Page 12 of Volik

I blink, blurring my reflection.

My eyes are fine. And obviously not changing.

After sliding the key into the handle, I twist the lock and open the door.

Chapter 5

Volik

The creak my chair gives when I lean forward is… concerning.

And the final straw.

Making an effort to not splinter the wood, I brace my hands on my desk and stand.

There is no point staying the rest of the day.

I tried scrolling the internet, hoping to see a word or headline that would spark some repressed recognition. But since I do not know how to explain what I am feeling, I do not know what to search for. And blindly looking only makes me feel more insane.

Aware of the scene I made coming in, I keep my gravito in check and my steps light while I exit my office.

As I make my way down the hall, I pay extreme attention to the air.

Inhaling. Tasting.

People talk behind closed doors, conversations distinguishable with my hearing but not interesting enough for me to listen.

I slow as I reach office 104.

Something made me stop here this morning.

A feeling. A need. A compulsion?

I even reached for the door handle.

I could not stop myself.

But when my fingers got within an inch of the handle, my muscles froze solid.

There was no magical force stopping me. I could not sense another Alt on the other side of the door. There was no reason at all for my inability to finish the motion. Just an invisible barrier.

Like that fucking scentless scent lingering in the air. Tormenting me.

I stop and face the door.

Slowly, I reach for the handle.

Nothing prevents me this time, and my fingers close around the metal.

My head and jaw and cock still ache. And the scent that is not a fucking scent still drags against my skin. And this room had something to do with it.

Hoping for answers, I turn the handle and push the door open.

Only these hinges are better oiled than mine, and my strength is not quite as under control as I thought it was. So when I release the handle, the door continues to swing, swiftly, until it crashes against the wall.

The woman sitting behind the desk shrieks and throws her hands up in the air like I am here to rob her.

Nicely done, idiot.