Chapter 3 The Pool

Evernya continued to wander down the long hallway, finding nothing of interest, as every room she came upon was empty and covered in dust. This lab has a simple design as far as I can tell, just one long ass hallway connecting everything. If something bad happened, wouldn’t this design be a deathtrap? Maybe that was the point to make it easy to defend or close off. Thought Evernya as she opened yet another door. This one had a broad double door similar to the door that led out of the cafeteria.

She perked up, taking in the room. Finally, a room with something in it! With an extra bounce in her step, she entered the room of similar size to the cafeteria, filled with gym equipment. Sweet, no need for a gym membership, I have it all to myself. Sadly, I can barely walk, so I doubt I can do much of a workout. Evernya thought as she investigated the gym.

The gym consisted of dozens of cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes on the right nearest to the entrance, followed by cable machines and several devices she didn’t recognize. The first area on the left side was an area filled with benches and squat racks for free weights followed by an expansive open padded area for stretching or bodyweight exercises. As Evernya scanned the assortment of gym equipment, she wandered down the alleyway running through the middle. This place has all the workout equipment anyone would ever need.

Evernya stopped at a group of strange machines with a curious tilt of her head. What are these orbs supposed to do? I don’t see any way to lift the weights without a handle.

The piece of equipment in question was a gray orb rested on an adjustable platform with another platform pin adjustable weights similar to cable gym equipment. Her eyes shifted between the platform and the weight rack with a puzzled expression.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Evernya picked one of the half a dozen identical devices with an orb platform at chest height. Too lazy to adjust the orb platform herself. Evernya set the pin at forty kilograms randomly, figuring nothing would happen.

Even if I had a handle to lift this, I doubt I could with my new body. Evernya thought as she walked back to the gray orb.

She placed her palm on the orb. Similar to the device on the computer desk, Evernya felt something leave her, this time in much larger, sustained quantities.

A second later, the weighted platform lifted off the ground by almost a meter. Evernya effortlessly maintained the exertion for several seconds before light-headedness assaulted her mind. After a few more seconds, the weights slammed down as she fell to her knees, panting.

After a minute, her breathing calmed, but she remained on her knees, exhausted. Evernya allowed herself to fall the rest of the way down to the floor, unable to keep herself upright any longer. Within a minute of lying on the rubberized black floor, she passed out from exhaustion.

One hour later, Evernya stirred awake on the floor, confused. What happened? Why do I keep waking up in random places? I hope this doesn’t become a habit. That orb machine would be convenient for people with insomnia I don’t even remember laying down. Evernya climbed to her feet, barely avoiding tripping over her own tail. Wow, I need a lot more practice in tail control. To be fair, I’ve only had a tail for around a day. At least I think it has been a day.

Evernya turned toward the entrance to leave, but caught a whiff of something even more enticing than the plants. Unable to resist, Evernya followed her nose to a door labeled pool at the end of the alley, running down the middle of the gym. The door opened to a short narrow hallway with signs pointing to a male and female changing room on each side. On autopilot, Evernya walked to the female dressing room.

Evernya froze with her hand on the door handle. I don’t think I am ready to change with other women with a body I don’t know is mine, baby steps. Not that I have anything to change into, plus this outfit probably doubles as a swimsuit. I doubt I am going to go swimming anyway, though it may be fun. I wonder, do my cat parts hate water as many house cats do? It would suck to be afraid of water considering how much of the planet’s surface is water. Okay, back to the task at hand, braving the changing room!

Evernya pushed open the women’s changing room door and walked in before she could change her mind. She stopped in the middle of the changing room, surveying her surroundings. Her eyes landed on toilet stalls prompting her to wonder, why haven’t I had an urge to pee yet? I’m so used to having to deal with a pea-sized bladder. I don’t feel hungry or thirsty either. The lack of hunger and thirst is kind of weird. With the time I’ve spent here, I should at least feel thirsty. I think I saw a drinking fountain in the cafeteria, so I at least have water.

What about food, though? Maybe they invented a food preserving device that can keep food fresh indefinitely. At this point, I don’t think it would surprise me if they developed something like that. I guess I may have to brave the kitchen after all. Please, please don’t be years old rotten eggs! I think I may die on the spot!

Evernya’s eyes widened as another thought came to her, Wait, how did I smell the pool from so far away? Is my sense of smell heightened like my hearing? Crap, now I’m dreading that kitchen trip more than ever. I’ll put it off until I absolutely need to eat. Evernya thought as she stood in the middle of the red and white changing room.

Her thoughts shifted once again. Why do I keep going off in thought tangents? Is that a cat thing? I know it was easy to distract my cats. Did I pick up that trait as well? If I don’t get back, who will take care of my cats? How long will it take for someone to notice I am gone? I had Monday off. So it may be at least four days until someone notices I am gone. I don’t know how long I’ve been missing. For all I know, it could have been months. Somehow I doubt my transferring to this body was an instant process. What happened to my old body? Does everyone I know think I died!? My body could be lying cold on my bed right now!

