The Beast is actually Beauty?

Upon entering the detox lab, Ruing found everyone working as usual. Nobody really paid any attention to Ruing as she casually strode in. Only one person truly noticed who had walked in and that was a girl with rectangular framed glasses.

"Ruing! What happened to your face?!" exclaimed Thalan. There was a moment of silence as everyone within the lab turned to look at her. Ruing gave her an exasperated sigh, "Did you really need to announce that to the entire lab?"

Thalan gasped and clasped her hand over her mouth. At this point everyone within the lab was looking at the two. Surprise could easily be seen on all of their faces. This was to be expected, in her four years working at the GCDC, Ruing had not been known to make a single mistake, no matter how careless or simple it may be. Ruing had a perfect track record up until this point.

Whispers of concern came flooding in.

"Are you okay?"

"What happened?"

"This could be serious."

Seeing the commotion she had caused, Thalan gave Ruing a sheepish look, as if to say, "Sorry." Ruing rolled her eyes as she raised a hand to silence the onslaught of questions that were being rained upon her.

"I need to get an remedy for this soon please."

"Ah, of course!" replied a guy next to Ruing, "This way please." A path opened up naturally for the two as he led her to one of the testing rooms to correctly diagnose her. The entire process took about an hour, with Ruing quietly awaiting the results. Low and behold, Ruing was correct in her assumptions, it was a venom similar to the brown recluse spider.

"You were right," sighed the guy as he handed her a ziploc bag with two pill bottles, "You're lucky, those who are diagnosed in later stages usually leave scars. Here are some antihistamines and antibiotics. Make sure to clean the infected areas well and come back if it gets worse."

"So use logic, okay, got it," chuckled Ruing.

"You couldn't imagine the amount of people that don't even have common sense."

"Oh believe me, I do," smiled Ruing, "I might become one of them soon."

"Well, if you do decide to do that, I guess I'll be seeing you more often," smiled the guy, "The name's Nhoan, come see me the next time you decide to lose all common sense."

Ruing nodded and laughed as she exited the lab, Thalan followed her. They walked side by side, having idle conversation. They had only walked for five minutes before Ruing's phone started ringing. Ruing looked to see her mom was calling.

"Sorry, I have to take this," said Ruing as she waved Thalan off and departed down the hallway on her own. Answering the call, Ruing replied, "Hey mom!"

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm great! How's the army treating you?"

Ruing's mother laughed, "More like how am 'I' treating the army! I'm the general sweet heart!"

"I know, I know. That's the only reason I was able to work at the MPIDR at the age of 15."

"You were considered a genius by all of them! They practically welcomed you themselves! You were like a little Einstein!"

"Mom, Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist, I study diseases."

"I meant you were a genius!"

Ruing laughed, "I got it mom!"

"So how are you and Dohre getting along?"

"We're... Fine, I guess."

"What do you mean 'fine'? You know, I never liked that kid. His heart doesn't seem to be in the right place, especially when it concerns you. It's like a retelling of Beauty and the Beast! Except this time the roles are reversed and the Beast is a girl. Why would anyone love the Beast?"

Ruing was silent for a moment before replying, "Well I guess in the story, the Beast fell in love with Beauty and developed a good heart."

"Well that would mean Beauty would have to have a good heart to begin with. Only then could the Beast change for the better."

Ruing contemplated that for while, not paying any attention, she walked head first into someone.

"Baby! Are you okay? Are you not feeling well again?" questioned a familiar voice.

Looking up, Ruing found that she had walked straight into Dohre. Glancing behind him, she found Halsetta standing close by, concern written all over her face.

"Ruing! We came as fast as we could! How are you feeling?" asked Halsetta as she walked up to Ruing.

"Hello? Ruing, who is that?" rang Ruing's mom through the phone.

Coming back to reality, Ruing replied into the phone, "Oh, its Dohre and Halsetta. I'll get back to you later, and I'll keep what you said in mind." With that, Ruing said her good byes and hung up the phone. Looking at the two cheaters, Ruing smiled and held up the prescription bottles.

"I'll be all good once I shower, rest, and take my medication."

