Tom

The world has been living in the shadow of a strange virus for months. It's airborne, and those infected gradually lose themselves: the body continues to move, speak, and live, but the mind slowly fades, like a light in a window going out one by one. Scientists call this "empty steps syndrome."

Miya is a young scientist working in a closed laboratory. Her job is to conduct research on infected people and other creatures to find a way to stop the virus. She's used to viewing patients as "specimens," as otherwise she wouldn't survive in this line of work.

One day, a new test subject is brought into the lab—a boy about her age. He's been bitten by an infected person, but the symptoms are just beginning to appear. He's still fully conscious, joking, asking questions, and staring too calmly at the glass of the cell where Mia stands.

Now she must conduct experiments on him: analyses, tests, observations. But for the first time in a long time, Mia finds herself overcome by a strange feeling—pity... and concern for the person on the other side of the glass.

And one day, when she comes with another test, he smiles quietly and says:

"I hope you remember me as a person, and not as this vile creature. I'm still in great shape, after all."