Trials of the Test Subjects

Fun chapter: Bum Bum Baby Chaos

Note: Ave & Zz are new test subjects

First part

The room felt impossibly bright and sterile, rows of hospital beds lined up with each of us lying on our assigned beds, except Zz who was standing beside Ave. I was in the middle bed, an IV attached to my arm, and Sera, on the far end, had one too. The rest, Lyn, Ave, and Zz, were free from any IV lines, their expressions ranging from exhaustion to quiet contemplation. In my hands, I held a tiny, squirming baby wrapped in soft pastel blankets, its little face scrunching up in protest. My heart was already racing, and I could feel the flush spreading across my cheeks.

“This... is surreal,” I murmured under my breath, clutching the milk bottle in my other hand. I glanced at the baby, then at the bottle, uncertain how to proceed. My hands were shaking slightly.

To my left, Ave looked equally bewildered. His dark hair flopped over his eyes as he tilted his head at his baby. "Uh, so... do we just, like, hold them and hope for the best?"

Zz, standing beside him, let out a low chuckle. "No, man, you actually have to feed them. Ever seen a baby before?" He attempted to cradle his own infant, though he looked hilariously stiff and uncomfortable.

Sera was the most composed of us all, holding her baby with a gentle, natural ease that made me feel a pang of envy. "It's not so bad," she said encouragingly. "Just support their head and offer the bottle. See?" She demonstrated, and her baby immediately latched on, suckling happily.

I took a deep breath, trying to mimic Sera's confidence. The baby in my arms whimpered, and I panicked for a split second, hoping I wouldn’t drop it. Please don’t cry, I silently begged.

Beside me, Lyn broke the tension with a loud, exaggerated sigh. "I think mine’s plotting my downfall," he said, feigning a serious look at the baby. "Look at those big, judging eyes. It knows I have no idea what I’m doing." He held the bottle near the baby’s mouth, then glanced at me, his lips twitching with amusement. "Mitochondria, are you okay there, or is the pressure of child-rearing too much?"

I turned even redder, my voice coming out as a stammer. "I-I’m fine," I managed, even though my palms were sweaty, and I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me.

Lyn's baby finally started drinking, and he grinned triumphantly. "See? I'm a natural. Father of the year, right here."

I couldn't help but giggle, some of the tension melting away. Maybe this wasn't so bad. I tilted the bottle toward my baby, hoping it would take it as easily as Lyn's had. To my immense relief, it did.

Lyn noticed and gave me a playful nudge with his elbow. "Look at you, Mitochondria! You’re doing it! Next thing you know, you’ll be running a daycare."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. Even if this whole situation was absurd and a little terrifying, at least I wasn’t alone in it.