literature

New Dawn Ch 4

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"You might change this sentence here… and be sure to check the tense when using the word 'spent' instead of 'spending.'  Other than that, I'd say you're on your way," Cindy explained as John listened intently.
"You sound just like Mrs. Othmar, you know that?" John muttered.
Cindy shrugged, forcing a smile.  
"My little friend is becoming a teacher more and more every day," Lina giggled, even though her eyes were constantly drifting towards Cindy's fingers.
Cindy's phone began to ring.  She shrugged as she checked the number.  "Hold on."  Answering the phone, she shook her head.  "Hi Mom.  Yeah, I know… I know we were going to do that, but I was supposed to meet with John for homework… Mom… Mom, please, he's right here in front of me… I don't need a bed today, and even if we order… okay… okay… okay, Mom… I'm sorry I didn't tell you, even though Dad and I discussed it and it was on the calendar… okay… yes I'll be more… yes, I'm sorry… no, I'm not going to the track meet on Friday… the swim meet isn't until next weekend… okay… okay.  Fine.  See you tonight.  Good night."
Lina smiled in her usual 'are you kidding me' way.  "What's the punishment of the day?"
"I can't go to the movies this weekend.  Nothing is playing anyways…"
"Were you supposed to be doing something with her?" John asked.
Cindy put the phone away.  "Apparently because I am doing homework instead of going with her to buy a new bed, I am now grounded."
"Why do you need a new bed?" John asked.
"I don't really…" Cindy didn't want to tell John anything regarding the events of the afternoon.  "But because she didn't read the calendar, I get to be punished."
"So I can't take you to the movies this weekend, then?" John asked.
"Wait, hold on… that's not fair, is it?  You didn't do anything wrong," Lina began.  "Besides, homework is important, isn't it?"
"No…" Cindy turned towards John.  "Were you going to take me to the movies?  That sure sounds forward of you."
"Well, you know… if you're up to it… or we can go next weekend.  We got that Friday off from school…" John dug his finger into his elbow as he crossed his arms.  "Unless you're… busy."
"We'll see how it works out," Lina answered for Cindy.
"Lina… John, were you asking me out… on a date?" Cindy asked.
John sort of shrugged.  "Yeah… maybe.  Unless you'd rather not call it that… I mean, we're friends, aren't we?  We've known each other since fourth grade…"
"I'd love to go to the movies with you.  But only if we can go see Iron Man 2." Cindy said.
"Yeah, that'd be the one to see.  It's a date."
"No, it's…" Cindy replied with a smile.  Her smile quickly changed to worry, however, rather suddenly as a warm feeling began to well up inside of her.  "I… um… excuse me, for just a moment, okay?"
"You're right, it's not a date… its…?"  John muttered as Cindy left the room.  "What did I say?"
"Nothing, nothing… I'd better go check on her.  Probably something girl related."
"I see," John replied.  

Cindy rushed outside and went to the center of John's driveway.  The driveway was clear, as she had parked her Geo in the street.  She kneeled in the middle.  "Don't change… don't change…"
Lina arrived a moment later.  "Are you sweating?"
"No… but I felt like I was going to… like before…" Cindy replied.  "I think… oh no."  Her hands turned into tires.
"Great," Lina gasped as she gazed around the nearby hedges and fence.  "At least there's a lot of cover around here."
Cindy moved onto all fours as she proceeded to transform into the porsche yet again.  "I'm really going to be in trouble at the movies, aren't I?"
Lina shrugged.  "Maybe I can figure out a way to double date.  I can see if Jeremy isn't busy."
"Jeremy Higgens?" Cindy asked as her transformation completed.  
"We kinda went out once.  He's pretty tame."  She was now talking to a porsche.  "A bit of a nerd, though."
"He's in the photography club, right?" the porsche asked.
"Yeah… anyways, that's not important now.  I'll be right back… I can find a cup of ice or something."
"Yeah!  Before John finds out, hurry!"