Halsetta gave a sigh of relief. "Alright, I won't keep you. Dohre, you should walk her back to her room." Dohre nodded obediently as he stuck out his hand for Ruing to hold. Ruing plastered on her best smile as she gently took his hand.

Since when did he take orders like that from Halsetta? Was I that blind?

Ruing smiled ruefully and walked with Dohre back to her room in silence. Once they made it to their destination, Ruing paused at her door before turning to Dohre, "I think it's best I rest alone today. You probably don't want dead skin tissue on you, and I need my peace and quiet."

A flicker of relief passed through Dohre's eyes before giving Ruing a gentlemanly smile and bidding her farewell. Ruing didn't see him off, she immediately unlocked her door and went in. After entering her room, Ruing made a beeline for the bathroom. As she passed the bathroom mirror, she gave herself a small fright! Upon closer inspection, Ruing realized it was her own reflection.

Ruing gave a lifeless sigh as she gazed at herself in the mirror. Her skin was dull and lifeless and her hair a disheveled mess! Her lips were all chapped and her eyes...

"Ugh! Did I not even wash my face this morning?" cried Ruing helplessly. Unable to look at herself in the mirror anymore, Ruing rushed to take a shower. Afterwards, Ruing was felt refreshed. Wiping away the fog on the mirror, Ruing looked at herself once more before nodding her head.

At least now I look human.

With her hair wrapped in a towel, Ruing sat on her bed, a look of contemplation washed over her.

If this is already a show, I might as well make it a good one. But the first thing is to get Falhur out of there. If I can't get him out, he might go insane again.

Ruing had a general idea of what she wanted to do but now she had to work out all the kinks in the plan. Glancing at the clock by her bedside, Ruing noticed it was 21:35.

"Wow, its late," whispered Ruing to herself as she got up and released her hair to comb it. After she was finished, she sat at her desk and opened up her computer. She immediately video called her mom and dad, waiting patiently for them to pick up. Her dad was the first to respond.

"Hey Ruing! Why are you calling so late in the night?"

"You're a night owl dad, this isn't late."

"You sure know when to call your mom!" huffed Ruing's mom as she joined the video call.

Ruing smiled, "I haven't talked to you both in a while. I missed you guys."

Ruing's parents were both silent before replying, "We missed you too."

"Now did you think about Dohre?" asked Ruing's mom.

"Yeah, I did," nodded Ruing.

"Are you still with him?" exclaimed Ruing's dad, "You could do so much better!"

"I know! I know!" replied Ruing with exasperation, "But that's not what I'm here to talk about!"

"Then what exactly are you here to talk about?" asked Ruing's parents unanimously.

Ruing grinned from ear to ear, "How would you like it if I worked at the MPIDR again?"

Both Ruing's parents exploded with excitement. "You want to work with your old man again?" laughed Ruing's dad.

"We would be in close proximity to each other!" exclaimed Ruing's mom gleefully.

"Calm down! I can only work at the MPIDR again if I can take Falhur with me."

"Falhur, who's that?" frowned Ruing's dad.

"Falhur Xunin. He's the experiment I have been working on."

"Experiment 052?" questioned Ruing's mom.

"Yeah, I don't think locking him up is the correct thing to do."

"I don't think Falhur and correct fit into the same sentence together," replied Ruing's mom.

"I think locking him up is making it worse, what if there's a way for him to reel it in?"

Ruing and her mom went at it for a while, discussing how he is a hazard to society, and how it was too much of a risk. Ruing's dad sat silently, listening to their argument before speaking.

"I think it's worth a shot. We have the facilities here in the military, why not give it a go?"

"Illyun! What if everyone on base gets sick?" cried Ruing's mom.

"Vena, think of the possibilities! He might be able to help in the war efforts and the poor kid shouldn't be locked up like some sort of dangerous animal!" explained Illyun.

"But he is-" Vena cut herself short, "Fine. if you can convince your superiors of your idea, then I'll talk to the generals on my side."

"Really mom?! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Ruing.

After talking for a little while longer, Ruing ended the video call and laid on her bed. She closed her eyes as sleep descended upon her.

The plan will officially start, tomorrow.