Catching a Fever

After an unknown amount of time, opening my eyes, a plate full of food is in front of me.

As soon as I regain consciousness, Tatsumaki says, "Hurry up. Eat your dinner before I lose my patience and seize it from you."

There is no steam coming from it, indicating that it got cold.

But against her expectation, I take my time chewing everything down.

If she gets out of bed and snatches my food, I would just consider it as repaying her.

Without Tatsumaki, I would still be staring at the floor aimlessly, unable to move on. Or even worse, my dead body would already be laying against the floor by now.

"You can get some if you are still hungry."

"Hmpf!" completely disregarding my generosity, she replies with her usual rude voice before turning her back to me. "Clean your plate. I am not so fragile as to starve to death!"

More for me then...

As she refuses my offer, I continue eating the remaining food before laying my back on the cold concrete floor.

Falling asleep has now become a luxury as my thin duvet quivers due to my shivering body. But over time, the unpleasant sensation progressively fades away like a bad dream, leaving place to numbness.

In the morning, the icy temperature wakes me up.

Since when is it so freezing here?

But Tatsumaki looks just fine, even sleeping on top of her duvet without a care of the world.

Then the problem is from me...

Just getting up to sit down against the wall presents a challenge as I have never been this weak before.

Despite my pale skin feeling hot to the touch, I cover my body with a blanket to protect myself.

Doctors say to drink plenty of water when sick but I don't have any desire to eat nor do I want to drink anything.

What an idiot...

Back then, I planned to clash with Tatsumaki once I recover from mental fatigue.

Even though she helped me to avoid falling into depression, I won't sacrifice my life for her.

I can't die yet.

Not before making those fools of my parents regret their decision.

But now, how am I supposed to compete for the bed with my weakened body? I might not even win against a kitten in a fight.

Plead those people in white coats for a change of jail? Nope. Not possible.

From my observation before entering this room, there is only one cell here. The remaining area is for doing experiments or bedrooms for staff.

It was as though they built this building to only study a specific person. Precisely a certain roommate of mine.

Why are those people going to such great lengths for her?

She seems like a normal girl to me, albeit slightly rude.

As the metal door opened, a middle-aged man entered.

His gray hair makes him look older along with his rectangular glasses. There are not any remarkable aspects about his ordinary appearance other than his smile.

However, it is not a genuine smile, more like something to lower a person's guard.

It might works if I haven't been tricked by the same thing in the past.

Memories of a month ago are still vivid in my mind.

My parents were still loving me at that time.

I was playing alone in a park while my mother went to a bathroom nearby.

A man came saying he would offer me tons of candy.

Because of his smile, he seemed trustworthy, not a person that could harm others at all. Like a fool, I followed him without thinking too much.

After distancing a little far away from other people, he dropped his act and forced me to gulp down a strange bloody black crystal in his hand.

That thing tasted like blood...a delicious and refreshing red liquid...

Wait...

What am I thinking?

My fever must be confusing my mind. Yes. Definitely.

After this, his body broke down into tiny dark light resembling fireflies before dissipating into thin air.

"Good morning, Xion and Tatsumaki. My name is Derald. I will be the person coming here to take you guys for experiments. " the man introduces himself.

Tatsumaki? Isn't she supposed to be sleeping?

Glancing at the girl sitting on the bed, her eyes are gazing at me seemingly in deep thought.

Since when was she looking at me?

But why is there no trace of animosity on her expression like yesterday...?

Noticing my gaze, she averts her eyes away says to Derald, "Hmpf!"

"I told you that my power doesn't work!"

What does she mean that her power doesn't work?

Whatever... it's not my problem.

As for me, I will only cooperate under one condition.

"Either you let me see your findings of my claws, or I won't collaborate. Take it or leave."

Knowing more about my power might be beneficial for me to escape from here and get stronger.

The smile on his face disappears, replaced by an annoyed expression as he complains, "Why are you so troublesome? Fine. I will discuss your condition with the others."

Derald turns around to depart from the room, leaving me and Tatsumaki together.

Silence regained the atmosphere.