Xander moved swiftly up the stairs, each step growing heavier as he approached his apartment.
When he reached it, his suspicions were confirmed. Yellow police tape crisscrossed the doorway, marking the scene of his supposed "death."
"Surprise, surprise... what else was I expecting?" he muttered, sighing.
"I mean, someone did die here… that someone just happens to be me." He smirked slightly, musing to himself.
I'm technically dead, so they can't arrest or sue me for anything. I just need to stay 'dead'… theoretically.
He looked around, making sure no one was in sight, then punched in his lock code. The keypad gave a faint beep, and the door unlocked. Cautiously, he pushed it open, bracing himself for whatever mess might be left behind.
As the door swung wide, an overpowering stench hit him, a foul mixture of rot and decay that clung to the air. Xander gagged, choking back the taste of bile.
Ugh… smells like fish carcasses left to rot in a swamp. That's definitely not just me being paranoid. He forced himself forward, eyes watering from the intensity of the smell.
Taking in the scene, he noted the yellow tape sectioning off the middle of the room, surrounding the outline of his own body.
He saw an odd, greyish puddle on the floor near the outline, the stench intensifying as he neared it. He leaned in just enough to confirm the source of the odour and grimaced.
"What the hell is that? Did… did that come out of me?"
The rest of the room wasn't in any better shape. Blood spattered the floor and walls, furniture lay overturned, and random items were strewn about, making it look like a crime scene out of some cop drama.
Xander couldn't help but chuckle. "If they didn't know I was sick, I'd bet my last protein bar they'd have called this a murder case."
His eyes scanned the rest of the apartment. As expected, the cabinets were open and empty, and all the tech he'd collected from Nano Genics was gone.
His gene splicer, his most valuable piece of gear, was missing as well. Xander's fists clenched in frustration. "I had plans for that thing..."
Unable to hold back his anger, he kicked a nearby lamp, sending it flying across the room. The crash of glass shattering snapped him back to reality.
"Alright… easy. I don't know why, but since… Well, since coming back, I've been feeling way more jumpy. A little too jumpy, maybe…
sometimes even aggressive."
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Good thing I've got that Iron Will skill, or I'd probably be tearing this place apart even more."
Taking a steadying breath, he made his way to the bathroom, carefully stepping around the mess.
He pushed the bathroom door open, relieved to find it untouched amidst the chaos of his apartment.
"At least they left the bathroom clean… I seriously need a shower, then I gotta bail before anyone around here gets suspicious."
He pulled off his hoodie, tossing it onto the counter, but the sight in the mirror stopped him in his tracks.
His eyes went wide, tracing the reflection that seemed both familiar and foreign. "Whoa! Who the fuck is that?" he muttered, running his fingers through his hair and over his face, taking in the subtle but striking changes.
His skin had retained its caramel tone but with a slightly more vibrant hue, his hair now a rich crimson with two thick white streaks on the right side that fell over his forehead in bangs.
His body had filled out, too—muscle definition across his shoulders, arms, and abs that he didn't remember working for. His face, while still recognizable, looked sharper, more angular, almost refined.
"Did they decide to pull one last prank and dye my hair before burying me?" He let out a small laugh, trying to wrap his head around it.
"Guess that's what happens when you're technically not completely human anymore… Whatever, this is sick!"
He chuckled to himself, playfully flexing in the mirror.
After splashing some cold water on his face, he turned the shower on, stepping in with a sigh of relief as the warm water ran over him. Despite the chaos he was living in, a moment of quiet let his mind wander.
"So, where do I go after this?" he thought. I've got some cash from earlier, but it won't last long. I should go see Mika.
He's the only one who won't lose it when I explain all this.
A mischievous grin crept onto his face. "Good thing he lives so close… He's got no chance of staying calm when he sees a 'ghost' at his door tonight. Man, I've never been able to scare him before, but this time? He's done for."
He finished his shower, feeling more refreshed and alert. He reached for a brush, styling his hair so the two white streaks fell together into a single bang.
Back in his room, he rummaged through the wardrobe and found an old outfit—off-white laced pants and a black, ripped-design shirt with a hood. He slipped into the clothes, pleasantly surprised by how well they fit his new frame.
Grabbing his old backpack from the top of the wardrobe, he stuffed in a few essentials—basic hygiene products, a change of clothes, and anything else he thought he'd need for the night.
