“C’mon Work!” I shouted in frustration for the hundredth time as I rotated my wrist swiftly. I even did the spiderman hand gesture when he shot his web. Although the holoscreen did open for a microsecond, It wasn’t an image I wanted to cultivate. I thought I already had the hang of it at the hospital.

Unfortunately, the storage interface didn’t pop out like the last time. Maybe I had installed it incorrectly. The thought of that scenario made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I felt a sinking feeling in my chest. I don’t think the Mod came with an uninstaller. Hmmm. maybe they do.

When I woke up from a good night’s rest, I noticed a small metallic circle the size of a small button embedded in the palm of my right hand. Since then I had spent an hour trying to make it work. I sighed as I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. I recalled something crucial Healer Athlan said me and I played that memory in my mind. I opened my eyes and tried it once more. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. This time I didn’t say the word “storage” in my mind. I thought of the act of opening what I wanted and extended my wrist.

A blank blue holoscreen appeared near my right hand. I exhaled in relief and smiled. I examined the blank holoscreen and It had the words “storage” on the top. I deduced it was blank because I didn’t have items on it yet so I closed it and searched the room for something to test it out. There was a pencil on the desk and I stood up and took it. I held the pencil on top of my palm like I was offering it. I thought of storing the pencil and the metallic circle flashed cold in my palm and the pencil disappeared. My eyes widened and my hand shook when I realized that It worked.

“YES!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and grinned.

I opened the storage holoscreen and found a small image of the pencil like an icon. This was starting to feel like an RPG game. I touched the icon and nothing happened. I tapped it again and still nothing. My face frowned and I was about to raise my hand to scratch my head when the pencil appeared and fell from my hand. My eyes widened and realized that the palm orientation had something to do with it. I stored the pencil again and tapped the icon and turned my palm up. It appeared on top of my palm the same position as I stored it.

I understood the mechanism now. It was simple and effective. A sword, as an example, wouldn’t appear if I didn’t close my hand like I was gripping the hilt. I experimented with a knife and gripped the hilt and thought of storing it. The icon image of the knife appeared on the holoscreen and I touched it. Good. The knife didn’t appear. I then closed my fingers and just as quickly something pushed against my grip and the knife appeared. I shouted again happy at the result.

That made sense because, without this feature, things you stored will drop everytime you retrieve them. I congratulated myself for a job well done. I tried it with my new rifle, mags, and the other mods. I stared at the monoblade and I frowned at the monoblade deep in thought. It was risky if I tried it and made a mistake in retrieving it, so I held off testing it with a naked blade. Instead, I just stored monoblade still in its scabbard.

After I was confident that I could retrieve my stuff without dropping it, I prepared for the day. I showered, wore my clothes and went to the kitchen and had breakfast. The three of us were shoveling food like our lives depended on it. It was funny when I glanced at my small and petite mother eating so much food to feed two people. Mom noticed I was looking at her eating and she blushed, embarrassed with her appetite. I didn’t linger at the table for long because I had errands to do.

Before I left the house I wore the leather jacket and looked at myself in the mirror near the front door. The jacket made me look cool and I touched the soft leather. I placed the bounty voucher inside the right pocket my finger brushed something. I took out the object and it was the bear claw necklace. I held it in front of my face. I admired the craftsmanship it took to make it. They only used the tips of the claw because the whole thing was too large. I wore it immediately and looked at my whole get up. My reflection grinned. It made me look even better. I gave myself a high five and left the house with a bounce in my step.

I arrived at the municipal building and parked my truck in front of it. I went inside and as I passed the metal detector near the entrance orc guard stopped me.

“No Wepanz Alowdz!” He glared at me and my body froze. My face paled when a sudden realization came to my mind. I forgot that all weapons were banned at public buildings. The metal detector that I passed through must have a sensor that detects weapons. I thought I was going to jail when he grabbed my right hand. Instead, the Orc attached a flat metal bracelet and locked it closed. Then he turned his back dismissing me. I stared at the bracelet and my brows furrowed as I tried to understand what happened. A tall solidly built middle-aged man in a suit saw me examining the bracelet and he approached me. I glanced at him my face confused.

