Haphephobia

Chapter 20

The Plainsboro National Preserve loomed before us, a vast green expanse of mostly trees and bodies of water. It was just off to the left of Scotts Corner Road, which Ava walked leisurely down together. We stood off to the side of the road as we went, not even bothering to be careful about people bothering us. I thought back to the moment we'd gotten back to the hotel an hour ago.

Ava had closed the door behind us, remarked on the fact that she hadn't even used her own room yet,  then smiling and kissing my cheek. I smiled like a child who'd been handed his favorite toy, my cheeks tinged an ugly red shade. I went to give her a hug, and over her shoulder I noticed a brown package on my bed.

Pointing it out to Ava, who reluctantly let me go, we walked over to it. The label said "From Dr. J." Making a presumably accurate guess about who that was, we tore the package open. Two small silver devices fell out, each wrapped in its own plastic bag. 

The two items were about the size of my palm, shaped like a smooth silver disc with rounded edges. It felt cool to the touch. Ava picked up hers, a slightly lighter shade of silver, examining it. Only then had I noticed the white sheet of paper that came tumbling from the open package. I picked it up, reading it aloud.

"Dear children, these devices have been bequeathed to you due to the high amount of security necessary during your trip. Please do not lose or damage them, as they are highly advanced and therefore very expensive pieces of technology. To use them, spit on the surface. This will make a copy of your DNA and alter it, producing a small tablet that you will ingest, and before long, your appearance will be altered. This effect lasts only three hours, so use your time wisely.

"Benjamin does not have to use one if we wishes, since he can take the shape of an animal. This would be preferable, as it offers two discs for Ava to use at will rather than one. After this letter has been read, it will burn to ash. Goodbye, and stay safe." I finished, folding up the letter and staring at the disc apprehensively. Sure enough, the letter itself began curling and smoking at the edges. I got it into a trash can just in time, before it could make an ashy mess on my sheets.

"So what do you think, Benjamin? Animal or second body?" Ava asked, staring at the discs like she could hardly believe they were sitting so close to her. To be fair, it was like being next to alien technology. Some of the stuff I'd seen even in the last few days had been enough to give me vertigo. If only people knew what the government had been up to... They'd be scared, for sure...

"Animal. I don't enjoy the thought that I'll end up looking like some other guy, even for three hours. I wish you didn't have to, either... I'd miss your face." I said, grinning shyly at her. She raised her eyebrows, but chuckled, like she'd tried to hold it in but couldn't. Her cheeks turned a shade darker.

"Well, that's quite a sweet sentiment. But there wouldn't be much point to my so-called 'pretty face' if the bad guys were to catch me." She said, seriously. My smile faltered, considering that possibility.

"Yeah, definitely take both discs. I wouldn't risk you getting caught, not for anything." I returned. Ava looked down, clearly flattered in a way that came across as 'I've-never-had-somebody-want-to-protect-me-before.' I pulled my hand out to stroke her hair lightly, letting it fall down to her shoulder.

"I'm going to protect you this week, Ava. Nothing will happen to you, not while I'm here." I said. She stepped closer, looking at me gently. A very small smile curled up at the edge of her thin lips, the tired lines under her eyes only adding to the genuinely affectionate look she was giving me. Before I'd even known what was happening, she pulled me in for another kiss, this time fully on the lips. Caught off guard, I overcame my shock and placed my hands softly around her waist. Her hands came upward to my neck, where she intertwined her fingers. She had to stand on the tips of her toes to reach me, and I smiled into the kiss.