Chapter 16

Mason’s hunger was fading fast.

By yesterday’s measure, he should have craved thrice the food he had before. But he scarcely nibbled at the bowl that came his way, eating less than evermore.

Was it the time of change?

In nature’s course, the insects’ fate was to transform in shape and state, such as the worms that gorge and spin to weave their cocoons from within.

“What ails you, my Mason?” I raised the DV and set it to record, pointing it at Mason and placing it on a stand. “Come hither, let me see your form.”

It took me many days of tests to recollect my final quest.

I had reclaimed the DV from Alice two days ago, but only now I thought of it, losing the chance to tape his growth in spurt. I felt a pang of woe.

For Mason loathed the Lab 103, he shunned it since the last MRI. If it were as before when he was small, I could have hugged him and withal have brought him to the lab nearby.

But now, after I soothed his ire that flared last night for no known cause, I went back and removed