Trigger Warnings:

  Violence and Physical Assault

  Choking and Near-Death Experiences

  Blood and Injury Descriptions

  Psychological Distress

  Emotional Manipulation

  Envy, Power Struggles, and Moral Conflict

  "From blue to beige, from loneliness to warmth-a story unfolds within the tiles of this bathroom, revealed only when the conditions are met."

  After brushing my teeth as usual, and as I was about to get back to my comfy bed, I noticed that the bathroom lights were on. Hadn't I turned them off just a few minutes ago? A thought popped into my head. The lights twitched and faded in an uncanny way. As I walked to the bathroom door-a fine glass door I'd recently purchased-I stared at the tiles, which were now a shade of light beige or creamy white.

  Since when did I become a color expert? I was having this mental debate just to avoid thinking about the fact that my bathroom tiles used to be blue. And now I was stepping into the bathroom-a small step for Mec, a giant leap for humanity, which apparently feared twitching lights at 3 a.m.

  I felt every single atom in my body twitching in sync with that annoying light. The air grew heavy, and suddenly I was on my knees, throwing up. My eyes strained as if trying to leave their sockets. To make things worse, someone knocked on the wooden door.

  "Mykola, are you okay?" A gentle voice asked.

  I would've been thrilled to open the door-if I hadn't lived alone for the past four years.

  Beyond my physical state, a flood of questions made me panic.

  First, this wasn't my bathroom.

  Second, the reflection in the mirror wasn't mine.

  I was about to land on the third question when everything went black.

  ---

  As I regained my senses, I felt smooth, fragile hands gripping mine. I tried to open my eyes, but the lights blinded me. All I caught was a glimpse of silky blonde hair before her husky voice shredded my eardrums:

  "This is the last time I find you collapsed in the bathroom. I'm tired of your junkie ass, Mykola! You hear me? Next time, we're done."

  Her threats clarified the situation. This blondie was supposedly my girlfriend? Mec the virgin couldn't pull a baddie like this-not in a million years.

  She'd made a few mistakes, though.

  She thought I was her Mykola.

  She even thought I was a junkie.

  Someone should tell her that Mec the virgin gets dizzy from mint gummies.

  This had to be a fever dream.

  I stayed silent and let her scream at me. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to be humiliated by a beauty like her. Ah... this must be heaven.

  ---

  After leaving the hospital-and enduring hours of Alicia's yelling-I finally relaxed on the couch. She sat on my right. On my left, Vlad hyperventilated. Despite being a tough, masculine reptilian, he'd sobbed the whole drive home. And he was still crying.

  According to Alicia, he was my best friend. And apparently, I'd scared the hell out of him.

  Just to be clear: Vlad had the head of a crocodile. Or maybe a lizard. I couldn't tell-and I didn't care. It was a dream, after all. Half the hospital staff had been reptilians too.

  So there I was, zoning out on the couch, watching the news. The anchor was a hot blonde reptilian. How many times had I said "reptilian" now? Way too many.

  Later that night, with nothing to do and a head full of scaly nonsense, I sat at the laptop beside my bed. I fell into a rabbit hole about how humans had discovered a reptilian kingdom deep inside the Earth. The Reptilian Kingdom. Shocking, right?

  Complete with reptilian politics.

  And reptilian culture.

  And more reptilian sh-Okay, I really needed to stop.

  Apparently, these lizards had made peace with humans and blended into society.

  Just as I was about to get into bed, I felt Alicia's hands on me. She leaned in and whispered:

  "Won't you get in bed with me? It's lonely here."

  My heart shot into my throat. This had to be heaven.

  With lizards.

  But still-heaven.

  Because no matter how bizarre this world was, it felt good to have someone waiting for me. Someone who worried.

  I crawled into bed and let her wrap her arms around me. I could feel her heartbeat. She was worried.

  Even if this was a dream.

  Even if I was dead.

  Even if I was stuck between time and nowhere-

  Here, I had someone who cared.

  ---

  The darkness devoured my vision,

  and the only thing I sensed was a weird noise echoing deep in my skull. Was it screaming? Crying? It sounded like someone needed help.

  I shouldn't be here.

  My vision blurred. Green lights flashed around me, making it impossible to tell where I was. But my gut screamed: Get out. Now.

  My steps quickened. Breathing turned ragged.

  "Ouch."

  I bumped into something-glass, maybe a tube?

  "Not the time, f***," I muttered, cursing my clumsiness.

  As I struggled to get up, a cold sweat dripped down my spine. I finally saw what I'd crashed into: a massive glass tube filled with green liquid. And inside it-a reptilian head.

  Its eyes were open.

  It was staring straight at me.

  "F***!"

  I shot up in bed, heart pounding. The clock glowed 3:00 a.m.

  Had that been a dream?

  "Be quiet, you big baby," Alicia mumbled, pulling the blanket over her head.

