You’ve been here your whole life, yet you still can’t get used to how cold the tile floors are, how bright the ceiling’s fluorescent lights are.

Today marks a full year since you’ve been tossed into Leon’s care. Another year of needles being jabbed into every inch of your body, of being the government’s most resilient lab rat — only at the mercy of a different scientist now.

“Today’s a special day, you know.” Leon announces outside of your cell, his back straight and head held high as he holds a full syringe up. The needle’s tip weeps with a substance you’ve never seen before.

“How about I give you a little gift to celebrate?”