Genetix

3-Maya

I thump my head to the beat of the music, careful not to smear my freshly painted nails. I wiggle my toes, admiring the way the red glints in the purple light. I'm the only one in this dump who's not obsessed with curing the virus outside. I haven't had this much freedom or fun since... well, ever. Lab experiments don't exactly have a say in Friday nights. Everyone was always telling me that I was this perfect being, stronger than steel and more precious than gold, but they acted like I was a toddler made of glass, like I needed someone to pick me up when I fell and kiss my scrapes so I wouldn't cry. Now I can play my choice of music as loud as I want and decorate my room the way I want, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Not that I have much to work with. I dug up some black paint from the lower levels and splashed it on the slate gray walls, and put up some ColorLites, plastic strips that flicker any color light I please. This week I've been flashing violet.

I climb out of my hovering bed/chair/thing and pause the music. My stomach is killing me. I think I ate... what, two days ago? Three? I suppose I should eat more often, but I just forget to, and it's not like my body will shrivel up. Unlike normal humans, our fat goes first instead of muscle, which means starvation isn't as big of an issue as it should be. I tread out of my room into the cement hallway. The others really let this place go after the lab guys were killed. Or went missing. Doesn't really matter, either way they're gone. Me, I've always been the weird one, breaking open markers and smearing the ink in my hair to color it, trying to get the others to give me stupid dares like eating bugs. I didn't enjoy the challenges, I just wanted to see if I could. Once I even ate a glass thermometer just because the doctor told me I couldn't. I spent the next month in the hospital wing because of that one. I like to test my limits, y'know? Sometimes I think I would have been better as a normal human out in the world, where every day is a risky challenge, but the way things are going and without my enhancements, I probably would have been dead by now.

Still, this place doesn't have to look so grim. Hm... I've got an idea. I take the elevator up to the greenhouse level, where we keep the potted plants.

"Hey, Sarah," I call out. I can see her red bun bobbing along towards me through the rows of plants. She rounds the corner and I can tell just how long she's been up here. Her face is flushed a brilliant red, almost as bright as her hair. She's holding a frond from an aloe plant with the skin peeled back so she can rub it on her burns.

"Unless you're getting your lotion from a different place than I am, then you might want to spend less time under the lights," I warn. Sarah just smiles sadly.

"Can I get you something?" she whispers.

I peer through the shelves. "Well, I'm looking to spruce up the living quarters. Got anything pretty?"

She nods and gestures for me to follow her. I'm amazed at how well she's been taking care of this place. I guess she's been letting the worker drones help. I'm proud of her too. Ever since Jakey left, she's been holding everyone an arm's length away from her. The first time I came down for a plant sample she nearly took my head off with a broom. It's good that she's becoming more approachable, even if just to the drones.

Suddenly we're surrounded by orchids. I can identify every species and subspecies immediately nearby, but there are a few farther off that she must have cross-pollinated herself, because they're a blank in my mental catalog.

She hands me a heavy pot with a sweet scent and a blossom the size of my fist. "It's lovely."

Sarah ducks her head. "Thanks. I call it an Eve's orchid."

"Oh? How come?"

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small Bible. "I found this in one of the offices. The first story is about a girl named Eve. She lives in this garden with her mate, and everything is good for them until a snake comes and poisons her with words. Then they leave the garden and live together, and even though it's harder, I think they were happy."

Her eyes are shining by the end of her short speech, and I wince internally as I realize she thinks it's real. How can I tell her that it's just a story?

"That's great, Sarah." I take a look round the vast warehouse. "No snakes in here, I hope?"

Sarah shakes her head. "No snakes. Just plants."

"That's good. When was the last time you ate?" I ask. "Or drank something?"

"I made some mint tea a few hours ago," she says slowly. "I haven't been hungry lately."

"Okay. I'm going to have a drone bring you some soup, and I want you to eat. And go bakc to the living area for some sleep, all right?"

She nods complacently, but I'm still not so sure she'll remember what I said once I'm gone. I guess it can't be helped. No one takes the loss of their mate very well; I remember the day Micah was killed. I loved him with my whole heart, and all of a sudden he was gone. Still, I'm luckier than Sarah. I got to mourn my loss and move on; every time Jakob leaves- ignoring the fact that he's not remotely attracted to her, despite the science boys' best efforts- she feels that loss all over again.

With one last smile, I take the beautiful flower and leave.