Billy ran through the house like a mad dog, 'RYAN! Bet you can't catch me?', Ryan chuckled and leaped off the sofa to chase him into the garden. Mia walked into the kitchen and gazed at Ryan and Billy wrestling on the grass. 'He has his childhood back', Mia sighed as Royce walked into the room, 'who? Ryan or Billy?' Royce laughed. Mia smiled and waved out the window to them, Ryan dropped Billy from his arms and waved back enthusiastically, Billy bared his teeth and dived into Ryan, sending him straght for the floor.
'Mia?' Dennis was leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded, 'yeah?' Mia turned and gave a bright smile to her brother. 'What's going to happen now?', Dennis asked. Royce put his hand on Mia's shoulder, 'I think Mia should rest for a while, no rush, is there?'. Mia looked at him through her specs, she longed to see him human and even more beautiful, to experience their love in human form. Mia turned to Dennis and shook her head. 'There is a rush. I want everyone to be as happy as they are right now', she pointed to Ryan and Billy running round the garden. Dennis gave his sister a warm smile, 'I'm proud of you, Mia'. Mia smiled back and turned back to look out of the window. Dennis turned away and walked down the hall.
'George? George?' Mia paced round the house until he flashed into view. 'Holy shit!' Mia jumped backwards and glared at him, 'cheers!'. George smiled, 'I'm not that scary am I?', Mia pulled a face and smiled. 'Well, you won't be scary for much longer, no offence. I was wondering if you wanted to come down and... y'know' Mia looked at him with wide eyes. George gave a short chuckle, 'I thought Royce would be next on your list?'. Mia shook her head, 'Royce and I both agreed that we want to get everyone else out of the way first... otherwise, I'll get distracted if he's human', Mia flushed bright red. George walked over to her and placed a giant hand on her head, 'Too much information'. Mia and George walked downstairs, and straight into the fron room.
Ryan and Royce stood in the living room watching the machine rise to life through the glass walls. 'Bet you can't wait to be human' Ryan said, Royce looked down at him and shrugged. 'Yeah I suppose', Ryan raised an eyebrow at him, 'I know we ain't the best of buds but... you can't tell me that your not looking forward to being human... for Mia'. Royce frowned slightly causing a small wrinkle to appear between his brows, 'How do you know it'll make a big difference to our relationship?'. Ryan laughed and turned his attention back to Mia who stood on the edge of the machine reading from the book. 'What?' Royce asked, Ryan shrugged, 'I know you haven't 'sealed the deal', Royce'. Royce's jaw dropped, 'how the fuck do you know anything about our sex life?'. 'It's not really a 'sex' life is it?', Ryan chuckled. Royce growled and walked away into the kitchen. Ryan watched him leave and smiled to himself.
Royce thumped his fist against the bench and cursed. Royce could see the way Ryan looked at her, could see the lust in his eyes. Royce saw the way Mia loved him, the way she hugged him and laughed with him. Mia loved him but he knew that a part of her loved Ryan.
'HEY! George is on his way down to the basement! Come on!' Mia popped her head round the kitchen door and motioned for Royce to follow her. Royce jogged to catch up with Mia, they ran down the basement stairs and saw George walking round the corner, he was human. George smiled at the group of people staring at him, 'Are you alright?' Mia asked, George nodded, adjusting himself with his healed body. 'Everything there?' Ryan asked, George scanned his body, 'yes, Ryan'. Ryan nodded, 'still got your manhood?', George frowned, 'yes I hav-', he turned around and patted himself, 'YES I HAVE!'. Ryan cackled with joy and gave George a manly hug, everyone joined in with a big hug.
Royce pulled Mia into a hug and kissed her softly on her lips, a kiss that made her tingle all over. 'Oh, hello', Mia sighed. Royce leant into her ear and whispered lightly, 'I want to be human ASAP. I want to show you how much I love you'. Mia blushed and kissed him again, her specs crushed between their faces. Mia pulled herself together and turned to face the group, 'Susan is next. Whether she likes it or not, by the end of tonight... everyone will be human'.
