable, he braced himself, his shaking hands gripping the edge of his desk. "Ikeli," he acknowledged, his voice hoarse and strained. His decision, his desperate bid for redemption, had led him here. The silence that followed echoed with the weight of impending consequences. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: Waking Up. ---------------------------------------------- Aubry's consciousness slowly resurfaced, a haze of sensations enveloping her as she struggled to regain clarity. The sights and sounds that greeted her groggy senses were distorted, as if viewed through a heavy fog of sedatives. "Good morning, Miss Ezalia," called a soft, yet shaky, gruff voice. Aubry's gaze focused on the figure before her, a white lab coat-clad hare with two long gray-furred rabbit ears. Despite his nervousness, a kind and warm expression graced his aged face. His hands fidgeted with a medical tablet, tapping and swiping as he divided his attention between Aubry and his datapad. "We're glad to see you're conscious already. We just administered your final dose. You're past the worst of it and doing far better than we anticipated, and you weren't even awake yet," he exclaimed, his face brightening as he chuckled. Setting his pad aside on a nearby cart, he leaned in closer over the medical bed, his gaze shifting to examine his now conscious patient. Aubry, a middle-aged raccoon with silvery white hair, lay on the bed, her athletic yet lithe form covered by an unflattering surgical smock. Her fur displayed a predominantly gray hue, accentuated by a white jawline and a streak of white extending down her throat and chest. Her eyes were concealed by a black mask, distinctive with three separate streaks under each eye resembling running mascara. A bushy tail of gray and black rings lay splayed next to her, also covered by a fitted smock. Lifting her head slightly from the pillow, she struggled to speak. "S-s-something's wrong," gasped Aubry, her face contorting in pain as her body shifted on the bed. The gray rabbit above her began cooing soft reassurances, his hands working on the medical equipment still attached to her. Checking her vitals once again, he reached for a syringe and needle, injecting a dose of medication into an IV tube on her right-hand wrist. Leaning back down to her, he spoke softly. "It's alright, girl. You're fine. Nice pain relief is kicking in now. Just breathe, take your time, and relax. Your nerves are a mess from the surgery, but you're a lucky success. I promise it'll be uphill from here," the rabbit spoke slowly, his words dragging slightly, but with a methodical and concerned tone. Aubry shifted again, emitting a soft whimper, but gradually, she seemed to relax as the soothing effect of the medication took hold. Her eyes blinked a few times before she could keep them open, surveying the room as she tried to focus on her surroundings. The walls and ceiling displayed a nondescript white and blue checkered pattern, illuminated by bright lights that seemed too harsh for her sensitive senses. "Could I get a drink?" she managed to croak, lifting her head to observe her surroundings more closely. The doctor seemed to anticipate her request, as a drinking aid was immediately presented to her with a gentle response. "Right here, just open your mouth," he instructed. Aubry complied, feeling a straw pressed softly to her lips, enabling her to hydrate herself comfortably and naturally. As she sipped, the doctor continued speaking slowly. "This is going to be a long road ahead now. But I'm going to run you through some of the important details right away, so you don't hurt yourself before we get you up and on your own again. We want to make sure you can walk before you leave us, okay?" He settled back into his seat, pulling up his pad and holding it over Aubry, alternating his gaze between the screen and her. As Aubry stopped sucking on the straw, a sudden grimace of pain contorted her face. She shifted again, her body contorting in discomfort. "Something... in my back," she managed to utter, her words tapering into a whine of agony as she weakly attempted to move her hands and roll, arching her back away from the bed. The doctor's response was swift, his movements quick as he pressed the red cross button on her medical bed, leaning in to hold her wrists gently but firmly, restraining her movements. "You're going to experience some unusual sensations after major spinal surgery! I can only imagine, dear. But you can't twist or bend right now, and absolutely no reaching for your incision. You're perfectly fine. Here, let me give you some more pain killers," he reassured her, his voice laced with comfort and concern. Aubry's focus began to drift as two other figures entered the room, their expressions noticeably stern compared to the kind-faced doctor. She strained to focus on their faces but was overwhelmed by another wave of pain that cut through the haze of drugs, causing something to shift in her spine. "No!" she shrieked, gripping the bed desperately, her body writhing within the limited space she had. "There's something in there, it's not right." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pleaded, desperately seeking the doctor's belief. The two figures swiftly moved to her bedside, standing silently by as the doctor gave them a subtle wave. "You're still feeling that much movement, and it hurts?" he asked, his tone wavering slightly as he shifted on his stool, studying the readouts on the medical equipment. "Okay?" He paused for a moment, his uncertainty apparent, but then continued earnestly, noticing the larger figures moving closer to him. "It's perfectly okay. They're just nanites, small robots with simple repair functions. They're there to help you recover faster. You shouldn't be able to feel anything from them." The doctor glanced briefly at the orderlies before returning his attention to Aubry. "They're only aiding in your healing process. If they cause discomfort, I'll monitor the time closely and stay with you until we can administer more pain medication. Once they've completed their task, they'll dismantle themselves and dissipate naturally." The raccoon's drug-addled mind struggled to comprehend the complex explanation, but after a moment of contemplation, she nodded in agreement. She stared at the doctor for a while, her expression questioning, before finally finding her voice. "Who paid for them? I can't afford this level of care," she winced again as her hips shifted on the bed. The doctor shook his head and motioned for the orderlies to come closer, prompting them to swiftly approach her bedside from the opposite side of the doctor. "Don't worry about money, dear. You're covered, and our main concern is ensuring you can walk again. This technology is still somewhat new and experimental. If it were up to me, we would have taken a more traditional approach. But it seems someone with financial means has taken a keen interest in you," he explained, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. The doctor then grunted as he stood up from his stool and maneuvered to the foot of Aubry's medical bed. Placing his hands around her left foot, he tapped gently, drawing her attention. "Let's distract you from the pain I see on your face. Push against me here. We need to make sure everything is functioning properly," he chuckled, winking at her. His hands pressed against the soles of her feet, and Aubry exerted a strained effort, struggling to provide a weak push. The doctor adjusted his position and encouraged her further, instructing her to lift her toes and push again. She complied, her feet moving against the doctor's hands, pushing them away ever so slightly. He repeated the process a few more times, trying different directions, and each time he seemed pleased with Aubry's response. The old gray rabbit smiled and checked the time on his medical readouts. "Just in time for another boost, and then we'll move on to the next step," he announced, shuffling back around to her right side. He fiddled with a freshly unsealed syringe and nodded again to the two orderlies, who quickly made adjustments to the bed. One of them lowered the left side guardrail, while the other gently pulled back the blanket that had been tucked around Aubry's waist and legs. The second orderly spoke softly, introducing themselves, as she felt the cool introduction of fluid into her IV tube once more. "Hello, Miss Ezalia. I'm Jeff, and this is Becky. We're here to help you get on your feet and ensure your safety as you adjust," Jeff introduced himself, his face capturing Aubry's attention. With short-cut spiked blonde hair and coarse yellow fur adorned with black rings, he exuded a jungle cat-like aura. But Aubry's eagerness for freedom overshadowed her curiosity about his specific feline origins. Numerous hands reached out to assist her, but she waved them away in frustration. Slowly, she slid her legs off the side of the bed and managed to sit up straight, albeit shakily. However, as another shift occurred within her body, a sharp yelp of pain escaped her lips, and she desperately reached out for the bed. Jeff quickly grasped her hands, providing stability, while Becky swiftly dropped to her knees, poised to catch Aubry should she lose her balance. The large, muscular figure of Becky, a bovine with black and white spots, chuckled and shook her head, her form slightly more rotund but decidedly more muscular than Jeff. Apologetically, Aubry uttered reflexive apologies for causing the hurried movement. Her eyes squeezed shut as another wave of pain coursed through her, causing her to gasp and lean forward, away from the bed. Yet, Becky and Jeff firmly held her within their grips, ensuring she remained steady. "I don't need help," Aubry groaned, wincing again as she attempted to slide her legs off the bed, working her way slowly toward the edge. Despite her declaration, the two orderlies at her side maintained their hold, staying by her side. Her feet finally touched the ground as she transitioned into a standing position, and a mixture of shock and confusion washed over her as she experienced a myriad of unfamiliar sensations. Her legs wobbled, and she found support in her arms and the kind assistance of the orderlies. Within a few moments, however, she managed to gain enough control over her legs to support her own weight. "Well done indeed!" the gray-furred elder chuckled, retaking his seat on the stool. "You're quite the remarkable patient, Miss Ezalia. Now..." He wheeled his stool over to the side of the bed she occupied, swiftly retrieving an instrument from one of the nearby carts. His hands fidgeted with the instrument as his gaze remained fixed on the raccoon. "How are you feeling now, dear? You're standing again. How about that?" The doctor's warm smile radiated a sense of encouragement. Aubry nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Mhmm!" she hummed with excitement. "It feels weird, and it still hurts, but so much less than before." Aubry glanced down at her feet, taking a deep breath as she listened to the doctor instruct her on the restrictions. Meanwhile, his hands began to scan the surface of her spine with the instrument. She was cautioned not to overexert herself, to remain bedridden and horizontal for at least a month, and to avoid any strenuous activities for the next six to eighteen months. Anger flickered in her eyes as the extensive time scale registered, even prompting an indignant whine. "N-no! How am I supposed to make the bills work? I have to work!?" Aubry exclaimed, seething with frustration. The doctor and the two orderlies shook their heads sadly. "You certainly do not, my dear," the doctor reassured her. "Your medical bills have actually been taken care of. However, while you heal from such an experimental and serious surgery, you cannot be forced to work. Your health is our primary concern." He finished, placing a paw on his chin and stroking the longer fur of his gray-white beard. A surge of pain coursed through Aubry's shoulders, causing her to reach up instinctively to discover the source. In her moment of imbalance, Becky swiftly steadied her, gripping the raccoon's arm. For a brief moment, a look of shock crossed Becky's face, but she resumed her assistance without hesitation. With concern etched on her features, she hovered near Aubry, offering support and comfort, before retreating a few feet as it seemed Aubry could hold herself upright again. Becky glanced back and forth between Aubry and the doctor, her worry evident. The gray-haired doctor rose from his stool and approached the side of the bed. Tapping a