Walker's Wing 17

The Beginning • 01 • Grace

The minute Grace woke up, she suffered to breathe. She tried to inhale, yet she couldn't seem to get enough air. 'It can't be happening this early, can it?' She thought to herself. She, of course, was thinking of the change. She had been getting the injections for 3 months now, which for most people was too early for gill development. However, upon checking, she could feel primitive gills forming. She continued trying to breathe for a few minutes, at which point she knew she had to call for assistance. Reaching beside her, she pressed the small grey button on the side of her bed. holding it down, she began to speak. Breathlessly, she was just able to get out the words she needed. "Sombret, Grace Alyssa. Sleeping quarters 32, Walker's Wing 17. Gills." She released the button immediately after speaking, gasping for air. A few moments after she spoke, she heard words fill her room. "Received. Help is on the way." Despite her current situation, she smiled. Gills this early could mean she could be one of the exceptions and leave the Walker's Wing before the age of 18. Every child dreamed of finally leaving the wing behind. For most people, the change required 2 years to fully complete. For some, it finished early, and for some it never took. Those few who never transformed ran the Walker's Wings.

After a few minutes, three people entered her room. One had with them a few packs of oxygen pills, which grace assumed were for her. Another held a white bag, and the last was empty handed. "This should help," the first said, handing her the pills. The pills, developed by scientists in 2158, were basically an extremely condensed form of oxygen which, when swallowed, could essentially simulate normal breathing for 24 hours. They were, virtually, a much more portable oxygen tank. The second one set the bag down in the corner. "These have more pills. If you run out, let us know. You also will now be expected to report to ocean room 12 for at least an hour each day," The man said. Grace wasn't surprised. Walker's Wings contained a few rooms known as "ocean rooms", which basically had a large tank of water, a study team, and equipment. Once someone began developing gills, they had to report to their assigned ocean room. There, they were studied for the rest of their injection period and it was decided if they would be allowed to leave before 18.

After taking an oxygen pill, Grace thanked the men. Before they left, the third one began speaking. "Since you started development so early, your tail may begin to form soon. you may soon be transferred to one of the waiting rooms." Grace nodded. Most people had to remain in the Walker's Wings for a year after they finished the injections, which is what the waiting rooms were for. They were for allowing gills and tails to develop and practicing using them. They were fairly large, containing a large tank of water as well as a much smaller area for those who were not yet in water full time, or for visitors.

After the men left her room, Grace smiled. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend, Julian. None of her friends had started their injections yet, though Julian would start his soon. She knew he would be jealous. He was a lover of fantasy and was fascinated by the fact that he would be a merman like he had read about. So, with a smile on her face, she began walking down the hall towards sleeping quarters #223- Julian's room.