Evernya took a deep breath before a panic attack could manifest. Well, as morbid as it sounds, at least my cats have a food source. I think I read somewhere cats, if abandoned, will return to their primal states relatively quickly, causing my body to become the victim. Wow, what is wrong with me? I’m not even grossed out by that thought. Is that another quirk of this body?

She blinked several times, finally aware of her surroundings only to descend into another thought tangent. If anyone were here, they would think I am crazy just standing in the middle of the changing room staring off into space. At least I’m not thinking out loud! Then people would really think I am crazy. I don’t think I have much sanity left either way. Okay, focus! Forward to the next destination, the pool!

The easily distracted catgirl finally made her way through the changing room to the short hallway leading to the pool. After Evernya pushed open the door labeled pool entrance, she took in the expansive pool area. Wow, they have a freaking Olympic-sized swimming pool down here! How is it maintained when no one is around? It’s huge! This place doesn’t make sense why would they abandon such a luxurious place. If I didn’t know about the accursed coffin room, I would think this is a luxury bunker.

Evernya’s eyes zeroed in on the slightly illuminated blue-tinted pool, fighting between curiosity and hunger as her fangs descended. It’s too tempting I think I will try the shallow end. I need to find out if I am afraid of the water now. Besides, the water smells too delicious, much better than the plants.

The curious cat girl walked over to the shallow end and dipped her toe in to test the temperature. Finding it acceptable, she climbed down the ladder, being extra careful not to slip. When the tip of her tail touched the water, her body seized up as shock shot up her spine.

After a few seconds, Evernya adjusted, allowing her to continue. Step by step, she plunged deeper into the pool, enjoying the feeling of the water against her skin. Soon Evernya reached the bottom with the water up to her chest.

Well, one issue solved, it appears I’m immune to the fear of water. If anything, it feels fantastic and very relaxing. It was a shock to get my tail wet at first. I didn’t realize how sensitive my tail was. Is it like anime, where a cat girl’s tail is an erogenous zone? That is an issue I am not ready to deal with yet! Evernya thought as she trudged deeper into the water.

The longer she spent in the water, the stronger her body became. Wow, I feel great! What is in this stuff? I’ve never felt like this in water before.

Evernya continued deeper until she couldn’t touch anymore, then floated on her back. As she floated, her eyelids grew heavy, basking in the warmth radiating off the water lulling her to sleep.

After Evernya fell asleep, her limp body sunk like a rock. Her head impacted the concrete bottom of the pool, but she remained undisturbed from her deep sleep.

The sunken girl awakened eight hours later. Her vibrant blue eyes fluttered open, brightly illuminated. In an instant, panic flashed in those eyes as she flailed, trying to swim to the surface. With a speed that would put Olympic swimmers to shame, Evernya raced to the edge of the pool. Her body rocketed out of the pool, landing hard on the concrete floor. Evernya rolled to her hands and knees, dry heaving.

Evernya spent the next five minutes trying to cough up water, but none came out, forcing her to give up. With an aching body, she rolled on her back, staring at the ceiling while deep in thought. What was that!? How did I end up at the bottom of the pool!? I remember floating on my back in the middle of the pool, and then nothing. If I fell asleep in the pool, wouldn’t I wake up once I was underwater? It wasn’t like I passed out drunk. Or was I? I felt amazing in the water. It felt like all my problems didn’t matter, as long as I stayed right where I was. How didn’t I drown? So many unexplainable things keep happening to me! Why was I drawn to this pool? More and more questions with no answers!

Evernya forced herself to her feet after fifteen minutes of staring at the ceiling. Unaccustomed to standing, Evernya swayed for a second as her balance stabilized. Almost against her will, she gazed toward the pool with longing. Evernya shook her head to clear her mind. Afraid to become entranced by the pool again, she stumbled toward the changing room.

Her dazed eyes landed on a neat pile of clean white towels stacked on a shelf just inside the entrance. Those same eyes snapped into focus, clearing any residual effects of the pool in an instant.

Evernya stared at the stack of towels in bewilderment and fear. Where did those come from? I know they weren’t there when I went into the pool. That’s really creepy. Is someone watching me? Evernya grabbed a towel as she scrutinized her surroundings, paranoid. Her ears twitched listening for any sounds, but after several minutes she came up empty. Evernya gave up and started drying herself, spending extra time on her ears and tail.

After spending ten minutes drying, Evernya threw the damp towel in the provided basket. Wow, it’s a long process to dry my new body. It probably took five times longer than it would have in my old body. Another con to the list, tail plus cat ears plus long hair equals long drying time. At least the outfit dried almost instantly. What is it made of? It makes a perfect swimsuit with how fast it dries. Plus, I doubt it would have much drag either with its silky smooth texture. Nice to know I don’t have to strip naked as long as I am wearing this.