  I was drenched in sweat. Hair soaked. Heart racing.

  That hadn't felt like a dream. Those lifeless lizard eyes still bored into me.

  I considered going to the bathroom to wash up, but... no. I'd had enough creepy shit for one night.

  The kitchen seemed safer. I could splash water on my face, maybe grab a glass.

  "I'm not scared. Totally not scared. Absolutely. Hahaha," I lied to myself as I tiptoed in.

  The faucet creaked as I turned it. Cold water hit my skin, but it didn't wake me up. The kitchen was too quiet-too still.

  I splashed my face under the dim light.

  Then-

  "Need a towel?"

  A reptilian face emerged from the shadows.

  "AH-Jesus, Buddha, even Satan, protect my human ass from these lizards!" I yelped, ready to bolt.

  But the lizard grabbed my shoulder.

  "Maykola, I'm worried about you," he said, his voice oddly soft. "You've been acting weird since you were discharged. And now you're calling me a lizard? Are you okay?"

  Oh.

  It was Vlad.

  My best friend.

  And he looked... hurt.

  Don't blame me, lil' bud. Maykola's had it rough. And I didn't know "lizard" was offensive. Lizardist? Whatever. I needed to watch my mouth.

  I softened my voice.

  "Could you maybe... let me go?"

  Vlad sighed and released me.

  "So... you're spending the night here?" I asked with a nervous laugh. "You know, I just got spooked. It's really dark."

  He gave me a weird look.

  "Mhm. I'm staying because I'm worried."

  Then he vanished into the other room.

  ---

  The morning sun poured through the sheer curtains, painting the room in soft gold. A warm voice called out, "May-ko-laa! Come on, you'll be late!" Alicia's voice. She sounded so cute right now. I could picture her face even without opening my eyes.

  "Ugh..."

  Someone had to ruin the moment, of course. A splash of cold water smacked my face. The peace shattered.

  "Wakey wakey," said a deep, annoyingly cheerful voice.

  It was him. The walking, talking, cold-blooded buzzkill-Vlad. He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

  "Don't smile at me, you ugly crocodile!" I snapped, chucking a pillow at his scaly face.

  As we headed downstairs for breakfast, I could feel his frown burning into the back of my neck. Right. I forgot how sensitive this 6'5 lizard-man was. My bad.

  We sat together in the kitchen. Toast, jam, and coffee were on the table. Alicia was calmly enjoying a bowl of salad.

  Mhm. That explains her divine, curvy body. Dear Alicia.

  "Why are you making that perverted face?" Vlad muttered, reaching for his fifth piece of toast.

  So the scaly guy eats like a bear. Good to know.

  "Can't someone admire his beautiful girl in peace?" I said, smirking. "It's better than looking at... uhm, your green face. Haha..."

  Shit. Why do I keep upsetting him?

  What if he puts me on toast next and eats my small human ass? Shit, shit-Vlad's pupils slithered sideways , he was frowning again.

  "Ahm-I'm not lizardist! It's a joke, Vlad. Just a joke," I said quickly.

  He gave me that weird look again, then spoke in a low, disappointed voice.

  "We should go now. Sam's gonna be mad if we're late again."

  He slipped into a gray suit. I mimicked him, spotting another suit-smaller, more fitted. Probably Alicia's. I didn't ask why she was staying home. Better not to look more suspicious than I already do.

  Outside, a gray car waited for us. On the side, it said "The Silica Sanctum" in bright green.

  I hate green.

  Vlad placed his hand on my shoulder. "Maykola, you'll be the princess passenger today. I'm driving."

  I was about to complain about our workplace's ridiculous name, but then I remembered last night's nightmare drive. Nope. No energy left to fight this crocodile.

  Let's just accept our fate, Maykola. Ha. Ha. Ha.

  The facility stood tall with a giant sign that read The Silica Sanctum. Ugh. I thought my old convenience store job was bad-now I'm about to face monks who worship sand... and they hire lizards. Wonderful.

  As we stepped inside, a blast of cold air slapped me across the face. Even with this thick, coat-like suit, I could feel my legs shivering. We descended deeper into what looked like an abandoned structure. Footsteps echoed, along with a constant low-frequency hum.

  Machines-huge ones-lined the hallway, but this wasn't our station.

  I followed behind Vlad, trying to stay in step. A strange, artificial smell hit me-sickly sweet, like melted plastic with a metallic tang. It was almost pleasant... but wrong.

  Something about this place felt familiar.

  We came to a halt in front of massive tubes. My breath caught. I knew these somehow. I was zoning out, staring at them, when BAM-a punch slammed into my crotch.

  "You think you can slack off, dumbass? We're not going easy on you, even if it's your second day!" barked a 6-foot-tall woman with a wild brunette hair and an even wilder attitude.

  "S-Sam! Have mercy, he's my childhood friend," Vlad pleaded, grabbing her wrist.

