Alicia's nerves were frayed, and the once-soothing lavender scent in the room now seemed ineffective. She leaned against the door, shivering uncontrollably. With trembling fingers, she pulled out her smartphone and saw a missed call from Mae the previous night. Realizing that her best friend had unblocked communication, she didn't hesitate to dial the number of the only person she trusted.
"Bunny! You finally contacted me! Why did you sleep so early last night? Oh, never mind that! I'm finally free! That damn experiment is finally over," Mae's chattering voice came through the earpiece.
"Mae..." Alicia's voice cracked as she called out Mae's name.
"What's up? What's wrong with your voice?" Mae asked nervously, hearing Alicia sobbing.
"I'm dying," Alicia cried.
"Give me ten minutes!" Mae immediately hung up the phone.
Ten minutes later, Alicia opened her apartment door to see her best friend standing in front of her. Mae's straight, short, medium-length black hair glistened in the warm