Taking one last look around his battered apartment, he flicked off the lights and slipped out the door.
Stepping outside, Xander inhaled deeply, noticing the rain had finally eased up, and patches of clearing sky hinted at the first light of dawn.
He dashed down the stairs, cautious but purposeful, heading toward Mi'kael's apartment.
His mind raced as he moved, wary of any familiar faces from the neighborhood. "I know some people here, but no way are they up this early. Still, gotta be careful—I really can't risk getting recognized like this. Hope the new look is enough to throw them off."
Reaching Mi'kael's door, he took a quick look around before knocking softly, then a bit louder when no response came.
"Hmmm… he must be asleep. What day is it even? Is it the weekend?"
He chuckled quietly, realizing he'd never bothered to ask Starlette for the date.
"Probably good I didn't; I already looked odd enough as it was," he muttered, pressing the doorbell a couple more times, but still, there was silence from within.
"Where is he?" Just as he began to wonder if he'd ever get an answer, a mailman approached, nodding politely before slipping a letter into Mi'kael's mailbox and moving on down the hall.
As soon as the coast was clear, Xander tried the mailbox, only to find it locked tight.
"Seriously, Mika, where did you go?" he grumbled. With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, he took hold of the box lid, tugging at it with steady force.
"Come on… open up! Nine strength can't be too weak for this, right?"
Despite the resistance, he felt it starting to give, but not quite enough. Muttering to himself, Xander decided to channel one of his distributable stat points to strength.
"Let's see if this works…" With his strength now at ten, he gave it another hard pull, and the top of the mailbox finally tore free, making a metallic clink sound as it broke open.
"Holy guacamole… a single stat point actually makes a difference, huh?" he whispered, impressed.
Quickly rifling through the mail, he snatched up a few letters and stuffed them into his pocket.
The noise from his effort had been louder than he'd intended, so without a second thought, he turned and darted out of the building.
In the muted shadows of an empty alley, Xander's eyes narrowed as he read a letter from Nano Genics.
The words were professional, but the intent was unmistakably self-serving, and it made his blood boil.
[Nano Genics Corporation]
Official Correspondence
Subject: Request for Cooperation in Testimonial Matters
Dear Mr. Mi'kael Langston,
We hope this letter reaches you under peaceful circumstances. In light of the recent passing of Mr. Xander Shayden, we would like to extend our condolences and express our desire to resolve certain matters related to his untimely departure with discretion and integrity.
As a valued friend and known associate of Mr. Shayden, you are uniquely positioned to provide a statement affirming that his death resulted directly from his pre-existing medical condition, rather than external causes. By supporting this narrative, you would enable us to honor his legacy and alleviate any potential strain on his remaining family members.
In recognition of your assistance, Nano Genics is prepared to offer you a sum totaling $75,000 for your cooperation in this matter.
This financial provision reflects our appreciation of your testimony as well as our commitment to maintaining Mr. Shayden's memory without raising concerns about any of his actions prior to his passing.
Further, as part of this arrangement, Nano Genics will refrain from disclosing Mr. Shayden's unauthorized possession of certain proprietary technologies, an agreement that will shield his family from reputational impact.
We also understand that Mr. Shayden's uncle, residing overseas, could be approached regarding potential reparations to Nano Genics. However, with your cooperation, we can assure you that this matter will be handled privately, allowing us to avoid protracted legal processes that may otherwise become necessary.
We appreciate your understanding of the sensitivities surrounding this situation and your willingness to support Nano Genics' efforts to resolve it with care and respect. Kindly confirm your agreement at your earliest convenience, after which we will proceed accordingly.
Sincerely,
The Legal Affairs Department
Nano Genics Corporation
The carefully veiled threats and self-serving undertones left Xander with a bitter taste in his mouth. This was a blatant attempt to buy his friend's loyalty, all while tarnishing his name for profit.
He tore the letter into tiny pieces, watching them fall to the ground, his jaw clenched with anger. "Bastards... they think they can just buy Mika off for seventy-five thousand? They must really be sweating after that whole Blonsky disaster. Guess they found traces of that creature from the lab in the stuff they took from my room."
His eyes narrowed as he tried to piece everything together. "They're definitely up to something shady, and whatever experiments they had planned with that thing… they don't want those details getting out, not by a long shot."