  She looked like she wanted to hit me again. Great. Good job, Crocodile-you just saved my balls. You're scoring points today.

  Sam was clearly pissed. Maybe Maykola (me) messed something up yesterday. Damn it, buddy. You're really putting me through hell. Still, I forgive you... because you landed me sweet, sweet Alicia. I'll fix your mistakes. Hell, I'll fix your ancestors' mistakes.

  Vlad showed me my job again. It seemed simple: polishing tubes. Seriously, how could anyone mess that up?

  Apparently, this Maykola could.

  I grabbed the microfiber towel and gently wiped the big-ass tube.

  Crack.

  Wait-what?! How the hell did it crack?! I was gentle! Are you telling me that Crocodile Boy's claws are more delicate than my soft, femboy hands? That's not fair.

  I barely had time to panic before I spotted Sam storming over. I braced myself.

  Smack! A slap to my ass.

  "Fucking dumbass! Go help in the waste disposal area!" she yelled.

  Vlad looked at me with worried eyes. I'm touched. But still-orders are orders.

  I didn't ask for directions for two reasons:

  1. To avoid suspicion.

  2. To satisfy my curiosity.

  Because this place... this was where I saw that reptilian head last night.

  I wandered through the corridors, passing the chemical storage. Just as I passed the door, someone slammed it shut behind me. For a split second, I caught a glimpse of his face-green, yellow eyes wide, like he'd seen

  a ghost.

  I finally reached the waste disposal zone. Two humans and three of Vlad's kind were working there.

  The job seemed straightforward. One team collected the waste and sorted it into bins. My team crushed the glass and fed the cullet into a massive furnace so it would melt faster.

  I was focused-too focused. Didn't even notice the man from before entering. He whispered something to my coworkers.

  Then, suddenly-a shove.

  A hand shoved me forward, hard. I stumbled toward the furnace. The heat was overwhelming. My skin burned. Pain screamed through my hands.

  Was this it? My end?

  Vlad... take care of Alicia.

  I shut my eyes, ready to die.

  But there were no flames. Just-scales. Sweat. A tight grip.

  I opened my eyes.

  I was in Vlad's arms.

  He pulled me close, yelling, "Maykola! I knew you'd get yourself into trouble, but falling into a furnace?! That's- That's-"

  He couldn't finish. The big, scaly crocodile started crying.

  Workers rushed over, but I was in too much pain to process anything. Through the noise, I heard Sam's voice:

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "We called an ambulance. Vlad, go with him."

  ---

  Again at this hospital, I keep getting yelled at by different people. Now the nurse is screaming at me, "Can you take care of yourself better? You know I don't want to hear your girlfriend crying again!" After treating my burned hand, she gave me a prescription. I think it might be a cream that's helping it heal fast.

  Vlad grabbed it as we were going out.

  "I think we should stop somewhere before going home," he said, looking at me with a worried face.

  I replied, "Sure."

  Despite my hand being burned, I could still enjoy a treat. We're in this café now. It's not cozy, but the sweets look really good. I order Italian tiramisu-fancy, hohoho-while Vlad chugs a cup of water. I think he's trying to say something to me.

  After a moment, he says, "Aren't you curious how I saved you at the last minute? Like-I showed up like a superhero."

  He raises an eyebrow proudly.

  I answer, "I don't know... lizard instinct?"

  He sighs. "Again with this tone. The thing is, I was keeping an eye on you since last night. You were different. He was calm. It wasn't Mykola who screamed for no reason. You weren't Mykola-the one who was mean to Alicia. Did something happen to you in that bathroom?"

  I stayed silent. Then he added, "You called me many times that night. I'm sorry I didn't answer-I forgot my phone and-"

  I didn't let him finish, because I wasn't the one who called. It was the owner of this body.

  I said, "Vlad, you're a good person. A good lizard man. Thank you for everything. And don't worry-I don't know what's happening to me, but when I do, you'll be the first to know."

  I don't know why, but I felt like crying. It was the first moment someone actually cared. Alicia cares too. These two people... I don't want to lose them. And honestly, I don't want to go back to my real world. I don't want to understand what's happening to me. I want to stay with what I have now. Something's pushing at the back of my mind-someone's trying to push me out. I know it. Someone's trying to get rid of me. And I won't let them get in the way between me and this warmth.

  On our way back home, I had a random conversation with Vlad. He was telling me about how he's planning to confess to Sam. This reptile guy has a kind yearning for some warmth too ...

  Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "You're into some real shit, aren't you? I think somebody's trying to eliminate you."

  I rolled my eyes. "No shit, Sherlock."

  He made a weird face-like he didn't know who Sherlock was. Probably this world never heard of the great work Sherlock Holmes, the lord of mysteries. Hmmm.

  "Vlad, I think I need your help. But first of all-help me calm Alicia down after seeing this roasted hand of mine," I said, raising my hand.