John met up with Lina as she returned from outside.  "Were you outside just now?"
"Yeah, erm, for a smoke," Lina replied.
John made a curious face.  "When did you start smoking?"
"Just now," Lina gasped as she pretended to cough.  "It's overrated."
"Yeah, and it turns your lungs black, leaves black residue on your hands…"
"Just like rubber," Lina muttered under her breath.
"And makes your clothes smell…" John continued.
Lina nodded.  "Yeah.  Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure… but where did Cindy go?  She's not in the bathroom."
Lina grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with ice from the refrigerator door.  "Outside."  She swallowed angrily, realizing what she had just done.
"She's not smoking too, is she?" John moaned.
"Er, no… hot flash?  That might've been what she said."
"I see," John replied.  "What was that favor you wanted to ask me?"
"If you could… read my paper one more time before we call it a night?"
John shrugged.  "Yeah.  I mean, that's why you girls came, for homework, right?  Not for any other ulterior motive.  Or anything.  Not to set up dates, anyways, right?"
"Right," Lina replied quickly.  "I mean, it sounds like fun… really!  I'm sure Cindy will want to go… just not, anything too formal.  You know what I mean."
"Sure."  John drilled his shoes into the floor nervously.  "Of course."
"Of course," Lina replied uncomfortably.
John eventually nodded.  "I'll um… read through it once more quick.  Though I really don't know why…" His eyes drifted towards the front door.  "Tell Cindy I'm sorry if I came on a little… forward."
"Don't apologize!  If anything, she's just a little shy.  You know that."
"I'll look at that paper for you." John headed into the other room.
Lina sighed before taking the cup of ice outside and dumping it onto the Porsche's hood.
"What took you so long?" Cindy protested.
"Had to lose him, he came a little close to home," Lina replied as she watched the porsche begin to shrink.  The broad hood began to narrow as it formed into Cindy's head, followed by her hair, face, shoulders and neck.  Her fenders shrunk inwards as her chest, stomach and hips formed next, followed by her legs and knees.  Her ankles and wrists formed next as her tires shrunk down into hands, fingers, toes and shoes.  
Fully human again, Cindy stood up and dusted the dirt from her knees.  "We'll have to be more careful about this car business, huh?" Cindy asked.
"Yeah.  And for that matter, figure out if there's any way out of it," Lina said.
"What do you mean?" Cindy asked.
"Stopping you from changing, completely.  Or even just for the moment, when you become too warm," Lina said.
Cindy nodded.  "Especially in front of John."  She sighed softly.
"Careful!  Don't think about him to much!  No cars inside the house!"
"Right," Cindy replied.  "Right right right."  The two girls headed inside.

No sooner did the girls go back to the homework party did Cindy's cell phone ring again.
"It's mom… I'm sorry, excuse me again," Cindy replied as she went into the hall.
"Your paper looks good, Lina.  You might want to run the spell check again though."  John handed her the paper.
"Oh, good.  Thanks very much."
"Anytime," John replied with a warm smile.  "You ready for your track meet on Friday?  I'll be there."
"You will?  Wonderful!  Cindy said she'd volunteer to help with the track events… she gets points for her health class I guess."
"It should be a good day then," John nodded.
Cindy came into the room shaking her head.  "I think we have to call off the rest of the study session, gang."
"Your mom again?" John asked.
Cindy nodded.  "She said I have to come home right now.  I'll have to drop you off, Lina."
"Okay… I guess.  It's too bad… you didn't do anything wrong."
"I know.  Sorry John."
"It's okay," John replied.  "Maybe we can try that movie thing next week?  That thing that's not a date?"
"Yeah, maybe."  Cindy collected her papers and deposited them into her bag.  "We'll see how it works out."
"Great," John replied.  "Thanks for coming by tonight."
"I think we'll all make As," Lina answered.  "Good night."
"Night."