The thought of Blonsky crossed his mind, that final, cryptic voicemail echoing back.
"Wonder if he's even still alive… that last message wasn't exactly your standard goodbye." His gaze drifted downward as he clenched his fists, his mind racing. "And what if they did take DNA samples? An autopsy?" The very idea made his stomach turn, but he forced himself to keep calm. "Mika wouldn't have let them do that without a fight. Wherever he is, he probably didn't leave without good reason."
Sifting through the remaining letters, he froze as he came across a bill for a plane ticket—destination, another state. "Why'd you leave, Mika? And that far too…" He rubbed his temples, frustration boiling inside. "I don't have the time or the cash to just take off like that right now. And getting an Explorer ID replacement? They'd know I was alive in an instant."
Xander let out a frustrated growl, clenching his fists tighter until his knuckles turned white. With a sudden, fierce punch, he hit the wall beside him, feeling the sharp pain as his knuckles split and blood trickled down his fingers.
The pain snapped him back, his head clearing as he took a deep breath.
"First things first… I need to find a place to settle down for a bit and plan."
He shook out his bruised hand, forcing himself to calm.
Xander waited, flexing his hand as it healed. The sting faded, and he clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the dull pain subside before he set off down the street, his mind racing. "Why'd they go after my uncle? I haven't talked to him in, what, a decade? Guy didn't even show up to my dad's funeral…"
He scoffed, pulling the hood of his shirt up as he passed a few familiar faces in the crowd.
They were students he recognized, and he kept his head low, averting his gaze. "Probably need a face mask too… just in case."
After a brisk walk, he reached the subway station and rolled his eyes. "No student ID on me, which means it's ticket-booth time," he muttered as he headed to the counter.
Digging out a few bills, he exchanged them for a one-way pass. "Twenty bucks for a ticket if you're not a student? That's robbery in itself! Next thing, they'll be telling me fruit snacks cost ten bucks… oh, wait," he muttered, smirking sarcastically as he clutched his ticket.
As he approached the platform, his gaze drifted up to the station's bulletin board displaying train schedules and the date: over a week had passed since he "died."
"Great… so I've been dead a whole week."
He squinted, trying to take in the implications, when a screen beside the schedule board flashed with rotating news headlines. He caught a glance of his own name plastered on the screen, his gut twisting as he read:
[Nano Genics Now Under Investigation Concerning the Recent Death of Xander Shayden... Sources Claim Their Latest Experiments May Be the Cause, and Not Just the Student's Rare Condition... Officials Continue Investigating as Nano Genics Faces Multiple Lawsuits from Various Parties… Including Xander's Close Associate, Mi'Kael Langston]
....
"Mika… what the fuck? So that's why you're gone?" His brow furrowed as he scanned the headline again, piecing together this unexpected revelation. "But how'd he find out? Feels like I'm still missing a piece of the puzzle here…"
He paced toward his platform, pausing by a vending machine to grab an iced coffee. Taking a sip, he made his way back to the news feed on the screen as he waited for the bullet train. A few random headlines flitted by until one made him choke on his coffee mid-sip.
[Groundskeeper Found Incapacitated at Apex City Cemetery After a Supposed "Zombie" Sighting... Police Suspect Grave Robber May Be at Large, and Have Begun a Search Within the Cemetery Grounds.]
"Of course. Look at me—dead for barely half a day and already making two news stories," he muttered, grimacing as he took a huge gulp of the coffee. "So that guy actually saw me? I was definitely the zombie in this situation…I'm so cooked." He sighed, resigned to the ridiculousness of his own situation, as he heard the distant rumbling of the approaching bullet train.
Xander slipped into an empty seat as the train doors closed, scanning the empty seats nearby to ensure he was alone.
He leaned back, eyes closed as he muttered, "I need to get out of this city as soon as possible... They're bound to figure out I'm not in my 'humble resting place' anymore.
Actually…" His eyes flickered open, a smirk forming on his face. "Doesn't this make Nano Genics look like grave robbers? They could end up looking like the villains here, digging up my grave." He chuckled at the idea, unable to hold in the burst of laughter that followed.
His laughter echoed through the quiet car, catching the attention of a few nearby passengers who looked over curiously.