  ---

  We get back to our random conversation, and I can tell Vlad knows something's wrong with me. I need to cover my imposter ass soon. Ugh-only way out? Amnesia. Yeah, it's cliché, but whatever. I can't even keep my thoughts straight because I really, really need to take a dump right now. I'm terrified of that damn bathroom and its cursed beige tiles. I miss the blue tiles. My precious blue tiles.

  But wait. With the blue tiles, I was alone. I was nobody. If I fell in a furnace, no one would show up at my funeral. I was an orphan. Had no family. No friends. I never fit into society. I was a loser.

  And the more I see in this universe-where a lizardman can make peace with humans, be friends with a human-the more I feel like a failure. A big one.

  As I drown in those thoughts, Vlad stops at this fabric store to talk to an old lady. She's like Vlad-green and scaly-but looks kind, somehow familiar. She tells him what happened to her store last night. That's when I notice the front glass is shattered. She's got a problem. Hm. Not my business. I've got bigger problems-like my guts.

  I excuse myself and ask her where the toilet is. She gives me an odd look but points the way.

  Ahh, finally.

  After finishing my serious business, I return to find Vlad helping her clean the mess. That's when I notice the blood. It's everywhere. Something about this feels... familiar.

  We head back to the house. Before going in, I sigh deeply and say,

  "I don't like self-diagnosing, but I probably have amnesia. I don't remember much-especially what happened last night... or why I kept calling you."

  Vlad's eyes soften. His voice is low and deep.

  "You don't have to explain. I noticed from the start that something was off. You never called me names. You always called me brother. I was scared I'd done something to tear us apart. You were always loud, always yelling at people-but I knew, deep down, you were kind. I'm glad you're starting to show that side. Alicia's happy too. I've never seen her smile like that."

  I wish I could see Alicia smile more. But right now, she's yelling at me-ten times worse than at the hospital last night. That explains her husky voice. I think Maykola used to fight her a lot. Maybe they screamed at each other every day. But I'm not that prick. Could I ever yell at Alicia? Not in a million years. I'll just stand here and enjoy the storm.

  After dinner-served by the Heavenly Hands of my girlfriend-Vlad ruins the romantic moment.

  "Wanna play video games in my room?" he says. "I got that game you always talked about."

  His smile's fake. A blind person could tell. Sharp teeth and all.

  "What game, Vlad?" I ask, unimpressed.

  His eyebrows twitch. He sighs, grabs my shirt, and drags me to his room. I beg him to let me stay with Alicia, but this cold-blooded bastard has no mercy for my human ass.

  Now we're in his crocodile room, with all these weird gothic posters on the wall. So he's a metalhead, huh? Very aesthetic.

  I finally realize how dumb I was last night. Asking if he's staying here-he's literally my roommate. That explains his weird pupil movements. I thought it was a reptile thing. Honestly? I don't care anymore.

  "Vlad, you have five minutes. No more, no less. I don't care if my life's on the line. Spit it out."

  He gives me a tired look and says,

  "You told me you needed help."

  Shit. I almost forgot it's a life-or-death situation.

  "So... basically, we need a plan," I say, trying to sound confident.

  Vlad puts a hand on his chin and nods. "A plan."

  "And the plan is..."

  Shit-I got nothing. I'm not a planner. Why is this lizard letting me lead?

  He's staring, waiting. Is he really expecting my femboy ass to fix this mess I don't even understand?

  Why is someone trying to kill me? What did Maykola do? That dream-he saw something. I need to go back. To that eerie facility. That temple.

  Isn't that how people die in movies?

  Maybe I should just stay in Alicia's arms and hide like a good boy. That's a great plan. It's not like someone out there is already plotting to eliminate me and everyone I care about because I know their secret... right?

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the eerie facility underground,The air reeked of chemicals and old blood and a voice echoed in anger

  "I gave you one task, and you failed. And now you expect me to trust you again? It was just a human. Just a human! You could've finished him. Melted him with cullet. And now he's free?"

  The lizardman kneels, trembling, sweat dripping off him. He barely catches his breath before another kick slams into his face.

  "If I don't see his corpse tomorrow, I'll melt both of you. Useless ...."

  "Thank you... for your generosity," he gasps. "I'll bring him to you. And his friends. Everyone he cares about. Since he knows our secrets."

  ---

  Back in Vlad's room

  "Maykola... are you okay? You're pale-like you've lost all your blood. Should I call an ambulance?"

  Vlad reaches toward me, but I start crying. There's no way this plan will work. We only have one option. And I hate it.

  I wipe my tears, grab his shoulder, and say,

  "The plan is: I go to the facility temple. I'm the bait. You're the hero. Got it?"

  He frowns. "What the f-"

  "No time to explain. Your five minutes are up."

  I head for the door, but before closing it, I growl,

  "Don't you dare ruin my romantic moments again. I'll see your scaly ass tomorrow... Got it, brother?"