few times on a datapad, he then extended it toward the raccoon. "We'll just need your mark here, dear. Then we'll take a walk, and we'll get you out to your mate," the doctor explained, extending his pad toward Aubry. She placed her open palm on the screen, hearing a light beep resonate as she removed her hand. "There we are. Now, let's see about getting you out in the hallway and see how you handle some walking," the doctor said, stepping back while Aubry nodded eagerly. She shuffled her bare, clawed feet on the tiled floor, the clicking of her claws echoing through the corridor, juxtaposed against the muffled steps of those around her. A sudden self-consciousness gripped her as she realized she was still clad in the smock, prompting her to pull her arms closer around herself. Shuffling from side to side, she tested her legs and balance before taking a step forward. To her surprise, the first step proved easier than expected, devoid of the sharp pain she had anticipated. Without hesitation, she proceeded to take a second step. Jeff leaned closer, offering his arm. "I-I'm fine," Aubry replied, pausing momentarily before taking another step forward. Slowly but steadily, she made her way toward the door of the small white room. With the guidance of those around her, she covered the remaining distance faster than she had imagined, venturing into the hallway outside her room. The doctor, Jeff, and Becky followed closely behind, watching with cautious curiosity as the doctor's smile grew. "Alright, I'll accompany you up and down the hallway once, just to make sure everything is alright," the doctor encouraged. Aubry didn't need prompting; she began walking immediately, feeling no shocks of pain or discomfort. She surprised herself with how normal walking felt again. Her left leg moved slightly slower than her right, and occasional hesitations punctuated her steps. As she swung her legs forward, a gentle touch on her right arm reminded her that the others were walking alongside her. They had traversed almost the entire length of the hospital's doored hallway when she slowly turned around, attempting to maintain a semblance of a normal pace. The doctor and her orderlies followed suit, accompanying her back to the door of her hospital room. They all entered together, with the doctor pulling out his pad and writing a few notes as they assisted Aubry back into the bed. "We just have a few more pieces of paperwork on our end. I'll check where Giovanni is parked, and we'll have them bring the wheelchair to take you out to him," the doctor informed her, tapping on the screen of her medical bed. Becky helped Aubry recline once again, and a whimper of pain escaped her as her back made contact with the bed. Becky remained close, her hands ready to assist. "Are you alright there? Do you need any help adjusting?" Becky asked softly, glancing over to the doctor for confirmation. Aubry shook her head, letting out a grunt in response. She laid her head back, closing her eyes as the room seemed to spin. "No, thanks though. I'm just feeling really dizzy," Aubry groaned, raising her hand to her forehead. "Don't worry, we have some medicine that should help. I'll get you ready to leave and give you something to alleviate the dizziness and pain, so you can rest on the way home," the doctor assured her, his words reaching her through the fog enveloping her mind. Her hand was gently pulled away and laid beside her. She felt the slight discomfort of the IV port being tugged as a medication was injected into her system. Exhaustion washed over her body, compounded by her brief excursion. "Thank you," she sighed, feeling various pieces of hospital equipment being removed. "Just doing our jobs, dear," the doctor sighed, placing a reassuring hand on her forearm. Becky joined in, offering a touch of affection from both sides. The warmth of their gestures embraced Aubry as she succumbed to the drug-induced sleep, drifting away from the waking world. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: Should've known better ---------------------------------------------- Aubry let out a tired yawn as she slowly began to awaken. Her hands instinctively curled and rubbed at her weary eyes, trying to dispel the remnants of sleep. Her pointed, gray and black-furred ears swiveled, capturing the sounds of the room around her. As she stirred, she noticed a subtle difference in the feel of the bed beneath her. The soft clicks of a keyboard and the hushed voices of familiar individuals slowly faded away, replaced by a shuffling sound from across the room. It was then that she realized she must be back home. The familiar scent of the place wafted through her senses, solidifying her suspicion. With a gentle motion, she withdrew her hands from her face, wiping away the last traces of sleep from her eyes. Pushing against the bed beneath her, she gradually sat up and took a moment to survey her surroundings in the tiny apartment. The room was compact, with two desks positioned against one wall opposite the bed. A narrow space allowed for walking but little else. The walls were adorned with plain beige paint, and the ceiling bore the marks of spray-on texture, matching the bland white theme. It was a typical low-income apartment. Adjacent to the living room-bedroom area was a combined kitchen, dining room, and laundry room. The faux hardwood floors were lined with unremarkable appliances integrated into the counters and walls. Finally, a small bathroom was attached to the kitchen, accessible through a short hallway. The apartment, while clean and well-lived in, possessed a certain simplicity that was not devoid of warmth, especially when accompanied by the comforting scents of coffee and incense in the air. "Morning, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" Aubry's husband, Giovanni, sat at his small office desk near the foot of their comfortable queen-sized bed. He was a handsome, gray chinchilla of average height, with circular spots reminiscent of a snow leopard. His short, neatly trimmed head hair matched the length of his fur. A pair of distinguished rectangular glasses adorned his face, which he promptly removed and set on the desk alongside a set of headphones. He spun his chair to face the bed, offering his undivided attention. "I... How did I get here? I remember being at the hospital. I don't recall coming back home," Aubry said, shifting her position on the bed and wincing as a pang of discomfort shot through her. "It's probably the medication. Well, you remember everything up until the surgery, right? After that, it was pretty uneventful. We stayed at the hospital for about an hour to make sure you were okay to go home. Then we got you in the car and headed back here. I got you settled into bed, and after I couldn't stay awake any longer, I fell asleep beside you. I woke up this morning and have just been going about my usual routine, checking on you from time to time," Giovanni explained, leaving his desk and moving closer to Aubry's side as he noticed her shifting and stirring. "No way I slept through a whole day!?" Aubry shook her head in disbelief, gingerly letting her ankles dangle off the side of the bed as she attempted to push herself into a standing position, relying on her arms for support. "Whoa, hun!" Giovanni swiftly and cautiously rushed from the foot of the bed to her side. His hands extended slightly, ready to catch her if needed. "You're not supposed to leave the bed yet!" "I'm okay, love," Aubry sighed softly, taking hold of his hands and steadying herself. "Well, mostly okay. I just need to get to the restroom." A nod of understanding passed between them as Giovanni shuffled alongside Aubry, offering his guidance as she painstakingly made her way across the small room, bypassing the kitchen. His hands gently assisted her whenever necessary. Aubry, with a determined grunt, brushed aside some strands of her long white hair that had fallen across her face. Her bare feet dragged lightly against the carpet as she weakly shuffled forward, her movements cautious and tentative. Finally, she reached the door and stepped inside the restroom. Giovanni lingered by the closed door for a moment, listening intently for any sign that Aubry might need assistance. Satisfied, he quietly made his way to the kitchen, his left hand rummaging through a drawer until it found a spoon, while his right hand snatched a blue bowl from a nearby cupboard. With a quick spin, he faced the imposing refrigerator-shaped appliance at his back. Opening it, he retrieved a small round container. A wry smirk played across his gray lips as he scooped two generous portions of fluffy, brownish-white substance into the bowl. Safely tucking the container back into the freezer, he stealthily returned to the restroom door, just as he heard the handle turning and the door opening. Aubry stood in the doorway, wearing a loose-fitting button-up top and baggy sweatpants. Her hair had been brushed straighter, and her face glistened with the cool water she had splashed on it. As she reached out for Giovanni, her face contorted with exertion, and she let out another grunt. He approached her, matching her speed and movements, offering his support as he guided her back to bed. With a soft wince and a cry of discomfort, Aubry gingerly laid herself back on the bed. Giovanni waited by her side, ensuring she was safely settled before returning to the kitchen to retrieve the treat he had prepared. Returning to the living room, he heard the sound of her soft giggle, which brought a smile to his face. "You're so good to me, you know? I realize it's going to be challenging with only one of us working for a while, but I promise I'll find a way to contribute," Aubry said, her voice tinged with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes. She chuckled again, eagerly spooning the first mouthful of her favorite dessert into her mouth. The aroma wafted through the air, rich and nutty, enhancing the flavor and adding to the creamy, chilled texture. "We'll be fine, love. Now that you're awake, though, I have a surprise for you from some of your fans," Giovanni chuckled, turning his attention back to his simple, plain brown desktop. He picked up a flat, metallic device, and Aubry's smile widened into a knowing grin. Moving around the bed, Giovanni sat leaning against its edge, handing her the surprise. "Oh? I bet it's the club folks wishing me a speedy recovery so I can get back to work," Aubry snickered to herself, her smirk fading as Giovanni shook his head. She pressed along the narrow edge of the finger-sized device, causing it to unfold. Four small wires extended from the top, projecting a hazy blue holographic image. The projection gradually sharpened, the blue haze gaining color and definition. Numerous small humanoid figures, resembling Aubry and Giovanni, danced above her palm. Each figure displayed unique fur colors, patterns, and characteristics--varying muzzle lengths, shapes, ears, and tails. They all sported uniform gray and white, form-fitting, illuminated suits. The tiny figures congregated, waving enthusiastically in Aubry's direction, as she gasped, her free hand instinctively covering her mouth. "My students!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and joy. "I was certain they had forgotten about me." Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the bouncing figures on her palm, holding a banner between them that read, "Best Teacher Ever! Get well soon!" The holographic projection froze at that moment, capturing the figures in their celebratory pose. "They don't know how you got injured, only that you were hurt at work," Giovanni said, his smile warm and reassuring. "Respected teacher to this," Aubry murmured, tapping the device once more, causing it to blink off and retract into its unassuming rectangular shape. "I wish I could still be teaching those kids. They are so talented. Even with all the algorithms, I still feel the matriarchs' decision wasn't right." "I understand, love. But for now, we have to follow the rules and stay within the boundaries. Once you're healed, we'll plan our next steps," Giovanni reassured her, patting her leg gently. Over the next few days, the couple's routine revolved around Aubry's gradual recovery. While she was still mostly bedridden, she was granted a mere ten minutes each day to move around their small apartment. She made the most of this time, pushing herself to regain her mobility. With each passing week, her strength increased. By the end of the first week, she could navigate the apartment entirely on her own, driven by determination and the exercises prescribed by her doctors. She continued to push herself, steadily increasing her allotted time to twenty minutes a day in the second week, and eventually reaching a triumphant half-hour in the third week. However, she was cautious not to overexert herself, mindful of the progress she had made and the risk of reinjury. Amidst this healing process, one particular night stood out during their first month of recovery. It was the fourth night of the third week when Giovanni returned to the apartment after a trip to the local grocery store. As he set about organizing the purchases, he heard the sound of his wife shuffling into the kitchen to greet him. A tired smile adorned her face as she pressed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his waist while he struggled to place the last two items on a cupboard shelf. "Hello, love. How are you doing after your nap?" Giovanni asked, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead as he spun to embrace her fully. She grumbled, burying her head into his chest and nuzzling against him. This prompted a chuckle from Giovanni, who bestowed another kiss on her forehead before she relented. "No, I'm okay, babe. I can wait for dinner. I'm just glad you're home again," Aubry replied, her voice muffled. Her worry was evident in her eyes as Giovanni traced a finger along her cheek. "There was another attack on the south side of town. I heard gunshots while I was near downtown, but I made it back safely," Giovanni confessed, though he tried to force a smile. Aubry pressed her face into his shirt once more, seeking comfort in their embrace as they both sighed. "Once I'm better, I'll find a way to help us secure enough and we'll be free from this place," Aubry declared, her voice cracking with determination. "We'll worry about that journey when we get there, hun. Let's focus on getting you better first, okay?" Giovanni reassured her, patting her cheek gently and giving her another squeeze. Aubry nodded, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself. She released her grip on Giovanni and slowly began shuffling past him, making her way down the narrow hallway between the living room and kitchen towards the restroom. Giovanni acknowledged her departure with a nod before turning his attention to gathering ingredients and spices, his skilled hands meticulously preparing another delicious meal. "Just let me know if you need any help," he softly cooed to Aubry as she reached the bathroom door and closed it behind her. With that, Giovanni started humming a soothing melody, momentarily immersed in his culinary distractions. He attentively checked and hand-measured familiar spices, adding them to a simmering pot of thick, red sauce on the stove. The aroma swiftly filled the compact apartment, infusing the air with its enticing fragrance. Within no time, Giovanni had a pot of water boiling for the noodles that would accompany the sauce. He was just starting to fry some imitation meat in a pan alongside his bubbling concoction when he heard the bathroom door creak open. Giovanni paused, quirking his head to the side, and fixed his gaze on his wife. There was something peculiar about her appearance. Clad in a silky red nightgown, one of her favorite comfort wear pieces, Aubry seemed slightly disheveled. Her hair fell loosely around her neck, and her expression appeared distant, as if lost in thought. "Huh?" Aubry groaned, noticing the perplexed expression on Giovanni's face. Sensing that something was amiss, he set down his cooking utensils and stepped out of the kitchen, his gaze fixed on her. It took a moment for him to discern what was unusual, but then he saw a flicker of movement along her neck. A small, worm-like creature retracting into her hair. Giovanni's mouth dropped open, and he pointed at the peculiar sight, taking a step closer to her. Aubry's eyebrows furrowed, mirroring Giovanni's concern. She raised her hand to where he had pointed, feeling a slight movement against her neck. Her fingertips brushed against something that resembled snakeskin, but it swiftly recoiled the moment she made contact. With a sudden jolt of pain, she yanked her hand away, her legs giving way beneath her. Thankfully, Giovanni's attention and quick reflexes prevented her from falling, as he carefully guided her to the ground. "Are you okay!?" Giovanni gasped in shock, cradling Aubry gently in his arms. His eyes darted over her trembling form, and his fingers instinctively sifted through her hair, uncertain if he had truly witnessed something unusual. "I think I need to lie down. Something in my back feels wrong, and there's searing pain shooting down my legs," Aubry whimpered, pointing to the bed with a soft, pained whimper. Giovanni nodded, his mind racing as he took several deep breaths, attempting to steady himself. Leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around her, slowly and cautiously lifting her from the floor. He trudged carefully toward the bed, his every step filled with concern. Tenderly, he laid her down on her preferred side of the bed, eliciting another soft moan of agony from Aubry. She took several moments, breathing heavily, as she lay there, her teeth clenched in obvious discomfort. "Do you think you can roll onto your stomach, love? I want to check your incision, make sure you haven't disturbed your stitches," Giovanni asked softly, repositioning himself beside her. Aubry nodded slightly, stretching her arms and legs as she gingerly rolled onto her stomach. Her hips shifted, causing her rump to wiggle involuntarily, and her tail flicked with a touch of unease as she felt her pink panties exposed. The incision sat just above the hemline. Thankfully, as Giovanni peered over the surgical site, nothing appeared amiss. He gently brushed the fur near the scar, causing Aubry to shift ever so slightly. Satisfied, he pulled her nightgown back down, preserving her modesty, and bestowed a reassuring smile. "Are you okay? It seems like you're healing remarkably well, babe. Everything looks normal," he reassured her, while she cautiously rolled back onto her side and then her back. Catching a whiff of the fragrant air, a smile crept across Aubry's lips. "I'm okay, babe. I must have just twisted or bent the wrong way or something," she dismissed with a sigh, her attention drawn to the tantalizing aroma. Giovanni planted a loving kiss on her lips before quickly rising from the bedside, darting back to the kitchen to stir the imitation meat, preventing it from burning. "Dinner won't be much longer, sweetheart," he called out to her above the hissing stove and the bustling sounds of the food cooking. "I'm in no rush, love. Thank you, for everything," Aubry responded, closing her eyes and attempting to focus on the tantalizing scent wafting from the kitchen. But as another shifting movement coursed through her back, Giovanni's reply seemed distant, and her mind grew hazy. A wave of dizziness and exhaustion washed over her, luring her into another involuntary nap. A week had passed, and Aubry and Giovanni were preparing to leave for a doctor's appointment to assess Aubry's progress, now a month after her surgery. Aubry, tucked away in the restroom, meticulously adjusted her fur and hair, while Giovanni patiently waited at his desk in the living room. A gentle knock echoed through the apartment door. "Gio, could you-" Aubry's voice trailed off, her attention fixated on the mirror, as the chinchilla swiftly made his way towards the door. "Already got it, love," Giovanni responded, pausing momentarily to check the camera feed on the door. It appeared to be the building maintenance staff. He unlocked the door and opened it slightly, allowing him to peer outside and greet the visitor. "Good morning, how can I help you?" Giovanni began politely, but he immediately sensed that something was off. Alongside the maintenance worker stood a weary-looking German Shepherd, dressed in tattered blue clothing and faded jeans. The old dog was flanked by three individuals clad in black, sporting sunglasses. Without uttering a word, they moved towards Giovanni, causing him to instinctively jump back and slam the door shut. However, one of them managed to slip their arm through the opening. "Who the hell are you?" Giovanni growled, shoving hard against the door, which elicited a yelp and a growl from the other side. "Police! Your girlfriend was involved in a crime, and we need to bring her in for questioning!" barked one of the figures outside the apartment. "Bullshit!" Giovanni retorted, his voice laced with anger. "Get your damn arm out of my door, or I'm going to break it!" he warned, his muscles tensed with fury. "Please don't!" whimpered the voice on the other side, as the arm began to retreat. Giovanni momentarily relaxed his pressure, but as soon as he did, two solid impacts collided with the door, sending him sprawling away from the entryway. Startled by the commotion, Aubry hurried into the living room. She braced herself against the bed, reaching for Giovanni's nightstand. The sounds of bodies clashing and crashing reverberated from the hallway as she retrieved the handgun, swiftly inserting the clip and chambering the first round. Despite wobbling and wincing in pain, she managed to rise to her feet just in time to witness the chaotic scene unfolding before her eyes. Two of the black-clad figures were engaged in a fierce struggle with Giovanni. One of them was Jeff, the yellow-furred jungle cat she had encountered at the hospital. The other, a grizzled, unknown black canine with a crooked nose and a cloudy white eye, had pinned Giovanni to the floor, their fight filled with frenzied clawing, biting, and wrestling. However, her attention was immediately drawn to the third figure, who stood mere feet away from her, reaching out to seize the gun she held. A mixture of anger and fear surged through Aubry, propelling her into a desperate struggle to retain control of the firearm. Their hands grappled, the assailant's grip covering the safety mechanism, preventing her from squeezing the trigger. Tears streamed down her face as she fought with every ounce of energy she could muster. Yet, her body suddenly stiffened as a sickening sensation surged through her spine, a searing heat that coursed from her eyes to her fingertips and down to her toes. She felt as though she were engulfed in flames. Then, with a sudden jolt, her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the floor. Amidst the chaotic cacophony of blows landing in the hallway, the sounds melded together around her. Aubry's voice cried out in agony as she sensed her spine shifting and writhing, something slithering beneath her skin, crawling from her hips to her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered, her vision becoming clouded. The figure who had wrested the gun from her hands materialized faintly before her, wielding an object poised to strike her head. Darkness enveloped her senses, and all grew silent. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: The Attack ---------------------------------------------- Aubry's mind seemed mired in a thick fog, her skull throbbing as if an entire orchestra were staging a symphony inside. As her vision gradually cleared, she found herself staring at a featureless ceiling, its surface spinning with her disorientation. The metallic taste of fear lingered in her mouth, her past memories cascading back: a blow to the head and the searing pain that had spindled up her spine. Taking a steadying breath, she attempted to gauge her surroundings, moving her head minutely to stave off the pulsating agony. Her eyes roved over walls of dark metal, illuminated only by the eerie, staccato glow of a faltering fluorescent bulb. As awareness crept back, she felt a restrictive force against her limbs. Lifting her head with monumental effort, a fresh wave of nausea washing over her, she looked down to see her black-furred arms and legs bound by cold, iron cuffs to the frame of a stark, industrial bed. The sudden clattering of her restraints echoed in the near-silence, louder than she had anticipated. She froze, her pointed ears twitching at the muffled sounds of movement somewhere beyond her field of view. A primal fear kindled in her chest, her heart pounding a wild rhythm against her ribcage. With a surge of desperation, she strained against her bindings, pulling with every fiber of her being. The restraints bit into her skin, the metallic clinking growing louder as she pushed herself to her limit. Her muscles screamed in protest, her breath hitched, yet the cuffs remained resolute. Defeated, she slowly relaxed, doing her best to suppress any further noise. Yet her respite was short-lived as the disconcerting rattle of a door handle pierced the silence. The door creaked open, the sound a harbinger of her looming fear. Her heart plummeted as she forced herself into statue-like stillness, straining her ears to pick up any sound over her deafening heartbeat. The scrape of objects moved across a surface, followed by a weary sigh, betrayed the stranger's presence. "Xen, I wish it didn't have to be this way. You weren't even supposed to wake up from surgery. Now I get to feel like a killer," a gruff voice muttered. The chilling words were accompanied by the feel of roughened fingers around her wrist, followed by a needle's prick against her skin. With a surge of adrenaline, Aubry twisted her wrist in an attempt to break free, her voice reverberating off the cold metal walls, "Please, no! Please, don't!" Her plea went unheeded as her resistance was met with greater force, her hand pinned down while something clattered to the floor. Panic surged within her as she writhed against her restraints, her fear echoing through the room. "Damn it! Shut it!" The voice was an untamed growl that rumbled through the room. A vicious strike landed on the side of Aubry's head, followed swiftly by a second. The impacts left her reeling, the metallic room swirling around her in a disorienting dance. Another prick pierced the skin of her wrist, the sensation of something foreign being pushed into her veins crystallizing her fear. As the harsh realization dawned on her, a searing sensation flared within her, surging through her nervous system like wildfire. Her body responded violently: shoulders shuddering, back arching. A pained whimper escaped her lips as a myriad of bizarre sensations coursed through her. Without warning, something stirred inside her spine, a terrifying intrusion that drowned out all other sensations. It snaked up her back, then burst forth from new, painful apertures in her shoulder blades. Two sinuous, black appendages, each about half the width of her wrist, slithered free, curling ominously in her hair. Her eyes fluttered shut, her senses overwhelmed. It was a deluge of pain, intermixed with bizarre sensations of release, empowerment, and raw, electric energy. These sensations were abruptly disrupted as another blow struck the side of her head, accompanied by a cacophony of bitter expletives. "Stop! Please, I haven't done anything. I swear! I'll give you whatever you want!" Her voice echoed in the room, fragile and desperate, and her eyes squeezed shut, welling up with tears. Caught in a whirlpool of unbearable pain and bewildering sensation, she felt the tentacles unfurl, snaking around to her front. They extended from her, swift and sharp, and then abruptly froze. All was still, except for the deafening ringing in her ears and the dual pulse of her heart and her spine. Consciousness was slipping away again, replaced by a creeping warmth. It traveled up the tentacles, which quivered and writhed in the air, doing something that she could not comprehend through the fog of pain. Yet it felt oddly soothing, the warmth spreading like molten comfort through her body. "Please, don't hurt me! Please, let me go!" She begged, pulling feebly against her restraints once more. Yet the only response was an unsettling wet gurgle. Blinking her eyes open, she struggled to bring the spinning room into focus. The figure was still looming over her, eerily still. Another surge of warmth coursed through her as the figure shifted slightly. Her vision finally began to clear, revealing the face of her attacker for the first time. His features were twisted in an eternal tableau of horror, his face vacant, his life visibly extinguished. His countenance reminded her of a hyena, muscular and average in stature. But it was the sight of her writhing, black tentacles weaving around his lifeless body that truly sent a chill down her spine. Even as she reeled from the sight, she remained acutely aware of the warmth pulsing into her, intensifying now that she was upright. The thought stirred her stomach, and the reality of what was happening filled her with terror. She could feel every inch of her new appendages, the rhythmic flexing and coiling as they interacted with her lifeless assailant. Before she even turned her gaze back to him, she knew - and felt - the tentacles pulling him closer, manipulating his lifeless form with a disturbing familiarity. His body was limp, his arms hanging grotesquely as he was drawn towards her. Her eyes were magnetically drawn to the points of contact, where her appendages sank into his flesh. His khaki shirt was rapidly being stained a macabre red, the fabric deteriorating as her tentacles penetrated further. A wave of warmth, pleasure even, flowed into her from the tentacles, filling her with dread. They were devouring him. She watched in disbelief as the skin, fur, and cloth disintegrated upon contact with her tentacles. It was as though she had countless mouths gnawing away at him, a sensation both macabre and disturbingly gratifying. Aubry's scream echoed around the room once more as she tore her gaze away from the gruesome spectacle. She tugged at the tentacles, the sensation of soft tissue being ripped from her shoulders halting her desperate attempt. Collapsing onto her side, she lay sprawled across the narrow bed, the carcass of the hyena being consumed by whatever monstrous entity she had become. Shame, disgust, self-loathing washed over her in waves as she grappled with the terrifying reality of her new form. What monstrous being had taken residence within her? The warmth, however, was oddly comforting, invigorating even. She was growing stronger from this grotesque feast, and a part of her, a part she barely recognized, was savoring the sensations. Her hands shot out in a sudden burst of rage, clawing mercilessly at the offending tentacles. The ensuing shock of pain was more intense than she'd anticipated, her appendages retracting from the hyena and flailing wildly as she screamed out in agony. The world began its nauseating spin once again, her stomach churning violently. The tentacles twitched and spasmed, retracting partially into her shoulders, their injuries from her frenzied attack visibly healing before her horrified eyes. Seizing the fleeting opportunity offered by her retracting tentacles, Aubry attempted to flee. She attempted to slide off the bed and make for the door, but instead collapsed onto the cold, unforgiving concrete floor. The harsh contact sent a jolt of pain through her body, exacerbated by the shock of her own weakness, rendering her unable to cushion the fall. Her limbs wouldn't cooperate, refusing to respond to her desperate commands. Yet again, the sensation of release washed over her as the tentacles sprang forth anew, snaking up towards the bed. This was followed closely by the warmth flowing into her, a comfort amid her trauma. Lying on the cold floor, her face wet with tears, she began to sob, the enormity of the situation crushing her. Despite her distraught state, she couldn't help but focus on the grisly tableau above her. The sickening sounds of her tentacles' uninterrupted feast sparked a surge of determination in her, granting her the strength to push up onto her elbows and move away from the horrific sight behind her. Teeth gritted, she dragged her unresponsive legs behind her, each inch gained costing her more effort than the last. She'd only made it a few feet from the bed when she felt the insistent tug inside her once more, as her tentacles strained to their limits. She closed her eyes tightly and pulled against the discomfort, the signals of pain in her body telling her to stop. Taking a deep breath, she dragged herself forward, straining against the nerve-wracking tug in her spine. Her movement was momentarily arrested before she managed to pull herself forward, the intense pain lessening as more of the tentacles slid from her shoulders. The sensation of tingling in her toes offered a glimmer of hope, and she managed to get her legs underneath her and prop herself up into a crawling position. She strained to reach the door while the tentacles continued to extend from her shoulders, a feeling she now found oddly satisfying despite its initial revulsion. The appendages seemed to be growing longer, still connected to the bed and their lifeless victim. Despite her dread, she forced herself not to look back until she'd reached the door. Her hand found the handle, steadying her as she finally allowed herself a backward glance. The macabre scene that met her eyes was one she would never forget. The tentacles were still there, attached to her, leading towards the bed, and the hyena, its head and torso engulfed in the writhing mass of her tentacles. The creature's legs dangled limply, shifting occasionally as its body was manipulated. As she took in the sight, her mind whirled, attempting to make sense of the nightmare. She dropped her gaze to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper as she muttered reassurances to herself. "This is a terrible nightmare...This can't be real, who would even want to hurt me?" Her words broke off into sobs, her head shaking in denial. "I'm still at home, it's just some messed-up dream, this is impossible!" Her sobbing escalated into a scream, her fury directed at the indifferent tentacles. "What the hell are you! Where did you come from? Why is this happening to me!" Her tirade went ignored as the hyena's legs vanished from view, replaced by the squirming mass of her tentacles. Overwhelmed with nausea, Aubry turned her gaze away from the bed, taking in her surroundings for the first time. The room appeared to be a converted garage, its stark concrete floor and metallic walls offering a grim atmosphere. A medical bed on wheels, similar to those she'd seen in hospitals but less sophisticated, stood as a grim centerpiece, surrounded by three metal tables laden with shiny instruments laid out on white cloth. The more she observed, the more her fear intensified. If her tentacles hadn't acted, what would this man have done to her? Frozen by the door, the rhythmic pulse of warmth coursing through her offered a peculiar solace in the midst of her nightmare. As she tightened her grip on the door handle, a shudder ran through her body, momentarily distracting her from the empowering sensations she was receiving. Gathering her courage, she detached herself from the door and ambled back towards the room's center. Her initial steps were tentative but gradually gained confidence. She noticed the restless movements of the tentacles had abated, their pulsing warmth reduced, not ceased. Her legs felt a bit sturdier as she approached the nearest table cluttered with a variety of tools. Leaning for support, she studied the array of medical instruments - scalpels, syringes, unsettling spoon-like implements, and a host of menacing power tools. The sight sent a chilling shudder up her spine, causing her to instinctively recoil, wrapping her arms around her own body. It was then she became acutely aware of her own nakedness. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she bit her lip, scanning the room for something to shield her bareness. To her relief, she spotted her tank top and shorts, carelessly discarded near the larger door at the back of the room. She pushed herself away from the table, navigating her way across the room, a slow but steady journey. Upon reaching her clothes, she bent down to collect her shorts just as she felt the tentacles slide off the bed onto the floor. An instinctive arch of her back followed, her fur standing on end. As the tentacles began to slowly retract into her shoulders, an eerie sensation akin to plummeting from a height washed over her, making her wobble. The only thing keeping her vertical was her white-knuckle grip on the table, weathering the overwhelming influx of sensation. The tentacles didn't retract fully, a three-foot length still protruded from each shoulder blade, squirming and twitching behind her. Her breath hitched as she struggled to stay upright, slowly lifting one leg to slip into her shorts. Several precarious attempts and wavering moments later, she managed to put on her shorts, secured the tail loop and adjusted the denim against her body before turning to look at the bed again. It stood desolate, its sheets marred with red and pink stains. The room was eerily devoid of the hyena's remains. Parts of the bed around where the tentacles had been appeared warped, bent, and twisted, with portions seemingly vanished. Nausea gripped her again, her tears welling up as she struggled to process the horrific reality. With a frustrated huff, she grabbed her shirt, pulling it over her head. The fabric slid against the length of the tentacles, still dangling from her shoulders. They were tucked beneath the shirt, squirming between her body and the fabric. Aubry pulled her hair free from under the shirt, attempting to adjust to the upsetting sensation of the tentacles' restrained movements under the fabric. They writhed until managing to snake their way through the large armholes of her tank top, bringing her a wave of relief. Taking another survey of the room, she turned back towards the smaller door she had previously been braced against. Steadying her breath, she made her way across the room. Suddenly, a glint of reflected light caught her eye - a security camera mounted above the door. The sight of it triggered a surge of recollections of the horrors she had just endured, igniting her rage. In an swift, powerful motion, one of her tentacles shot out, its rounded tip transforming into a sharp point, which impaled the intrusive camera and its wall mount before retracting. The sudden noise and movement startled Aubry. It took her a moment to comprehend that her violent wish had been granted by the tentacle. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp, while the other extended towards the door handle. With tentative steps, she finally left the ghastly confines of the garage room, stepping out into a nondescript concrete corridor. A muffled hum of distant conversations reverberated through the lifeless corridor. As fear and anxiety cascaded within her, a sudden surge of adrenaline coursed through Aubry, imbuing her muscles with a primal strength she hadn't known before. She took a pause, standing still, to decipher the direction of the echoing voices -- a sound from beyond or behind? Before her stretched the monotonous expanse of the corridor, punctuated by nondescript doors much like the one she had exited. They peppered the drab grey walls at even intervals. With her hand grazing the rough concrete for balance, she started to venture forth, taking one tentative step after another. The more she walked, the more her pace quickened, shifting from a limping saunter to a determined jog. Arriving at the corridor's end, she paused to regain her breath and survey the two paths bifurcating before her both indistinguishable from the corridor she'd just traversed. Trusting her gut instinct, she veered left and resumed her jog. A sudden echoing clap of footsteps from behind accelerated her heart rate, her gut instinct instantly signalling pursuit. Fear and desperation fueled her actions as she transitioned from a jog to a frantic run. As she dashed past a succession of doors spaced evenly apart, a glass door leading outside caught her attention. Propelled by her momentum, she launched herself through the door into the open air. Once a safe distance away, she threw a fleeting glance over her shoulder at the imposing, nondescript multi-story building -- a mere silhouette among a slew of similar foreboding structures. Some were signposted, others not. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, Aubry recognized this part of the city -- the heart of the urban jungle, near the monolithic nexus. The colossal cylindrical edifice towered over everything, disappearing into the dense gray cloud cover above. The familiar city hum was accompanied by an uncomfortable cold. "I can run!?" Aubry's voice wavered between confusion and satisfaction as she savored the fleeting moment of respite. However, the door she had exited moments ago burst open as two figures erupted from it -- one canine, the other vulpine. "Hey! Get back here!" The gruff command echoed from the black-furred canine figure. They were both clad in black suits and sunglasses, triggering memories of similar figures who'd assaulted her and her husband. A sinking feeling washed over her. Without a word, Aubry whirled around and darted away, fear propelling her faster than she'd ever moved before, and with no pain emanating from her spine or legs. Her pursuers were relentless, the rhythmic clatter of their shoes on the asphalt a haunting metronome in her ears. Relief washed over her as she made it onto a bustling street. The area was a maelstrom of traffic, with vehicles of all sizes and shapes filling the air with their cacophonous symphony. At the edge of the street, she halted momentarily, throwing her head back and letting out a piercing scream. Her desperate cry attracted a few curious stares from bystanders, while the sounds of her pursuers nearing urged her back into a desperate sprint. Unfortunately, the bystanders offered no aid, just gawking at her with a mixture of curiosity and horror. The panicked expressions of the onlookers mirrored her own internal terror as she felt the few feet of tentacles extending from her back, their movements unnerving as she continued her desperate escape. The panting breaths of the pursuers filled her ears, their proximity chillingly palpable. Suddenly, a ray of hope appeared in the form of a gray feline who stepped forward from the crowd, a look of concern etched on their face. "No! Wait, stay back! She's Infected!" The warning from the vulpine pursuer echoed through the air, halting the feline in their tracks. Their concerned demeanor morphed into fear. A primal instinct overcame Aubry, her eyes locked on the feline. Her muscles flexed, her fur bristled, a predatory hunger stirred at the back of her mind. Suddenly, a violent jolt of pain convulsed her left side. The electric shock coursed through her body, causing her muscles to seize up and sending her crashing to the ground. She lay there, rigid and trembling, as two sharp prongs lodged in her stomach, pulsing with electricity. Her agonizing screams echoed off the surrounding buildings, her tentacles twitching in sync with her convulsions. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the vulpine figure wielding a stun gun, while his partner closed in on her with something that looked ominously like a syringe. Her eyes widened in terror at the sight of the needle, her breathing erratic. The base of her spine seared with unbearable heat, the tentacles stemming from her shoulders coming to a standstill. As the black-furred canine reached down to her, extending the syringed weapon, her right tentacle lashed out and snatched it away. Her left tentacle transformed into a sharp point, slashing through the wires attached to the prongs embedded in her stomach. In a swift, fluid motion, it lunged for the canine's chest. A collective gasp echoed through the crowd as the canine fell backward, clutching his chest. Aubry's muscles screamed in protest as she picked herself up, but a surge of predatory strength pulsed through her. With the onlookers scattering, she dove into the frenzy of the passing traffic, somehow managing to cross without collision. On the other side of the road, similar monolithic structures lined the streets. Aubry spotted a dark alley and made for it, the sound of three gunshots ripping through the city's ambient noise and echoing in her ears. She threw her hands above her head and darted into the shadowy alley, leaving the chaos behind. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 4: Getting a grip ---------------------------------------------- Aubry had embarked on a breathless sprint after escaping the alleyway's shadowy embrace onto the main thoroughfare. Her heart throbbed in her ears as she dove deeper into the concrete maze, the city's density seeming to close in on her. The dark alleyway was lined by an eclectic mix of shops, houses, and hidden corners, wedged between imposing structures. As she darted out onto a different street, she plunged into a labyrinth formed by another set of colossal buildings. The frantic run gradually descended into a stagger as exhaustion threatened to engulf her. She sought a silent, cloaked corner, her hand serving as a lifeline to the cold, comforting concrete structure. Unlike the previous alleyway, this one teemed with life. Vendors scattered along its length, their products arrayed on carts, inside tents, and atop vehicles. A handful of makeshift dwellings completed the scene. Aubry's heart pounded relentlessly against her rib cage, each beat echoing loudly in her ears. Her muscles screamed in protest, the lactic acid burning in her calves and thighs. Yet, nothing compared to the searing pain radiating from the base of her spine, an alien presence gnawing at her from the inside, sending waves of heat coursing through her vertebrae. She pressed her hand against the incision in a tentative exploration, recoiling from the heated touch. Beneath the soft, short fur, the skin was blisteringly hot, enough to scald her hand within moments. Struggling to maintain her balance, she lumbered towards the first stall, run by a grey and white ring-tailed ferret. The vendor was engrossed in grilling herb-seasoned meat strips, the sizzling sound drowning out the world. His eyes met Aubry's, only to dismiss her with a derisive shake of his head and a string of scornful remarks. Her pleas for help were met with deafening silence, save for the startled grunt of a nearby customer. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, Aubry suppressed the urge to scream, urging her protesting body to move on. She had barely made her way a third down the alleyway when a gentle, feminine voice rippled through the air. At first, she flinched, hastening her feeble steps. All she craved was a desolate corner to collapse and hide. But the voice echoed again, this time more insistent. With great effort, she came to a halt, her gaze finding the source, a lavender-furred face adorned with embellishments that accentuated their eyes and cheeks. The stranger peered at her from a weathered tent adorned with shiny baubles and a golden hand-painted pyramid symbol comprising three ornate eyes, contrasting starkly with the surrounding gloom. Reluctance gnawed at Aubry as the stranger beckoned her in, her desperation ultimately guiding her forward. The tent's interior seemed to serve dual purposes, a home and a business. A cozy, cluttered corner served as a bed, adorned with mismatched sheets and cushions. A decorated bench sat beside a small table bearing a design resembling the tent's exterior. Shelves stacked with various baubles and trinkets peppered the space, each tagged with a price. The whimsical decor gave the impression of a fortune teller's den, or perhaps a charlatan's refuge. But in that moment, for Aubry, it was an unexpected sanctuary in a world gone mad. "You look as if you've seen death itself, dear," the lavender stranger whispered, their voice wafting towards Aubry from the tent's deeper reaches. It was then Aubry's gaze truly fell upon her benefactor. This enigmatic figure was a tapestry of vibrant purple fur, studded with black spots and stripes adorning their lower back and rear. A thick, lush tail in a shade as rich as their body fur swayed rhythmically behind them. Their long, black hair was impeccably groomed, framing a feminine face that seemed to blur gender boundaries. A sheer purple shawl, draped over their voluptuous body, was their only attire. As they turned back, offering clothes to Aubry, she was caught in a moment of perplexity, her eyes darting between the garments and the stranger. "Your back is soaked with blood. Are you okay? Do you know who attacked you?" The stranger's voice was gentle but insistent, their hands extending the clothes towards Aubry once again. Tears blurred Aubry's vision, her head shaking almost imperceptibly as she shied away from the clothes and towards the tent's entrance, her breath coming out in harsh gasps. Sensing her discomfort, the stranger placed the clothes back on the table, stepping back and shaking their head. "I don't mean to intrude," they began, their voice saturated with concern, "but you look awful. You need help." They settled onto their small bench, a hand towel resting atop the offered clothes. "Something's wrong with me. I'm... I'm not safe," Aubry stammered, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. As fear coursed through her, she felt the writhing tendrils within her white hair flex and move. Their existence seemed yet unnoticed by the stranger, but Aubry's declaration was enough to straighten them up in alarm. "Not safe? Are you sick? Infected? I have a med-pack if you need one." They stretched to retrieve a small fabric satchel. A hint of apprehension entered their voice, "Were you... assaulted?" "No, not like that," Aubry whimpered, her