A Berry Cure?

A Berry Cure?

Christen tapped her hands on the side of the counter as she watched the customer leave, rushing to the doorway with their sandwich in hand. “I hope you like your food.”

The lady turned her head and narrowed her green eyes. “If I catch your blueberry cold from this, I am going to sue this establishment.” She pushed the doors open and rushed out into the falling snow.

Christen sighed as she rubbed her round belly, feeling the juice sloshing around inside. “Can I get through one day without someone thinking I am going to turn them into a blueberry?” She rolled her eyes. “This town is going insane. Insane, I say.”

“Christen!” She turned her head to see her boss Paxton tapping his fingers on his arms. “We need to talk.”

She turned around, her blimp of a belly pushing him back. “What is it?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Ohh, I am sorry. Living with all of this fluctuating juice inside of me is a bit rough.”

He pressed his hand on her stomach. “That is what I want to talk to you about. You are starting to chase the customers away. Look at how that lady just bolted out of here.”

“I know my blue frame is a bit of an issue. But people can turn big and blue from anything around town.” She laughed. “I don’t think I am the sole issue here.

We are becoming known as the blueberry town for a reason.”

He formed his hands into fists. “I don’t care if you can pick up some random blueberry bug while walking down the street. I don’t want this in my store. People come to Diner Dash to have a nice wholesome experience. To be greeted with the best food in town. Not to feel like they might swell into a blueberry because one of the people making sandwiches might be sweating juice.”

“But why would. . .”

“The first time you showed up to work like this, you turned a customer into a blueberry, remember.”

Christen’s cheeks turned violet. “Ohh. Sorry about that.”

He snorted. “Look, I don’t care if you are sorry or not. Let’s get into what you can do to fix the situation and how you can keep your job.”

“What?” Juice surged into her hips as the shock flooded her system. “What are you talking about keep my job.” She gripped the sides of her hips to try and stem the flow of juice. “This is all I have. I can’t be fired.”

Paxton sighed. “Look, you are a good worker. Better than some of the others on staff, that is for sure. But I can’t have a blueberry working here. Even if you are not that big most of the time.” He looked at her expanding frame. “Most of the time.”

Christen took a deep breath. “Well, I told you I have it under control. I can keep the juice at bay.” She ran her hands through her blue hair. “I just need to stay calm. Ughh.” She felt the juice surge through her body. “Ughh damnit, why can’t I take my own advice right now?”

Paxton rubbed his forehead. “Ugh, I didn’t mean to make you inflate. Look, I am giving you until the end of the week to find a way to cure yourself. If you can find a way to cure yourself, then the job will still be yours. Otherwise, you can roll yourself out onto the street with the other blueberries.”

Christen took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Slowly the juices inside of her stabilized, and she felt her big round body stop expanding. “Fine, fine, I will try and find a cure.” She rested her hands on her blimp of a chest. “I don’t think I could find another job anyways.”

Paxton smiled. “Good luck.” He rubbed her squishy round chest. “I have faith in you.”

“I don’t know exactly why you do. It has been months, and no one is close to a cure. The only place that is close to such things is that juicing station, and all they do is expel the juice from your body.” She sighed. “And that just lets you swell up again later. Most of the people who went in there are content being blueberries.” She shivered. “I am not turning into fruit.”

She rubbed the side of her body. “Look, can I have the rest of the day off? I need to figure out how to tackle this issue.”

Paxton sighed. “I guess. You are a bit too big to be here now. And I don’t just mean that you will scare people off.” He poked Christen in the belly. “You are too round to reach the food you need to assemble. I can’t have you in this state.”

“You are right.” She moaned. “It is hard for me to even stand with this much juice inside of me. Thank you for understanding.” She turned around. “I will try and find that cure.” Christen wobbled towards the doorway.

“Remember you have until five p.m. on Friday. Then you can kiss this job goodbye.”

She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. “I know. I know.” She squeezed through the doorway. “You don’t have to remind me.” Christen smiled as the falling snow touched her skin. The colder temperatures didn’t bother her as much anymore; she didn’t even have to wear a jacket, her stretched berry-stained shirt and leggings sufficing. “There are at least some perks for being a blueberry.” She threw her swollen arms out. “I will miss this part, at least. If I find a cure, I will have to make sure to order a new wardrobe, especially since winter is coming, and I ruined all of my jackets with swelling issues.”

