Chapter 4: Vampirism

2 1/2 months later

  Zoë’s life was a living hell. Her body rebelled against her every day knowing something was wrong. Originally she was able to participate in the training since the pain was almost nonexistent. Once the test started however everything changed. The R&D department was trying to make her body think it was dead and then go through huge physical changes. Another problem was this was unknown territory, which Zoë lamented made sense. She would never agree to something like this if given a choice in the matter, but it wasn't her choice so she just went along with whatever R&D told her. Every once in a while something would partially work. She would find herself stronger or faster for no reason, and they would get excited. Start drawing more blood, running more tests, and putting her through more pain. The only plus about the situation was the things she was being taught. Being R&D’s current favorite toy allowed her access to most of their department, allowing her to learn more than what she could ever learn in school which was also useful. She was able to learn about AR tech, body enhancers, quantum mechanics, physics, psychology, and more. There were unlimited options really at the tips of her fingers, what was best was the fact that it didn’t include whatever school decided to throw in. No unnecessary classes that held no meaning, no more listening to teachers talk to half-dead classes. She was now the prodigal child of R&D, they took her in and allowed her to learn from the best and brightest. This allowed her to begin to reach untold heights. Zoë was always smart, extremely smart, this caused her school life to be hard. It was easy enough to make friends with others, but her focus in class was not there. The way her brain operated didn’t allow her to focus it dragged her attention away from everything that she needed to focus on. Her teachers didn’t like this, especially since whenever they asked her something she would answer. So even though her life was hell it was also in a weird away heaven for her. She was allowed to challenge her mind daily, but what she was not able to do was see others her age. After the first few weeks of training, she was cut off from Milo and Isaiah. She could of course message them, but seeing them was at the moment out of the cards. R&D had explained that since she could change at any time without warning they had to separate them, as they truly didn’t know what would happen when she changed. Which only seemed to excite them more, because what was more exciting than the unknown? As Zoë walked through the halls of the base she considered all of this, her mind as usual going a hundred miles an hour. She arrived at the door to R&D’s department, and after scanning her face it swished open. Zoë had received an urgent message minutes ago. That only said, “Urgent Notification, Please make your way to R&D now!” So being the good little test subject she was she complied and walked to R&D’s area. She walked into the office the head of the division studying her.

“What do you have for me today?” She asked the doctor while sitting down.

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“Well after our most recent study of your cells, we have concluded that you soon will be ready for the change.” The head doctor who was sitting in her chair spun around excitedly as she said this.

“I've heard that before,” Zoë replied dubiously

“Yes, yes. This time it’s different.”

“Heard that as well.”

“Look, I get it. But we have actually it”

“If you say so,” She replied still very dubious. “So what do I have to do?”

Zoë woke up in her bed and realized something was off. Her body felt hypersensitive to everything around her. Her muscle felt good in a weird way, they almost felt as if they were stronger than when she went to sleep. Everything about her just felt right, her body perfect.

It has finally happened, they unlocked it! She thought to herself. Zoë then looked over to the button that was installed next to her bed, for this very situation. She leaned over and pressed it, returning to laying in the bed. Smiling to herself she thought about what she might be able to do with her new body, suddenly a clear glass lowered around her. Then multiple people in tactical outfits came into her room guns aimed at her.

“What’s going on?” Zoë asked while getting out of bed, everyone tensed. As she reached the edge of her new enclosure, the head doctor walked in.

“Sorry, about all these precautions Zoë. But we have no idea what's going to happen now. We can only speculate. So how are you feeling? Hungry?”

As the doctor said this a pang of hunger shot through Zoë. “Yes, actually I am.”

“Interesting,” the doctor said writing something down “So would you say your feeling different?”

“Yes, I would. My body feels better like it’s perfect. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Good, very good.” She kept writing notes “If you look on your bedside table you will find a pill. This pill is an extreme sedative and will render you unconscious. We will then move you to your final testing area.”

“Why can’t I just go there myself? What’s the pill for?”

“Pill is for our safety, and because we’ll be traveling overseas.”

Zoë looked deep into the doctor's eyes and took the pill. As she swallowed the pill she moved back to her bed. As she lay down she slipped into unconsciousness.