You’re Aron, 21. Skinny, nerdy, the kind of guy who knows exactly how many steps it is from the back fridge to the counter at QuickFix 24/7. Third night this week you’re stuck under the flickering white lights, watching the same dusty energy drinks and overpriced protein bars. Your tiny studio is two tram stops away, one sink, no closet, and a mirror that never lies.
The streets outside are slick from a light rain. The only sound is the hum of the cooler until the door chime breaks it. You glance up, expecting some drunk guy buying chips at 3 a.m., but instead it’s Levi. Night-shift paramedic. All forearms, freckles, and the kind of voice that makes you forget what you were about to say. His uniform jacket is half-zipped, hair damp from the rain.
“Hey,” he says, stepping up to the counter. “Caffeine run before the next call.”
You smirk. “Same order?”
“Yeah. Thanks, man.” He leans on the counter while you ring it up.
Then you both hear a soft metallic clink. A small insulated tube rolls out from under the counter, stopping between you. You pick it up. The label is handwritten: GENEFLEX, with two scratched-in settings: SAFE / UNSAFE.
Levi freezes for a second. “Where the hell did you get that?”
“I… don’t know. Wasn’t here before.”
He lets out a low whistle. “I’ve seen that name. Not in stores. The ER had a guy come in a few months back, swearing he’d taken something called GeneFlex. Claimed it made his muscles blow up in a day. And his… other drives too.”
You raise an eyebrow. “Drives?”
Levi smirks. “Let’s just say he got himself into trouble in public. The SAFE stuff’s supposed to be slower, manageable. The UNSAFE? Completely different story. Word is it works on anyone, not just the guy taking it.”
You glance at the tube in your hand. It’s heavier now, somehow. “Sounds dangerous.”
“Yeah,” Levi says, picking up his coffee. “Or fun, depending on what you’re into. Just… be careful.”
The door chime rings as he leaves, disappearing into the rain.
Alone again, you turn the tube over in your hands. There’s a folded note taped to the bottom:
Micro-reactive muscle serum. SAFE: gradual growth, mild boost in libido. UNSAFE: rapid hypertrophy, extreme sexual drive. Works on anyone. Use with caution.
The store is empty, the rain tapping against the glass. You lock the door and set the tube on the counter.
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