“That’s a security bracelet.” he said with a baritone voice. I looked at the bracelet and I still didn’t understand what he meant.

“It suppresses your storage mod until you remove the bracelet.” he explained smiling to me, showing his own bracelet. I gave him sheepish smile.

“I just got it today.” I showed him my studded hand. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

“Gotcha kid. We’ all go through with it the first time.”. The man smiled and nodded in sympathy with my mistake.

“Yeah. Thanks. Good thing I didn’t put my papers inside.” I patted my pocket containing the bounty voucher.

“Yah. Anyways I gotta go” he said and gave me a little salute as he walked away.

I glanced at the man’s back and the metal detector. I had some misgivings about storage mods and the ways criminals can employ them. Mods, in general, was still pretty uncommon in Glenville, but I recalled the bank, grocery stores, and other places had those metal detectors. I guess this town wasn’t that backward as I thought. A rueful smile appeared on my face and I walked to the Treasurer’s office.

The treasurer’s office was a set up like the DMV with some human and aliens lined up behind two counters mostly to pay their taxes. I searched for an information desk and found one. I asked the woman stationed at the table and she examined my bounty voucher. She instructed me to line up on first counter and I waited in line until it was my turn. I gave the bored looking guy behind the counter my voucher and he asked me for my ID. I fished my wallet and took it out, I gave my ID to him. He examined the paper and looked at my ID. He did a double take and his bored face vanished. He kept examining the two the documents and his forehead wrinkling in concentration.

He stood up and asked me to take a seat, while he walked away from the counter. The people behind me grumbled in annoyance. I gave them an apologetic look and walked to the seats at the back of the office. I saw the man who helped me at the metal detector and he nodded in recognition. I nodded back and sat two seats away from him.

I waited for thirty minutes until the guy at the counter approached me. I assumed the Information lady was wrong in her instructions as he asked me to follow him. He led me to a room with a sign [Hazardous Species Section]. This was probably the room to claim the check. The guy knocked and opened the door. The room was small and spartan. The paint was peeling in some places and the room smelt of detergent. It only contained two file drawers and a heavy-set man sitting at the desk staring at me curiously. He pointed at the chair and I sat down. On his desk were my voucher and ID.

“Hi. Is this where I can claim the bounty?” I asked my voice unsure. I looked at the man and he was comparing my face with my ID and the paper. He didn’t say anything and he frowned.

“This is highly unusual.” He said to no one in particular and his eyes narrowed. His voice was rough as if he smoked three packs a day. He was quietly regarding me and his eyes bored into me. He let the silence hang for a minute.

“You killed this animal?” He asked me and raised a single eyebrow. I tone sounded unconvinced.

“Yes, I did” I confirmed. I thought this was just going to be an ordinary transaction. Maybe a minor was not allowed to claim a bounty.

“I don’t believe you.” he said flatly. My spirits dropped as I felt the world was against me. Maybe just the government.

“Yes sir. I killed that bear.” I sat up straight and looked him in the eye as I said it. Maybe I could tell him to call Bill at the National Forest Service to confirm my story.

“Just a second” His eyes widened when he recalled something. He stood up and check the steel cabinet behind him. There were old newspapers piled neatly on top of it. He checked the front page of every paper until he found what he was looking for. It was the local paper and on the headline was the words [Local Boy Survives Bear Attack]. I didn’t know I was in the news. My phasebook full of posts now made sense. I was now a local celebrity and I didn’t know how I felt about it. I remembered the photo someone sent me and I blushed a little.

The man chuckled and shook his head when the read it. He looked up from the paper he showed the front page.

