Try another can of Cleanser

"Stay there," you say. You rush back to the machine, button mash for another can of Cleanser, and return to Pearl once the machine spits it out. "Here."

"Another soda?" asks Pearl without emotion, wrinkling her nose at the cold can.

"I know this is weird," you say, "but I need you to drink it."

"Why's that?"

Because you're worried you gave her the wrong dosage before? Geeze, you can't even justify yourself to her without sounding crazy. "Just do it, okay? I'll explain later, but it's important."

To your surprise, Pearl doesn't even try to argue. "If you say so," she says, shrugging. She pops the second Cleanser can and chugs the contents like before.

Changes wash over Pearl like before, but not the ones you were hoping for.

Her nondescript shirt, capris, and flats fade away entirely, revealing the skin beneath. For a second you think Pearl's been left naked, but then you realize she's wearing underwear - just, flesh-toned underwear.

Pearl's not the skinny girl she used to be in middle school. A strong, basic bra (in a neutral beige color) contains her sizable breasts, and a pair of matching high-cut panties stretch tight about her wide hips. Her feet seem bare at a glance, but she's actually wearing a pair of nude-tone liner socks that barely cover her toes and the soles of her feet.

To add insult to injury, Pearl's hair turns white, and her eyes change to the same color. Her skin looks like it's never even seen the light of day.

Now it's even worse! More Cleanser was clearly not the answer, but what were you supposed to do? You panicked!

Quizzically, Pearl, now practically naked, sets down the empty second Cleanser can next to the others. That figure - is that why she's always wearing baggy clothes?

"Oh no," you say fearfully, trying not to notice her body.

Pearl blinks once, then looks at you. She says nothing. Her expression remains blank.

"Talk to me," you say.

"All right," she says, quietly.

"How do you feel?"

"Okay." She stares at you, little recognition in her bright white eyes.

"Do... you remember who I am?" You almost don't want to know the answer.

Pearl has to think about the question. "Chase."

"Who am I?"

This one takes a little longer. "My friend."

"And you are?"

"Me," says Pearl, answering a bit quicker now that there's a pattern.

"I mean - do you remember your name?"

She thinks too long about the question. "Pearl... Nowak."

"Do you know where you are?"

She looks around. "A lab."

"No, I mean - more generally. Where are we tonight?"

"A party," she recalls, with difficulty. "A dance party."

This isn't a great sign, but it's not as bad as it could be - Pearl might still be in there. Maybe she's just foggy? "And what do you like to do in your free time?"

"I like... games," guesses Pearl.

That didn't sound confident. "What's your favorite band?" you test, hopeful she'll answer Powerwolf, Sabaton, or **** metal. Hell, you'd take rock at this point.

"Music," Pearl answers confidently.

Okay. Maybe it is that bad. Shit.

Maybe you can still fix this? You chance a look at Pearl again, to assess the situation, but your eyes roam over her bare, pallid skin instead, and an erection fills your jeans. Holy shit, you are not used to seeing Pearl in her underwear, especially not like this. She doesn't even try to cover up.

Tripling down on Cleanser feels like the wrong choice, but at this point, every choice feels like the wrong choice. Your desperation grows. How do you get yourself out of this? Pearl's almost a zombie at this point. You've screwed up.