The Creatures that We Are

Consciousness returned to Gao Yang slowly. Voices filtered through his awareness, at first muffled as if through thick metal, then gradually sharpening into clarity.

Afternoon sunlight filled the barebone room. Abandoned construction materials cluttered the dusty floor, waterproof sealants still clinging to surfaces. The place looked messy yet clean in its abandoned state.

In the corner, wrapped in a curtain, Gao Yang dozed with his head drooped. Liao Liao and Fresh Snow crouched on either side of him, each intently sipping from a bottle of soy milk.

Liao Liao gathered her courage and reached out to brush a longer strand of hair on Gao Yang's head, a stubborn cowlick that only revealed itself upon close inspection.

“Oh, you’re right! The cowlick doesn’t go right or left!” Liao Liao said with surprise.

"Cowlick? Is that what it's called?" Fresh Snow chuckled, reaching to brush the strand. "It should go left."

"Hm..." Liao Liao frowned, moving it the other way. "Right looks better. It's subtle, but it makes his hair look lighter somehow."

"No, left is definitely better." Fresh Snow adjusted the strand again, her preference influenced by her habit of sleeping on Gao Yang's left side.

"Right. Trust me on this."

"Right..."

"How about I just cut it off?" Gao Yang's tired eyes opened, his face pale and voice weak.

Liao Liao's hand froze mid-motion. What? Your injury is serious, like seriously serious. You should be out for a full day and night. How are you awake already?

“You’re up, Captain Gao.” Liao Liao looked embarrassed. “Haha, um, there’s nothing to treat you with. How about…some soy milk? It’s still hot…”

Gao Yang ignored her fumbling and turned left. "It's been a while, Fresh Snow."

Fresh Snow started at his sudden awakening. She studied his face intently, then took a deep breath and smiled. "I missed you, Gao Yang."

"I missed you too," he said softly.

Fresh Snow leaned closer, holding his gaze. "I'm not leaving this time, Gao Yang."

Surprise flickered across his face before he nodded. "You promise."

"Of course. Good friends don't lie to each other."

Liao Liao suddenly felt like a third wheel.

"Should I give you some space?" She rose to her knees, glancing around. "Maybe half an hour to catch up?"

"That won't be enough." Fresh Snow's smile held a hint of pride. "There's never enough time for me to chat with Gao Yang. But it doesn't have to be now. You should talk business."

Gao Yang studied her again. Fresh Snow seemed different now.

"Alright." Liao Liao didn't press the issue. She gestured toward a bulging duffle bag. "I went for a stroll early this morning. Got clothes and food. Captain Gao, if you're feeling up to it, you should eat something and change. Then we need to move."

This isn't a safe place to be, buddy! Let's get to your base! Her meaning couldn't have been clearer.

“Okay.” Gao Yang was pleased. It was a bargain to recruit Liao Liao. He could leave matters that required brainpower to Liao Liao in the future.

"Where's Dr. Jia?" he asked, noticing the absence.

Liao Liao's expression turned awkward. "Him? After eating, he went to...do number two with his parrot. I told him to handle his business far from here."

"Number two?" Fresh Snow tilted her head. "You mean using the toilet?"

"Yeah." Liao Liao turned to Fresh Snow with a teasing smile. "Don't tell me you don't know about that? Don't you use the toilet?"

"I don't," Fresh Snow replied matter-of-factly.

“Oh, right!” Liao Liao suddenly remembered the physiology of a Spectre. She said with envy, “You shouldn’t be called a ghost, but a fairy!”

"Fairy?" Fresh Snow's face brightened. "That does sound better than ghost."

"Smelly! Smelly! Smelly!"

Dr. Jia returned, still adjusting his pants, his parrot squawking on his shoulder.

"Shut up! Your shit stinks worse!" Dr. Jia snapped, but his irritated expression instantly transformed into a bright smile when he spotted Gao Yang. "Ah, our Divine Scion is awake! What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

His eagerness had nothing to do with their safety; he was simply impatient to rebuild his laboratory and resume his research. The Divine Scion's vital energy alone was a treasure, but now a Spectre had joined them too. What a gift from the universe!

"Alright." Gao Yang rose slowly, his movements still weak. Fresh Snow steadied him with gentle hands.

"Let's get your energy up first." Liao Liao cracked open an energy drink and passed it to him.

But before Gao Yang could take a sip, her smile vanished. "There's something I must tell you, Gao Yang."

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