But what if it doesn’t work? What if I fail?
Even if you don’t succeed, you’d know you’d tried. And that’s more than anyone could ever hope for, or ask of you.
But what if they punish N8, or the other children, because of it?
Wild, uncontained scenarios whirled through her fertile mind. Cydney clamped down on them and stared back at the two people waiting for her answer. If she said no, they’d make her life a living hell. But if she said yes…
“All right. I’ll do it, but on my terms,” she agreed, trying to show a little backbone. She expected them to argue with her, but surprisingly they held off. In fact, they seemed too pleased with themselves.
Well, let them believe they’ve pulled one over on me. I’m not going to argue. But from now on, I can never forget they’re going to be watching me like hawks.
No. Correct that. More like vultures.
Baby-stealing vultures.
The phrase fit them perfectly. So much so, she managed to give them an equally self-pleasing smile.
4D8
According to the reports,the children always ate supper together around seven. After which they either gathered together in some location for a couple of hours of entertainment, or went to their individual apartments to watch TV, read, or play video games. Cydney headed for the gym after receiving word they were playing basketball that evening.
As she approached the gym, she heard the sound of laughter and shouts, along with familiar squeaks of shoes on the waxed floor and the bouncing of the ball. Opening one of the double doors, she stepped inside to see all six working up a sweat as P8 and K8 fought for possession. G8 yelled for a timeout, and the two protagonists took a stance in the middle of the court as G8 threw the ball up above their heads. K8 managed to tip it, sending it bouncing toward N8, who whirled around and threw it at a basket. The ball rimmed the lip before falling through the net.
“Game! Twenty-one, thirty! We win!” F8 yelled, adding a whoop of joy.
“Just in time. I’m ready to hit the shower,” G8 admitted. He turned around and spotted her standing in the doorway. “Hey! We have an audience!”
Cydney gave a little wave as the group made their way toward her. G8, P8, and T8 retrieved their shirts lying on the floor, along with a few bottles of water, which they handed to the others.
“Been there long?” N8 asked, wiping his face with his t-shirt. Like the rest, he was dripping with sweat. She caught a glimpse of a set of abs that nearly stole her breath.
“No. Sorry. I just got here.”
“You missed the best part,” T8 told her. “G8 and N8 collided earlier and nearly knocked each other out.”
It was then Cydney spotted the reddish mark on N8’s upper arm. “Are you guys okay?”
“Yeah,” G8 replied. “We’ve been through worse. Speaking of…” He peeled a strip of skin from his inner arm. Seeing the look on her face, he smiled. “Shit tickles like crazy. I’m going to loofah myself down and hope I slough this stuff off soon. It’ll be interesting to see what I look like when I’m done.”
Cydney stared at him. Already she could tell the skin underneath the peeling layer was darker. After she’d been hired, she’d been required to do an extensive study about each Chimera’s unique and individual ability. And even though she’d only witnessed a couple of them do their thing, this would be the first time she got to see G8’s transformation that occurred like clockwork every twenty-eight days. She managed a timid smile. “I’m looking forward to seeing it, too.”
“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” F8 remarked. She stopped beside Cydney and gave her a quick smile before looking at N8. “We’re going over to K8’s after we shower.” Back to Cydney, she added, “You two are welcome to join us later, if you want.”
“Thanks. We’ll keep it in mind,” N8 replied. He dropped the basketball into the net container against the wall.
“Sure enough.” The woman patted her chest, then threw him a mock salute. She smiled again at Cydney. “Thanks for coming by. Most people tend to avoid us.”
Slightly stunned, Cydney managed to smile in return. “I might have to do this more often.”
“Please do!” K8 yelled from the doorway as she departed.
“Is there a reason for this unexpected visit? Or are you just slumming?”
Cydney turned around to find N8 standing a couple of feet away. The others exited, leaving them alone in the vast room.
“I…uhh…”
He held up a finger. “Hold that thought. Last one out has to kill the lights. Be right back.” He trotted off to the switchbox located on the other side of the room. When he toggled off the lights, it threw the room into pitch blackness. She heard him laugh, the sound of it echoing around her. “Open the door so I can find you!”
