Monster

Chen Zhao was awakened by a phone call in the middle of the night.

The call came from the experimental base. The number was 0000000, which meant "utmost emergency." Only truly urgent news would be delivered through that number.

Chen Zhao instantly woke up, sat up, and answered.

"Commander Chen?" The person on the other end shouted, sounding as though there were a fire.

"It's me!" Chen Zhao shouted back.

Deng Zixin woke with a start, lifting her head to look at Chen Zhao.

"Something happened. Get to the experimental base right away. It's about Cezanne. The Helicopter is on the way," the caller shouted.

Then the call was disconnected.

Chen Zhao sprang out of bed and hurriedly began getting dressed.

Deng Zixin climbed out of bed in a panic and helped Chen Zhao find clothes from the wardrobe. She handled all the clothes at home, so she knew where his ties and pants were.

"What happened?" Deng Zixin looked somewhat terrified.

"Don't worry, it's something on the North American side." Chen Zhao yanked his socks up, only to realize they were getting longer and longer—absurdly long. He quickly turned on the light and saw that he had put on Deng Zixin's stockings. He hastily tore them off and looked for his own socks.

"What does North America have to do with you?" Deng Zixin tossed him his socks.

"Do you remember Cezanne?"

"Of course. Wasn't he the astronaut NASA sent to Mars and brought back?" Deng Zixin said.

"Something happened to him," Chen Zhao said. "I was responsible for bringing him back. I don't know what's wrong with him, so I'm going to take a look. It probably isn't anything too serious. Stay home and go back to sleep."

"Be careful." Deng Zixin looked at him anxiously.

The roar