“This was you?” He said incredulously. I was still a bit embarrassed about the whole killing-a-bear-by-accident-thing. I didn’t meet his eyes and looked down while my cheeks burned hotter.

“That’s me” I confirmed and I was still not looking at him.

“It’s fine Mr. Hunter. I thought you were trying to fool me.” He said and he gave me an apologetic look. He walked and sat down in his chair. ”That’s a felony by the way.” He added. I sighed in relief that he believed me.

“Young kids these days. A minor too!” He chuckled again. He regarded me with pursed lips for a few seconds. Then he grinned and his eyes sparkled.

“It doesn’t say in the law that you have to be eighteen to claim a Hazardous Species bounty check.” he pronounced. And I looked up to him my eyes full of hope. “So. There’s no problem for you to claim the bounty.”

“Really sir? That’s awesome!” I said elatedly. It seems my luck is holding. The man nodded with a grin on his face. That means I can still hunt and claim bounties legally. I thought I knew why he was suspicious at first. I was a minor and he thought I didn’t have the means to hunt something that big. I was going to say you could get a gauss gun but I refrained. I didn’t want to give him any ideas.

“I think they made an oversight with that law..” He said rhetorically rubbing his chin in contemplation. “In any case. In the future if you give me a signed voucher, I’ll give you a check,” he said as if he was reading my mind. He wrote something on a piece of paper and paperclipped it to the voucher. He gave the voucher back to me with my ID.

“I’m Mr. Darren by the way and Good Job!” he belatedly gave his name and extended his hand for a handshake. I shook it and my face was full of appreciation. I interpreted what he said as a dismissal so I left the room in haste in case he changed his mind.

The cashier gave me an all official looking check. I grinned as I saw the numbers. I glanced at the man who helped me earlier with the bracelet gave me a thumbs up. I waved at him and left the office. A human guard removed the security bracelet and I suddenly relaxed. I didn’t notice it earlier that I was that tense. But considering our initial encounter with Mr. Darren, it was understandable.

Thankfully my visit to the bank was painless but they slapped a security bracelet on my wrist when I entered. That answered my questions about bank robbers with storage mods. After I deposited my check I walked out there twenty thousand dollars richer. I remembered I still needed a cell phone so dropped by the town’s single electronic store and bought a new shiny smartphone. I drove home in a very good mood, but when I remembered what day tomorrow was my mood evaporated fast. I drove back home silent and brooded. When I was in my room I downloaded all my contacts and install all my favorite apps on my new smartphone. I played a few games for a few hours and had a big dinner again. I laid on my bed and tried getting some sleep.

--

“Shit!” I cursed. I hit the brakes and pulled my truck to the left to avoid a collision. A Halfling woman almost sideswiped me with her tiny pink car. My heart raced as tried to maintain control of my vehicle cursing the whole time. I glared at the halfling through the windscreen who was on the phone. Goddamn women halfling drivers. I growled at the car in question. This was why I hated driving to Seattle. There are too many cars.

I woke up early for the drive to Seattle and the lack of sleep didn’t help my bad mood. I tried listening to some music in the truck but that didn’t help. I was imaging the terrible experiments waiting for me and I almost rear-ended a car when I wasn’t paying attention. I concentrated hard on my driving but my stomach growled. I was getting hungry and I forgot to bring something to eat. My mom was still sleeping and I didn’t know how to cook even if my life depended on it. So when I saw a fast food chain and I decided to grab some food. With my hunger sated, I drove steadily to my doom.

--

-Turn left- -Turn left.- The female voice of the Nav System ordered and I glanced at the map display on the console. I checked the traffic and turned into a road with a sign of the hospital. I followed the road and found a parking area adjacent to a white rectangular building. I looked for a spot and parked my truck.

I turned off the engine and sat inside the truck for a minute. I sighed and got out and faced the building. The Seattle Medical Institute building was on ordinary looking one. It was painted white and rectangular with rows of windows. It looked like a regular hospital and I was a bit disappointed. I thought the Institute was like a super high tech hospital made of glass. I blamed it on watching too many movies.

