SCP 1471 [An anomalous life]

XXIV

My tired mind jumped from side to side, trying to make sense of Mal0's "potential".

The only potential I could see in her was that of being an a great friend, but maybe there was something I wasn't seeing.

(Maybe it's her sharp claws.) -I thought bitterly.

My eyelids were starting to get heavy as my head tilted forward.

-...
-You should rest, Quentin. -Mal0 said, getting out of bed.

Having more room on the bed was comforting, but the absence of that warm fur was not.

-I'm not sleepy yet. -I said, putting my hands in my pockets.

I could feel the cold metal of the scalpel between my fingers.

I took it out of my pocket, playing with it a little, twirling it between my fingers.

-What is that? -Mal0 asked, concerned.
-Is it a weapon?

-No, no.
-It's a scalpel. -I said, offering the tool in my hand.

Mal0 took it with trembling hands, examining it curiously.

-It's a medical tool. -I explained.
-Mom gave it to me.

-...
-Mom--
-Lauren gave it to you? -She corrected herself.

-Yes, She was afraid they would attack me again, so she gave me that, to defend myself.

-I see. -She sighed, leaving it on the table, her gaze fixed on it.
-...
-Did something important happen while I was gone? -She said, without looking at me.

-...
-I found several anomalies and... -I began, leaning back on the bed and looking up at the ceiling.

-Oh!
-And what did they look like?
-Were they like me? -She added, curiously.

-No, not at all.
-The first one we--
-That I came across, was a kind of paper, which acted as whatever object I wanted it to.

-Huh?
-I don't understand. -She admitted, cocking her head to one side like a puppy.

-Well, if you were to make a knife out of that paper....
-It would become sharp. -I said, grimacing at the memory of Mia's cut.

-Ah, now I understand.
-So if you were to make...
-A 682 out of paper, for example.

-It would move. -I answered.

-Ah!
-I wish I could have been there. -Shw sighed, lowering her head a little.

-There's always another chance.

-You think so?

-...
(I hope so.)

We were silent for a few moments.

-You look really tired, Quentin.
-Why don't you get some sleep? -She asked.

-I don't even know what time it is... -I mumbled sleepily.

I heard her pick up the phone from the table, then put it back down.

-It's time for you to get some sleep. -She answered.
-...
-I'll be inside the phone, so I don't disturb you.

-That's okay.. -I nodded, without thinking.

___________________________________________

It was so quiet, I could only be in one place.

Without even opening my eyes, I knew I was back on the stone platform.