Page 12 of The Restoration Program
There was somuchof him now. Nicole’s breath caught, and she was nearly thrown off balance by the haste in which he moved, taking her too-small hands into his. The fright that surged through her was nearly enough to make her scream again, and it must have shown on her face.
He pursed his lips and stared at her, silently pleading for her to keep it together and say something that agreed with his sentiment. He looked like he might shatter if she told him anything but a resoundingyes. She swallowed hard and composed herself, trying to keep herself from shaking like a leaf. No matter how frightening her new perspective was, termination simply wasn’t a sane option.
Her real body was gone. Broken beyond repair. The ultimatum before her had an obvious answer, as bleak as that answer was.
“We can make it work,” she said mechanically, giving Ryan a tight, assuring smile. She set her attention back on Jenning, her face hardening. “And… and how do we know that I’ll keep… functioning like this? How are we supposed to know if any of this is safe if we’ve never heard of it before?”
“While we have operated quietly during these crucial, initial phases, this location has already Restored over a hundred patients. Other Restoration Facilities around the world are progressing as well, with numbers marginally exceeding ours. Each boasts a ninety-five percent success rate.” She smiled like the sunshiney cult leader herself. “We are sitting at the precipice of a historical moment. I’m confident that we will go public within months. Then, we can start changing so many more lives.”
Nicole’s insides did a flip that refused to touch down. When this company went public, the media would have a feeding frenzy. She could imagine her life if the accident hadn’t happened. She could see herself turning on the TV, opening her newsfeed, seeing stories about living doll people. As an outsider, she would be curious, but being on the receiving end of the attention sounded nightmarish.
“We’re going to have reporters breaking down our door,” Nicole said with a shiver.
“Appropriate measures will be put in place to protect your privacy,” Jenning assured without missing a beat. “Patient names and information are classified at the highest level, unless you select otherwise. In fact, our public relations specialist has already informed Mr. Northe that we would prefer that neither of you speak to the press. We will handle everything.”
As relieving as it was to know that she wouldn’t be thrust in front of a camera, she was skeptical about just how well this Restoration Program could protect them from prying eyes and photographers desperate for their meal ticket. She nodded nonetheless, able to put the thought to rest for more pressing matters.
“These other New… NüPrints.” The word tasted odd in her mouth. “They’ve all been able to go home and just… move on?”
Jenning nodded. “Given time, all of them have happily adjusted or are well on their way to living a full life. The Program will provide anything and everything that will aid your adjustment. Ryan has my direct number, should you think of something you need.”
“A person-sized body would be a great start.” Nicole’s hands were still trapped in the warmth of Ryan’s fingers, and she felt with severe precision the way he tensed. His gaze bore down on her, making the hair on the back of her neck rise.
The edges of Jenning’s smile tightened. “I’m afraid this size is your only option for the foreseeable future.”
“But I don’t understand,” Nicole said. “Organ Hosts have been around for—”
“Consciousness simply won’t catch on Organ Hosts. We’ve run countless trials. The process of gaining awareness and motor control is stable only on small organisms. Hence, the creation of NüPrint bodies. Perhaps one day it will be possible to Restore patients using Organ Hosts, but as of the time of your accident and as of right now, this is your only solution for a chance at a full, viable life.”
Nicole opened and closed her mouth. As the words sank in, she couldn’t argue about medical procedures she had no knowledge of. The tension in her shoulders sank away in defeat.
“We pride ourselves on prioritizing our patients’ mental wellbeing as well as their physical,” Jenning tacked on encouragingly. “I know it might feel as though the world has turned against you, but you aren’t isolated in your situation. The Facility hosts a support group for NüPrints and their families to assist in the adjustment period—and beyond, if you’d like to be a mentor to newly-Restored NüPrints. It may be a bit of a drive from your area, but I highly recommend you both attend regularly.”
Nicole fought the absurd urge to smirk. These people really had thought of everything. It sounded reassuring to meet people who could relate to the fear unspooling nonstop in her gut, but the idea of a support group based around it seemed horrifically comical.
Hi, I’m Nicole, and my boyfriend let a bunch of mad scientists put my brain in a doll.
Hi, Nicole.
“We’ll be there,” Ryan said evenly. He gave Nicole a pleadingly hopeful look that made her heart melt slightly, even if the size of that look was alarming. “We’re not alone in this, babe. Not by a longshot.”
She gave him a disbelieving look. “How can you be so confident about that? About all of this?”
“I’m only sure ofus.” He looked down at their hands, leaning down. She held her breath as he pressed a kiss to her fingers. The warm pressure tingled long after he pulled away to meet her gaze. “I need you, Nicole. I’m not giving up on what we’ve got.”
Despite her heart fluttering at a panicky pace at his sudden gesture, her expression softened. She took a shuddering breath and let it out. She nodded at him.Him, the sweet guy with the boyish grin who had draped his blue plaid shirt around her bare shoulders five years ago. He had never stopped loving, challenging, and supporting her since.
“You said there was paperwork?” Nicole glanced over at Jenning, unable to help but feel a little defeated for all the arguments that had fallen flat.
Jenning smiled warmly and rose to her feet. “I’ll have my associate draw up the forms.”
Ryan rose too, shaking her hand. Nicole was surprised when the doctor addressed her too, taking her hand between a finger and thumb to offer the same gesture. Nicole counted it as a small victory that she successfully fought the manic urge to run away screaming.
“I’m supposed to say this to all our patients, but I sincerely hope our paths cross again, Miss Zhou. I know you have many happy years left ahead of you.”
Nicole pulled her hand back swiftly. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
A cold breeze stirred the room as Dr. Jenning opened the massive door and exited. Nicole leaned to the side, catching a glimpse of a hallway on the other side before the door swung shut. There were no more false walls here. No more tricks. As much as she had come to loathe the sterile hospital room, it was a known space. Beyond that door, the rest of the world waited, huge and frightening and new.
