Saving Face

Chapter Seven: Her Terms

On the way to the lab where she planned to do whatever it took to get transferred to another body, any other body, Sarah ran into the water aerobics instructor. The woman took her arm despite her protests, and led her down to the pool. It was time to exercise the old body and Sarah was on the clock, so she had no choice. She could not risk giving Mr. Fleischer any more leverage against her.

She tried to exercise, but her old body was shaky, disoriented as it reacted to the adrenaline pumping through its old veins in response to her fears. How could they do this to her? All she wanted was her body back, and then she’d be gone forever. She’d saved enough money for the early buy-out.

Could they really take her body away? The thought was so terrifying, it left a gaping hole in her gut that sapped her strength and pushed her to the verge of tears. She’d been able to handle being a donor only because of the dollar figures clouding her vision. When not on the clock, she got to use young, fit bodies that were decent temporary replacements of her own. Could she be satisfied in one of them forever?

She shivered to think how close she’d come to caving to Mr. Fleischer’s demands, and doubted she’d do any better the next time they met. Now that she had a little distance and time to think about it, she could not agree to give up her body forever.

Could. Not. Do. It.

So what could she do? She had no illusion that he’d accept her denial. He’d bully her until he got what he wanted. Or, if she gave him too much trouble, would he forge her signature and lock her away?

He could do it. There was a holding area in the sub-basement, referred to only as the ’vault’, where they held convicts whose bodies were used as extras for donors while their own bodies were being rented. She’d never been into the vault, but didn’t doubt there was room in there for her.

No one would ever know. Only the head surgeon and her assistants entered the vault. Sarah doubted that even Tomas had ever been in there. She had no family, no one to raise the alarm if she vanished. They could lock her away forever and use her body as they saw fit.

She could not escape. Realization struck like a slap in the face. She was a prisoner. No, a slave to Alterego. They hid the fact with hefty bonuses, but the truth of it stole her strength and she nearly fainted. She barely managed to get to the edge of the pool as her aged body shook in response to the mental anguish.

“Are you all right.” a young attendant asked. She helped Sarah out of the pool and wrapped her in towels, watching her closely. The last thing the company wanted was a damaged renter’s body.

“I’m fine,” Sarah managed. “Just don’t have it in me today.”

The young woman smiled at her like she was really an old lady and steadied her on the trip back to the locker room.

This can’t be happening.

Then a ray of hope illuminated her soul and drove the near-panic back a few steps. She smiled as the idea took root.

Of course. The government auditor was there in the facility. She’d heard something about the visit the other day, but hadn’t paid much attention. Apparently there were powerful critics of the corporation lobbying congress to abolish the practice of renting human bodies. The debates were heated, and the auditor, along with a medical team, were visiting the facility to prepare a report for the congressional committee handling the issue.

The auditor could help. All Sarah had to do was explain the situation to him. He could force Mr. Fleischer to honor the terms of the contract, or threaten congressional action if he didn’t comply.

Sarah nearly laughed with relief. Mr. Fleischer had picked the wrong day to threaten her. Her resolve firmed with renewed hope. She would escape this place on her terms.