Sure. How about: “Needle Drop”. Funny, right?

Fuck.

I could feel my heart beating about eight times faster than it was meant to. My body felt hot and cold at the same time. Sweat immediately drenched my forehead.

Was I dumb? I hadn’t even considered this situation. Of course the needle broke, my skin was apparently impenetrable (except… when it wasn’t?). I suppose a smarter man would have tested out his newfound ‘power’ rather than going to sleep, but what’s done is done. I’d need to figure out how to explain this, or somehow figure out how to make my skin needle-able.

For a few moments, Hana and I stared at the needle on the ground. Then, I looked up at her from my chair.

Hana was blank-faced. She didn’t seem to give any semblance of a damn. She shrugged and went to the desk again to grab a replacement.

Maybe this happened sometimes? Were needles flimsier than I thought? This meant I had another chance.

Okay. How do you… not be impenetrable…? You would think being the first person to ever have this problem would be cool, but I was just stressed as all hell.

Hana grabbed another needle. I didn’t have time to practice, this was happening.

It’s hard to describe how I attempted this. As the metal of the needle pressed against me, I focused all of my energy to that section of skin. With all my mental power, I tried to soften the skin. Basically, I was just thinking ‘soft thoughts’.

Unfortunately for me, I was unsuccessful. Once again, I heard a snap, then a clatter of metal on floor.

This time I just looked at Hana. She was looking at me, still emotionless.

I think I audibly gulped.

Time for the suaveness.

“Uh… weird, huh?”

Hana snorted. “Are we really doing this?”

Shit. I’d forgotten that I’m not suave.

Hana chuckled. “I’m hurt, Michael! I was hoping you’d be honest with me. I mean, after all this I thought we were at least kind of friends. Does movie night mean nothing to you?”

I opened my mouth to answer.

Hana spoke again before I could. “I’m fucking with you. I don’t blame you for wanting to hide this from me. That’s why I’ve decided I’ll be honest with you.”

She sat on her desk with one leg crossed over the other. “It’s no secret that I didn’t care for you. I saw you as a threat. I told the brass we should kill you, and they didn’t listen. You ask me? It was to fuck with me. They went against my own suggestion, then, to add insult to injury, they made me take care of you.”

She looked me in the eyes. I felt chills. If I haven’t made it clear, she is scary.

She laid back on her desk, reaching over her head to feel around under her desk. She sat back up with a bottle of some Asian drink in hand along with two small cups.

Hana poured two drinks and drank them both swiftly. She then poured two more and then offered one to me.

It couldn’t be wise to drink something someone who wanted you dead, but she’d just downed two of them so it couldn’t be that bad.

The drink was sweet. I could really only tell that it was alcoholic because I saw a percentage sign on the bottle.

“Here’s the thing, Michael. I know you aren’t in an ideal situation. You know that I, while in a significantly better situation, am still unhappy. I see an opportunity here.” She poured herself a fourth glass. Holy shit, she was pounding it out.

“You didn’t get yourself registered, despite discovering an unnatural ability. I find that interesting. That’s punishable by ****, you know.”

I nodded.

“Why didn’t you?”

I know she was asking us to be honest with each other, but I don’t think that counted for other people’s secrets. I shouldn’t expose the girls.

“Just, uh… been busy, I suppose.” I shrugged, taking a drink to try and act casually.

Hana chuckled. “‘Been busy’. Alrighty then.”

Fifth drink for her now. “Here’s something cool for ya: it’s because of me you even have this happening. I altered the formula they sent.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“The shit I’ve been giving you? It’s an altered formula. They wanted to test on you to try and create the ultimate soldier. The military would pay big bucks for someone who can withstand anything.” She began laughing. “And, just my luck! I fuck with it in an attempt to get you killed and have the guys up top take the fall. Your **** would get me the leverage I needed.”

“Oh.” It really was incredible how often she could emphasize her wish for my demise.

“I’m too fucking smart, you understand? You know how much that sucks? I can’t even fuck up an untested ****. I improved it. I guarantee the shit doesn’t work without my additions.”

She stood up, now seven drinks deep. I think the bottle was nearing empty.

“Do you think I’m going to tell them? Fuck no. This gives me an even better opportunity. I haven’t planned it out yet, but I think we can work together on this.”

I nodded hesitantly. I was nervous, but no way I was going to do anything then go along with whatever the hell was happening.

“Now, I’m sure you understand how to read between the lines, right? This isn’t as much of an ‘offer’ as it is ‘do as I say or die’.” She did the finger quotes.

“Of course.” In all honestly, I hadn’t considered it, but of course. All events in my life seemed to carry the threat of **** now.

“I don’t want you to think this has to be all bad. I think we can have a better friendship now that we’re on the same page. We do need to figure you out, however. I don’t think your ‘power’ is permanent by any means. You will need another shot at some point, so I need to be able to get inside you.” She snorted. “The needle inside you, that is. Unless you’re a pegging fan, that is.”

“I-I… no!” I quickly clarified.

“Funny how men will be quicker to cover up sexual insecurities than to their own lives being threatened. Morons, the lot of you.” She chuckled once more.

Yeah, she’s right.

“I’d love to test you today, but I can’t keep you too long without coming off as suspicious. We’ll need to arrange a time outside of work for us to test on you.”

“Sounds good!” Not really, but what the hell was I supposed to say?

“Great. Now fuck off. I need time to think about our next plans before my lunch with Ava.”

I obeyed gladly, getting down the elevator and to my van as quickly as possible.

I sighed. Within twenty-four hours I’d become involved in two different groups that, if discovered, would likely get me killed; one vigilantism, one a coup. I wish I’d drank more of the shit she’d had.