Chapter 16
The doctor entered the room, gazing across the space before settling on us. "Alright, let's get started," he announced, his voice exuding confidence. The machine sprang to life, emitting a series of beeps and whirls, and I felt a subtle tingling sensation as the tests began. I closed my eyes, focused on breathing, and allowed the machines to work. The silence was almost palpable, punctuated only by the steady rhythm of the equipment. My mind wandered to the potential revelations ahead - what secrets would the tests uncover?
As the tests continued, anticipation built within me, fueled by the uncertainty of our situation. We will finally have insight into our condition? The machines eventually fell silent, and the nurse began to detach the sensors and wires from our bodies, her smile a welcome respite. "That's it," she said. "The tests are complete."
The doctor re-entered the room, his expression thoughtful. "I will review the results and discuss them with you shortly," he said. We nodded, our eyes locked on him, fixed with anxiousness and anticipation. What would the tests reveal? The tension in the room was palpable as we waited for the doctor's return. Johan's nervous energy was evident as he tapped his foot, while Vivian sat calmly, her gaze fixed on the floor. I tried to distract myself by studying the surrounding machines and equipment, but my attention kept drifting back to the door, willing the doctor to come back with the results.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door swung open, and the doctor walked in, his expression inscrutable. "Let's discuss the results," he said, his voice measured. We exchanged anxious glances, our hearts racing with anticipation. What had the tests revealed?
The doctor took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room before focusing on us. "Well, let's get straight to it," he began. Johan leaned forward, his eyes locked intently on the doctor. "What did you find out?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor's expression turned serious, and he paused for a moment before responding. "The tests have revealed some… interesting results," he said. "It appears that you are all adapting to your new situations in ways we didn't expect. You are showing signs of significant physiological and psychological changes since you were first brought in."
Vivian's eyes narrowed. "You mean…?" she trailed off, her voice firm yet laced with a hint of excitement. The doctor leaned forward, his eyes locking onto ours with an intense gaze. "Let's discuss the details," he said, his voice low and serious. "I don't know how, but your bodies have adapted - or perhaps merged will be a better term."
We exchanged confused glances before refocusing on the doctor. He heaved a sigh and continued, "When you were first brought in, I took a quick sample, and your bodies were found to be invaded by dense and impure aura. It was colliding with your natural aura in a way that was causing significant distress, reminiscent of the catastrophic event that had occurred.
However, it seems that your bodies have since adapted, and the aura has settled. I can no longer differentiate between the two distinct auras within each of you."
"Excuse me, Doctor," Vivian said, her curiosity piqued. "Yes?" the doctor replied, inviting her to proceed. "What would have happened if the two auras were still conflicting with us?" she asked, her eyes locked on the doctor's.
The doctor's expression turned grave. "You would have been consumed from the inside out. Your body, muscles, and internal systems would have been torn apart from the inside." We exchanged a collective glance, a mix of horror and relief washing over us.
We stood frozen, enveloped in a mix of emotions, as the doctor's words hung in the air like a dark cloud. The prospect of being torn apart from the inside out was chilling. Vivian's eyes remained fixed on the doctor, her expression a blend of fascination and fear. Johan broke the silence, his voice reassuring. "But we are okay now, right? The auras have merged, and we are stable - that's all that matters."
The doctor nodded cautiously. "Yes, for now, it seems you are on the road to… well, not exactly recovery, but adaptation." With that, he summoned an attendant, who promptly arrived to escort us out. "Lead them outside and take them to him," the doctor instructed. "Vivian, I'm sure you are already familiar with some of the surroundings.
The attendant, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, led us out of the doctor's office and through the winding corridors of the facility. Vivian walked beside me, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of familiarity and unease. As we walked, the attendant chatted with us, and I took the opportunity to ask, "How is it that we are in a facility and not in a hospital?"
The attendant's expression turned matter-of-fact. "This was originally a hospital, but it's been converted into a facility that also incorporates a warehouse and military base." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A military base and warehouse?" I repeated skeptically. I have never heard of anything like that in our country.
I glanced at Johan and Vivian, and Johan nodded in agreement, equally perplexed. Vivian, however, seemed unsurprised, her familiarity with the surroundings evident. She had been brought here conscious, after all. "It all changed after the incidents that occurred months ago," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I sensed that the attendant knew little beyond her role, and her words only sparked more questions. As we walked, she continued to explain the facility's layout and the procedures that we would follow, but my mind was preoccupied with the implications of the word "facility" and the rapid change that seemed to be unfolding. How had this happened? And what lay ahead?
We stopped in front of a large, reinforced glass door, and the attendant swiped her card to unlock it. "You are expected," she said, stepping aside to let us pass. "Someone will be waiting for you."
Vivian's eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of apprehension cross her face. I felt a similar sense of trepidation. Who were we about to meet? And what do they want from us? The uncertainty hung in the air, palpable and unsettling.