Author's Note: Originally part of a collection; I'll be posting each of the drabbles separately. The prompt for this one was 'in front of me, a stranger talks'. It is assumed that Crystal had begun working in some scientific field.
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Half Life
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I stare into the mirror and see hollow eyes where once danced inspiration. I see stringy locks where once sprung lively pigtails. I see frail limbs where once flowed blood and muscle and pure adrenaline.
Maybe it's the scientist in me, speaking in pure observation, or perhaps it's my mother, the small droplets of emotion accumulating on my skull. But I realize slowly that this is not the Crystal I used to know.
My voice echoes on the tile walls of the laboratory bathroom. "I can't be that different," I boldly declare, trying to remember that I'm only twenty-four and still looking for a purpose. "I'm still myself!"
The only reply is the dripping water faucet.