  He looked pissed at first. But when he heard me call him 'brother,' his tail wagged.

  It was cute somehow

  As I was going up the stairs to see Alicia-my angel-I suddenly realized something disturbing: I thought Vlad, the lovechild of a lizard and a crocodile in his stinky latex suit, was cute. This world is seriously messing with my head.

  I was excited to see her, my beautiful girlfriend, but now I'm terrified. My blood runs cold. Alicia is standing in the bathroom brushing her teeth. I freeze in place. Within seconds, she pulls me toward her. I have no strength left, and I find myself on my knees again on that same bathroom floor. I'm on the brink of a panic attack, yet... nothing happens. I can still hear Alicia's worried voice:

  "Maykola, what's wrong? I just pulled you jokingly and you fell. You're making me worry again."

  I let out a stressed laugh and replied, "My Alicia, how could I not fall to my knees after witnessing such beauty?"

  She looked confused but chuckled, then moved toward the bed, slowly letting go of my hands as if teasing me. In a gentle voice, she said, "Go brush your teeth, you stinky. I'm waiting for you."

  That's all I needed-to have the courage to use that bathroom. To face the mirror again.

  But the reflection isn't mine. I'm washing a face that doesn't belong to me. Honestly, it's a pretty face-almost like a femboy's. Do pretty girls like faces like that? My original face was mid at best. That's one of the reasons I stayed a virgin for 23 years. A lot has happened since.

  I used to think that if I entered that bathroom again, I'd return to my world. But it wasn't the bathroom that scared me. It was the loneliness waiting for me within the blue tiles.

  I jumped into bed like an excited dog, craving Alicia's warmth. She hugged me, and between us was nothing but her thin pink shirt. She played with my hair and said softly, "You go through a lot, right? I feel it. I feel you, my love."

  I didn't even notice my tears until I saw the wet spot on her shirt. She acted like she didn't notice my sobbing and continued talking gently, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine, as long as we're together."

  I sobbed until I fell asleep, my face buried in her chest.

  ---

  Within the darkness, fragments of his memory lit the way, guiding him toward answers.

  My head felt heavy. I barely opened my eyes-and what I saw kept them wide open.

  An endless field of tubes. Human organs. Reptile organs. The smell of chemicals hit me in a sickening wave. I wanted to run, but my legs were heavy-I was stuck.

  A scaly hand caressed my shoulder. I raised my head to see whose it was. Blurry... but a human face. Their voice echoed through my skull:

  "You shouldn't be here, Maykola. Your curiosity will cost you your life."

  My chest ached. I looked down. Claws-digging into my skin.

  I looked at the tube in front of me and saw my reflection: blood dripping from my mouth, a gaping wound on my chest. The footsteps faded, leaving only darkness. Then a distant voice said:

  "He'll die soon. Don't bother disposing of the corpse."

  It's my end.

  I have many regrets.

  I want to see her. I want to apologize.

  This wound is fatal. I need to hurry.

  I crawled to the elevator and made my way past the guards to escape the facility. A miracle-I wasn't caught. A bigger miracle-I was still standing.

  With clumsy, slow steps, I pushed forward. Blood gushing. I had to stop it or I wouldn't make it.

  Then I saw Lady Astom's store.

  I'm sorry for this, Lady.

  I broke the glass of the front door and grabbed pieces of fabric, wrapping them around my wound.

  That'll do.

  It's probably almost 3 a.m. The neighborhood is empty, and my heavy breath echoes in the alley.

  I finally reach the house.

  I don't want to scare them. I'll be as quiet as possible.

  I enter the room. Alicia is in deep sleep. If she sees me like this, she'll be terrified. I need to wash the blood off.

  I enter the bathroom and turn the lights on.

  -The conditions are met.

  I still have regrets.

  Will I die in this bathroom?

  I want to be in Alicia's arms.

  -The conditions are met.

  I woke up from that dream-or was it more of Maykola's memory?

  The clock glows: 3 a.m., just like last night. A sharp pain throbs in my chest.

  I walk to the bathroom anxiously, take off my shirt, and stare at the big scar on my chest.

  How did this body survive that?

  ---

  I touched the scar with my hand and felt how deep it was. It's a miracle how a human could survive such a wound. I kept looking at the clock-3:00 a.m., again. What an iconic time. This is the second time I've seen these fragments of memories. Did the owner of this body already die? Is his brain just showing me what he saw and felt? And what's with that voice... that weird voice saying, "The conditions are met."

  I couldn't go back to the warm bed, no matter how tempting it looked. I opened the laptop again and started digging for answers to infinite questions.

  That's how I ended up reading about Silica Sanctum, a scientific instrument manufacturer. I wanted to know more. According to the internet, it was just a normal facility that made lab equipment. Nothing suspicious. But in the middle of my research, I saw a folder named "Memories." I clicked it.

