Page 35 of The Restoration Program

“I doubt you would needmeto be your Partners with Prints mentor.”

“I would hope we would teach each other. The limits of the human experience are only the boundaries we set in our own minds.” Shrewdly, she followed Nicole’s gaze to where the syringe was poised between a finger and thumb. “Are you trypanophobic?”

“What?”

“Afraid of needles.”

“Just giant ones. Can we just get it over with?” Nicole thrust out her arm and fixed her gaze to a point outside the window. There was a flowering magnolia outside the kitchen window—it had been one of the reasons she’d been so excited she and Ryan had secured this unit.

She flinched at the cold touch of the alcohol wipe and gritted her teeth at the pressure of Jenning holding her arm in place. The needle pierced through and plunged in. She held her breath. Her arm throbbed with each rapid pulse of her heart. When the needle slid out, it tugged her skin.

Tearing her eyes away from the magnolias, she caught a peek of blood dribbling down her arm, but Jenning was quick to wrap the puncture. Her fingers worked skillfully, pulling away in seconds.

“You will likely see some bruising around the area, but not to worry,” Jenning said. “NüPrints heal twenty percent quicker than pre-Restored individuals. Within a few days, you’ll barely notice it. Now, the easy part.”

Jenning carefully slid her finger under Nicole’s chin and instructed her to open her mouth. A thin cotton swab ran along the inside of Nicole’s cheek. Once it retreated, Nicole immediately picked up her tea and took the last swallow to rid herself of the strange sensation.

“How often do you have to do this?” Nicole asked as Jenning put the swab in a plastic bag and sealed it.

“Just once a month.”

“For how long?”

Jenning smiled courteously. “You’re our client, Nicole. We need to monitor your health.”

Nicole gave a small snort.You want to monitor your investment.

Offering no answer to the question, Jenning went on, “Many of our patients find it convenient to volunteer samples before or after a support group meeting. But of course, we can work around your schedule if needed.”

“Thanks,” Nicole said enthusiastically. Her arm ached when she rubbed it.

After neatly packing her materials, Jenning gave Nicole a long look, warmth in her eyes. “Restoration really does suit you. You’re glowing.”

Nicole laughed—she couldn’t help it. “Yeah, that crash really did wonders for my complexion.”

Jenning’s smile tightened. If Ryan weren’t a scream away, Nicole might have been more nervous. But the doctor shrugged good-naturedly.

“You’re making incredible progress in adapting,” she said. “Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, you’ll come to see that we will do everything in our power to make you feel at home in your body.”

“Watch, watch, look what I can do now.” Nicole jogged from the closet to the window, footfalls thumping on the sturdy walkway. She leaned out to peer through the blinds. “I can actuallysee outsideagain.”

“You sure? It’s pitch-black out there.”

“Okay, I can hypothetically see outside.” She pushed away from the railing and all but skipped back down the stairs. Each step was easy and effortless. “Who knows, maybe the Program will upgrade me tosuper vision.”

“Could you hypothetically stop running around before you fall?” Ryan was seated on the edge of the bed, dressed in his nightclothes. Despite the scolding, she found a grin on his face.

“Oh, come on, you heard the crew. It’s as safe as it gets. I was hoping for a tiny firepole or a zipline. Maybe a vine to swing from the ceiling. These are just a boring version of those crazy cat walkways from online.”

“Well, a firepole could have more than one use.” Ryan shot her a suggestive smile.

“Mm… Creative. But I’m afraid you’re gonna have to talk Jenning intothat oneyourself.”

“Gladly.”

He dimmed his bedside lamp, leaving the room in a dusky glow. Nicole faced her nightstand—now her veritable open-plan bed space—and hesitated, finding herself at a fork in the walkway. The right pathway led to the nightstand. The left… Her eyes drifted to her boyfriend. He was lying down, covers pulled up to his chest as he set aside his blue-light filtering glasses.

Not looking at her, not expecting anything.