“Excuse me. Miss.” Christen turned her head to see a young reporter rush up to her. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

Christen shook her head. “Sorry. I am not really in the mood.”

“Please, it will only take a moment.” He smiled and blinked his blue eyes. “I promise it will be worth your while.”

She sighed. “I guess. But please make it quick. I have some really important things to do.” She grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. “And if you use me for some crazy blueberry fearmongering, I will make you know what it is like to be big and blue. You hear me?”

He laughed. “I hear you. Don’t worry. I am not about that.” He turned to his camerawoman. “Are you ready to roll?”

She shivered as she held up the camera. “Yes. Let’s make this snappy. I want to get back into the van where it’s warm, and I have my hot cocoa waiting for me.”

“You don’t have to remind me.” He shivered and looked at Christen. “Ok, in three, two. . .” He took a deep breath. “Hello, out there, dear viewers. I am coming to you live here on the corner of Saint Kelliontons and twenty-third street with some exciting news. So exciting that I am braving this bone-chilling cold weather.” He walked over to Christen. “As you all may know, many of our neighbors have been slowly turning into blueberries like this young lady here.” He smiled. “What is your name, miss?”

She tapped her fingers on the boubous body. “Umm. . . Christen.” She gripped her squishy skin. “I don’t really like being on television like this, so can we get. . .”

“Of course, Christen.” He smiled. “I promise your fears will be put at ease soon.”

“Ray, can you hurry this thing up?” The camerawoman shivered. “I think the temperature is dropping.”

Ray smiled and looked at the camera. “Well, as I was saying, dear viewers, our town has had some unwanted berry fever. But what if I told you that someone was working on a way to reverse this blueberry nonsense?”

Christen rolled her eyes. “Let me guess. Red’s Juicing Station? Not interested.”

Ray laughed. “Never heard of the place, though; you have put me in the mood for some blueberry buckle when I get home now.” He tapped Christen where her shoulder used to be. “No, I was talking about the newly reopened blueberry research factory. Place is almost as old as the town and has some odd rumors to boot. But in the early days, it helped to build our little slice of heaven.”

Christen raised an eyebrow. “So, we are quite literally a blueberry town?”

Ray narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice. “Look, can you stop trying to ruin my interview, lady?” He smiled and went back to his cheerful voice. “So, miss, would you be interested in hearing where to possibly find this cure? I am sure you could benefit from it.”

She sighed. “Well, I. . .”

“Please. . .” The camera woman groaned. “Just say yes so we can get out of this cold.”

Christen shook her head. She already had experience with a possible cure that had turned out to be a fake. And what did she get for her naivete? Turning into a giant pear.  I am not just going to rush into this and have something injected into me that could turn me into an even bigger blueberry or possibly a watermelon, a pear, or a raspberry.  She shuddered.  I don’t need to go down the list of fruits and check them off in my lifetime. I am not going to be known as the fruit girl.

But she also needed a cure so she wouldn’t be fired. And she wasn’t going to be another blueberry living at the juicing station, becoming nothing more than a pampered human fruit. Christen took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I would love to know where to find this cure. Where this factory is.” She could feel her body start to bubble, and the juice slowly pushed herself outward due to her internal struggle.

Ray smiled and looked at the camera. “Well, you can head down to Irvine Lane. Look for the giant factory. You can’t miss it. If any of you blueberries at home are watching, this offer is extended out to you. Head there without delay. Cure time is upon us. Let us no longer be known as the blueberry town. Let us be known as. . .” He tapped his chin. “Umm. . .”

His camerawoman turned around. “That is good enough.”

Ray threw his hands up. “Carman. What the hell! I was wrapping things up.”

She rushed down the street. “You were making us freeze is more like it. Just think of it like this. You will get more ratings. The only way it could have gone better is if you turned blue on screen.”

He turned to look at Christen. “Hey, can I trouble you before you go to—

Carman grabbed him by the arm. “How many times do I have to tell you. You are not intentionally swelling yourself up for ratings. That poor anchor lady did not do it because she liked it, so get over it. If you turn into a blueberry, it will be because of an accident, and I will make sure of it.”

“Dammit, I was just. . .”

“I know what you were thinking. Now let’s get inside where it’s warm.”

Christen scratched at the side of her juice-soaked skin. “Is everyone in this town going off the deep end? Why are they so obsessed with blueberries?” She shook her head as she waddled down the street. “I have spent the last few weeks trying not to be a big blue balloon, but I feel like some other people would just be. . .” She closed her eyes. “Ughh.”

