Transparency Infection, CH 1
The Turning
Standard Summary Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction for adults. If you are not an adult, wait.
If you don't like fiction for adults, that's your choice.
All characters are above the age of 18.
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Mary walked down the street with purpose on her way to the office. The latest infection had been lifted about a month ago and her position required her to attend a group meetings in-office. Living in a small city still meant she needed to walk by people, some masked some not. It also let her and her boyfriend go to clubs, like the one from a few nights ago.
As she got to her desk she absent-mindedly scratched her leg. In the meeting, the leg itched and she rubbed on the stocking to make it feel better. Back at her desk, again with the itch. She looked down and the legging was fine, the thigh felt a little itchy and no symptoms from the last infection. She thought, "keep an eye on this."
At home she put her stuff down, grabbed water, kicked off her shoes and put her feet up. The itch flared. "Leggings off!" she declared. She rolled down the left legging and admired the shape of her clean shaved leg. She rolled down the right legging and around the spot with the itch, she saw through her leg to the couch.
"Oh." she muttered. "That's not good."
She felt the skin above. She felt the skin below. She felt all around her leg. It felt right, and she could see her hand touching her skin. She could feel her fingers press into her leg. At the spots where the skin turned visible, she could see indentations and then nothing. Looking sideways through the invisible area, she could see into her leg. It was various degrees of transparency, clear to opaque. She stopped because it was making her queasy.
Quickly calling her doctor, being after hours it went to voicemail.
"Hello, this is Dr Greer's office. We are closed for the day. If this is an emergency, call 911. If you believe you have one of the infections, press 9. If you want an appointment on the next business day, press 2 and leave a message."
Mary pressed 9 while looking at the couch through her leg. "Hello. Please leave a message about the details of your infection and someone will call you back within 2 hours."
"Hi Dr Greer. This is Mary Childs. I believe I have the Transparent Infection. I'm looking at the couch through my leg. Please call back. My number is XXX-XXXX," she looked through her leg hanging up the phone.
She lifted the rest of her leg. No problem. Flexed her knee, moving her leg around. No problem. Seeing through the leg: problem.
The next call went to her boyfriend Tony. The call went to voicemail where she told him to call back, there's a problem. She looked up the Transparent Infection on her phone.
Step 1: Don't panic. It's not fatal.
Step 2: See medical professional advice
Step 3: You may be infectious. Don't go out until seeking medical professional advice
Step 4: If you are in the early stages, use a pen to draw a line across the separation between the visible and invisible portions
Mary grabbed a pen and drew a line around her leg at the top and bottom of the invisible area. As she finished her cell rang.