Unstoppable: Revitalized

-35-

The Cooler greeted me, with it's usual, cold embrace as my teeth chattered. The lights were on as I raised my head, the movement feeling impossible. Still, my eyes adjusted rather quick, letting me note the absence of anyone else besides me. My body, usually feeling bound by sheer willpower, felt more alive than usual, my blood moving heartily through my body as I took deep breaths, enjoying the feeling of physicality once again.

'It it time we left, Adam. Immediately.'

I spun my head in every direction, noting every angle, yet couldn't find the parasite in my body. Thrashing against the metallic restraints, I tried, but nothing more nor budged. My movements were erratic, unplanned, and sloppy.

'Adam, I can communicate with you through your left inferior frontal gyrus. It is the same area many human's use to speak to themselves internally. I am on your side. Do not panic.'

"Sure, pal. Whatever you say." I mumbled back, my breath misting against the world as it left my lips. I took a moment, assessing how they'd tied me up: A chain wrapped it's way around my legs, another across my chest, and one around my neck, all fixed to the floor with some strong looking bolts.

'I am sensing you need assistance?'

"You think?" I retorted, annoyed at how useless I now felt. Pushing against my own skin, I tried to meld against the taut metal, only achieving pain. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself, before suddenly feeling a surge of energy emerge from within my chest. I slammed my eyes open, looking down and noticing how my body began to solidify, the skin turning darker, scales beginning to dot themselves across me before looping together, making a tight-knit set of armour, my clothes sliding into me as I watched on in awe. Claws stretched through the new body, arching themselves slightly at the tip. The chains became so tight they snapped, the sound ringing through the empty room as I stood, feeling taller. The mass finally climbed up to my face, surrounding it. I had a clearer view of my surroundings as soon as it did: It was as if I was staring with triple the usual eyes. Everything was clearer and easier to identify, the slight patches of darkness fully visible in my new body. It felt as if I was sat back, yet still had control as I stood, my clawed feet slowly trudging towards the door. I tried the handle, finding it naturally locked.

'This blockade seems weak.'

My arms, moving on their own, gripped onto the top part of the door, before pulling down, taking the door off it's hinges and throwing it aside, the clanging bouncing against my enhanced ears as we took the stairs, the sunlight bursting through the small gaps in the stairs.

As wonderful as it would be to march into the school like this, it probably isn't a good idea, is it?

'I am afraid not. The human leading the area here has a way to cause critical pain to me, and I do not wish to experience it. I am to retreat back into you once this door is open. You should feel no pain, and be exactly how you were before.'

I took a sharp breath as the doors opened, and by the time my eyes agreed to view their new surroundings, my body was back to normal, not a note of change on me. I ruffled my hair, pulled my clothes tighter around me, before looking around, noting the absence of anyone. My pockets were empty, and I wanted to know how much of the world I'd missed being locked down there. I knew my phone was long gone, but I'd still like-

'This cellular device is located in the office you ransacked.'

Hold on. How do you know that?

'Adam, you felt for a moment what I am with constantly. I can feel the waves and smell the location. It is in the office.'

Is the window fixed?

'I unfortunately cannot smell broken glass. I am unsure.'

I didn't try to come up with anything too smart, instead, I crept back towards the entrance, sticking to walls and small spots. Coming around the corner, the place was cleaned, but the hole was still visible. I snuck up to it, leaping back in, and seeing my phone sitting pristine on the table, headphones coiled up next to it. It looked as if some teacher swiped it from me during a lesson, not like how I'd lost it. Remembering what happened, I grabbed both items, sliding them into my trousers, before bolting back to the gate.

I need help.

'Of course.'

Strength pooled in my legs as I jumped, my body springing cleanly over, before landing face first on the floor, my body crumpling behind me as I groaned in pain, brushing grit and dirt off of my clothes, cursing myself.

'The landing needs improvement.'

You think?

Looking back, I noticed how different everything looked in silence: The school loomed in it, it's shadow clouding over the car park, a few still winds whistling through the area as it lied dormant, preparing itself for Monday's onslaught of students. Even the gate seemed tired: The paint almost peeling entirely, the flakes dropping off of the metal, or hanging on for dear life. I kept my hands still, ignoring the shakiness of my body as I pushed against my own mind, shakily shambling towards home.

I got a lot of weird looks on the way home. I couldn't work out whether it was my current look, or the deadpan stare I gave everyone else as I passed them, my face and body so devoid of heat and feeling I couldn't muster up anything but pure hatred and vitriol as I powered on.

I'm pretty sure if I saw me asking for change on the street, I'd cross it and beg they wouldn't even look at me.

Home got closer with every step, the few people I encountered blurring together as I focused on safety, thanking my lucky stars that I'd escaped without having to bloody my hands further. Finally reaching my street, I breathed a deep sigh of relief, making the final turn towards my driveway, before stopping dead in my tracks.

Two people went to approach my door. Two people I really hoped I'd never see near it. One of them beat me to death. The other one ordered it. Both just as guilty.

Oscar, and The Boss. Dear god, save us all.