After all these years, the unchanging routine still hasn’t worn me out, Hughit thinks to himself. The fifteen year period is over. He isn’t sure how to feel about it, all he feels is melancholy. Not to mention being confined to his installation, day and night. He knows that the waiting period is nearing its end and he has yet to contain the anxiety he feels before his installation is assigned a new subject. After a few minutes of mulling over his thoughts, a slim figure enters the room. 

“Hi.” Jezebel says in her usual solemn manner. To some far fetched extent, Hughit feels more at ease. 

“Hi,” Hughit says, mirroring her greeting. He can’t help but think about how disconnected he feels from his partners. It’s been so long and after so many years their communication with each other is still so dull.

Kusagara walks in without a word to spare. It’s only safe to think that he’s having a bad day. It’s nothing Hughit and Jezebel aren’t used to, so they just let it go and continue to their seats. 

***

It wasn’t but fifteen minutes later that they heard a message coming from the HEAD of the establishment. An eerie feeling spreads across the installation. No one is ever sure why, but the mood is always strange and everything goes quiet. 

“The subjects will be revealed now.” a very robust voice says. They all share an expression that can only be read as cringe induced.

Whenever the message is relayed, they are all expected to assume the positions that have been practiced by the trio for so many years. It’s a never-ending cycle of nothingness, and the control of a life that isn’t their own. 

They sit there, still and waiting. Hands on the table and all eyes on their large, curved monitor. Hughit tries to focus on his reflection, but it’s nothing but a blur to him. All of a sudden, everyone in the room goes inert. They begin to graze over the subject’s name and nothing other than basic information. Before this day begins, Kusagara wonders if the others are hungry to feel useful once again.