Saving Face

Chapter Eight: Conan

Sarah awoke and sat up. She glanced down at the young body she now wore, wrapped in a hospital gown, and breathed a huge sigh of relief. She closed her eyes for a moment and savored the feeling of youth and health. It had never felt better to get out of that decrepit, old biddy.

She dressed quickly, grateful that she again wore the same model she’d been using in recent days. It felt almost natural after so much time with it. New bodies were always a little strange at first, a little awkward, as if her consciousness needed a little time to fit into the new physical form.

This one gave her very little trouble. She’d grown used to its balance, height, weight, and proportions, even though nothing felt as good as her own skin. When she returned to it after a rental, it was like slipping into her old, favorite jeans that had contoured themselves perfectly to her from countless hours of use.

Would she ever get it back?

Yes! She strode from the transfer lab, but instead of heading for the exit to the rest of the facility like normal, she turned left and moved deeper into the transfer complex. Mr. Fleischer had said they were going to show the auditor the facility, so he had to be down there somewhere. All she needed was a few minutes of his time.

The transfer facility was extensive, with a dozen transfer labs, medical facilities that included a level II trauma center, more than one hundred lavishly outfitted individual rooms for renter bodies when they were not being exercised, staff rooms, and more. Hidden underground beneath the rental offices, it burrowed six stories down into the bedrock.

After half an hour of fruitless searching in which she didn’t dare ask anyone for help, she decided to return to the lobby near the bank of elevators. No matter where he might be squirreled away, the auditor would pass that way eventually.

Within ten minutes, the double doors at the far end of the hall swung open for a group of people. At seeing them, Sarah’s heart sank. Mr. Fleischer strode at the front of the group, smiling like the Cheshire cat.

‘Conan’ followed him.

The tall, handsome, hugely muscled body was the number one male renter. Known as a super-athlete, it had been rented for many different sporting events and had always performed remarkably.

Flanking ‘Conan’ were Dr. Maerwynn, the head surgeon, and Jill, who now wore a voluptuous young body that Sarah recognized as ‘A Night to Remember’. She was hanging on Conan’s arm, wearing an athletic outfit that accentuated her mouth-watering curves.

As the group drew nearer, Sarah started in surprise as she recognized Conan’s face.

The auditor.

Sarah’s hopes fell. The auditor was beaming like the boy who had just scored the winning touchdown. His eyes moved constantly from his reflection that kept pace in the hall-length mirrors, to Jill who was smiling at him like he was the center of her universe.

His weak face didn’t really fit Conan’s head, looking stretched and unnatural, but he didn’t seem to notice. He grinned and flexed his biceps in the mirror. Jill ran a hand down his arm and leaned against him to whisper something in his ear.

He laughed loudly and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. “This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. How is it possible?”

“The science is a closely guarded secret, as you can imagine, but Dr. Maerwynn will cover the process at a high level in the conference room this afternoon,” Mr. Fleischer said with a wide smile. “But first, why don’t you go take that new body for a spin? We have extensive fitness facilities. Jill will show you around.”

The group paused at the elevators and Mr. Fleischer cast a hard look at Sarah, but did not speak. She stood mute, rooted in place until the elevator doors closed behind them.

Then she fell into a nearby padded chair and buried her head in her hands. This could not be happening. The auditor would never help her now. Mr. Fleischer had bought the man just like he was trying to buy her.

He’d seen her. Did he suspect what she was trying to do? What did it matter? He’d effectively cut off the only hope of escape.

“Sarah, are you all right?”

She glanced up in surprise to see Tomas approaching, his face concerned.

“Are you crying?”

She wiped her face with one hand and lied, “No. Just resting.”

Tomas gave her a long look. “Do you need anything?”

She sniffled. “Yeah, a miracle.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” She jumped out of the chair and ran for the elevator.

Tomas watched her go, his expression grim.