eyes welling up once more. "There's a monster... inside me." She fell to her knees, her long hair shifting to reveal the dark tendrils writhing against her blood-stained tank top. "Faren's grace, what is that?" the stranger gasped, standing slowly to lean closer. "What kind of terror have you brought here!?" Their voice held shock, but also concern. "I don't know, but it's dangerous. People are chasing me because of it. They... they kidnapped me, I... I killed one, and then... I.. I ate him." Her words trailed off into hyperventilation, her hands clutching at her face as she shook violently. "Xen's mercy, calm down," Gellen cooed, sliding down onto the floor to be in Aubry's field of view. "You won't hurt me, right? I'm here to help. I'm Gellen. You're safe here." They offered a reassuring smile, their voice lulling in a soothing melody. Aubry managed to stifle her sobs, her hands slowly retracting from her face. She looked at Gellen, taking several deep breaths before speaking. "You don't understand. This thing inside me... I didn't want it to act, but it did! I need medical attention, but... I'm afraid they'll kill me, or that this... thing... might hurt someone else." Her voice wavered, each word a struggle to utter. But she held her composure, pulling her hair over her shoulder and finally noticing the red and pink streaks marring her snowy locks. Gellen's hand appeared in her field of vision, holding a damp, cool towel. Aubry accepted it gratefully, using it to clean her face and hair. As she caught her reflection in Gellen's eyes, she mouthed a silent 'thank you'. For now, this was her sanctuary, this stranger her only confidant in a world that had turned upside down. "Could you tell me what exactly happened? Your earlier words were puzzling... you didn't mean you literally ate someone, right? And what are those black... things... protruding from your shirt? I'm sure I saw them move. You mentioned... this thing?" Gellen stood, the movement slow and cautious. They fetched a larger body towel from the bed and resumed their spot on the small bench, the furrow in their brows deepening. "I had surgery recently," Aubry began, her voice shaky. "I was a teacher, until an accident left me unable to walk. I was told I'd never walk again, but then... something changed. They did something to me. After that, there were times when I felt... movement... near the base of my spine. Then these people broke into our house, they... they hurt my husband." Her voice cracked, and fresh tears flowed as she scrubbed at her blood-streaked shoulders with the hand towel. "They took me somewhere close, one of the square buildings, and strapped me to a table. A man injected something into my arm... that's when... it... awoke." Her hands stilled, her gaze distant as if she was lost in the memory. "These... things... erupted from my shoulders and impaled him. Then... then they... consumed him." Aubry's eyes fluttered shut, her breath hitching as the tendrils coiled and writhed in response to her rising fear. "I still feel it." Her expression was one of horror, but her body language belied an odd excitement. Gellen listened to Aubry's recounting, their concern morphing into fear. They absently fidgeted with the larger towel in their hands, their questions dying on their lips as they watched the tendrils move. "This is far beyond my understanding," Gellen admitted, their gaze fixed on the writhing tendrils. "By Faren's grace, what have they done to you? I've seen body modifications, but this... this is something else." They pinched the bridge of their nose, their mind whirling. "Alright. I'll stay over here. You make yourself comfortable. I wanted to help when I saw you. You were all battered and bloody. How was I to know you had this... situation?" With a slight bow, Gellen retreated towards the bed, flopping onto the inviting covers and keeping a wary eye on Aubry. "I am grateful for your help," Aubry responded, her gaze unfocused. "I just need to figure out what's next." Her pondering was interrupted as a noise echoed from the alley, causing her to start. The sound of running footsteps jerked her back to the present. The danger was still very much real. "She should lay low, at least until she figures things out," Gellen suggested, their voice a comforting hum. Aubry spun around at the unexpected words. "Apologies, I was answering a disciple. As a Conduit, I need to be available to my followers at all times." "Disciple?" Aubry's gaze landed on Gellen, her mind trying to make sense of the pieces. Realization dawned on her. "By the Matriarch, you're some sort of parasocial personality! I need to find my husband! Can I borrow your mobile, please? If you're in contact with someone..." "Sure, you can borrow it. Just remember to return it. As for this 'parasocial' thing, I'm not sure what that means, but if you're asking if we're broadcasting live, we indeed are. A creature's gotta make a living somehow, right?" Gellen chuckled and reached over to a small table, retrieving a thumb-sized, circular metallic object. "In fact, speaking of earning one's keep, you might want to lay low for a bit if you're running," they suggested, offering the device to the raccoon with a nonchalant shrug. "I can't offer much, but your presence has helped my viewer count, so, if you manage to generate enough to help us both get by, you're welcome to stay here for a few days." Aubry's eyes widened as she quickly snatched the metallic device. Her expression soured at Gellen's offer. "Thank you, but I need to get this... thing out of me, and I need to find my husband. It's good to know my misery is boosting your popularity, though," she retorted, securing the device at the base of her ear and tapping it lightly. Instantly, two thin wires emerged from the device, creating a small holographic screen in front of her left eye. "Giovanni," Aubry murmured, her gaze darting from screen to screen. The device seemed to track her eye movements, using them as inputs. After a moment, an image of her husband filled the holographic projection. She blinked, and the screen disappeared, leaving only a soft audible tone ringing in her ear from the device. "Please... please be there," Aubry whispered to herself, her hands instinctively moving to cover her mouth. She sat still, her breaths shallow as she listened to the repetitive tone. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the humming of the device at the base of her ear. A throaty baritone voice echoed in Aubry's ear, sending chills down her spine. "Hello, Mrs. Ezalia. I assume you're looking for your mate." "Where's my husband! What have you done to him!" Aubry's voice amplified, her body stiffening, fists clenching, while the black tendrils tightened around her, slithering over her shirt and coiling around her torso. "No, no. See, you're the problem, girl," the voice retorted, laced with palpable impatience. "You possess a highly valuable piece of technology that we need to retrieve. Return our property, and your husband goes free." The voice's cold logic sparked Aubry's ire, but she felt helpless against it. "I didn't ask for it! You can take it back for all I care, but I have a hunch I won't make it through whatever extraction you have planned! Why the hell should I trust you?" Aubry snapped back. "You don't have a choice. We hold what you value, and you possess what we want. A simple trade," the voice sneered, mockery in its tone. "And since your communicator is a cheap model, we've already located you. We suggest you don't resist when your ride arrives if you want your husband to still be breathing." Aubry snarled, ripping the device from her ear and tossing it onto the table. She glared at Gellen, her breathing growing heavy, hands gripping the table to steady herself. "They're coming to get me. They know where I am." Gellen's eyes widened. "Get you? What's happening? You seem distressed, and I assume you're not talking about friends coming over?" "The people who tried to kill me are coming to retrieve me," Aubry replied, her voice saturated with a bitter sarcasm. She gazed at the black tendrils curling around her arms, their movements under her scrutiny growing more defined. As her anger mounted, she noticed the tendrils writhing harmlessly around her limbs. A curious finger prodded one, surprised at the feeling. It was like touching her own skin, a surreal blend of self-awareness and alien experience. "Damn, that's bad!" Gellen exclaimed, their fine purple fur standing on end. "Wait, you invited them here? They're definitely corporates, possibly suits. I don't want to tangle with that. I'm sorry, but I work hard to stay in line. I don't want to tread on such large paws." Their eyes darted around their tent, a sense of alarm creeping into their voice. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 5: Speaking of Monsters ---------------------------------------------- "Swear to me, if I find a single recording online of me changing, I'll burn this tent to the ground," Aubry threatened as she emerged from behind the makeshift changing room, a curtain-draped section of Gellen's bed. "Trust me, I turned off the stream. I appreciate my privacy, too. Just please be careful not to..." Gellen trailed off, a wince crossing their face as Aubry's hand brushed against the curtain. A streak of red painted the ornate fabric where her touch lingered. "Shit! Dammit, I wasn't thinking," Aubry apologized, her voice laden with frustration. She withdrew her hand, tucking it into the bundle of old clothes she held against her abdomen. She navigated the tent with care, avoiding Gellen as she moved towards the entrance. Her attire, a tattered, stained, and oversized grey shawl, hung loosely off her form. Her trousers billowed gently around her legs, moving rhythmically in sync with her thick, bushy, black and gray ringed tail. "Sorry. If I manage to get my hands on some credits, I'll replace it. In the meantime, do you want to step outside with me and commune with the spirits? I think it's best if we're outside when my... guests arrive. Do you have a spot for that?" Casually sprawled across their bench, Gellen watched as Aubry navigated through the tent, her nervous fidgeting starkly noticeable. Even under the oversized, draped fabric, the telltale shifting of the tentacle-like form on Aubry could still be seen. It took Gellen some effort, however, to discern it – the loose fitting attire she now wore masked it far better than the tighter clothes she'd arrived in. "Uh, don't sweat about the curtain. It's just fabric, easily replaced," Gellen said, pushing themselves up from their lounging position. "The stain is just a bit... icky. And as for a spot, I do have one, though we'll need something to mask the smell." They moved towards the stained curtain, wiping at it fruitlessly with a hand towel. With a shrug, they tugged the fabric free, bunching it up into a ball with a couple of swift twirls of their hand. They tossed it aside, and rummaged through a pile of fabrics on their bed, finally pulling out a long blue cloth. They slipped it over their head, the fabric spreading out, its navy-blue hue overlaying their lavender-hued sheer shawl and immaculately groomed fur. Gellen then collected the balled-up curtain, crossed back to their bench, reached underneath it, and pulled out a small, rattling box. "After you then," they invited, their eyes tracking Aubry. With a nod, Aubry swept aside the tent's entryway fabric, stepping out into the alley with Gellen following close behind. Gellen gestured lazily towards the area behind the tent, and together, they moved around the cloth structure. As they navigated their way, a fine mist filled the air, tiny droplets falling to create a soft hissing backdrop to the low hum of the city, reverberating in the narrow alley. Arriving at a tucked-away fire pit behind Gellen's tent, they found it separated from the flammable canvas by a sheet of metal, propped upright by a stack of refuse. A worn, punctured tire leaned against it, making a convenient makeshift seat by the fire pit. Aubry tilted her head back, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath, allowing the misty ambiance to seep in. Meanwhile, Gellen set about preparing their fire pit, placing the curtain within the stone circle, their hand fishing out small, translucent red globes from the box. As they crushed the globes, a viscous gel oozed out, which they spread over the fabric in the fire pit. Aubry discarded her old clothes onto the pile, just as Gellen activated a small torch pen, the flame from which ignited the gel-coated fabric into a warm, sweet-smelling fire. By the