Realizing he was drawing attention, he cleared his throat, masking his laughter behind a cough. "Right… I need to keep it together." He shifted in his seat, still grinning as he whispered to himself, "Who knows? Maybe Nano Genics will fall apart all on their own…"
Just as his thoughts drifted toward the next steps, the screen on the train's ceiling flickered, switching to a live news segment. He glanced up, his heart skipping a beat as he saw the headline:
[Heroic Young Man Stops Gas Station Robbery]
His stomach dropped as the newscaster continued, "Earlier today, a mystery man single handedly stopped a robbery at an Apex City gas station, disarming three criminals, including one with a firearm. Witnesses speculate he may be a high-ranking explorer due to his skill and agility. Now, here's the CCTV footage of the incident."
Xander froze, watching with growing horror as the footage played. Onscreen was his mud-drenched, almost unrecognizable figure entering the gas station. The trail of brown liquid that dripped off him was painfully obvious.
He watched as his muddy self darted between the aisles, somehow predicting the exact position of the two unarmed robbers, and tipping the shelf right on top of them.
The scene played on, showing him rolling just as he was shot, the taser probes hitting the gunman. His eyes seemed to shine a strange green as he held the gun on the other two, demanding they strip while he nonchalantly grabbed their clothes and a few protein bars.
"Oh for fuck's sake…" Xander muttered, running a hand over his face. "They had the whole thing on CCTV? And they just had to show the stripping bit?" He grimaced at the sight of his glowing eyes in the recording, slightly impressed but mostly panicking. "And my eyes... Okay, that's kind of cool, but really, why didn't they cut it before that part?" He slumped back, his mind racing.
He glanced around to make sure no one had noticed his reaction, but most passengers were either dozing off or staring at their phones, unfazed by the news story.
Still, the footage played on repeat, and he could see it being a hot topic in the city soon.
"The city's gonna connect the dots sooner or later. They'll have every special ability user with investigative skills tracking me down… especially now that Nano Genics is involved…"
As Xander stepped off the metro and emerged from the subway, he took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of freedom mixed with the unease that still buzzed in the back of his mind.
"Far enough away... but still technically in the city," he muttered, surveying his surroundings.
"It's only been 4 hours and some change since I woke up, yet it feels a lot longer." Just across the street, a shopping plaza caught his eye.
Among the stores, one in particular stood out—a sleek optical accessories shop.
"Come to think of it… I haven't been wearing glasses or contacts this entire time, and I've had perfect vision… I didn't even realize until now."
Curiosity took hold, and he found himself wandering into the store, making his way to a stand displaying a wide selection of glasses.
He picked up a pair with a 2.75 prescription, his usual strength, and slipped them on. His vision instantly blurred, the store around him turning fuzzy.
"No doubt... I definitely have 20/20 vision right now," he mused, chuckling to himself. "This is my usual prescription, and it's actually making my vision worse."
Out of curiosity, he picked up a stronger pair labeled 4.50. Slipping them on, everything turned into a dizzying mess of colors and shapes, the ground and distant shelves blending in a way that felt almost surreal.
"Whoa... I can't see shit with these on," he muttered, staring around like a kid seeing through a kaleidoscope for the first time.
It was almost cool how blurry everything was, but the novelty wore off as a pounding headache quickly followed.
Just then, a familiar prompt flashed in his vision:
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
The skill [Hyper Adaptation] has triggered! As a result, you have gained a new skill: [Enhanced Vision] (Rank-F). +1 Perception gained.
[Enhanced Vision] (Rank-F)
Your eyesight adjusts dynamically to varying levels of distance, clarity, and even mild impairments or disturbances. Enhanced Vision allows a clearer perception of details that might typically go unnoticed.
"What the… Ugh, my headache just got worse…" He quickly tore the glasses off, wincing at the sharp ache stabbing through his temples.
"So I can force Hyper Adaptation, huh? Good to know."
"Walking around with a headache doesn't sound fun… but nothing good was ever gained without a little pain," Xander muttered, rubbing his temples.
He approached the register where a young woman stood, scrolling absentmindedly on her phone.
"Can I see some contacts, please? Red ones with a +3.00 prescription would be nice," he requested.
She gave him a quick nod, turning around to sift through a shelf of boxes. Xander ran through his plan in his head: +3.00 is going to be blurry, but not so much that I'll be completely blind. Just need enough to know where I'm walking.