***

It took Christen most of the day to make her way over to the other side of town where the supposed blueberry factory was. “I wish I hadn’t freaked out so much when Paxton gave me that ultimatum.” She took a deep breath as juicy sweat dripped down her body. “I would have been able to get here hours ago.”

“You must be here about our promotion.” A young man in a blue and purple uniform walked up to her. “Looking to be cured, are you?”

Christen’s eyes went wide as she spotted all of the blueberries on his uniform. “What is going on?” She took a few steps back, her feet almost coming out from under her. “You are not going to make me inflate even more, are you?”

He laughed and tapped one of the blueberries on his outfit, his fist making a sound thud. “Nope. These things are just metal. Worst they can do is cut you on the edges.” He laughed. “Nothing to worry about beyond piss poor design.”

Christen took a deep breath. “Well, that is a relief. I am not really in the mood in becoming so big and round I can’t stand today.”

He scratched at his chin. “What do you mean by that? Have you been a blueberry for long?”

She sighed. “Umm, that isn’t important, is it? But look, you said there might be a cure waiting here for me?”

“Ahh, yes. Of course.” He turned around. “If you would be so kind if to follow me inside?” He turned his dark-skinned head. “Or I could roll you in if you prefer. You do seem a bit juicy. . . I mean, umm, sweaty.”

“I am. . .” She put her hands on her chest. “I am fine. I just need to catch my breath a minute. Phew.” Christen blinked her eyes. “I didn’t expect to do this much walking with all of this juice inside of me today. Ok, I think I am ok to head inside.” She stepped forward, steeping on a patch of ice, her feet flying out from under her. “Wohhh!” She bounced on her side and slid on the ice. “Help!”

“Hey!” The young man jumped out of the way as Christen rocketed by. “I said I would help roll you.”

Christen winced as her body squeezed through the doorway, bouncing into the factory before slamming against a wall. “Owww.”

“Can I help you?” A young receptionist tapped her finger from behind a desk. “Do you have an appointment?”

The man who had greeted Christen outside ran through the doorway. “She is with me, Marie.”

Marie narrowed her green eyes. “Jake, I don’t want our blueberry guests to flatten me.”

He laughed. “You are fine. She didn’t come anywhere close to hitting you.”

“I have juice covering my desk.”

Christen flailed her arms about. “Umm, can I have some help here? I can’t move.”

Jake rushed over. “Ok, ok. Hold your horses.” He rolled her deeper into the facility. “Are you alright?”

“Yes. This isn’t the first time I have gone bouncing around. But can you not roll me? I am perfectly able to walk on my stubby feet.” She narrowed her eyes. “Besides, this is making me dizzy. I don’t want this to possibly make me swell up more.”

He shrugged. “Sorry. Company policy. If blueberries can’t walk of their own accord, we have to roll them into the testing area. And well, this qualifies, miss.”

She crossed her arms. “This is just absurd. I hope this cure is worth it.” Christen winced as she was rolled through another doorway, the bright light in the next room causing her to cover her eyes. “Can someone do something about the bleeding lights in here?”

“Sorry, but it is all we have to work with here while the factory is being renovated.” Jake spun her around to see the new speaker, a young man in a sleek black suit. “Welcome, and thank you for coming, miss. . .”

“Christen. That is all you need to know.”

He held out his hand. “My name is Larry. I run this factory in blueberry research.”

“Blueberry research? Excuse me if I am not exactly happy to hear people looking into that right now.”

He laughed. “Well, someone has to with the crises our town is facing.” He patted Christen on the chest. “We can’t just leave everyone to their berry fates, now, can we?”

“So, you have a cure?”

“Umm, yes. It has been tested, but it umm . . . we still need some more testing to make sure it fully works.”

Christen’s eyes lit up. “But it does work?”

Larry laughed. “Well, umm, yes. Our preliminary studies show it does.” He lowered his breath and mumbled something Christen couldn’t hear. “But a good scientist needs to replicate the results. That is, it. Make sure that the cure can happen again.”

Christen felt juice build up inside her body. She didn’t like how twitchy Larry was being. “Well, at least the first round worked.”

He smiled and wiped the sweat from his face. “Yes. It did. It really did. So will you be willing to try and see if the cure will work?”

“I mean, I don’t have anything to lose at this point.”