time Gellen glanced back at Aubry, she had gathered a small pile of trash from around the fire pit, throwing in bits of paper and torn cloth into the growing flames. The fire crackled and danced, casting a warm glow upon the raccoon and the nonbinary figure beside her, each of them lost in their own thoughts amidst the gentle whispers of the city echoing around them. "It might be happenstance that you wound up here," Gellen began, their fingers dancing lazily in the air, "but what's happening to you isn't. Whatever that thing is inside you, it's not an accident. An infection, like the vulpine guy said? Perhaps. But it's unlike anything I've encountered, even in the digital realms. I gotta believe there's a reason for this, or maybe I'm wrong maybe it's a fluke and you're just the most unlucky woman I've met." Aubry contemplated their words, her gaze deepening in the twirling dance of flames. A wave of anxiety washed over her, making the movement at her back more restless. "But over the comms, they said it was some form of technology. You can't get infected by technology," she retorted, curiosity tinting her voice. Aubry sat upright, arching her back and wiggling her shoulders, stretching out the lingering tension. The hidden tentacles responded to her movement, shifting and flexing under the fabric of her shawl. She shivered as one snaked around her arm, pushing its way through her sleeve and peeking out. "I can feel them. I can't comprehend why or how, but I can." Her fingers traced the appendage, its form curling around her hand. A shudder ran through her. "It's like they sometimes hear my thoughts." As she spoke, her eyes locked on the tip of the tentacle. The writhing form stilled, the myriad of movements becoming more pronounced as it morphed. What was once a rounded tip broadened, then sharpened, taking the shape of a kukri-pointed blade – a stark black surface teeming with shifting scales. "In the name of the Matriarch! That's as close to Xen as I've ever seen!" Gellen's jaw dropped, their gaze flitting between Aubry and the morphing form. The sudden outburst caused Aubry's focus to falter, and the blade softened, retracting to its original form. "It's certainly not like magic, it takes effort." Aubry murmured, another shiver racing down her spine. Fueled with a newfound fascination, she grasped the tentacle again, her legs curled under her. As she focused, the blade reformed, a handle taking shape. The black surface turned a muted brown, the movement slowing as it solidified. The once pitch-black blade brightened, its edges refining. "Small robots, with simple repair functions?" she mused, flipping the knife-tentacle over in her hand. "Swear on my life, that was Xen, and nothing you say can sway me," Gellen asserted, their gaze never leaving Aubry. She pulled back, defensively retracting the knife-tentacle, a look of confusion etched on her face. The blade's vibrant hue dimmed, morphing back to its original form. "I don't care, it's a monster," Aubry retorted, her voice on the verge of breaking. "I didn't ask for it, I don't want it. I just want my husband and my life back." The pulsing hum of an approaching vehicle disrupted their moment. A rectangular, lit-up vehicle descended from the skies, casting waves of pressure that washed over them. Instinctively, Aubry retracted the tentacle, her hand disappearing under her clothes. She rose to her feet, every muscle in her body taut. Her eyes locked on the descending intruder, ready for whatever would come next. "Speaking of monsters..." Gellen rose alongside Aubry, secreting their wooden box within the folds of their flowing, hooded gown. The hood was pulled up with an unceremonious grunt, draping shadows over their features. "I'll make sure your story gets told, people need to hear about your trials and the power you wield." Their eyes traced the path of the incoming vehicle, landing steadily in the expansive alleyway before their tent. Startled cries of fear and shouts of anger scattered with the dust as the colossal 10-meter vehicle touched down. Shops hastily shuttered, and the alleyway's occupants fled the intrusion. Emerging from behind the safety of the tent, Aubry took point ahead of Gellen, her arms defensively folded around herself. "I don't want my story told, I'm a nobody and prefer it that way." She chided Gellen, her voice sharp but hushed. Her gaze fixed on the rectangular vehicle, awaiting the occupants' emergence. The vehicle's side hummed open, revealing three figures within. The vulpine man who had previously pursued and fired upon her stood foremost, shepherding the others outward. His earlier threatening black suit had been exchanged for form-fitting black metal armor, matching the gear of his companions. The trio wielded an assortment of menacing firearms, their aim nonchalantly veering close to Aubry's feet. Their casual approach attempted to surround her, yet Aubry stood resolute, hands raised above her head, displaying herself as non-threatening as possible. Facing the vulpine man were his comrades: a white rodent with a ragged appearance, and a stout brown bear of a man, both flanking Aubry. "Look at you! Little girl ain't afraid of death? You got Ralthe good, he'll live though. Probably will retire, thanks to you." The vulpine man's tone was casual, yet laced with animosity. His black visor concealed his gaze, yet his contempt was palpable. "I'm sorry about your friend. I didn't want to hurt him, I just wanted to get away. Please, just take me to my husband and you can have your horrible technology back." Aubry's voice quivered, echoing the fear coursing through her veins. "Where's Shein? Oh right, you fucking ate him! He had kids. Walk to the transport and lay on the stretcher! Or I'll break rules and fill you full of holes right now." The vulpine man spat out, circling Aubry while his handgun maintained its aim at her forehead. His partners maintained their positions, flanking Aubry. A fearful whimper escaped Aubry as she moved, each step echoing with her dread. The alien tendrils squirmed restlessly beneath her sleeves as she made her way to the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle was a wash of deep red and shadow, sporadically illuminated by flashes of brighter lights. Bolted in the center was a medical gurney fitted with metal restraints, its presence consuming Aubry's attention. Her dread peaked at the thought of her imminent restraint. The closing mist turned into a drizzle as she heard the russet-colored vulpine snarl from behind, "Lay on the bed!" Complying with a quick nod, Aubry managed to blink back her tears. She gingerly climbed onto the gurney, laying her body against the cold fabric and hard mattress beneath her. As she watched the fox and rodent approach, she defensively clasped her hands together on her chest, her fingers anxiously intertwining. "Wrists and ankles in the restraints, please? Don't worry about him. I won't let him kill you," the rodent assured her, her voice shrill but carrying a thin veil of comfort. Aubry obeyed reluctantly, her limbs encased within the mechanical cuffs. With her eyes closed, she attempted to steady her erratic breathing. The snake-like appendages slipped along her back, curling protectively along her spine. The soft hiss of descending hydraulics caught her attention as a transparent box lowered from the ceiling, enclosing her within. The bear-like man silently acknowledged the fox and rodent before disappearing into the cockpit, his exit marked by the low grumble of the closing door. The transport hummed back into silence, the klaxon echoing ominously as the side door slid shut, sealing Aubry inside. ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 6: Learning to fly. ---------------------------------------------- The spacecraft thrummed to life, the rhythm of its machinery reverberating through the cabin as they took flight. The duo who remained with Aubry grasped onto fabric handles that hung from the walls to steady themselves. The rodent woman, cloaked in a gleaming suit of corporate armor, leered at Aubry through the translucent partition, her prominent front teeth giving her sneer a gruesome edge. "What was it like?" Her voice slithered through the air, a shrill note of anticipation blunted by the barrier. "I don't know what happened, I tried to stop it." Aubry responded, her voice strained. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, her ears pinned back against her skull. "That's not what I asked you. I said what was it like? When you got Shein?" The rodent woman taunted, a cruel grin spreading across her face. "I saw the footage too. Vec says you ate him... also claims you were going to attack a cat before he tasered you." "BD! Zip it! We need to survive this, don't provoke whatever that freakish thing inside her is." The vulpine man identified as Vec snapped at his rodent companion, his hand motioning dismissively in an effort to push her away. "Screw you, Vec! She can't escape and I want answers! I was seeing Shein and now he's gone. She made him vanish right on camera. Where did he go?" BD snarled back defiantly, her rage echoing in the confined space as she pounded her fist against the transparent box. The impact reverberated ominously, sending Aubry flinching backward with a terrified shriek. "I swear I don't know, I...I was injected with something, then hit with something else, and then this...this thing came out of my shoulders, and then I...I grabbed him to stop him from hurting me.." Aubry's explanation started off rapid, but choked into silence as her body convulsed. Her back arched and she gasped sharply, the inky tendrils along her body retracting and sliding down her sleeves, only to halt at her wrists, seemingly obstructed by the mechanical restraints embedded into the bed. "Red flag BD!" Vec quickly interposed himself between the container and BD, shoving her away from Aubry. "Look at her! We don't know what that thing can do. Don't provoke it!" His voice was sharp and low. "You do know! I saw the satisfaction in your eyes, you monstrous bitch, you enjoyed what you did to him." BD spat at Aubry, tears streaming down her face, her accusation echoing within the cabin. "No!" Aubry's voice was a raw scream, her back arching violently as the pressure at her wrists amplified. More of the shadowy tendrils unfurled from her shoulders, making her shawl billow out as if alive. An ominous groan emanated from her restraints before they burst open, causing Vec to release BD and reach for his holstered handgun. Before Aubry could register her newfound freedom, the pressure of the tendrils shifted. They slid across her hips, straining against the lower restraints. Then they moved upwards, curling around her chest brace, attempting to dislodge it. Yet the chest and hip braces remained firmly in place, the tension palpable in the cabin as Vec and BD trained their weapons on the restrained raccoon. "Stop! Stop whatever you're doing, now!" Vec bellowed, his voice resounding against the barrier. His handgun was drawn, the barrel aimed unwaveringly at Aubry's head. Beside him, BD also aimed her rifle at the raccoon, her grip trembling as her tear-streaked face twisted into a fierce snarl. "I..I.." Aubry's voice faltered, choking on the words as a monstrous wave of heat surged up her spine, hijacking her response. Her gaze flitted down to Vec and BD, only to be drawn by the sight of her own body. Black tendrils undulated away from her, their sinuous dance evoking the image of a living nightmare within her containment. "It's hot! It won't stop! I don't know how! I feel too much!" She managed to gasp out between ragged breaths, her body convulsing. The tendrils splintered into fractals, seeping over the restraints like some ungodly, sentient shadow. The metallic sheen of the restraints slowly morphed into a dark, pulsating canvas of shifting tendrils that proceeded to consume more of the bed beneath her. The cabin was punctuated by the sharp reports of gunfire as BD unleashed a three-round burst from her rifle, followed by two deeper notes from Vec's handgun. Each shot was echoed by a violent jerk of Aubry's body. But then she lay motionless, her chest still, her breath seemingly caught in a frozen gasp. Yet the dark mass around her seemed to seethe with renewed intensity. The bed, now more like a living entity than an inanimate object, tilted of its own volition, adjusting the once prone raccoon into a more upright position. New tendrils erupted from Aubry's hips, snaking their way up her stomach, chest, and shoulder, while another slithered out from behind her neck, leaving a trail of inky