he heavy deadbolt. Her back hit the cold metal, and s

jerked her head to the side and coughed violently, spi

er internal organs. Her vision doubled. Ev

ose in, a sharp, synthetic chime

er mind. "Suitable host detected. O

. She looked around the empty, d

ographic panel suddenly projected

the screen before locking on

ut emotion. "Vital signs critically failing. Biolog

pulsed in the center of the panel: [R

of suffocating despair mixed with

riginal world," the system continued, "t

ng lip, using the sharp pain to ground hers

he affection levels of your four genetic partners. Each point of affection gained yi

s bar. Next to Hjalmar and Braden's names, a gla

omach

r no choice. Without a second of hesitation, sh

e slightly more upbeat. "Distributing Novice Sur

lm. She looked down to see a small glass via

ork, tilted her head back, and swallowed th

swallowed a lit match. A violent, burning agony ripped thr

y coolness began to spread through her veins

her chest lifted. She t

rawled over to a shattered mirr

purple, weeping sores on her

up, forming thin, hard scabs. She was still hideou

exhale. The tight knot of pani

temporarily suppressed. Host must take imm

the demand, her stomach let

it made her dizzy. This massive, depl

amping stomach. Her eyes locked onto a dust-cover