The clerk turned back and placed a small box on the counter, featuring an image of striking crimson contacts that matched his newly red-streaked hair almost perfectly. Well… that was thoughtful of her, Xander thought, a slight smirk on his face.
"That'll be $200, sir. Cash or card?" she asked, her voice polite but neutral.
"Uh… cash," Xander replied, reaching into his pocket and handing over a handful of bills.
I really need to find a way to get more money, he thought with a sigh as his funds dwindled..
After the purchase, he put the contacts on and left the optical shop, heading to a nearby clothing and accessories store.
The rows of items blurred around him, a slight nuisance but part of the disguise. He selected a simple black face mask, cheap but effective enough for his needs.
Once outside, he slipped the mask on, glancing at his reflection in a nearby window.
"All set. No one's recognizing me now," he whispered, feeling a bit more secure.
Xander thought to himself as he walked down the street, "Now I just need to find a way to make quick money… I can't just go into a dungeon without an ID, and getting a new ID without any documents will be tricky. Maybe Tony can help… He's gonna be spooked though. I could try Jasper or Layla too, but I don't even know where to find them. What I need is a new identity, something fresh to keep Nano Genics off my trail."
A dull ache began to form in his head, no doubt from straining to see through the blurred vision of his new contacts. Then, as if that wasn't enough, his stomach let out an unmistakable growl that echoed down the quiet street.
"The hell is going on with my body right now?" Xander grumbled, clutching his stomach. "I just ate like five protein bars a couple of hours ago, and I feel like I haven't eaten in days."
Just then, the familiar beep of a system prompt echoed in his mind.
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Quest Started: [Blissful Sustenance]
Objective: Eat 10,000 calories worth of food at the most dilapidated restaurant in the area.
Completion Reward: A full stomach, +10 Exp, ???
Failure: ???
Xander stared at the prompt in disbelief. "What kind of quest is this? And why does it want me to eat at a trashy place? 10,000 calories… How am I even supposed to measure that?" He shook his head, his stomach growling again. "Ehh… whatever. I'm starving, so I'll do it."
As he walked, he started asking random passersby, "Hey, know the worst place to grab food around here?"
Most people gave him strange, wary looks, but after a bit of effort, he found someone who shrugged and pointed him in the right direction. "Oh, you must mean Grubby's Den over on Maple Street. I don't know how or why they're still open. They barely get any business, but the place is… well, let's just say 'memorable.'"
Following the directions through some questionable neighborhoods and a few dark alleyways, Xander finally spotted a rundown restaurant with a faded, cracked sign that read, "Grubby's Den"—though only half the letters still lit up.
He squinted to make out the letters, and he couldn't help but grimace.
This is definitely the place… Don't think I'll find a worse one even if I tried, he thought.
Taking a deep breath, he walked inside, immediately noticing the stale, greasy air that seemed to cling to the walls.
Inside, the dining room was almost empty save for two shady-looking individuals nursing a couple of beers despite it being just after 8 in the morning.
"Alright, let's get this over with," Xander muttered, steeling himself as he stepped further in.
Walking further into the dimly lit restaurant, Xander headed to the cleanest table he could find, though "clean" was a stretch.
The tabletop had a faint stickiness, with the remains of previous meals clinging to the surface. He tried to ignore it as he sat down, his head throbbing harder now, the sharp ache only made worse by gnawing hunger.
Across the room, the two men nursing their beers glanced his way, their faces etched with suspicion. They looked rough, their clothes worn and weathered in a way that practically screamed "thug." Xander could feel their eyes boring into him, but he brushed it off, figuring he'd already signed up for the sketchiest quest possible.
After a minute of waiting, a man with a stained shirt and an unimpressed expression shuffled up to his table. "You here to eat or...?" the guy grumbled, not even attempting to hide his irritation.
Xander nodded, silently thinking, What else do people come here for? This place has to be some kind of mafia money-laundering hideout… He watched as the guy tossed a crumpled menu onto the table with no regard.
"What you wanna eat? Make it quick," the man barked impatiently.
Xander forced an awkward laugh. "Uh… just bring me something greasy and with high calories."
The man's face twisted in confusion, then annoyance. "Huh?! The hell is a high calorie? We don't got that fancy stuff here."