blackness on her face. "Damn it, BD! We're as good as dead when Schwahn hears about this. I swear, I'll strangle you before she gets the chance! I told you not to provoke her!" Vec hissed at BD, inching towards the center of the writhing mass with cautious steps, his eyes darting from side to side as he assessed the ever-changing landscape before him. "She got what was coming to her. She stole Shein from me. I just wanted to make her hurt," BD retorted coldly, her fingers gripping her rifle with white-knuckled intensity as she kept her eyes trained on Aubry. A booming voice tore through the cabin as the cockpit door slid open to reveal an ursine figure, armed and grim-faced. Vec offered a nonchalant wave, his focus remaining stubbornly fixed on the restless tendrils. "Just keep us flying, big guy. We've got a situation, but we'll handle it. Just get us there safely, okay?" Vec's voice was taut, the clipped words barely masking his growing unease. The bear grunted in response before activating a panel, sealing the cockpit with a whoosh of closing doors. Vec's hand danced over a nearby control panel, rapidly entering a sequence. An alarm klaxon wailed, followed by a red flash as an energy barrier shimmered into existence around the transparent prison. The pulsating tendrils within were thrown into stark relief against Aubry's tattered garments. "How is she still moving?" BD whispered, her voice barely audible over the klaxon as she crept up behind Vec. The fox shook his head, tapping in another sequence on the control panel. A hissing sound began, along with another alarm. The bulk of the gurney had now morphed into an extension of the shadowy tendrils. Aubry's body remained seemingly trapped within the squirming abyss, her position unchanged from the moment she was shot. Yet despite it all, the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest signaled a life not yet extinguished. "See, this is the price of recklessness, BD, I dunno... She shouldn't be..." Vec's voice trailed off as his fingers retreated from the panel, his other hand steadying his sidearm, aligning its sights on Aubry's head. A swift motion from within the containment field made both Vec and BD recoil. Two elongated tendrils erupted from the pulsating mass encasing Aubry, extending toward the ceiling in a breathless instant. They met the ceiling with a resonant thud, sprawling outwards to blanket the metallic surface. Vents that were once clear were swiftly suffocated by the tendrils' encroaching blackness. The hissing from within the chamber ceased, leaving only a chilling silence that was quickly broken by a low chiming from the panel Vec had previously engaged. The tendrils that had entangled Aubry began to retract, leaving her no longer bound or reclining, but standing, levitating by some unseen force encircling her limbs. "She sealed the decompression valves," Vec deduced, spinning back to the panel. His hands danced over the controls, entering a flurry of commands. "This can't be good, BD!" "I've got this!" BD shrieked, charging towards the compartment's front. She produced a hefty, wide-barreled weapon from within a wall mounted locker. A flick of its safety triggered a pulsating hum, and glowing veins of energy began to rhythmically oscillate from the weapon's stock to its barrel. "No! Fire that in here and we're all dead!" Vec countered, tearing himself away from the panel to cross the room towards her. Within the chamber, Aubry had stirred again, this time stepping out from the cocoon of tendrils. Her eyes remained sealed shut as she lifted a hand, singling out BD with an accusing finger. A flurry of movements rippled through the inky mass as multiple tendrils erupted towards BD, shattering the inner transparent barrier effortlessly, only to splay out against the energy field. Aubry's screams reverberated through the chamber as her tendrils recoiled from the field, her balance wavering. "I'll keep the blast localized! Get behind me!" BD hollered above Aubry's cries. The rodent hoisted her weapon, its hum intensifying and the pulsating energy quickening as she aimed at Aubry. But in a blink, the energy barrier failed, and Aubry responded with frightening speed. A powerful tendril lashed out, snatching the weapon from BD's grip while another impaled her, pinning her against the wall. "BD! No!" Vec cried out, his finger already squeezing the trigger, unleashing a barrage of bullets towards Aubry. In response, Aubry lifted her other hand, from the masses of shifting blackness around her a formidable tentacle emerged. It split into four tendrils that crackled with electricity before forming a shield, an impenetrable barrier between her and the fox. BD grappled with the tendril embedded in her chest, her body darkening and morphing to match the monstrous mass as it continued to invade her. "He never would've loved you. You were just... filling a void after his wife's death," Aubry declared, her tone resonating with a tragic calmness, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. A sigh slipped past her lips as she approached BD. The rat's shrieks crescendoed at Aubry's words, her own eyes welling with tears as she fought futilely against the black invader. Her arms, torso, tail, and legs all succumbed to its darkness, relinquishing their form as they merged with the tendrils. Vec's trigger finger didn't let up, the fox firing round after round into Aubry's barrier, their impacts registering as mere sparks against its formidable resistance. "Please, can you stop?" Aubry's words reverberated through the chamber, her gaze falling upon Vec as BD's form merged entirely into the writhing mass of tendrils. The protective barrier she had erected fizzled out, the four tendrils that had upheld it receding back into the grotesque black mass. A single sharp tendril pointed ominously towards Vec. "I don't want to kill you, too. She was going to murder me, but you, you can stop, I think." Her voice, once soft, now strained, as she kept her eyes fixed on Vec. He nodded, lowering his firearm. "I can't control it," she began, her voice barely a whisper. "I can see the circuits behind the panels, hear the hum of the computers in my ears, feel the chilling vacuum of space against my skin." As she spoke, the black mass shuddered and expanded, stretching from the gurney-shaped center across the floor and up the walls, branching out and devouring the chamber in an inexorable advance. "I don't know what to do with you to stop this, other than kill you. And that didn't work," Vec admitted, cautiously holstering his handgun, his eyes never leaving the sharpened tendril. "There are so many thoughts... I can't filter. Words... they're painful," Aubry confessed, a hand reaching up to her forehead. At that moment, the cockpit door behind Vec slid open. Their bear pilot stood in the doorway, a wide weapon with a glowing ovoid barrel in hand. Without a word, he pushed Vec aside, the weapon discharging a barrage of luminous energy orbs. They slammed into Aubry, sending her reeling and collapsing to the floor. "We need to evacuate, now! The ship's superstructure is moving like liquid. Where's BD?" Broc roared, moving to a control panel on the wall and then hustling Vec towards the exit. "She's... gone, Broc!" Vec managed to croak, backing towards the side door with the bear. Broc was already donning a helmet from a hook by the door, attaching it to his armor's neck with a hiss and click. Green lights blinked to life across his suit. Vec reached for a similar helmet, but his movements were interrupted as Broc grunted and clutched his stomach. As Vec turned towards Aubry, a burning sensation erupted in his chest. Aubry had extended an arm towards them, and two sharp tendrils had lashed out from the mass where BD once stood, striking them both. "No, please, you can't leave. I need help... It's starting to burn," Aubry pleaded. Her body writhed, overwhelmed by sensory input her fractured mind couldn't process. Her gaze locked onto Vec and Broc as the room continued to be consumed by the black mass, converting everything into a shifting black void. Aubry, now adrift in the ink-black vacuum, seemed suspended within a sea of writhing tendrils. The ship, once rigid and metallic, started to lose its distinct form. Its wings contracted, its body lengthened and curved, transmuting into a gargantuan, teardrop-shaped mass of squirming appendages. The friction of the atmosphere grazing against the ship's transformed hull generated plasma, crafting a blazing shield around Aubry. The vessel, now inextricably melded with Aubry, had deviated from its orbital path, plummeting towards the planet's surface with alarming velocity. The plasma flame grazed Aubry as though searing her very nerves, propelling her to the brink of sanity. Her mind tumbled through a deluge of vivid memories; a young woman, her white fur standing out starkly, being ostracized at a gathering due to her oversized front teeth; a russet-furred arm receiving the tender caress of a breathtaking golden-haired vixen; the same vixen disintegrating into ash and bone amidst a battlefield of devastation. But these memories were swallowed by the roaring inferno and the deafening shriek of wind against her body. As the ship – or the remnants of it – descended further, the assault on Aubry's senses magnified until her consciousness capitulated, pulling her into a void of darkness. As Aubry's awareness began to ebb, her surroundings transmogrified into a surreal dreamscape. The previously tangible confines of the ship dissolved into a kaleidoscopic whirl of colors and sensations, the physical realm yielding to a domain beyond grasp. The nanites swarming through her veins, the minuscule masterminds of her newfound abilities, vibrated with a power that superseded the mundane, a power that her species had long revered yet never completely fathomed. The sensation was overwhelming, akin to a symphony of myriad instruments in flawless synchrony. It was a melody of creation and destruction, of existence and oblivion, of the very kernel of life itself. It was a power simultaneously alien and familiar, a force that shunned explanation yet felt as innate as breathing. The nanites, these infinitesimal heralds of transformation, were not merely altering her physical form, but also her perception of reality. They acted as the key that flung open the door to a realm that existed beyond the physical, a realm where the norms of time and space were trivial. This was a place of sheer energy, of untamed potential, a place where thought and intention were capable of molding reality. Aubry could feel the raw power of this domain coursing through her, a surge of energy that menaced to engulf her. It was akin to standing within the vortex of a tempest, a whirlpool of power that was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. She could sense the energy pulsating, throbbing, teeming with a primordial force that resonated with the genesis of the cosmos itself. As she plunged towards the planet, the physical world appeared to decelerate, each instant elongating into an infinity. She could sense the searing heat of re-entry, the flames flickering at her form, but it felt distant, subdued. The physical sensations were eclipsed by the potent energy pulsing through her, a power that seemed to resonate with the very structure of reality. Within this domain, Aubry was not merely an observer, but a participant. She could feel the energy reacting to her, morphing itself in response to her thoughts and intentions. It was a dance of creation and destruction, a ballet of energy and matter that defied comprehension. As her conscious mind further drifted from the waking realm, Aubry found herself teetering on the precipice of something monumental and ineffable. It was a power that dwarfed her own, a force that seemed to permeate every fiber of her being. It was a presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying, a power that was beyond words, beyond comprehension. In the face of this power, Aubry felt minute and insignificant, yet also connected in a way she had never experienced before. She was a thread in this power, a solitary note in the symphony of existence. As she hurtled towards the planet, she understood that she was not alone. She was a fragment of something grander, a piece of the infinite tapestry of reality. In that fleeting moment, she grasped the true nature of the power she wielded, the power that her species had revered, the power that was now a part of her. It was not simply a force of annihilation, but also a force of creation, a power that could sculpt reality itself.