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Chapter 3 by pivo pivo

What do you see?

A metallic toy laser gun?

Inside the box rests what looks like a prop from a retro sci-fi film—a laser gun, both simple in design and impossibly detailed. You reach in and grab it by the handle, surprised by its solid weight. "Damn, this feels like real metal," you mutter, lifting it from the box.

You turn it over in your hands, admiring the craftsmanship. Near what appears to be a control panel, you spot tiny, almost illegible writing. Squinting, you make out the words: "SkinStealer Ray v.1.0b."

"SkinStealer? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" you wonder aloud.

Glancing back into the box, you see a folded piece of paper. It's a manual. The English is clear, but the contents are insane. It talks about turning a target into a "wearable skinsuit."

"Well, someone has a really twisted sense of humor," you say to the empty room.

Just then, your bedroom door creaks open. It's Anna.

"Hey, you okay in here? I heard you talking to yourself," she asks, her voice full of its usual concern.

"Oh, hey. It's alright, I just... got a weird package and I'm trying to figure out what this is." You gesture toward the gun in your hand.

"Ooh, can I see?" Curiosity gets the better of her.

"Sure, just... be careful," you warn, still not trusting the strange object.

Anna enters the room, closing the door behind her. She reaches for the gun, her fingers closing around the handle. As she lifts it from your palm, it slips. She fumbles to catch it, but in the motion, her finger squeezes the trigger.

A brilliant beam of light erupts from the barrel, striking her squarely in the forearm.

For a second, nothing happens. You both let out a nervous chuckle. But then a soft whoosh of air escapes her lips, and she collapses. You stare in horror as she lies on the floor, but it's not right. She looks... deflated. Carefully, you climb off the bed and kneel to get a closer look at your aunt.

-

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