Breeder

Change (2)

Isabella Pov

I watched from the open door of the Test Room as Emma, Ray, and Norman began to teach the kids in order to improve their scores.

And in the middle of it all, was Erica.

I couldn't help but feel worried and anxious about what her goal was. From the first day, she's already made friends with my oldest three, and had dragged them into her plans. From what I've heard, Erica's been in numerous other plants already... she stayed for no longer than two years. Most were burned down to the ground, its inhabitants killed. But the plants that survived... are now the four premium-good plants.

Is she here to do harm to my work?

Or is she here to help me make even better goods?

A chill went up my spine when I met her stunning blue eyes- eyes filled with void. Every time she smiled at me, I couldn't help but feel as though she meant to do me harm. She wasn't like the other children.

It wasn't just the fact that she knew of the secret.

Erica knew even more about HQ and its inhabitants than me. That I was sure of.

What really scared me was how she was so different.

Acting skills that would've fooled me completely had I didn't have the warning sent from Grandma. A smart mind that exceeded even Emma, Ray, and Norman's. The skills and capability to seamlessly meld into society despite not understanding human emotions. And from her profile information, Erica had a strong physique- excelling in dance, combat, gymnastics, and various others.

Isn't she just a Breeder? So how come she feels similar to those... monsters?

"Emma, Norman, it's almost time for lunch," Don spoke out, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Eh~!? Already?!" The kids complained, wanting to learn more.

Despite having to let them fly the coop at such an early age, I really did love them. I loved how they loved me and wanted to do their best.

And she is muddying the waters.

"Emma, Ray, why don't you guys continue teaching the kids? Norman and I will go make lunch today. Plus, It'd be nice to get used to the kitchen." Erica suggested.

"Bye bye~"

"See you soon, Erica, Norman!!"

--- Erica Pov ---

Norman led me to the kitchen on the first floor, which was a room connected to the dining room. There were various meats hanging from the ceiling, seasoned heavily with pepper and salt. Fruits and vegetables were organized in large bags, mounted onto the walls in a bookshelf-like fashion.

"So, Erica, what would you like for lunch?" Norman asked.

"You."

"E-eh?"

I spun around, noticing how Norman was becoming as red as a tomato. Quite adorable, honestly.

"Huh, what? I wasn't listening. Did I say something?"

Norman's face had a heavy blush, which was moving to his ears and neck- increasing its area with every passing second. If my memory serves me correctly, humans do something called "worrying" when someone they know displays peculiar symptoms that aren't like themselves... Putting my best "worried" face on, I approached the male.

"Are you all right? Your face is really red..."

"N-no!! I'm fine!! Really!!" Norman protested, stepping away from me.

"Come on, get your hands away from your face. I want to see if you have a fever. You shouldn't be making food if you're sick, you know."

Pushing his arms away from his face, I leaned in to check his temperature.

"D- don't come close to me!!"

Norman shoved me away, causing me to stumble backwards and fall. The familiar, sickly sound of something sharp cutting through flesh echoed through the room as a piercing pain spread through my forearm.

SHHIK-

Eh, whatever. Surely humans can stand having a knife in their arm. I thought, leaving the weapon and the flustered boy be. Instead, I decided to focus on the job at hand. What to make for lunch... curry on rice would be nice. what an anime classic.

"Do you think curry would be okay for dinner?" I questioned Norman absent-mindedly, grabbing the potatoes, carrots, onions, zucchini, and various other vegetables that would be needed.

"Y- yeah, sure... Wait, did that happen because of me?!"

Norman's cerulean blue eyes were fixated on the large kitchen knife sticking out of my arm.

"Hm? Yeah, why?"

"I'm so sorry!! Are you okay? Aren't you in pain?! Look at all the blood!!! I'll ask Don and Gilda to handle lunch. We need to go get Mom!!"

"No, it's fine. Humans can't die from something as small as this, right? Come on, lunch will be late if we don't hurry."

"Lunch can wait!! And yes, humans can die from something as "puny" as this!! No, wait- don't take the knife out!! What are you- don't move it around, either!! Are you crazy?!"

~~~ /// ~~~ \\\ ~~~

It's only 11AM. Not even half of Erica's first day at Grace Field House has gone. And yet, so many things are different already.

2.5 pages, 841 words