Subtle Familiarities

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There were so many things I didn’t know, so many things I was curious about…

For 10 years, I hadn’t seen the outside world, likely subjected to thousands of experiments. I had ingested unknown drugs, had unidentified liquids injected into my body. And now, surrounded by strangers, it was finally time to understand what was happening in this world.

After helping Kaida place the final supplies, I returned. Three people were seated in this small, room-like space carved into the sewers, illuminated by a dim light source overhead. Aeon had taken the spot where I had lain earlier, sitting silently with her legs pulled to her chest. Narya and Kaida sat cross-legged on the floor, sharing the silence with a serious demeanor.

Quietly, I sat down next to Aeon, in the spot where she had fallen asleep beside me while I was resting. My presence seemed to reassure her; she slightly lifted her head.

“Well then, is everyone ready?”
Kaida’s voice echoed within the confines of the small room. Her tone was curt, but her seriousness was undeniable.

“Yes,” Aeon said, turning her curious gaze to them.

“First, tell us who you are and what you’ve been through.”
Kaida’s gaze scanned us both in turn. The tension in the room was palpable, the pressure in the air almost tangible. Aeon turned her head to me, her eyes asking, “How much do we share?” I gave her a subtle nod of approval.

“We’ll each share parts of the story, filling in for one another,” I said.

“That’s fine, makes no difference,” Kaida replied impatiently.

It was time to tell these two people, who had saved our lives, the full story.

“I’ll start, then.” I chose my words carefully. “After failing the first chip experiment, we were separated from our families. My first five years were actually spent in a structured education system. We grew up with plenty of social activities and a system aimed at reducing the side effects of the experiments. But things changed after the second experiment... Years of repeated trials, medications... And finally, when I was on the brink of death, Aeon and I managed to escape. That’s the short version.”
I was cautious with my words. I didn’t want to share extra details; after all, they were still strangers to us.

“So, how did you maintain your sense of self?”
Narya’s curious eyes were fixed on me. It was a reasonable question, but the answer was just as simple.

“It’s a bit ironic, actually. During the experiments, there was an inverse relationship between mental health and the drugs they gave us. Most people became incapable of even thinking about escaping because they saw it as impossible.”

“But you escaped.”

Kaida interrupted me in a flat, calm voice.

“Yes... somehow, from our cell—”

“After managing the robots, Kaen joined me.”
Aeon suddenly cut me off, revealing things I had deliberately avoided mentioning.

“Aeon?!”
I turned to her in shock. Why is she saying this now?!

“Don’t worry, Kaen.”
Her tone was calm, but something was hidden within it. Slowly, she extended her right hand, gently placing it over mine.

This gesture made the atmosphere even more awkward for a moment.

“Managed them?”
Narya narrowed her eyes, looking between the two of us. The tension in the air thickened.

“Yes...” Aeon said with a sly smile. Then suddenly her face became serious. “Let me tell you this: Since I woke up, I’ve been able to roughly sense your actions, emotions, and thoughts. I saw there was no malice within you.”

“And why is that?”
Kaida’s voice was filled with anger and shock, but Aeon responded without flinching.

“Because you’re afraid.”
Aeon’s words cast a chilling silence over the room. A shiver ran through me. I noticed the changing colors in the chip behind her head; it didn’t take much more to realize something was wrong.

Inside, I was trying to piece together what was happening. My sister was starting to frighten me. What was her plan? Why had she suddenly started acting this way? The unease within me was growing.

No one moved. The deathly silence inside was palpable. The changes in the chip at the back of Aeon’s head were noticeable even to Kaida and Narya, sitting across from us. Even a side glance was enough to draw attention to it.

“You... you’re hypersensitive to the chip, aren’t you?” Kaida asked, her voice shaky but determined.

“I’m glad you noticed.” Aeon smirked slyly, her tone sending chills down my spine.

“And you’re a potential anomaly, aren’t you?” Kaida pressed further.

“Everyone calls us anomalies... If by ‘potential’ you mean a sensitivity difference, then yes, I suppose I am.”

Narya and I exchanged a quick glance. We struggled to understand what was happening; our silence spoke volumes.

“What else do you know?” Kaida asked, no longer able to hide her discomfort. Her fists were clenched, but she made no move.

“That the person next to you is actually—”

“Enough!” Kaida suddenly shouted.

“Enough?” Aeon’s sly grin twisted into something nightmarish. “We were just getting started...”

Kaida’s anger was evident on her face. Aeon knew something, something powerful enough to unsettle her. The panic on Narya’s face was enough for me to grasp the gravity of the situation. Was I the only one completely in the dark?

“You should remember that your actions are under my control.” Aeon spoke with a calm yet threatening demeanor. Adjusting her posture to sit cross-legged, even this gesture felt like a challenge. The expression on her face radiated an unsettling confidence, as though she held all the cards.

“Aeon!” I exclaimed in fear. My voice seemed to echo into the void. The sense of calm from just moments ago had entirely vanished. Suddenly, we were strangers who despised one another. But Aeon’s words continued, unbroken.

“Oh, and I haven’t shared much about myself.” Her voice took on a mocking tone. “In the second experiment, they realized I was hypersensitive. They experimented on people like me. During that time, I discovered my power and, at the right moment, went to rescue my brother. I could go on, but I really don’t feel like it.”

Kaida interjected sarcastically, “Well then. If you’re so powerful, why were you floundering in the river when we found you?”

Aeon smiled faintly, seemingly unfazed by Kaida’s jab. “Every power has its limits,” she said. “And I had reached mine.”

“So, you’re not ashamed to admit that?” Kaida’s voice was still filled with suspicion.

“No, I’m not. You’re not bad people, and I have no intention of harming you.”

Aeon’s words left us all stunned. The menacing, threatening demeanor from earlier had vanished, replaced by something entirely different.

“You’re that confident about us?” Kaida said skeptically. Aeon extended her hand toward Narya, gesturing toward her.

“I can’t speak for you, but I can read her. If she’s this pure inside, you’re probably the same...” she said.

“W-what?” Narya’s fear and confusion were evident in her eyes. Everyone in the room was acting strangely; I could never have imagined such a complex situation.

“Well then,” Aeon said, her tone now more serious. “It’s your turn. Tell us about your past.”

That sly smile returned. As I tried to make sense of it all, the tension Aeon had created began to coil tighter, ready to unravel into events far beyond my understanding.