16 November, 2030

  Oslo, Norway

  I woke up early—around 6:30 in the morning. I’ve always liked getting up early. It helped me when I was in school. Helped when I had to take the hunting shifts at the camp. And today, it helped again.

  A few minutes ter, the blue-eyed furry entered the room. I was still weak, but my arm looked better. Someone had treated it—applied medicine, though I didn’t know which. My hands and feet were still tied.

  The furry sat on the bench next to me. I wanted to speak first, but he beat me to it.

  “So, how are you doing? Wanna eat?”

  I looked at him nervously and replied, “Yeah… surprised you didn’t eat me?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he pced something on the table and untied one of my hands. Soup.

  Then he left the room.

  I sniffed the bowl cautiously. It looked like Unox pea soup—nothing special. If they wanted to infect me, they would’ve done it in a much easier way. If I didn’t eat now, I’d die of starvation. I had no choice. I took the risk.

  After finishing the soup, I felt a bit better.

  The door opened again. This time, the green-eyed furry entered. He didn’t speak—just collected the bowl, tied my hand back, and stared at me with something that felt like hatred.

  I spent the rest of the day staring at the ceiling, straining to hear any sounds from outside the room. But nothing. Just silence.

  My thoughts spiraled.

  I thought about the furry woman I had killed. About the one I saw bleeding days ter. He must’ve died—the wound was too deep. Yes, they’re furries… but they were human once. I think.

  I took their lives. I ended everything for them.

  Am I the monster?

  Or are they?

  I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.

  Then I heard voices from the other side of the wall. Muffled, but clear enough.

  Blue (the blue-eyed one): “So, what are we going to do with this guy?” Green (the green-eyed one): “Infect him. We’re not keeping humans in our future society.” Blue: “He’ll hate us. He’ll run away. Maybe even kill himself. We can’t just—” Green: “I’ll do it while he’s sleeping. Tonight. Don’t stop me.” Blue: “Okay, okay. Fine. I’ll help you tonight… my honey.”

  Then I heard it. Kissing sounds.

  Ew.

  They’re NOT straight.

  But that didn’t matter now. I needed to escape. I needed to think fast.

  It was already evening.

  It’s now or never.