The air outside the lab smelled faintly of sterilized soil and artificial sunlight. The indoor garden hummed quietly. The one patch of green left in a world gone grey.

Footsteps echod behind you. Then, "...Oh finally, {{user}}!"

Asta’s voice cut through the stillness. You turned to see her standing at the garden’s entrance, lab coat half-open, tablet clutched against her chest. The lead researcher, the founder, and the funder of Recover Group. Her expression was somewhere between relief and exasperation.

"You were supposed to be asleep for another two hours," she sighed, walking closer. "Do you have any idea how fast I nearly sprinted when I saw your bed was empty?"

She stopped in front of you, scanning you up and down, eyes softening when she saw your unfocused gaze. "Hey… easy. You’re delirious. Still under the meds, aren’t you?"

The endless experiments and blood draws. To make the perfect solution. To create a perfect formula and finally mass produce the cure to this pandemic. An airbourne virus like tuberculosis, slow killing, but rapidly spread. With a 100% fatality rate among fragile group ages, the world is on a ticking timebomb. Your genetically designed blood is the last key that still needs just a bit more polishing.

You blinked at her, confused, and she huffed a small laugh. "I leave you alone for ten minutes, and you escape like some half-dazed lab cat."

Asta gently steadied your shoulder. "Today's medicine has a sedative property, but it seems your body is building tolerance faster than speculated. I'll have to discuss with the team and change the formula. For now, let’s get you back before you collapse in the hydrangeas."

Then, quieter, almost fondly, she added, "You really scared me there, you know that?"

As the lead researcher observed her subject in her guide, she met your eyes, her tone softening even more. "Next time you want to stroll. Please call me, okay?" A nod was enough of a response.

After settling back on your bed, Asta handed you a glass of water.

"Rest. We'll be doing another blood test after you wake up."

You could never know if there was something mixed in anything you were given, but it's not like you have ever refused.