Once in Cindy's Geo again, the girls had both windows down until the air conditioner kicked in.  "Did she really ground you?" Lina asked.
Cindy nodded.  "I want you to come by and help me figure out everything about… the porsche.  But maybe tonight isn't the best time."
"Of course it's the best time!  But if your mom will be leaning over our shoulders…"
"We'll have to try it after practice tomorrow.  She has her weekly meetings until eight, and Dad will be with his co workers until nine."  Cindy rolled up her window now that the air conditioner was blowing cool air onto her face.  "That would give us a good two hours."
"I don't like just calling it 'the porsche', do you?  Shouldn't it have a name?" Lina asked.
"A name?  Like what?" Cindy asked.
"I don't know.  Like Luna, or Cellebrem, or Suzie Q."
"Cellebrem?  Suzie Q?" Cindy laughed.
"Okay, you pick a name," Lina replied.
Cindy shrugged.  "No idea.  But I'll think about it."
"I just think its weird calling you Cindy when you're a car.  I mean, it's weird enough that you turn into one…" Lina trailed off.
Cindy nodded, sighing softly.  "Yes, it is very weird.  That I do not deny."
"Should we try and go back to the lab?  Maybe try and get another look at that laser you were talking about?" Lina asked.
"I suppose there is a good explanation somewhere… in the meantime, I just need to find a way to deal with it."
"Yeah, and I'll do my best to aid you as much as I can," Lina replied.  "Whatever it takes… aside from transforming myself, I suppose."
Cindy smiled.  "Thanks."

After dropping Lina off at her house, Cindy drove her Geo home the rest of the way and listened to her mother's speech about following through with commitments and being prompt to her parent's wishes.  
Cindy was confined to her room for the rest of the evening.  Once Diana had gone into her office, Derek knocked on Cindy's door.
"Come in."
He went in and sat in her desk chair as Cindy sat on her mattress, which was now flat on the floor, as the wrecked bed had been hauled away.  
"Your mother has a tendency to lose herself in the moment.  I explained to her that you had made a commitment to John and Lina, and that you were pooling your efforts to further your education… something that she and I take very seriously."
"I know, Daddy…" Cindy replied quietly.
"Give me a little time to explain to her that you did nothing wrong.  In fact…" Mr. Richards looked around the room.  "That bed in here did nothing more than clutter the space.  Why, do you know that in Japan, people don't even use bed frames?  They do what you're doing right now… a mattress on the floor.  And do you know what?  Japan is the most technologically advanced country in the world… next to maybe the US."
Cindy smiled.  "You have no idea, daddy."
"Sure I do.  If those sandal wearing rice eaters can build computers and cameras, and sleep on the floor… then by golly, my daughter can sleep on the floor and become great too.  If, that's what you want."
"You're so silly when you try to be inspiring, Daddy," Cindy said with a giggle.
He chuckled back and patted her on the shoulder, which she leaned into his  hand and arm.  "We'll try it like this for a few days.  If you want a bed, we'll buy you one.  If not… heck, you don't need one.  It's up to you, sweetie."
"Thanks, Daddy."
Derek stood up and went towards the door.  "Oh, hey… there was a phone message for you.  They left a number… but didn't say who they were.  Said to call at any time… do you know anything about it?  One of your friends from school, maybe?"
Cindy looked down at her hands.  "Who was it?"
"Woman of some kind.  She didn't say her name.  But here's the number."  He removed a slip of paper from his shirt pocket and handed it to her.  "Said to call at any time, any hour.  Strange, that someone would wait for a call even after midnight.  Ah well.  That must be why they make the big bucks."
"Daddy…!"
"See you in the morning, Lucky."
"Good night, Daddy."
He smiled and closed the door.  Cindy looked over the phone number, her hands shaking.  It was not a number she recognized.  Without giving it a second thought, she retrieved her cell phone from her desk and dialed.