Evernya stared down at her body as her thoughts continued to wander. Speaking of naked, I haven’t even seen myself naked. Which may be a good thing, as I don’t know how I feel about seeing myself naked yet. Odd how I feel okay walking around naked, but I can’t bring myself to check out my body myself. Is it because subconsciously, I don’t consider this my body? I mean technically I stole my new body but finders keepers. I’m pretty sure this is real because I would’ve woken up by now if it weren’t. Okay, well, onward to the next destination!

She worked her way back out into the main hallway to continue her journey. After a few minutes, Evernya came across a ton of doors numbered almost like addresses.

After Evernya peeked in several rooms, she once again descended into thought. I bet these were the rooms for the residents. Each room appears to have the same basic layout, kind of like a decent hotel room. Most only have one bed per room, so I don’t think families were common here. Each room even has a bigger bathroom than I had. They also have a tub! So unfair! Why was I dumped in such a low-quality room? I guess I know where I stand on their priorities! In retaliation, I shall claim the best room here as my own! There has to be a boss’s room or something around here!

With renewed determination, the insulted catgirl marched down the hall, searching for the biggest and best room. Evernya spent over twenty minutes checking every room, finding them to be steadily growing bigger and fancier the further down the hall she ventured.

Finally, Evernya came upon a black stone door decorated with intricate glowing green engravings resembling veins. She grabbed the door handle to open it, but it refused to budge. After holding the door handle for a few seconds, Evernya felt the familiar feeling of something leaving her. A moment later, the door swinging open on its own. Unprepared, Evernya failed to react in time as the door impacted her chest, sending her sprawling to the floor.

After climbing to her feet, Evernya glared at the now open door as she complained mentally. They need to have a warning light or something! I could have jammed a tail!

Now, even more determined to claim the best room. Evernya strutted into the room, refusing to let a door to get the better of her. As soon as she entered the room, the door slammed shut, causing her to jump, almost tripping over her own feet. Evernya rested her hand on the black wall to steady herself as she took in the room.

After Evernya recovered from her surprise, she observed the apartment, finding it entirely of shades of black or green, no other colors. Kind of an odd color scheme but somehow gives off a luxurious almost warm feel. But maybe that’s my imagination.

The walls and ceiling were almost entirely black, with the same glowing green veins running through it, providing light to the apartment. Unlike most of the previous rooms, this one had multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a spacious living room area, which was the first room Evernya saw as she entered.

Evernya walked past the green and black leather couches lined up in front of a giant TV similar to the one in the lounge area. Her eyes glanced toward the kitchen area just off the living room to the left.

Afraid of rotten food, Evernya rushed past the kitchen into the short hall opposite the entrance. She wandered down a short hallway with three doors, one on each side, and at the end. First Evernya peeked into the door on the right, finding it to be a decent-sized bedroom on par with the previous biggest apartments she looked through on her way here. The left side was a bathroom, which was about five times the size of the hospital room’s bathroom, but she found nothing noteworthy otherwise.

She moved on to the last door at the end of the hall. The first thing Evernya saw upon opening the door was a giant bed that had to be at least three meters by three meters. An almost irresistible urge to jump and roll around on the bed compelled her, but she held off until she investigated the rest of the bedroom.

Evernya peered into the door to the right of the giant bed, finding it to be an enormous walk-in closet enough to fit a small clothing store's worth of clothes. Unfortunately for her lack of attire, the giant closet was empty. Evernya moved on to the door on the left of the room, giving the bed a wide berth to lessen her temptation to claim it as hers just yet. Inside the second door, Evernya found an equally oversized bathroom equipped with a hot tub and a shower big enough to fit ten of her at the same time.

This is ridiculous! This bathroom alone is bigger than my crappy hospital room! My first apartment was smaller than this bathroom! It even has a freaking hot tub and one of those big showers that can blast you from all directions! Evernya fumed silently as she stared at the ridiculously extravagant bathroom.

She swiveled on her feet, more determined than ever to claim the bed as her own. With unusually heavy steps for a woman of her size, Evernya marched toward the bed.

Against her better judgment, Evernya planted her right foot as she bent her knees to leap forward. In her haste, she forgot about her tail. When Evernya planted her foot to jump, she stepped on her tail, causing her to trip.

Somehow Evernya still landed on to the bed, but with much less grace and with one sore tail. Evernya rolled on the bed, cradling her poor abused tail for several minutes as tears welled in her eyes.

After the worst of the pain died down, Evernya rolled onto her back as she stroked her tender tail. I definitely need to work on my tail coordination as soon as possible! I hope no one saw that! At least the bed is comfortable! I have to look at the bright side of things. Otherwise, I will lose it if I haven’t already.

After ten minutes of ministrations, the pain dulled to a throb. Evernya flopped, spread-eagled on the bed as she stared at the ceiling. Just how big is this place? I’ve been wandering for what feels like hours, and yet I still haven’t found the end. This hallway has to lead somewhere important, so I suppose I’ll just continue following it until the end. With her plan of action decided, Evernya relaxed into the delightfully comfortable bed for a while longer.