FYSH: Diving Deeper.

Chapter Five: Roommates? (Pt 2)

Sleepily, I pulled out my alarm clock from my backpack and set it up, leaving it on the desk. It was already nine thirty. For the next half an hour, I brushed my teeth and washed my face and got ready for bed. I slipped into a large, cotton t-shirt and some bike shorts. Then, for another hour, I thought about Tyde and Beck. My grandfather. Mistress Ioa. Coach Kai. Serra Peony. My eyelids began seeping down and the image of pink, pouty lips being bitten down pulsed in my mind.

...

Is this another dream? I wondered.
"It's not enough, Avery!" A man growled. Sounds of hard objects being thrown onto the ground and smashing were heard.
"For an old man, you certainly have your strength." A familiar catty voice purred.
"Tomato, coffee, royal honey, royal jelly, retinoids, vitamins, dead sea clay, dead sea water samples, volcanic ash, purified mud, avocado, honey, even goddamn pieces of real gold! But nothing's working!" The man screamed.
"Actually sir, we have proof that they are working exceedingly well and quickly-"
"But, it's not good enough! All we've done, is save the skin. We want to save the whole body, inside and out. We want to preserve our finest years, but for decades. Time is the most precious treasure, and it's chest is guarded by God. We must crack this code! We must have a miracle!" It sounded as though the man had thunked his fist against something.
"Sir, actually. I had a report come in earlier this week. Coming in from Russia. I dismissed it because it sounded too ridiculous but if you're truly that desperate, I can go check the report again." The woman named Avery inquired.
"What report?" The man grunted.
"Something of a miracle potion, the Russians say." The woman sighed. "A translucent, greeny-blue, thick liquid that has some sort of magic. At a single touch, it removes all the impurities from your face and body, the wrinkles and smile lines, the pores and hairy bits, the loose skin, the sagginess. The whole shebang. It is absorbed into your skin apparently, and your body becomes ten years younger."
"Did it sound realistic? Or like some sort of scam?"
"You know me sir, I never believe these things. To me, they're all bullshit."
A sudden smell of smoke filled the room.
"You're too uptight, Avery. Lighten up." The man guffawed.
"Yes, well..." The woman coughed. "And... the boy, sir?"
"Ah, the boy." The man paused. "Soon, Avery. The boy will be used soon. But he must be willing, Avery, he must be willing to give his everything."
"Sir, he has nothing. He is nothing. Fortunately, this means he has nothing to lose."
I stepped closer to the sounds, and peeked over a wall. The man was fat, and he sat in a large, velvet chair. All I could see was his side profile, and it was not pretty. His thin lips, sucking on a cigar, curved into a smile. 
"Perfect."
The man blew some more smoke, and it spread, burning my eyes. I clenched my fists into my eyes and bended down. I could feel my tears rushing out in order to put out the fire that was raging behind my retinas. The pain was gone within seconds, and I snapped open my eyes. I gasped, the smoke was consuming me, and I needed air. But there was no smoke. I was in my room, on the side of my bed. I turned like lightning to the table, to see what time it was, and right on cue, my alarm clock buzzed. A shiver rose, pulling my hairs up on my back. Talk about freaky, I thought. Padding over on my tippy toes, I turned off my alarm clock and sat back on my bed with a sigh. I looked up at the ceiling. Day one, I thought.

...