Chapter 43
[61]
“Do you ever have that thought while driving? The thought that with a simple turn, you could crash the car, killing everyone inside it. You know that you won’t and there’s absolutely no reason to, but you hear that tiny voice in the back of your head telling you to do it anyway.”
Wakaba Isshiki sat in her 10’ by 10’ reinforced glass container, stocked with all the items she could need to be comfortable, yet trapped nonetheless.
“Of course, everyone has that thought, it's perfectly normal.” The psychologist, sitting outside of the container in his own chair, replied.
“Well, with my ‘condition,’ it’s like that voice gets put in the driver’s seat. There’s no logic behind it, but regardless, I feel this pull to do the worst thing possible at that time.”
The therapist jotted down some notes before looking up once more. “And the people you...effect with this ability, they feel a similar compulsion?”
“I think so, but I don’t think it’s to the same degree. And they don’t have my powers, they can’t spread the infection to others or use my ‘other’ abilities. They just...lash out.” Wakaba explained.
The scientist hummed for a moment before jotting something else down. “And how would you describe these ‘other’ abilities Ms. Isshiki?”
Wakaba stared at her hands. “Explosive.” She said simply.
“Okay. Why don’t we move on then?” He stated awkwardly. “The scientists here have developed a medicine, one that helps with your...situation. Is that correct?”
“Yes...However, it’s been getting weaker. I’m developing a resistance to the drugs, and my time as myself is becoming shorter and shorter. Soon, I’m afraid, there may not be any me left.”
“That does sound scary. How are you coping with that?” The man asked.
“I’m scared.” Wakaba’s face became somber. “But not just for myself, for the people I’ll hurt, for my daughter.”
“And that’s why you want to go? To see her one more time before…”
“Yes.” Wakaba’s eyes were teary. “Before the inevitable.”
“Well,” The psychologist stood up from his seat. “I think I’ve heard enough.”
Wakaba watched the man anxiously, afraid of what he might say next.
“I’m clearing you to leave. You will be given one week’s time to spend with your loved ones.”
“Really!?” Wakaba stood up, excitedly clasping her hands together.
“Yes. You’ll be prepped for your exit later tonight and should make it to Tokyo by tomorrow afternoon.” The man smiled as he stepped out of the room, leaving Wakaba alone in her container.
“One week...I’ll make every second of it count.”
Two days later:
Wakaba Isshiki was standing just outside of Yongen in the middle of the night, having just fled Sojiro’s house. Her phone was pressed hard against her ear, as she desperately trying to get help. Something had gone wrong, the dose they gave her beforehand must’ve been too weak, her powers shouldn’t be surfacing yet.
“Sorry, the number you are trying to contact is not in service-” An automated voice stated on the other end.
“NO!” Wakaba threw her phone to the ground. Catching a glimpse of her now fully transformed hands in the process. “Nonononothiscan’tbehappening!” The skin around her neck became pitch black as she desperately picked up her cracked phone and tried calling again.
What could have happened? Why couldn’t she reach them? How long did she have before...
“Ma’am?” A voice called from behind her, but she ignored it. “Excuse me? Ma’am? Do you need help?” A young police officer placed his hand on her shoulder.
When Wakaba spun around to face him, he was shocked to see the color in her face invert. Her skin became jet black and her dark hair became a stark glowing white. Two glowing white eyes stared at him furiously. Before he could back away, the woman grabbed him by the throat.
“Leave me ALONE!”
The man’s eyes went wide in fear as the pitch black of her hand seemed to crawl onto his own skin, taking over his body in a matter of seconds. When the infection was complete, she released the man who stood still for a moment before walking in the other direction. The officer approached his partner who was sitting in the squad car on his phone.
The partner said something to the brainwashed officer without looking up, what it was, Wakaba couldn’t hear. He was caught completely off guard when the officer raised his weapon at his partner and fired a shot directly into his head. The officer then walked off with his weapon still raised, in search of more victims.
Satisfied with her work here, but not done by a longshot, the transformed Wakaba walked off into the night.