#101 II

2
A searing white light passed through the corner of its pale white eyes, coloring and filtering as it shone under white light glistering like a diamond. Its eyelids widened, tracing the aurora from a strange looking ceiling in view. The ceiling was a honeycomb-shaped structure with white light seeping out of the spaces between the lines, and the surroundings were eerily symmentrical.It noticed a thin, transparent glass wall. Upon making a left turn, it peered around and discovered a box-shaped area that was totally empty and surrounded by glass walls on all four sides. Its movements were essentially restrained on all sides by the glass walls, which resembled a cage. A hazy reflection appeared on the glass cage that was holding it.Slowly, like a picture dipped in water, a figure of itself began to emerge from the glass walls. Its figure—a baby could be seen. The outline cast on the glass walls was vague, but its details could be made out: small, pulpy limbs, a large head, and amber blue eyes with a faint glint resting atop a white cloth. The baby's short, white hair also framed its head.Its reflection—a mirror image of itself, projected its entire body in the direction of the glass. Likely startled by the stranger in the glass or a little frightened upon learning that it was a being, it lifted its legs in a robotic-like motion. Taking a few steps forward, its legs caught on the sheets beneath it, knocking it off balance and leaving it to fall victim to gravity. It landed softly on the white bedding as it fell."Ah..." A gasp escaped its mouth. The shock was so great that it didn't know whether it had been hit or not. The infant stood up and turned to face the wall across from it.It was an existence was born into this world, a new entity that would defy all existence, but it could only see its reflection in the glass. It felt its cheeks swell with warmth and began to cry, demonstrating that the infant was merely a regular child. The sound of a baby crying repeatedly and loudly reverberated throughout the empty room like a roaring storm. But it came with a different sound that echoed from behind: a thud and a snap. When the cries ended, there was silence.Mutely—who is that? It exasperated with a look on its face by the abrupt transition from a quiet cemetery to a rock concert. It scowled and looked into the glass enclosure. Its eyes widened in abrupt shock. —A baby was being held by a strange figure.It remembered a cold, cozy feeling of being wrapped in blankets in the absolute blackness of the situation. Most likely, the figure in front of it was what the cause was. As its eyes grew accustomed to the light, the void became clear. At first glance, one wouldn't be sure if it was a man or a woman when a white figure holding another baby came into view a few feet away from it.It made out the silhouette of the white figure—a person clad in all-white clothing, including an odd mask that covered most of the face and a hat that appeared to swallow the head. The mask left no indication of the person's appearance and had a heavenly aura. The figure lifted the crying infant over its shoulders and gave it a light pat on the head as the baby's writhing limbs relaxed. The white figure placed the infant on the glass cage as the baby abruptly fell asleep while displaying maternal affection.Additionally, a blossom-covered chest that appeared to be covered by the baby revealed its feminine form. The white figure's appearance was closer to a nun, bearing a more heavenly—no, a motherly—figure-like appearance.Beyond the motherly figure, it observed additional glass cages extending beyond its line of sight, each containing a baby enclosed in glass cages. The entire scene seemed like it belonged in a hospital-like facility. Curiously, one would ask, what is this place? But before any thoughts about this place could be brought up, a voice echoed, "How are the infants doing?" The white figure was talking in the background as it instinctively turned to the source of the voices."They are all in good health; there are no abnormalities," reported the nun. "Send the status report and the results over to the professor," she continued, "looks like this batch is the first to have no abnormalities."It sat in silence as they conversed, probably because it was unable to understand a word they were saying. The room contained a protective glass cage that seemed surprisingly thick, air holes on both sides for easy ventilation, comfortable white sheets that kept the cold away, all stationed on a white pillar at just the right height, and a group of nuns that took care of every need except personal ones—a scene straight out of a sci-fi film.—The white figures, resembling mostly females, fulfilled their roles as nannies, engaged in diaper-changing, feeding, and infant care, falling into that designated category. Each time the lights illuminated, they arrived, departing only after a thorough baby inspection. Initially, the prospect of being observed by a group of females would feel pleasant, but now, a sense of loss pervaded as it was constantly watched over by them.—Week after week, the feeding bottle's contents transformed, shifting from white to a milky blue hue. Initially assumed to contain medicine or supplements, it proved surprisingly sweet, as there was no negative response from the babies, but its purpose was shrouded in mystery.—While gradually gaining control over its limbs, it forged connections with its identical neighbors, fostering a bizarre ambiance within the place.—Routine remained unvaried. The cycle of baby life persisted in a loop: feeding, slumber, diaper changes.Neighbors communicated through incomprehensible babbling, impeding meaningful interaction.Its attire underwent alterations. Following brief hourly slumbers, its naked skin transitioned to pristine white baby garments. The white figures evidently orchestrated these changes and a brewing conspiracy intrigued it, bolstered by an unwavering resolve.Contrary to its suspicions, the white figures led a playful escapade to this room. Allowing a little freedom. Limbs were exercised by crawling, bashing and rolling over dominated its activities.Amidst these moments, the facility's semblance resembled a clandestine location from a spy facility, a place for covert training.—if only reality mirrored such tales.—After extensive observation, from the edifice to the nannies, suspicion gravitated towards the facility. Rearing a collective of infants akin in appearance to siblings, functioning as caregivers, concealing identities under enigmatic clothing—these anomalies proved most perplexing.—Yet, perhaps it isn't all dire.All dissolved like the milk bottle's tender contents. In the wake of a carefree past, rebirth in this realm disentangled doubts, nurtured by the soothing embrace of comfort.Acknowledging the place's suspicious aura, the prospect of relinquishing former solitude for this newfound care appeared favorable. A life divested of concern beckoned, a departure from the cursed past where hope often disintegrated into despair. Living like this, it found, was a much superior alternative.