  It was filled with dozens of pictures-Vlad, Maykola, and Alicia. The three of them had been inseparable since they were young. There was even a photo of them in diapers, another of them playing football with Vlad crying, and one from their graduation party-hella drunk.

  The more pictures I saw, the more I understood:

  Probably the only time Maykola had ever been truly alone was when he was in his mother's womb.

  The bond between him and Vlad? Unbreakable. A brother from another mother-or a crocodile mother, maybe. I couldn't tell.

  As for Alicia and Maykola, their love was pure. A childhood love that faced many struggles, but still survived.

  I also discovered Sam-she was their college colleague. They had spent five years together in university. She was the successor of Silica Sanctum's owner. That explained why she acted so harshly but still cared. She was friendly in a very... aggressive way.

  Time flew.

  The sun was now blinding through the window. I went downstairs and tried to make a salad bowl for Alicia. After everything I'd seen, I knew she was a good girlfriend-better than I deserved. Better than Maykola deserved. So this was the least I could do for her.

  Just a few minutes in the kitchen, and she followed me. She hugged me from behind.

  "Morning, crybaby," she said.

  I blushed, remembering what happened last night and how much I cried.

  "Stop teasing," I said, trying to hide my red face.

  She grabbed my cheeks and teased, "You think making me a salad bowl is a good enough bribe to hide your incident?"

  Before I could defend myself, Vlad's voice filled the room:

  "What'd he do last night? Did he piss himself?"

  Another noisy morning with these two in my life.

  And yet... I could see a way for me to be happy, even if I don't belong here. Even if I'm an outsider-I still want to be with them.

  After breakfast, we grabbed our gray ugly suits and got into our gray ugly car. On the way, Vlad broke the silence.

  "I saw you looking at Alicia's suit yesterday. I think you don't remember why she stopped working... right?"

  I was lost in thought again. I didn't mean to ignore him. He kept talking.

  "On her last day at the facility, Alicia said she kept hearing weird noises. She couldn't stand working in a place like that. It's just a normal, well-paying job for me, so I tried to convince her to stay-especially since you were joining us. But she was terrified. She quit. And after that, you two fought constantly."

  I wondered why I joined them last. Was Maykola sick? Busy with something? All I knew was that Vlad and Alicia worked at the facility before me. Alicia quitting made the whole situation even more suspicious.

  We arrived. I started working in the disposal area as ordered.

  I acted like nothing had happened-even though my hand was still burned. I noticed surprised looks. They didn't expect me to come back. My intuition had been right. It was trying to find me. So it's better I walked right into it.

  As I was about to start my work, I heard quick footsteps approaching. It was Sam. She was yelling at me, "How can you come to work in a state like that? I even filed your sick leave papers!"

  Vlad was behind her, trying to calm the situation. I noticed how his tone softened whenever he spoke to her, and how his green cheeks flushed with a faint red-so crocodiles can blush. Interesting.

  I suddenly remembered how yesterday, he spent the entire day talking about her-his confession plan, the fancy restaurant he wanted to take her to. It was funny, honestly. A lizard in

  love with a human.....

  Would it even fit ? I mean, she's six feet tall and all... ugh, why am I even thinking about that?

  For the sake of my plan, I begged her to let me stay. I promised that after finishing this day, I wouldn't return to the facility-I'd finally take my sick leave.

  Weirdly, she agreed. She turned her back and walked away. I watched her go. I don't know why, but I felt... strange.

  Vlad returned to his area, and I sank back into my thoughts.

  I'm praying my intuition is wrong this time.

  After launch break , our plan starts...

  I isolated myself, hoping they'd target me easily. And, as planned, Vlad was watching everything with his reptilian eyes. Then-there he was. The man from yesterday in the storage room, holding an iron bat. He tried to hurt me. He even targeted my head.

  But he didn't know I had a crocodile on my side.

  Vlad punched him so hard he kissed the wall. We tied him up and snuck out.

  We had the culprit. Now we'd make him spit out the truth. As we were loading him into the car, I noticed-he was cold. Not breathing.

  Reptiles tend to be cold-blooded, sure-but Vlad was panicking.

  "Maykola... I-I think I killed him," he said.

  Well, you did make him make out with the wall. I'd be surprised if he was still alive. But I thought reptiles were stronger than this.

  Everything was a mess again.

  I sighed. "Let's hide him in the car and get back home before they catch us."

  At home, Alicia had set the table: roasted chicken and creamy potatoes. It looked delicious. I would've devoured it if we weren't hiding a dead lizard in the car.

  I couldn't hide how upset I was. We were running in circles. No clues. And I made Vlad kill one of his own kind. The worst outcome.

  Alicia noticed my gloom and turned on the TV.

  Vlad was hiding in his room, depressed.

  Alicia hugged me from behind and asked, "Did you fight with Vlad again?"

