“So,” She picked up an apple, feeling its weight, turning it over. “You’re saying this ain’t real?” She tossed it up a few times, catching it with alternate hands. Firmly and confidently. No fumbling there. Testing. Learning. Adapting. She didn’t have Lag...that awkward period where coordination was severely impaired, where some people couldn’t get up without feeling nauseous. Several had puked on his lap. Felt and smelt real too, even in this dimension. He absently wiped his thigh, it was still that vivid. “No.” He slipped his hands into his pockets, watching her, trying to sound natural but deep down struggling to remind himself that she, too, wasn’t real. She wasn’t. She can’t be. “Amazing,” She sounded genuinely impressed, but he detected something else. What was it? Ambition? She was moving towards him, lips pursed in thought, the apple still bouncing from one hand to the other. It was like she was made for this. It made even him, a veteran mindwalker, feel inadequate for some reason. Before he knew it, she was standing in front of him. The delightful fragrance of her perfume wafted to his nose and enthralled him. She’s not real, goddamit. Her eyes boring into his, she slowly lifted the red juicy apple to her lips. Her perfectly lined teeth took out a chunk of flesh, the sound was like the crack of a whip. He finally spotted a weakness; juice ran over her red lips and down her chin. He lifted a hand to wipe it, and froze half way; her lips had contorted into a triumphant smile. Almost. He jammed his hands deeper into his pockets, scowling at her back as she pranced away, giggling. The sway of her hips was unmistakably a dare. Maybe being her tutor he could flip her over and spank her... “Maybe you should.” He froze. His stomach knotted. Beads of perspiration sprouted from his forehead as his mind raced to a conclusion that was unthinkable; she was not just a natural mindwalker, but also mindhacker. A coveted breed. Probably only 2 known, living souls living on the planet with the gift, the curse. One was a 92 year old war veteran hooked to a life support system. He was the other. A very big was. Smiling, she touched the sofa she was sitting on. The room shimmered, shuddered as if the fabric of their ‘reality’ was being torn apart. Rebuilt. The sofa disappeared and in its place was a leather high backed chair. He gasped and dropped to his knees. A mindbender. All rolled into one. Of course! He felt like kicking himself. The apple. It wasn’t red to begin with. And she practically waved the damn thing in front of his nose. And he missed it. She wasn’t just adapting. She was evolving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hello folks! Just a simple render to indicate I'm still alive and kicking lol. Wishing everyone a great new year. Thanks for stopping by. Clicking might give u a bigger pic ;-). And of course, me hopeth u enjoyeth :D