(Point of view: The old man)
The pieces of glass did not fall.
They remained suspended in the air.
Around him.
Some were still covered with a thin film of blood which soon disappeared.
Others floated a few centimeters from her skin, motionless, as if time had ceased to exist around them.
Nobody moved.
In the room, even the machines kept beeping.
I looked at the boy.
Sigma-0 .
I had known that name for longer than most of the people present had known their own family.
I knew, it seemed so familiar the first time I saw it.
I stood behind the glass watching them, my hands clasped behind my back, I couldn't believe it was a success.
But these idiotic researchers were talking about simple worms; that's what happens when you delegate important work to children.
– The fragments do not respond to any known force.
– They are suspended.
– That's not possible.
I am overwhelmed by such naivety.
I was simply watching Roum.
He was terrified.
That's what interested me more than the pieces of glass.
He didn't know what was wrong with him.
His gaze moved from one fragment to another with an almost childlike incomprehension.
He wasn't trying to attack us.
He was looking for a way out.
I was familiar with that expression.
I had already seen it.
Decades ago.
At the time, I was nobody.
Just one employee among hundreds.
I was transporting files.
I was cleaning some rooms.
I brought the reports to the researchers.
I had no access, no special authorization.
Until I crossed paths with a demon hidden beneath delicate features.
I started climbing.
I don't regret having followed her.
Years have passed and thanks to her I have been able to see the employees around me grow old, die, it is very pleasant when you have a long life.
But much was still missing; this regenerate was the key we were looking for.
I have forgotten the name my mother gave me, but I remember every step I took to get here.
I have forgotten my father's face.
I forgot the house where I grew up.
I have forgotten the sound of my own voice from when I was young.
But I remember you, Roum.
I had to lose my mind to live for a few more decades, but now you're here.
I couldn't hold back my smile.
A scientist next to me whispered:
- Sir...
I turned my head slightly.
This new human is very annoying.
- What ?
– We need to evacuate the room.
I looked at Roum.
– Non.
– Sir, the fragments-
– It's not like you're risking your lives.
He hesitated.
– But if he loses control –
– injected him with the calming agent.
Silence fell again.
I approached the window.
Roum looked up.
Our eyes met.
He looked lost.
I could almost hear the questions in her eyes.
Who are you ?
Why am I here?
What have you done to me?
I slowly placed my hand against the control box.
He was staring intently at me.
The pieces of glass vibrated.
A faint pulse rippled through the room.
The screens went wild.
– Aller y !
I withdrew my hand.
Everything stabilized.
He was still unstable.
But it worked.
The compressor implanted in his column spilled out.
– Turn off the alarms.
- More-
– Turn them off.
They obeyed.
The red light disappeared.
Silence returned.
Roum was breathing with difficulty and pieces of glass were pouring onto the floor.
He looked at his hands, then at the floor, and collapsed softly.
What a beautiful creation.
He was powerless but murmured something.
I listened intently.
– Where is she?
I pretended not to have heard him and turned back to the scientists.
– Prepare the second phase.
A researcher turned pale.
– But the protocol forbids-
I stared at him.
– The protocol was written before he woke up.
I looked at Roum again and understood that the decades of waiting had just come to an end, what face will she make when I tell her about her evolution.