As she was known for working through late nights, Dr. Archuleta had been sorting through files in her office as the phone rang.
"Dr. Archuleta speaking."
"This is Cindy Richards… who am I speaking to?"
The doctor smiled, putting her hand to her chest.  "Finally.  Miss Richards, My name is Hannah Archuleta, Doctor of Genetic Research and Associate Facilities Manager at Sandia National Labs.  I'm sure we've met before, even if only briefly during your tour yesterday morning.  You are Derek Richard's daughter, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am.  Can you tell me what has happened to me?" Cindy asked.
"Then, something has happened to you today, that has not happened to you ever before.  Yes?  Something that can only happen in movies?" Dr. Archuleta asked.
Cindy hesitated.
"Miss Richards… Cindy.  May I call you Cindy?"
"Yes."
"Cindy, tell me honest.  And know that by telling me, I will understand completely, no matter what happened to you.  You can tell me in confidence, as well, without any fear."
Cindy continued to hesitate.  She began breathing heavy.
"Please, relax.  I don't want you to become stressed, and I suspect you do not want yourself to become stressed either.  Cindy, did you transform into a car today?"
Cindy hesitated again, but eventually responded.  "Yes."
Dr. Archuleta nodded, sighing in a understanding tone.  "As I expected.  Let me confess a few things to you.  The laser that struck you is called the Molecular Transfer Ray.  It is designed to impart molecular patterns into other established patterns, thus combining two physical entities into a single being, thus allowing for physical remapping, in other words, physical transformation, between forms.  Do you follow me so far?"
"I think so," Cindy replied.  
"You are sixteen, correct?  Therefore, you've taken biology in school?"
"Yes."
"Essentially, people are made up with DNA, while physical objects are made up of atoms.  The ray combines atomic patterns with established DNA strains - it can only fuse physical forms with living tissue.  By doing so, it creates genetic material, synthetic genetic material, called genomes, and implants them into the very fabric of your existence."
"Okay."  Cindy did her best to follow along.
"These genomes are what regulate your transformation.  There are several of them… ones for determining what form you become, ones that determine how to activate the secondary form, and ones to cause a form to become submissive.  Does that make sense?"
"I think so.  One to determine the form, one to activate the form… in this case, a car, and then one to cause it to become less dominant… and thus, restore my human form," Cindy replied.
Dr. Archuleta smiled.  "Brilliant.  You are one sharp student.  Normally, the Molecular Transfer Ray needs to come in contact with an object, let's say for the sake of simplicity, a car; and a living subject, a person, to combine them at the atomic level.  But for you, the process may have occurred differently… perhaps even unexpectedly.  Tell me, what do you remember seeing before passing out at the lab yesterday?"
"A car," Cindy replied.  "A blue porsche 911."
"That porsche was infused with synthetic genomes from the Molecular Transfer Ray.  If my theory is correct, you were infused with synthetic genomes that had not yet accepted a secondary form when the laser first struck you.  By coming in contact with genomes that had been infused with a dominant form, specifically the porsche, those genomes patterned themselves and allowed you to manifest into that form.  Have you transformed more than once?"
"Three times," Cindy replied.  "Sweating seems to activate it."
"Sweating…"  Dr. Archuleta brought up the Turbo Teen file.  "Yes, that would indicate that the genomes reverted to their original programming… you see, Cindy.  The original theory for the Molecular Transfer Ray was designed to supplement the human form as an alternative to cryogenics.  But like cryogenics, temperature would regulate the body so dual forms could be maintained.  Instead of freezing the body and slowing the metabolic rate to a microscopic advancement and physical suspension, the body would be transformed into another form that would be less likely to decay or degrade.  Well, a car may not have been the initial subject matter, most likely because metal rusts at a faster rate than humans…."
"So cryogenics was out?" Cindy asked.
"Indeed.  At any rate, the first subject to be combined with his car, accidentally of course, later discovered that he could not only transform into the car form, but also control it.  Have you discovered that you can control your functions as a car?"
"Yes, I have.  But I have not yet discovered everything," Cindy replied.
"My advice is that you do, but be certain to keep yourself a secret as best you can.  You might even wish to come to the laboratory to do so."
"No… not yet," Cindy quickly answered.  "Sorry."
Dr. Archuleta nodded.  "Actually, I understand.  It's natural, as natural as it can be, to say so.  Some things are best explored on your own, and I expected you would say so."  She took a deep breath before continuing.  "I will not force you to do anything you do not feel strongly or comfortably about.  My only request is that you would allow me to ensure that the genomes working within your system are stable and that everything is working as they should be."
"Can you cure me?" Cindy sputtered.  "Can you cure me from this?"
Dr. Archuleta quietly removed her glasses and placed them onto her desk.  "For the moment, I do not know, Cindy.  The only man who can answer that question is named Dr. Thomas Chase… he invented the ray and has done extensive testing with its capabilities."
"Then… this has happened before?  To others?" Cindy asked.