'What do you want?' Susan snarled, Mia rolled her eyes and sighed. 'I came to escort you to the main hall, it's your turn', Mia smiled. Susan stared at her blankly, not sure whether to laugh or attack Mia. 'I thought I was too much of a monster to turn human?' Susan asked, she slowly crawled out of her dark corner to stare Mia in the eyes. Mia stared straight back at her, not flinching at her low snarl. 'Even so, I still maintain that you have every right to be humand again... even if it is debatable' Mia replied. Susan squinted her eyes at Mia for a minute or two, Mia sighed, 'Susan, I haven't got all day!'. Susan snapped out of her daydream and snarled at Mia, 'okay then!'. Mia breathed deeply and whistled for the guys to come and help. Royce and Dennis jogged down the basement stairs, Mia pushed the cubicle's button. Susan's vicious expression sent a chill down Mia's spine. Dennis stopped and looked at Mia, 'Mia, she isn't 5 years old... surely she should be allowed to walk there herself'. Mia and Royce stared at Dennis with wide eyes, 'Dennis, have you forgotten what this monster did to Mia, your little sister?' Royce snapped. Dennis stared at the floor then quickly shifted his gaze to stare at Susan, Susan met his eyes and for the first time in years they were filled with happiness. 'I know what she did, but I dunno... I just have this feeling that she's changed', Dennis said lightly. Royce's jaw dropped and Mia just stared at her brother with a blank expression, 'Come on Mee! You know that anyone can change. Would she really sabotage her chance to become human?' Dennis stared at Mia with desperate eyes. Mia felt a twinge of guilt and sighed, 'fine! But if she so much looks at anyone in a threatening way, then she'll be right back in this cubicle'. Dennis and Susan both tried to hide a beaming smile, Royce stared at them both and felt a twisting sensation in his guts that told him something wasn't right. Mia nodded towards Royce to leave the basement, Dennis smiled at Susan who stood up and smiled at him back. 'Well, you were right, Mia was 'won over'' Susan whispered, Dennis gave a light chuckle. 'If you start being nicer and less vicious then it should be easier next time', Dennis replied. Susan raised her eyebrow and stared at Dennis, 'I've never been nice in my life'. Dennis chuckled again, 'well this is your second life starting, maybe you could make a fresh change... for me?'. Susan flushed a shade of pink, 'I'll give it a go... for you'.
'Well that's all done. She should be down in the basement now', Mia said as she popped her head into the living room. Dennis jumped up, 'I'll go, give yourself a rest Mee', she smiled at him as he left the room. Royce tapped the space next to him on the sofa, Mia smiled and flopped down next to him. 'Mia, do you think something is going on between Dennis and Susan?' Royce whispered in her ear. Mia's eyebrows shot up, 'That's ludicrous!' Mia replied. Royce nodded in agreement, 'Yeah, sorry. Stupid thing to say, I don't know where my head is today'. Mia smiled at him and kissed him sweetly on the lips, it was a long and delicate kiss. Royce tried to stop her from pulling away, Mia didn't fight it. Ryan walked into the living room, 'whoaaaa! Sorry face-suckers!' Ryan covered his eyes and attempted to leave the room, instead he bumped straight into the wall, 'ouch!'. Mia pulled away from Royce, 'Ryan! Either uncover your eyes and leave or shut up!'. Ryan slowly removed his hand, 'how rude! I can see where I'm not wanted!', he pretended to fling back his hair and strut off. Mia chuckled as she found Royce's lips once more. 'I can't wait for tonight' Mia mumbled against Royce's lips. Royce stopped kissing and looked at her, 'tonight?'. Mia rolled her eyes and ran her fingers through his soft black hair. 'Tonight... we... y'know, when you're human. It'll be perfect' Mia kissed his nose softly. 'Of course!' Royce beamed. Mia jumped off the sofa and looked at the clock, I better see how thing's are going downstairs. Get ready to be human, I'll be back in 10!' Mia squealed. Royce waved her off then dropped his head into his hands, 'shit, shit, shit, shitty, shit, shit!'. George sat down in the armchair opposite Royce, 'what's the problem?'. Royce looked up and sighed, 'It doesn't matter... just need a time-out'. George nodded, not wanting to push the conversation anymore. Royce left the room as George turned on the TV, Royce looked out into the garden and wished the next hour or so to come quick. Mia snuck into the kitchen and placed her arms around Royce's waist. 'You ready?' she whispered, Royce nodded slowly, 'yes'.
The large steel girders twisted and turned, surrounding Royce in the middle of the vast room. Mia repeated the words, with her eyes transfixed on Royce in the centre, his jet black hair blowing slightly from the rush of the machine. His piercing blue eyes followed the giant rings as they dipped in and out of the hollow floor. Royce glanced at Mia who looked as white as a ghost, a small frown started to appear on her face, making her look like a irritated child. Royce smiled and closed his eyes as a burning light passed through his body. Royce breathed in deeply and opened his eyes to see the sparkling glass of the basement. Royce blinked his eyes a few more times just to be certain, 'it worked' he breathed. He could hear footsteps coming his way, 'ROYCE! ROYCE! Answer me!' Mia's distressed voice was echoeing through the basement. Mia stumbled round the corner, breathless and wide-eyed, 'Royce?' she stared at him. Royce's stomach twisted, he felt that something was wrong. 'Mia? What's wrong?' he asked, his voice was clearer than ever, no longer distant like he was talking behind a glass wall. Mia held her hand to her mouth, as her eyes started to scan Royce. 'Nothing is wrong... you're perfect', Mia ran to him and jumped in his arms, he could actually feel her. His arms wrapped round her, feeling her warm skin. Mia held onto him for dear life, he felt full... full of life. She pulled back and gazed at him, his torn face was now healed to perfection, his skin pale but glowing. Royce's ocean blue eyes stood out magnificently, it momentarily took Mia's breath away. 'I thought I had lost you' Mia whispered, she placed her forehead against his, Royce smiled a perfect smile, 'I would never let that happen'.