The world melts away

The full story

"Hello."

A weird voice said that. I don't know who.

"We have a task for you."

"Who are you? Why am I here?" my voice. Not my voice. Who am I?

"We have taken you. You needed repair after. So we had to make altercations."

That voice. It feels human but yet, so not.

"We have been informed that you may request a mirror."

A hatch opened in the ceiling and a mirror fell and cracked. I picked up a shard. It cut my hand. Not my hand. I watch the beads of blood form and delicately slide down my finger. No, not my finger. I stare at myself in the mirror. Not me. Who is that? My face... it's different my mind is fuzzy, what did I look like? The reflection isn't me, it can't be. A pretty heart shaped face with gentle brown hair flowing down the edge of it, the peaceful wavy, yet straight locks. My skin remains the same but softer and smoother, with that warm chocolate color. I have a subtle scar under my right eye. My lips... they are fuller but with the same soft red-pink color. The colors of my face clashes with the stale gray walls and the jump suit I was wearing.

"You will most likely notice differences."

"What happened... My face its ..."

"You needed repair for said task"

"What do you mean?" What task required my face being changed? "What is my task? Tell me now!"

"Your task is to find the genie. You win your freedom if you do. Others have the same opportunity."

"What do you mean? How would I even know it's the genie? You took others, what are you? You are a monster."

"You have a tracker bedded in the back of your neck. I am Carla. I am an AI developed to make you feel at ease."

" Why do you want the genie? Why would I find it for you?"

"We need the genie to harvest its magic. If it is not found all subjects will be killed, and the process will restart."

I think "Fine, I'll do it, not that I have a choice."

"You will be released tomorrow at 12. Your tools will be delivered to you in the morning."

"Tools?"

"Some of the subjects did everything possible to be freed."

I slightly gasp. A different voice says "NIGHT POWER DOWN". The lights shut off and I tried to rest. I'm probably about to die. The "Carla" thing just said. I'm gonna get weapons but I'll die anyway.

~

I wake up to see the hatch in the ceiling open and drop a huge crate. It breaks free of its splintery wood skin to reveal new clothes and something in a cloth bag.

I examine the clothes. It's a thick brown short sleeved shirt and thick green cargo pants. There is also a thin black jacket with a hood. I thought of what "Carla" had said and touched the back of my neck. I felt a bump. So it was true.

I put on the clothes and opened the cloth bag and inside was a gun. I do not know how to use a gun. I also do not want to kill people, but am I me anymore? Does that matter? Will I need to use it?

" You have 3 and a half hours till you we be sent off on your task"

"How will I even survive without food or money?" I hissed.