Experiment X

CHAPTER
11

Aria let her feet dangle over the water's edge, toes skimming the surface as soft ripples echoed out into the pool's quiet expanse. The tranquil blue captivated her, lulling her senses, drawing her in as though she could dive into it and escape all the complexities that awaited her in the sterile labs above. Here, with the gentle lapping of water against her feet, she felt something close to peace, a rare luxury in a life consumed by research and riddled with scientific hurdles she couldn't quite clear.

Her gaze wandered over the water's glassy surface, losing herself in it as though the answers she sought might somehow lie beneath. Questions filled her mind, questions about Specimen X, about the way his genes had defied every parameter she knew. She felt on the verge of something profound yet elusive, a discovery that danced just out of reach, and it gnawed at her, both exhilarating and maddening.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the space, and Aria's jaw tightened. She didn't look up, hoping the intruder might take the hint and leave. But the footsteps grew closer until, to her dismay, a woman's voice broke the silence.

"Hi there," the voice greeted, soft but tinged with a confidence that grated on Aria's nerves.

Aria turned, reluctantly, and saw a young woman she didn't recognize, standing beside her with a friendly smile. The newcomer looked at the pool, then down at her shoes, hesitating briefly before slipping them off and sitting beside Aria. She let her own feet dip into the water, sighing softly as though she, too, found some solace here.

"I'm new," the woman finally said, breaking the silence. "Just started a week ago. I was told this pool is the perfect place to unwind."

Aria felt a flicker of annoyance. This pool was her sanctuary, a rare slice of peace in the labyrinthine facility, and she didn't appreciate it being intruded upon. She only shrugged in response, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on the water, hoping her silence would communicate her disinterest.

The woman didn't seem to take the hint. Instead, she smiled, undeterred, as though Aria's cold demeanor was merely a challenge. "My name's Evelyn," she introduced herself, her tone warm and open. "I've been assigned to the genetic research division. Are you in the same department?"

Aria nodded, though she didn't return the smile, feeling her own muscles tense as Evelyn continued to sit beside her. Her personal space felt invaded, and it was almost as if she could feel the other woman's presence encroaching upon the calm she had so carefully cultivated here.

The silence stretched between them, an uncomfortable void. Evelyn's attempts to break it seemed to hang in the air, dissipating with Aria's indifference.

"Alright, tough crowd," Evelyn said with a soft laugh, attempting a lighthearted approach. "Well, no worries. Just thought I'd introduce myself. This facility can feel... isolating, you know? Thought it'd be nice to meet someone."

Aria bristled inwardly at the assumption that she, too, sought connection, that she'd welcome companionship simply because the facility could be isolating. Her autism had often shielded her from that need, her focus on her research providing fulfillment where others might find emptiness. She felt no desire for idle conversation, no craving for connection that others seemed to need. To her, Evelyn's presence was merely a distraction, an unwelcome ripple in the stillness she'd sought by coming here.

In an attempt to make her disinterest clear, Aria remained silent, her gaze fixed firmly on the water. She hoped the woman would pick up on her discomfort, perhaps even feel a sense of awkwardness strong enough to prompt her to leave. But Evelyn, either oblivious or determined, didn't budge. Instead, she leaned back on her hands, tilting her head up to the ceiling as if savoring the moment.