Chris left work early, as per Carrie's instructions, and went home to change. He did not notice the white van, or anything else - mutants and powers was a common discussion subject in his workplace, and his impeccable poker face gave him a false confidence he could hide his nature indefinitely. His commute was usually done on a bicycle, but this time he felt he needed time to think, so he took a bus. Twenty minutes later he turned the key to a simple studio apartment, chosen for bare necessities and proximity to his job. He did not enjoy spending money on leisure, and the fact half his place was cluttered with documents and half-prototypes of various medical appliances showed it quite clearly.
He opened his closet. Among the usual work clothes and wacky T-shirts he found a black and gray checquered buttoned shirt his mom pushed in his suitcase when he left home. This should camouflage his work pants well enough. He took a quick shower, googled the address of the hospital, and left.
He reached the place after a few bus changes and a fifteen minute walk, taking care to suppress his sweat glands. He was nervous, and glad it didn't show. He couldn't read Carrie - she was nice, but she was nice to everybody, and often asked for his help specifically, but he was one of the best when it came to reverse engineering a garbage UI of an instrument developed by people who never held instruments in their lives. His body was dropping hints about what his hormonal levels were supposed to be doing, and he played around with them until he was hit with the most crippling fear he had ever experienced (Which he assumed was the fear of rejection, or not being good enough). He quickly balanced himself, wondering how normal humans ever handle this without going into a deep depression.
Lost in thought, Chris suddenly found himself in front of a rundown entrance from which loud bass and flashing lights were emanating - as if the coolest Frankenstein's Monster was being built in there. He smiled inwardly at the thought. Crowd was shuffling in and out, some exotically dressed teens were smoking over cups of beer and having entertaining conversation. He slowly began to feel very out of place. But Carrie will be here, won't she? He looked around. Won't she?
