Chapter 7: Perfect Stage Beasts
[Murphy's Office]
Christopher surveyed the office, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the small neighborhood below.
"How are you, Murph?" he asked, turning to Murphy, who was seated at her desk.
"The only person who ever called me Murph was Conifer." she replied, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "He's—"
"—Me." Christopher finished, walking over and sitting in the chair opposite her. "I'm the one who gave you that nickname."
Murphy's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait... If what you're saying is true..." She stood up, circling her desk to stand beside him. "Are you... Conifer?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes." he confirmed. "But Conifer is dead. This is... The new me."
Murphy's eyes widened. "That explains how you knew the password." She muttered.
"Of course." Christopher said, and added: "I designed the security system myself, remember?"
The realization dawned on Murphy. The young man before her wasn't Christopher Valhalla; it was her childhood friend, Conifer, the Supreme Tamer.
"I thought I'd lost you." she breathed, a mixture of relief and disbelief in her voice.