"Oh, right. Just… bring me whatever you got with loads of sugar and grease. A few plates, please."
The man snatched back the menu with a scowl and muttered, "I'll be back in five," before shuffling off, leaving Xander alone with his questionable decision.
Man… I hope they don't spit in my food or something, he thought, glancing warily at the two thuggish customers who continued to stare at him.
Xander closed his eyes, trying to quell the throbbing pain in his temples. The contact lenses felt like a mistake, a constant irritant that only amplified his headache.
This is annoying... I barely had time to enjoy having perfect vision before this torture started, he thought, frustration bubbling under his skin. What did gaining a point in perception really do for me anyway? And that Enhanced Vision skill? It didn't seem all that impressive.
The two thuggish men across the room had finally stopped staring at him and turned back to their conversation. Xander's curiosity piqued when he caught snippets of their low, murmured words.
He leaned slightly forward, eyes narrowing as he tried to focus solely on their voices, muting out all other background noise. After a few moments, his hearing sharpened just enough to pick up fragments of their exchange, but not enough to piece it all together.
Man, that conversation sounds interesting… but I need better hearing, he thought, irritation giving way to determination.
[SYSTEM PROMPT] "The skill [Hyper Adaptation] has triggered! As a result, you have gained a new skill: [Enhanced Hearing] (Rank-F). Your auditory perception is heightened, allowing you to discern sounds at a greater distance and with more clarity.
Background noise is easier to filter out, enabling focused eavesdropping and improved situational awareness. "+1 Perception."
Suddenly, the murmurs grew clearer, as if the men were speaking right beside him. "Did you hear how that bastard Sol pieced up five dudes at once?" one of them said, disbelief mingling with admiration in his tone.
"Hell yeah, fool. I was there, watching it go down. He didn't just piece them up—they left with broken bones and pissed pants, I swear. Good thing I put my money on him; made some decent dough," the other responded, a grin evident in his voice.
Quick money?… Gambling on fights? Xander's mind raced. This Sol guy sounds insane. Maybe there's a way I can make some cash betting on him, too.
Lost in thought, he failed to notice the two men had gone silent. They were now striding toward him, expressions darkening as they approached.
With a loud slam, one of them planted a hand on the table, making Xander flinch back into reality. Before he could react further, one of the thugs grabbed his collar and yanked him forward. "Ya tryna listen in on our conversation, huh?!" the man growled, his beer-stained breath hot against Xander's face.
"You an undercover cop, you punk-ass?" the second thug hissed, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Xander blinked at them through the blurriness of his vision, keeping his tone steady. "No, man… I just came to eat some food. Can you let go of my collar?"
The thug responded, collar still in hand, "You sure are acting like a cop, boy. Who sent you?!" Xander gripped the man's wrist, tightening his hold. "I'm not a damn cop; I'm on the run myself, shitface. Now let go!" He yanked his collar free, causing the thug to stumble back slightly.
"One the run from what, huh?" the second thug pressed, eyes glinting with skepticism.
Xander smirked, "You don't wanna know. Just know I'm not a cop, and I don't even wanna see a cop."
The two men exchanged wary glances, their confusion evident. The first thug, a man with blonde-dyed hair and a thick stubble, muttered, "I don't think the kid's lyin'. His scrawny ass couldn't be a cop anyway."
Xander felt a slight sting of offense. "Scrawny, huh? Wanna bet some money on that?"
As if on cue, the waiter with the food-stained shirt reappeared, balancing three trays of greasy plates. "Here ya go. Better pay for all this, or the boss is gonna have you washing dishes for a whole week."
He placed the food on the table—a towering plate of loaded nachos, a greasy double bacon cheeseburger dripping with sauce, deep-fried chicken wings glistening with oil, a massive bowl of chili cheese fries, two oversized corndogs, and a stack of syrup-drenched pancakes.
The blonde thug raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "You gonna eat all that alone, kid?"
"Damn right I am. You think I can't? $100 says I can."
The thugs' eyes lit up with interest, their skepticism giving way to greed. "Okay, tough guy. But if you don't finish it, it's $100 and a beating that'll make you puke up whatever you do eat."
Xander nodded, confidence masking the gnawing anxiety twisting in his gut. Can I actually eat all this? he wondered, gripping the fork tightly as he prepared to dig in…..