Benny pushed open the door. While holding it open, He waved her inside, “I’m excited to show you this. This is my favorite part of the process”

Inside the large room, was a center console, full of buttons, levers, screens, and switches. To the side of it, was a large machine, with wires and tubes leading to a chamber that had a large glass door. The chamber was the perfect height and weight for a person to step into. At the far end of the room, was a cabinet and an unmarked door.

Benny closed the door behind her and eagerly walked up to the console, flicking on a switch. He turned to her with excitement, “This right here, is the apparatus used that will create your new body. It’s an organic tissue printer, similar to a 3D printer. It’s used to put a spirit into a physical form once again”

Saylee, now interested, walked up to the chamber, examining it.

Benny sat down on a chair at the center console, tapping away on the screen.

Saylee looked inside the chamber, its inside walls full of LED lights, “will it hurt?”

“From the countless times I’ve operated this machine before, I’ve never heard a complaint from any of my patients having any pain. Now, check this out”, he waved her over. Saylee walked over and glanced at the main screen at the center of the console. There were a lot of questions regarding options and preferences.

Benny pointed at the screen, his eyes lit as he glanced at her, “This…this is your chance to choose your appearance. You can choose your age as young as 18 to whatever, just keep in mind you’ll be looking that age until your death. Your appearance will not change over time like normally with age”.

Saylee observed the screen, “This reminds me of a character creation screen”

Benny clapped his hands, “Thank you, someone finally understands. You’re the first to grasp the concept so soon. Everyone in processing gets this blessing as a gift during this difficult time. Once you’re in your physical form, you just gotta pick your job, I’ll find out your assigned city, then I’ll give you your travel documents and then I’ll guide you to your room. Too easy”

She stared at the screen, contemplating. She thought of appearing like she did when she was 20. She-

An image immediately appeared in her mind, of a baby Issac. She was holding him in her arms. Dalmon was behind her, leaning his head on her shoulder. They both looked at little Issac in awe.

Her eyes watered.

Benny looked at her with concern, “Saylee, what’s wrong?”

She waved away his concern, “Just keep me looking 35. I’ll be OK with that. Keep everything the same. I just want to hurry off to bed.” She took a deep breath, to contain her composure. Let’s get this over with”

Benny coughed, “Yes, of course. Please, open the chamber door and step in. The process will be quick on my end, but it may feel like an hour on your end as your soul settles into your new physical form”

She stepped in and closed the door.

Several bolts of electricity shot out from the LED lights.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

To her surprise, she felt nothing as the bolts shot right through her. A nozzle went down. Startling her as the nozzle sped right through her head, dropping down to her feet. It moved horizontally, in quick movements. Printing out her feet.

She felt tingles in her feet, like her feet fell asleep.

As the nozzle moved gradually upwards as it moved, she started feeling the sensation spread as piece by piece of her body was being printed.

One the nozzle went to the height of her head. It stopped moving, as her physical form was complete.

The chamber door opened.

Benny wasn’t there. Waiting for her, was a woman in the Continuation Inc. uniform she saw others wear earlier. The woman’s badge was flipped over, she was unable to get her name.

The employee handed her a black shirt, white sweatpants, and slippers, “Please put these on”

Saylee put on the clothes. Once she was done, the assistant walked over to the double doors and knocked on them twice.

Benny walked in quickly, heading towards Saylee. He gave her a stoic look, “How’d it go?” He pulled out a light and aimed it in her eyes, “Can you see fine?”

Before she could respond, he took out an otoscope, checking her ears, “Can you hear okay, how is your smell? Is your tongue working alright?”

She looked at him with a baffled look, “Um, yes, yes, and I think?”

Benny nodded, “Good good, I’d hate to have you go through the printing process all over again”

The assistant spoke, “We good?”

Benny gave her a thumbs up, “We’re good, thank you”

The assistant left the room. Benny looked at her, noticing her distant expression.

He spoke softly, “I’ll try to get the rest of this process done as quickly as possible”

Saylee wiped a tear from her eye, “thank you”

Benny stepped out of the elevator, Saylee right behind him, gripping her manila folder tightly with both arms.

She stared grimly at the long hallway, full of identical doors. None had door handles or keyholes. Each door had a number painted at its center.

As Benny led her down the hall, he stopped at door 35. He waved a key card over the number and the door opened inward.

He handed her the room key, “I thought since you like the number 35. it would be easier for you to remember if you decided to leave your room for a bit to explore the station. There’s a recreation room and a small library at the end of the hall. The elevator will be off limits, as we don’t want any disruptions for the others still in processing. There isn’t any food access available until you’re stationed in your city, but I don’t believe you’ll feel actual hunger any time soon. it usually takes a few days for your…um,..body functions to return to normal. There is a restroom in there, just in case. Drink lots of water when able to help your new physical body set itself up sooner.”

Benny handed her a card. It had his face and number, “In the room, behind the mini table, is a wall-panel that opens. In there, you’ll find your assigned tablet. Try to familiarize yourself with it. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach me. Input this number into the tablet whenever you’re able.”

She nodded in acknowledgment, but she was only half listening. Her mind felt bombarded with thoughts mixed with anger to despair. She keep her expression neutral. She was just waiting and eager to see him leave. She wanted to be left alone.

Benny patted her shoulder, “I’ll be leaving”

Finally, she thought.

“There will be an intercom announcement tomorrow at 0900 hours. You can’t miss it, it will be loud. You’ll need to be out of this room and ready by 1000 hours. Head to departures. Easy-peasy. Just wait outside the elevator, at the bottom floor is for departures, you’ll be fine. That is where the others who are leaving will be waiting at well. A friendly guide will tell you your next instructions from there”

She walked into the room. The room was not much bigger than a billiards table. A small compact shower, sink, and toilet were on the left. A folding-out table at the back wall between the shower and bed. There was no window.

Benny spoke, “If you lower the wall table, you’ll see a shelf with the tablet. Personal hygiene is under the sink”, he stepped out, “Close the door when you’re ready. Goodnight, and again, please don’t hesitate to call. Just like a phone, go to the call app. Call me if you need anything, you have my contact card”. He left the room.

She closed the door behind her with her foot. She slowly laid down on the bed.

Her eyes stared at the bare gray ceiling.

Silence.

After a few minutes, she screeched.

She let out all her emotions.

She didn’t hear or notice the cries of the people in the rooms adjacent to hers.