The sound was a relief. So was the sudden limpness in the form underneath her. It was over.
She jumped off the body before it started leaking as they all did. Then she stood at attention, careful not to look directly at the old man who watched her from behind a thick layer of glass. He didn't like it when she stared into his eyes.
The man pursed his lips as he considered the results of her latest test. Not a muscle moved, but inwardly, she smiled at the melody that kept repeating in his mind. Her other instructors rarely sang in their thoughts, yet he did. Every time. If it wouldn't have made him mad, she would've told him she enjoyed it, but her instructor didn't like people prying into his mind. She'd overheard that shortly after getting the ability, so she never told him about it.
"Seven seconds," he said at last, glancing down at the body. "These subjects no longer represent a challenge to you."
He sounded pleased, but still she didn't smile. Displays of emotion led to too many questions, and she wanted to get back to her manuals.
"It's time to move on to the next phase," he continued.
The words seemed to be directed at her, yet he was really speaking to the man behind the mirrored glass twenty meters above him. Since she wasn't supposed to know he was there, however, she nodded.
"I'm ready."
"Are you?"