Larry clasped his hands together. “Great. Just wait right here. I will fetch the serum.” He turned around. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”

She rolled her eyes as he dashed off, and she muttered under her breath, “Where have I heard that before.” Christen turned her head to see that Jake was still standing there. “Umm.

Hi.” She waved awkwardly at him. “Soo, umm, do you like working here?”

“I am just doing my part to help with this blueberry crisis. Larry is a talented man at his work. You really shouldn’t worry so much.”

Christen sighed. “I just have had a really long few months.” She turned back around. “It is hard for me to trust anything good will happen anymore when it comes to this berry nonsense.”

“I mean, it could be worse.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I have been a blueberry multiple times, Jake. How could it be worse?”

“Instead of people growing giant, everyone could instead have shrunk and turned into real blueberries.”

Christen’s eyes widened at the prospect, her body suddenly widening as juice surged within her. “I am going to have nightmares tonight.” She shivered as she felt her limbs shrink into her body. “I am glad I just become a human blueberry. Ughh.”

Larry walked back into the room with a syringe. “Ok, are you ready?”

Jake shook his head and walked to the door. “Sorry, but not interested in watching this part.”

Christen gulped. “What is he talking about?”

Larry laughed as he walked over. “This cure is a bit intense, Christen. Just a heads up.” He put his hand on her body. “Are you still willing to go through with it?”

She gulped and nodded her head. “Yes. If I don’t, I am going to be fired. I need to have this berry juice nonsense come to an end.”

Larry sighed. “Well, depending on your viewpoint, you will either love or hate this.” He injected her with the serum. “Enjoy the juicing process.”

“Juicing?” She winced as the needle slid into her body. “Ohhhh.” Christen shook her head. “I thought you said this was a cure. I didn’t come here to be juiced!”

Larry took a few steps back. “Well, from the others who took this cure before everything is said and done, your body juices itself.” He scratched at the back of his head. “Umm, enjoy. I am not sticking around for this.” He turned around and ran out of the room.

“What are you. . .” Christen took a deep breath as she felt the pressure in her body rise.

“Ohhh.” She took a deep breath. “I thought this was supposed to help cure me, not inflate me.” She began to rub her breasts. “Ughh, my boobs. They are feeling so juicy. I just need to. . .” Suddenly juice squirted out from her nipples. “Ohh. That feels better.” More juice poured out from her body. “Ohh, it just doesn’t want to stop.” Suddenly a small stream of juice was dripping from her breasts. “Ohh, I am glad no one is here to see this.” She moaned. “This is just. . .crazy.”

The juice shooting out of her body turned her blue shirt purple. “Ugh, at least this thing was already ruined.” She flapped her arms about. “Hey, I am shrinking.” She looked around as her hips began to subside, taking on a more human look. “This can’t be.” Christen forced a grin through her, moaning and gasping as she slowly regained her body. “I... I can’t believe it.” She danced around like a blueberry geyser. “This is actually. . . ohhh. . . working.” Even her skin started to change color. “I am returning to normal!” She jumped up into the air. “I can’t believe it.”

The geysers on her body died down, and she examined her body. “Is this a dream? Am I my old self?” She giggled. “I have been waiting for this day for ages. To be able to work without fear of turning into a blueberry. To be able to go to campus.” She spun around. “Not to be a big giant fruit again. Yay!”

Larry walked into the room. “I take it from those happy cheers the test was a success?”

Christen smiled. “I haven’t been this pale in months. Thank you.” She took his hand and shook it vigorously. “Thank you.”

“Umm, yes. Now please call us if there is any resurgence in blueberry activity. But we don’t expect there to be.”

Christen smiled. “Oh, I will.” She rushed to the door. “Have a great day.”

***

Larry sighed as he looked at all of the juice on the floor. “Great, and I just got this room clean.”

“So, the cure works?”

Larry turned around to see Red. “What do you want?”

“To know if our other project is coming along.” He tapped his fingers on the side of his body. “You know what else I need of you. I am not backing you just so you can make a cure willy-nilly.” He narrowed his eyes. “So, is it ready?”

Larry looked at the ground. “Yes. I think so.”

“Then I want it tested on that woman you just cured.”

“But—

“No buts.” Red walked up to him. “Unless you want everyone to know just who started this blueberry pandemic the town is dealing with.”

Larry gulped. “No. I don’t.” He sighed. “Don’t worry. I will make sure it is working as you intend.”

“Good.”