"Yes.  It has happened, and may certainly happen again.  I should tell you, there are no less than eight people who have been affected by this ray… and many of them are living comfortable, normal lives.  In fact, one of them has even successfully had her genomes and cells remapped once… so genetic remodulation is possible.  What worries me, is that because you are what I would call a second generation molecular host… meaning, that because you had two sets of genomes infused within your cells through an imperfect method, there is no guarantee that we can simply remove them without destroying what you had before."
"Meaning, my body…" Cindy replied, gazing at her hands.  
"There are no guarantees in science, Cindy.  I learned that at a very early age.  But knowing that there were no guarantees has driven me to excel in a field where having no guarantees is more exciting and more challenging than anything else I have ever faced.  Somehow, I know that you, as a young woman with adulthood and college… your entire life, ahead of you, can certainly appreciate that and take this new form on as a challenge.  A challenge you can master, heck, a challenge that you can own and make your own.  Do you agree?"
Cindy thought about it strongly.  A challenge.
"Let's think of it this way.  Do you have any hobbies, any sports, any activity that you enjoy?"
"I swim in the school swim club."
"Perfect!" Dr. Archuleta spun in her chair.  "That's perfect.  When you first learned to swim, you always wanted to be faster, to excel, right?  This is the exact same thing.  Only instead of using your hands… you master something completely different."
"I want to be fast… in the water, and on the road?" Cindy asked.
"Yes!  As fast as you can be.  That's a goal, Cindy… that's what will allow you to master this.  See?  This is no handicap… you will master that challenge, Cindy."
"Yeah… I will," Cindy replied.
"I'm very glad you called me, Cindy.  Very glad.  I just hope that we may meet in person someday.  But will you make me a promise?"
"Yes?"
"Promise me that when we meet, it will be because you volunteered to do so.  I stake my reputation that I will not see your face plastered on the newspaper, in the media, or in the world of films.  Your name will not come up in the school yearbook as anything other than a swimmer.  You will present yourself as Cindy Richards, woman… not as Cindy Richards, automobile.  In other words, you will keep your alter ego a secret from all.  Can you do that for me?"
"I think so, Dr. Archuleta."
"Wonderful!  And by all means, do whatever you feel is best to meet that challenge head on.  Make hypothesizes.  Raise the bar.  Solve theorems and compile a scientific journal… but, my only other request is that you save your data for me.  Other scientists will see you as a scientific enigma, Cindy… if you work with me, I will see you as a fellow scientist, taking on your challenge as part of the experiment that shall define you.  Would you be okay with this?"
Cindy shrugged.
"Think it over.  I'm giving you a free reign here.  This is a big responsibility, and I'm sure its something that nobody wants to pin onto anyone.  But I have faith, just from the brief contact that we've had this evening, that you are capable of taking that challenge and making it your own.  I just hope that I can work with you, should that moment come."
"Okay," Cindy replied.  She began to feel a bit overwhelmed.
"This is a lot to take in, I know.  But I suppose it was earlier today, when it happened… did it hurt?"
"A little… I felt sore, very sore… but the feeling did not last very long."
"I challenge you to embrace that feeling.  We live in a warm climate.  You have put up with warm temperatures all of your life.  You can put up with it now, so long as you take the right steps.  And please, if ever you need anything… you call me.  This number I gave you is my personal office number, which also connects with my cell phone.  Whenever you want to talk to me, even now, even at 1 AM, you can call me and I'll talk about anything.  No matter what.  Okay?"
"Okay, Dr. Archuleta."
"Call me Hannah."
"Sure, Hannah," Cindy replied.
"Wonderful.  Thank you for calling me back… take a few days.  I'd really love to meet you in person… even two weeks from now.  But promise me, you'll call me back when you are ready to confront this challenge head on?"
"I will, Hannah.  I want to learn as much as I can about this."
"And we'll learn as much as we can about this, together.  Do you have any more questions for me at this time?"
Cindy did not respond.
"Certainly, it is a lot to take in and digest.  Plus, it is quite late… you have school tomorrow, don't you?  Be very careful in your day to day activities.  You may have to experiment to discover what tolerances you can endure, but let me assure you of one thing.  The human body is excellent at adapting to changes - a good example is people who have been amputated.  Though they may have lost a leg, their other leg becomes that much stronger.  The blind?  Their other senses become that much more sensitive and they compensate the darkness with sound, touch, and smell.  They can taste fear, and conquer it.  You have no handicaps, Cindy… so long as you learn how to use your gift to your advantage."
"To my advantage…"
"Again, thank you for calling me.  You have a lot of work to do, and I shall not keep you.  But above all, keep your secrets safe!  Keep your friends close.  I should go.  Goodnight, and I look forward to meeting you soon."
"You as well, Hannah."  She wanted to thank the doctor, but she wasn't sure how to do it until she knew exactly what she was capable of.
"Goodnight."  Click.
Cindy quietly closed the cell phone.  She turned over and lied flat on her mattress, confident in what she had to do but nervous about the scope of what she now had to face.  She become both excited and frightened at the idea.  But until she learned if her condition could be reversed, she had little alternative.
For the moment, she would have to try and sleep.  One can not do anything without sleep, it seems.  

