Chapter 6 by Rowenar

Who finds her?

Caitlin Snow

Iris didn't know how much time she spent, knees hugged to her chest, bare ass on the floor, wishing desperately for anything she could actually wear. Occasionally a bubble popped against her bare upper arm.

It was too long, but what else could she do?

The idea of being outside, of being where people could see...

The door moved. Iris yelped, frantically scrabbling back; a woman's face peered around the doorway, and her eyes widened in turn to see Iris.

"Don't look!" Iris shrieked.

The woman faltered. Shock made her stare for a few seconds, before (to Iris's relief) she did turn around. Still, she kept the door ajar.

"I'm Caitlin," she said. "I don't want to hurt you. Just... Why are you..."

"I don't know!" Iris whimpered. "I was out there, then something... my clothes, they- bubbles, and- I can't put anything on!"

She bit back her sobs, not entirely sure she was being coherent. It was enough for Caitlin to sharply turn back to face her; Iris squealed.

"You mean," Caitlin said slowly, "When the accelerator exploded, you started to manifest an... ability?"

"I guess you could call it that," Iris said. She hugged her legs tighter.

"Then that's..." Caitlin's voice trailed off. After a moment she straightened, facing Iris. "You should come with me."

"Wh-what?!" Iris said.

"It was a theoretical possibility," Caitlin said. "The accelerator breached a dark matter pocket, the effects of that on biology can be... unpredictable. You're the first subject we've gotten. Please, your help could be invaluable-"

"I don't want to go anywhere!" Iris whimpered. "I tried getting dressed, it just- it keeps happening. I just want to b-be alone."

Caitlin looked down at the nude woman, expression unreadable.