Broken Worlds

Chapter 13: The Beans prt.2

The shower room was a small, cozy space tucked away at the back of the lab, adorned with colorful tiles that mirrored the vibrant essence of the jungle outside. The walls were painted a soft green, and the sound of running water always seemed to blend harmoniously with the rustling leaves beyond the windows. It was a sanctuary, a place where she could wash away the remnants of adventure and emerge refreshed.

As she stepped inside, she flicked the switch, and the overhead lights flickered to life, casting a warm glow that danced across the tiles. "That's what I'm talking about," she sighed, closing her eyes as she felt the air envelop her. She turned on the water, letting it warm up as she took a moment to appreciate the sanctuary around her.

But as she stood there, waiting for the water to reach the perfect temperature, a strange sensation began to wash over her. It started as a faint dizziness, a light flutter in her stomach that made her pause. "Hm?" she wondered, pushing her circular glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Maybe I'm just that hungry."

She shrugged off the feeling, attributing it to her earlier indulgence in the jelly beans. After all, she had consumed the entire bowl of something that was probably more than she realized. "Pickers can't be choosers out here," she reminded herself with a wry smile, recalling the adventurous spirit that had led her to this moment.

Finally, the water reached the desired warmth, and she stepped under the cascading stream, letting it wash over her. The sensation was invigorating, the droplets gliding down her skin, carrying away the remnants of her earlier escapades. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax, but the dizziness returned, stronger this time.

"Extreme nausea, and dizziness. Were they poison?" she questioned, steadying herself against the tiled wall. The world around her seemed to shimmer slightly, the colors of the tiles blurring at the edges. For a moment, she thought she saw the vibrant greens of the jungle reflected in the water, a kaleidoscope of colors swirling together in a mesmerizing dance.

Mary stepped into the lab, her arms laden with a woven basket filled with the day's catch. The scent of fresh fish mingled with the earthy aroma of the lab, a comforting reminder of their shared adventures in the wild. She had spent the morning by the river, her heart racing with the thrill of the hunt, and now she was eager to share her bounty with her friend.

But as she turned to survey the lab, her heart sank. The vibrant chaos that had welcomed her moments ago was now marred by an unsettling emptiness. The bowl that had once held the magical jelly beans was conspicuously empty, its surface gleaming as if mocking her.

"Ohnae!" Mary yelled, her voice tinged with panic. "Are you here? Where are the jelly beans? What happened?" She questioned frantically.

From the shadows of the lab, Ohnae emerged, pushing a rolling IV system that seemed to be laden with an assortment of colorful vials. Her hair was tousled, and she wore a look of casual innocence that only deepened Mary's growing dread.

"What did you do?" Mary demanded, her face pale as she took in the sight of her friend. "You didn't eat them, did you?"

"Oh, I was hungry," Ohnae said nonchalantly, picking her nose as if the question was trivial. "I thought they looked tasty."

Mary's heart raced, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. "You ate the magic jelly beans? All of them?"

Guilt ran across Ohnaes face. "Weren't many to begin with . They were actually quite bitter. Besides that it seems like they might have been poisonous or something." She shrugged, a carefree look on her face. "Although this poison is different, I'm sure this one can be cured like any other."

Mary's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean, 'poisoned'?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Those were magic jelly beans! They could have serious effects! You don't just eat something like that without knowing what it does!"

The lab was quiet now, the frenetic energy that had filled the air just seconds before replaced by a heavy stillness. Mary sat at the edge of the cluttered workbench, her heart still racing from the realization, she might lose her best friend. Ohnae, however, seemed oddly calm. She had settled into her chair, legs drawn up to her chest as usual, her fingers flicking at a stray booger as if it were the most mundane task in the world.

"I'll surely die, huh?" Ohnae mused, her voice light and teasing, yet tinged with an uncertainty. She glanced at Mary, a smirk playing on her lips.

Mary felt a lump form in her throat. "You're not going to die, Ohnae," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You just... you just ate some jelly beans. We'll figure this out." Mary feeds herself delusions.

"Oh, come on," Ohnae replied, rolling her eyes. "Well, I did have to take a few shots and put myself on IV because I became dehydrated. I've monitored my heart rate, and it's back to normal. So we'll see what happens in 24 hours. I'm sure I'll be fine." Her tone was almost nonchalant, as if she were discussing the weather rather than the potential fallout from consuming a handful of magical jelly beans.

Mary couldn't help but let a single tear escape, trailing down her cheek. "You better be, you idiot," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Oh, and another thing," Ohnae continued dramatically, her eyes widening in exaggerated horror. "Those things were terrible!" She playfully complained with a giggle.

Mary couldn't help but join in, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "And I went through the trouble of going fishing," she replied, shaking her head in disbelief. The absurdity of the situation began to lighten the weight in her chest, if only for a moment.