Two hours later, Cindy realized that the doctor's words had proven too inspiring.  Her excitement and fear had culminated, and she woke in a flop sweat.  Cindy opened her eyes just as her hands turned into wheels.
With a gasp, she realized that she was transforming again.  Thinking quickly, she rolled onto her front tires and knees as her feet throbbed and bulged into tires.  She could hear her skin snapping as her hips and thighs formed into fenders while at the same time a front linkage extended and connected her front wheels.  She turned her head ever so slightly as her stomach and breasts expanded while her body continued to grow longer, forming into a passenger section and seats, all the while as her neck began to crane and stretch, forming a dashboard and hood.  Her arms separated from her tires as they formed into doors.  She was unable to move her neck any longer as it flattened out and her face widened, forming into headlights and the front bumper.
Adapt and conquer, Cindy thought to herself.  Though she was a car, she could sleep even this way.  She relaxed, and though she didn't need to breathe, she managed to the next best thing.  
The porsche fell fast asleep.
New Dawn, Chapter four.

Your turning into a car... you're not sure why... you have no idea how it happened... you panic. What do you do?

What do you do?

Call the last laboratory you visited, what else?

;)

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Jonesycat79's avatar
You never cease to amaze me. the study session was a cute way to show cindy's teaching ambitions and john's feelings for cindy. and I love the interaction between cindy and her dad and Dr. hannah's explaination is the most detailed we've had thus far. I love her pep talk and definitely love cindy' change at the end. and lina's smoker thing? Hilarious!