I went through the large double doors and stood at the lobby. The lobby was crowded and the reception desk was busy with a long line of people waiting. I noticed that there was a lot of aliens here. This must be a hospital that served both human and aliens. I pulled out my phone and called Athlan with the number he gave to mom. I heard music instead of the sound of ringing. I listened and smiled at the Korean lyrics. Thankfully Athlan answered the call before the song grew on me.

“Yes?” Athlan answered his voice sounded annoyed.

“You’re supposed to say Hello yknow.”. I joked. I tried to amuse myself at his expense.

“Who is th...Brian?” his voice completely changed. Now it sounded sweet. Too sweet

“Hello, Healer. I’m in the lobby waiting.”

“Very good! I’ll have someone fetch you” He said quickly. Was the healer busy? Maybe we can cancel this test.

“Thanks, Healer. I..” “Tot-tot-tot-tot”

That was rude. He didn’t even say goodbye. I stared at the phone and I smiled. I went into my contacts and added a black and white photo of Dr. Frankenstein into his profile. I smirked as I saved the photo. That’ll show him.

I saw a lovely female elf nurse get off the elevator and started scanning room. This must be the one he sent for me. Athlan, you sly elf you. I grinned at the thought. Then I had an idea. I walked towards the wall and leaned on it. I crossed my arms and assumed a nonchalant attitude. I turned away from the pretty little elf but I kept looking at her with the corners of my eyes. What can I do? I have a weakness for elf women. But the female elf smiled in my direction and waved. I heart my jumped and I stupidly waved at her.

I was about to get off the wall when I a muscle-bound dude went past me and the elf nurse ran to the man and kissed him. I flushed in embarrassment and moved out of sight. I’ve seen that in the movies a lot of times and I fell for it. So my mood soured and I leaned on the wall. I crossed my arms in annoyance for real this time.

I waited there for ten minutes when a short fat male elf showed up and was scanning the room. I stared at the unique elf in wonder. Elves had fat people? He was wearing a white lab coat and I raised my hand to get his attention. I didn’t want to stay here any longer than I needed to. He saw me and I walked to him. He grinned at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. He confirmed that I was the one he was supposed to accompany and I followed him. He might be fat but was quick and agile for someone his size. I upped my pace to keep up with him.

I walked passed several rooms with alien patients and I wondered why was there was a need for hospitals anymore. I made a mental reminder to ask Athlan about it. After a few more twists and turns we arrived an empty hallway. The fat elf indicated that we had arrived and we went into a door on the right.

It wasn’t what I imagined a lab would look like. The lab in my mind was full of beakers and test tubes and bunsen burners. Instead, the lab was like a gym and the floor covered in non-slip material. Inside it had a treadmill, weight machines, a medicine ball, and other exercise equipment. I thought the test might not be that bad at all. Healer Athlan came out of his office on the left and quickly walked towards me.

“Ah. My favorite patient” He smiled eyes wide happy to see me. Or maybe happy to test me.

“Hi, Healer.” I gave him a small smile. I didn’t know why I was annoyed by him. I reconciled to the idea of being poked and prodded. I was curious what was happening to my body.

“Do not be so formal with me Brian. Call me Athlan or Mr. Xe’noloa” He shook my hand and patted me on the shoulder. “Or ‘Doc’ like the other humans call me” He added.

“Eh..I’ll call you ‘Doc’ then.” I nodded. His name was a mouthful.

“Good. Good.” he said

“So what’s the test?” I asked as I looked around the room

“We will measure your strength, speed, endurance, your mental capacity, your... “ he listed the tests and the terms he mentioned went over my head and I just nodded. After he was finished he tilted his head as he scrutinized me.

“But enough of that. Let us do something easy first. Take off your clothes.”

“Excuse me doc?”