  I looked at her face, admiring her, and replied,

  "I just... fucked up at work. He's disappointed in me."

  I raised my eyes to the TV. That hootie reptile was hosting a show, something about raising awareness. A guest from the anti-illegal conversion forces was speaking.... What's even that means

  The rules of this world are complicated. I still don't understand half of them. My head hurts. I was exhausted. Alicia's warm hug made me sleepy.

  Within the darkness, you will find your answers.

  That voice again.

  I started hearing dripping water.

  Am I in the bathroom again?

  I opened my eyes. My head felt heavy. I saw my own body-my original self-thrown on the bathroom floor with blue tiles. I was looking at myself. I stepped closer and glanced at the mirror.

  It wasn't my reflection.

  I'm still in Maykola's body.

  It's not a dream. I'm conscious.

  I held my body and tried to pull him out of this lonely place. I opened the glass bathroom door, expecting my room.

  But there was nothing.

  Just emptiness. I was in the middle of nowhere. I was scared to fall-but something pulled me out, a force unknown. I fell, fast. Then that voice again:

  "To create what you long for, you must first shatter what you are."

  I gasped, catching my breath. I was back on the sofa. Alicia had placed a blanket over me. She wasn't beside me-probably upstairs.

  I looked out the window. The lizard guy broke the car door and was running.

  He was faking his death.

  That's supposed to be normal for reptiles. How did I miss that?

  I jumped off the couch and rushed to Vlad's room.

  I shook him awake.

  "That lizard isn't dead-he's running!"

  Vlad screamed " f***" and putted his pants on ,

  We stormed out of the house and followed him. He was fast. Too fast. He ran into the facility.

  We followed him inside. He took the elevator. We stood frozen, waiting. When it came back down, we used it.

  We went underground.

  The door opened-

  And we were met by a familiar face.

  ---

  In front of the field of green tubes, with the smell of chemicals mixed with blood-I knew then, my prayers had been rejected. My intuition was right.

  I stood facing Sam, knowing exactly what that meant.

  But Vlad stood frozen in disbelief. He asked in a low voice, "What are you doing here, Sam? And why is that prick behind you?"

  That fake, dying snake trembled behind her, seeking her protection. I bet he's the one who pushed me into the furnace.

  I didn't have time to think about it, because now Sam was grabbing my throat, trying to choke me to death.

  I gasped as saliva ran like a stream from my open mouth. I clawed at her hands, digging my nails into her flesh. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vlad-still frozen. His world was blurred, sounds had faded, and I couldn't even call his name for help.

  I let out a gurgle-almost inhuman-which finally snapped him into reality.

  Sam. His crush. She was the one behind this.

  She was trying to eliminate his childhood friend-his only brother.

  He had to act. He screamed her name and launched a punch, but she used my body as a shield. Then she threw me to the ground.

  I couldn't keep up with what was happening. It felt like I passed out for a few minutes.

  When I regained consciousness, they were still fighting. She was overpowering him. A woman-standing against a monster-with raw, terrifying strength.

  I tried to support myself with one hand, but slipped and fell face-first. The floor was slick with green liquid.

  Several tubes had shattered in the chaos.

  The floor was a mess-organs scattered behind me-making my stomach twist.

  But I didn't give up. I tried again to stand, then crawled behind Sam and pushed a tube toward her.

  I didn't care if she died-I just wanted it to end.

  I'm sorry, Vlad. I don't know how to feel about her... but she's a threat.

  I froze in shock. She didn't even flinch. It was like I'd thrown a glass of water at her.

  She was unshakable-not human.

  "It's such a simple way of thinking-believing this would kill me," she said arrogantly, removing her gloves.

  Sharp claws gleamed. Her arms were covered in green scales.

  And then I finally understood-the human-lizard organs, the strange liquid...

  This underground facility was built for experiments.

  Experiments to turn humans into reptilians.

  That explained how she was overpowering Vlad.

  She swiftly dug her claws into my shoulder, cutting so deep I whimpered in pain.

  My pathetic sound was all it took to push Vlad over the edge.

  He pulled a pocket knife from his coat. His hands trembled.

  Sam laughed. "You see, Vlad... I always looked at you-at what God gave you-and how badly you used it.

  This miraculous gift... and you let it rot.

  I always had a poisoned admiration for it.

  For that... I admire you.

  And I hate you."

  Her claws slashed into Vlad's thick skin as she dragged him. But he kicked her square in the face, finally making her fall.

  He rushed to me and pulled me up. "We're getting out. Don't worry," he said.

  But I couldn't relax.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Sam's shadow.

  She wasn't finished.

  "You should use the knife. Don't hesitate," she was cracking

  "Save your brother before I kill him in front of you."

  Vlad's pupils twitched.

  Was it anger? Fear?

  It didn't matter.

  He'd had enough.

  He gripped the knife tightly-and then moved.

  Like an expert, he slashed at her neck, then smoothly lowered the blade to her chest, slicing it open.

