The Mutation Wave

Chapter 27: One Peaceful Night

William lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. A million musings ran wild in his mind as he tried futilely to herd them into an organised train of thought. Zacharias had answered most of his questions, so why did he feel like there was still a big piece missing from the whole truth?

The engineer glanced at the two transmitters sitting on his makeshift RnD lab. He absent-mindedly flipped a switch and the transmitters lit up again. The hologram reflected itself against the wall, still projecting the same location. He tapped his fingers on the wall, deep in thought.

What if I don't see this as a transmitter, but as a power source instead? By combining Maxwell's equations with Ohm's law, I'd be able to achieve the effect of-

A familiar presence behind the door interrupted William's musings. He quickly walked up and opened it before the person could knock.

"Hey Marianne, what's up?"

Marianne preened her hair and bowed her head shyly, looking at him with the best puppy eyes she could muster. "Oh... but how can you be so sure? I could be Vivian," she said naughtily in a higher pitched voice.

William stifled his laughter. "Drop the act; I've known you long enough to recognise your blood pressure rhythm, Marianne."

"You memorised my heartbeat?!" she gasped, her voice dropping back to her usual quality. "I don't know if I should be impressed or creeped out."

"I'll take that as a compliment." William walked back into the room and gestured for her to sit. "So, what brings you here?"

"What, do I need a reason to see how my friend is doing?"

Friend...

There was a pregnant pause.

"So much has happened," William mumbled, looking downwards.

"Yeah... And I missed a big part of it too," Marianne said. "Victor has already told me all that has transpired in my absence."

"Erm, hey. About that night, I'm sor-"

Marianne raised a hand to stop him. "It was my choice to go back for you. And it was also my mistake when I fell under the buildings. Don't blame yourself."

"I know, I know! It's just... you wouldn't have gotten hurt if I wasn't so reckless. If only I had just accepted your help-"

Marianne interrupted him with a finger to his lips. "You've lost plenty that night, and I wish I could've been there for you in the aftermath. Every night I spent in that horrid motel, all I could think of was..." Her eyes widened a little as she covered her mouth. "I... I've said too much, haven't I?"

Awkwardness filled the air in the room rapidly.

"D-don't you wanna spend more time with your sister?" William asked, changing the subject. "It's been years since you've last seen her after all. Isn't she more important?"

"I already did, but I'm just another stranger to her. There's no point in me trying to force it now. And hey," Marianne punched his arm playfully. "You're important to me too."

William blushed slightly at her unexpected affection. "T-thanks, Marianne." He smiled brightly at her.

"I'm gonna go out for some fresh air, wanna come with?"

~ ~ ~

Masako stirred, finally regaining consciousness through the trippy haze of her fever dreams. She placed a hand on her forehead, removing the ice pack on it. The young lady suddenly jerked her head to the side, sensing a presence beside her.