"This treatment is highly experimental and your procedure was not strictly legal. Those that funded your miracle want this to be kept quite. You will be free to go once you are fully recovered, but it will be as Seiko. That body's legal identity. Do you understand? Things could get... complicated... and bad if this gets out in the public." The shadow seemed to hold his breath. Perhaps expecting another emotional out burst.
I was too tired and disoriented to get as angry as most would probably be. Instead, we sat with this revealed information floating in the silence. After a minute I sigh. "I suppose that makes sense. How am I supposed to live as a total stranger though?"
The voice sounded a bit relieved, but more so surprised by this response. "Well, I have a dossier here that contains most of the information you would need to get started in your new life. You will also receive some financial support for keeping the truth to yourself." The dark shape moves forward and places a thick plain folder on the bedside table. "Feel free to use the remote by your hand to look at a digital copy whenever you wish. I know you will have more questions later, but I will leave you alone to rest a while. Press the red button if you need assistance." The shadow walked away. After the sound of a heavy door opening and closing, the bright medical lights cachunked off and allowed a deep darkness to settle over the room.
I lay in the bed listening to my breath and feeling my chest rise and fall. If I could get used to that, it would be a sign that things would work out. Slowly inhaling and processing my new found lot. Tears began to drip down the side of my face but I remained calm. I pulled slightly on my restraints. If they were not there, I would be touching this body. Feeling it and getting used to it. There was a strong desire to do so, but it would have to wait. Besides, the room might be empty, but I was surely being monitored. Best to save that for when I had some privacy.
I was at least able to become more familiar with the small breaths I took. But it was not yet natural. Eventually breathing was boring me and my curiosity was getting stronger. If I was going to wait on the physical exploration, I might as well learn what I can about my be life. Grasping the remote by my hand, I pressed a power button and a large TV mounted on the wall flickered to life. It once again confronted me with my new face. This time it did not mimic me. It was a plain picture that had the name Seiko Tanaka printed below it. It was hard to think of that as me. Especially when the stranger's face say still. Assuming this must work like a slide show, I pressed the forwards button to move on. On the next slide my unfamiliar breath caught in my throat. So this is who I had become?