One important detail: I couldn't breathe. But if I did, a white mist, as translucent as my own body, would probably emerge the instant I tried to speak, given how cold this place felt. Sure, even with the temperature likely around zero degrees Fahrenheit, it still didn't affect me.
From the moment I woke up in this body, I realized I didn't feel things that a normal human would, like warmth, cold, hunger, or thirst. Moreover, it became clear to me over time that my emotional patterns had changed as well: I simply didn't feel anything when I saw people dying or bizarre creatures.
I didn't notice it at the time I woke up in the forest, but my calm thoughts when that dog-shaped monster attacked me were extremely strange. Now, it makes me uncomfortable. Even without feeling any pain at that moment, who, after all, stays so calm after having an arm ripped off? I mean, it's not like I knew back then that it would grow back.
Anyway, the point I want to highlight is that these tests are, in fact, ineffective for me—at least from my perspective. It's not like they knew what my resistances were, and to be honest, I didn't know I could withstand extreme temperatures of heat and cold as well as I'm managing now.
However, spending minutes in this room without anything happening was starting to bore me. I genuinely had no idea how much longer I would have to stay here or what other tests they would conduct on me. From the director's expression, it was clear he intended to run many more experiments.
When I finally considered leaving the room using my ability to swim through shadows, I noticed the cold air began to gradually lessen until it completely disappeared, returning the room to its usual color instead of the icy blue it had before. At first, I thought the experiments were over. However, from the director's gaze as he watched me, it was clear they were just getting started.
***
(POV – Emily Parker)
In the room where the experiments were conducted, a small being tilted its head slightly, observing around. Meanwhile, Emily felt a mix of excitement and apprehension—a fear that seemed shared by almost everyone present.
Emily couldn't blame them. After all, aside from her and Laura—who, in a way, had a special opinion about the anomaly since they had been saved by it—the rest of the team saw her as just another anomaly. Anyway, no one there seemed to remember what happened when [Shadow] escaped its containment.
In the end, the anomaly's resistance to extreme temperature changes only meant it couldn't be eliminated in that way should a containment breach occur in the future. While Emily saw no reason for the anomaly to act that way, as it seemed quite docile, she also couldn't simply dismiss that possibility.
"Instead of resistance, she seems to have total immunity to extreme temperature changes. However, this is nothing we haven't seen before; many anomalies exhibit this characteristic. Let's move on to the physical resistance experiment"
Graham's words reached Emily's ears, and for now, her thoughts aligned with his. The small anomaly really did seem immune to thermal variations. In other words, instead of showing resistance to heat or cold, it seemed like she simply couldn't feel either. Thus, it was futile to try to harm or eliminate her using those methods.
Of course, it wasn't like they threw her into a lava bath or set her on fire to test her survival capabilities, but Emily believed that somehow, her body would manage to return to its previous state even in the face of such extreme experiments. As these thoughts occupied Emily's mind, the other scientists around her prepared for the next experiment. Laura, who stood beside Emily, continued to silently root for the small anomaly.
"Let's start by gradually increasing the pressure in the room and, over time, intensifying it. This way, we can observe how she reacts"
***
(POV – Protagonist)
As I wondered what the next experiment would be, the scientists seemed focused on operating the computers on the other side of the glass. At times, I seriously considered escaping using the shadows in the corners of the room. However, if I did that, it would probably cause a stir. Let's be honest: this place clearly traps beings like me who have become something different.
Although I still hadn't met many of the other beings inhabiting this place, those I had encountered so far were definitely not friendly. Therefore, it became evident that the prevailing opinion was that practically all beings—or anomalies, as they like to call them—are insane psychopaths eager to eliminate the first thing that crosses their path.
Moreover, another reason I didn't want to use my powers in front of them was that all these people, especially Emily and Laura, were extremely intelligent. So far, despite having disappeared from my room a few times, I had never really revealed my ability to swim through shadows to them.
Of course, I normally disappear as soon as I slide under my bed. The cameras probably catch me at that moment, but since I always return through the same place, they must be convinced they haven't realized I absorbed the shadow power we found last time when the installation lights went out.
(???)
My train of thought was briefly interrupted as I noticed a subtle change in the room, or rather, around me. For some reason, my body felt heavier than usual; although it wasn't enough to affect me, it was a change I could notice. This was definitely related to the experiments.
However, the fact that they were able to perform such feats made me realize once again how well-equipped and technologically advanced this organization was. From doors with futuristic designs to force fields, this place seemed to have everything one could imagine. These elements led me to question whether this was really the Earth I remembered or if it was an alternate reality.
After all, even disregarding the advanced technologies of this place, I really didn't recall any paranormal occurrences that could justify the existence of some unknown phenomenon.