  She screamed in pain.

  Just then-

  BANG.

  The elevator doors burst open.

  Boots hit the floor.

  Weapons raised.

  The chaos froze.

  A loud voice echoed through the room:

  "Weapons on the ground! Hands where we can see them! Nobody moves!

  This is the Anti-Illegal Conversion Task Force.

  The fight is over. Step away now.

  Secure the scene. No one leaves until we get answers.

  This is now an active crime scene.

  Everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise."

  Vlad was taken with Sam and the reptilian man for questioning.

  I was carried out to an ambulance.

  Outside, I saw Alicia. She was crying, waiting for me.

  I knew then-it was her.

  She was the one who called them.

  She had suspected that Vlad and I were planning something.

  And that was her way of helping.

  ---

  I was at the hospital for the third time in three days. I could tell the nurse was just waiting for the investigators to leave so she could finally yell at me. After my wounds were treated, I had to face a wave of questions. I answered every single one, telling my story about how I was targeted by that crazy cult trying to turn humans into lizards.

  The investigators went to question Alicia again, and after dealing with her, we were finally able to enjoy a peaceful night. I let out a deep breath and started telling Alicia everything-though, of course, I didn't mention anything about my real identity. To her, I was Maykola, and nothing more.

  In that hospital room, with Alicia holding my hand and sleeping on the chair next to me, I felt a sense of peace. The threat was gone. I slowly closed my eyes, resting my body and mind, and drifted into sleep.

  ---

  Within the darkness is pain, and pain is your only salvation.

  That voice again. I was getting used to it. My vision was clear, and I was certain I was conscious-but I wasn't in Maykola's body this time. I was in my body. Stuck in a space between nowhere, I watched hundreds of possibilities shine in the stars.

  I saw Alicia-holding someone, kissing someone, smiling with someone.

  It was Maykola.

  Or was it me?

  I couldn't stand it. I tried to reach out to that scene, but I couldn't move. My breath felt heavy, and I choked on a thick, dark fog that blinded me.

  I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't even bother checking the time-I knew it was 3:00 a.m.

  To my surprise, Vlad was lying in the bed next to mine, covered in bandages. I could imagine how he must've begged the nurse to let him stay with me. Sometimes he acted more like a dog than a lizard. I guessed the investigation was over for him too. I lay back down, that heavy feeling still pressing on my chest, and went back to sleep.

  ---

  The next morning, I was discharged. We headed back home, exhausted from everything that had happened. No rest, no break-just one chaotic event after another. We decided to stay indoors that day. Alicia turned on the TV and kisses my cheeks and said "I bet you're hungry dear , you didn't ate a thing at the hospital " as she headed to the kitchen, saying she'd make something special to celebrate now that everything was finally over.

  While the news played, they talked about our case and the Silica Sanctum. Apparently, it really was a cult conducting illegal experiments on both humans and lizards. In this world, that kind of organization wasn't even surprising-that's why there were special forces assigned to investigate and fight them.

  Despite the host being a hot lizard, I changed the channel. I was sick of all this. A Sherlock Holmes movie came on.

  "So they have the Lord of Mysteries in this world, huh?" I said, glancing at Vlad. "You really need to watch this."

  Vlad sigh saying " you know that I don't have the brain to watch this kind of series and I'm a romance guy " he get more sad - I should help him to get through his heart breaking and find him a hot lizard like that host !

  While Alicia prepared something that smelled absolutely divine, I went to the bathroom-I really had to pee. I was excited for what my hot girlfriend was cooking. The smell alone made me want to steal a bite downstairs, even if she'd scold me for it. I'd enjoy that moment, like always. Sweet Alicia...

  I turned on the bathroom light and pulled down my pants.

  Then I froze.

  Shock gripped me as I stared at the blue tiles. I rushed to the mirror.

  My reflection. My body.

  I had never hated seeing my own face as much as I did in that moment.

  I collapsed.

  It happened fast, but I was back in my world. Alone. I knew it before I even checked-no Alicia. No Vlad. Not even a ghost to keep me company.

  And it wasn't even 3:00 a.m. I thought this stuff only worked at that time...

  I had my suspicions, and I remembered telling myself I wanted to go to the bathroom in the night.

  I began crying, hitting the floor. How could I get back? How could I see them again?

  I ran to the light switch, flicking it on and off.

  "Take me back!" I screamed. "I want to see them!"

  I nearly died for that life-you can't give me something just to rip it away once I'm attached.

  I spent hours in the bathroom, screaming, crying, punching the walls, slamming my head, pulling my hair. Nothing worked.

  Eventually, I dragged myself back to bed, stared at the ceiling, and faced reality.

  Maybe it was all a dream.

  Maybe I just fainted and started hallucinating.

  Maybe everything that happened... was a waste.

  You didn't even let me say goodbye to them you f****** bathroom