Original Cindy insisted that Max see a beach at least once in her genetically engineered life, and even convinced Normal to give them three consecutive days off for the trip to California.

Max had only seen sand once before – during training at Manticore they'd been tested for speed running through sand. But it was sand that had been brought indoors: cold and plain.

When they reached California, Max was surprised at how little clothing people were wearing. It was wonderfully balmy outside and she'd suddenly felt overdressed in all black. Definitely a far cry from typical Seattle weather.

She saw women in bikinis, men in swim trunks and no shirts – they were tan. She thought back to her fight in the ring with Alec. He was as toned or more toned than these guys, but he lacked the deep tan they all seemed to have.

Eventually Original Cindy parked along PCH and she and Max carried their towels down the stairs to the golden sand and beautiful blue surf.

She watched as a couple of other groups settled 30 or 40 feet back form the waves and began to undress. Everyone seemed completely unashamed to take their clothes off with everyone else in eyesight. She returned her attention to ORIGINAL CINDY, who had already laid her towel out and removed her top. "Girl, you gonna burn up if you don't start losin' the threads," she warned.

Max began removing her jacket and top. Original Cindy had picked out a bikini – the first one Max had worn her whole life. And until now, she hadn't understood why you'd put it on before you got there. Max's bright orange bikini complemented her exotic olive skin tone perfectly, and already she noticed the extra attention she received from the surrounding men. She looked to ORIGINAL CINDY with a smile.

"Told ya, girl!" she said, and lowered onto her towel.

Max shimmied out of her pants and felt the warmth of the California sun. It was amazing. She could feel her skin basking in the sunshine. Was it the feline DNA?

She lay back on her towel and relaxed, letting the sun soak into her skin and her toes dig into the warm sand.

In the sky, seagulls floated on the breeze lazily, occasionally dipping down onto the sand for a crumb of something to eat. The people even seemed to be good spirits – playing games, playing in the water and interacting with one another.

She saw a couple shaded by a big umbrella near them. The man was smoothing suntan oil over the woman. It was almost sensual, and it made her think of Alec's skillful hands.

Max closed her eyes. Now this is freedom.