Chapter Five: The Reflection
A chill ran down his spine as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the sleek, mirror-like surface of the cafeteria doors. His eyes widened in disbelief. His once familiar face was a grotesque caricature of itself. His skin was an unnatural pallor, almost translucent, and his lips were an unnatural crimson. But it was his eyes that truly horrified him. One was a deep, inky purple, while the other was a piercing blue. Both seemed devoid of life, cold and empty.
A wave of nausea washed over him as he stumbled back, his hands trembling. He was a monster, a creature from a nightmare.
A sharp intake of breath drew his attention. A man, tall and imposing, stood at the entrance, his gaze sweeping across the cafeteria. His features were sharp and angular, his eyes a piercing dark sapphire green. An aura of authority surrounded him, and those who met his gaze quickly averted their eyes. He was followed by a group of individuals, their demeanor suggesting their lower rank.
Zip, sensing his distress, rolled up to him and gently nudged his leg. The small robot wrapped a bib around his neck and positioned him at a vacant table before scurrying away.
A tray appeared, laden with an assortment of green, leafy substances. A tube containing a strange, purplish liquid sat beside it. He forced himself to eat, the metallic taste of the food overwhelming his senses.
The general's gaze landed on him, and for a moment, their eyes met. A flicker of something, perhaps curiosity or disdain, crossed the general's face before he turned away.
A cold dread settled in the pit of his stomach. He was a specimen, an experiment. And the man who had just entered was the architect of his nightmare.