The Traitors

Chapter 17 - Logan

I hated this.

Every month, I would donate blood to the hospital. Not only was my blood type O negative, but due to the Trait serum, something in my blood held some of my Trait properties, making any person who received my blood through transfusion heal quicker. Hospital staff were aware of my "condition"--what they called it--but as long as I showed up for my donations, they kept quiet.

My body's regeneration allowed them to take as much blood as they needed without me feeling any side effects, aside from the queasy stomachache I'd get from watching nurses carry away blood bags. I was a never-ending source for them, but at least I was compensated for my time which was one of the reasons I still showed up.

The other reason was because my sister had me wrapped around her little finger. Maeve was actually the one who proposed this little exchange to her superiors then pitched the idea to me after she got it approved. I initially declined, but Mae never takes no for an answer. She got Father involved as he threatened to have me sent back to Mal Corp. I didn't think he could really do that, but I didn't want to call his bluff.

And as if she knew I was just thinking about her, my sister walked into the room to relieve me of the needles sucking the blood from my veins. She offered me a smile as she carefully slid them out. The tension in my arms released and I was finally free to get the hell out of here. Mae, however, had other plans. She blocked me from walking out when I found my footing and rose from my cushioned chair.

"C'mon Mae," I said with a sigh, "I've had a really rough week."

I still hadn't talked to Fi and each day my mood continued to plummet. I felt horrible for refusing to give her an explanation that she absolutely deserved, but I was terrified to have that conversation with her. It was going to change her opinion of me and her father. I wasn't sure how to bring up the topic or how to sugar-coat it. There was no way I could. So, I continued to avoid her. Fi didn't deserve that, especially since she had been the sunshine in my days recently, but I didn't know what to do.

Fuck, I miss her.

"Can we talk?" Mae begged with her soft puppy eyes. "Please."

We didn't need to because I already knew what she wanted. Fi wasn't the only one I was avoiding having a conversation with. The hospital wanted more from me; more blood and more times a year. The topic was bound to come up as Mae's desperation grew every time I came in to "donate".

"About what?" My patience with her was dwindling already. She had been putting on this kind of performance the past few times I've been here: overly sweet and fake.

I could see through her like cellophane. One thing I knew for sure was she didn't give a fuck about me.

"I know I've asked you so many times, but can you reconsider taking the deal? C'mon! It's more money than you'd ever need and you could quit your job."

"I actually like my job. Asking me to do this every week feels like I'm being harvested. I know you're used to getting your way, but just this once can you think of someone other than yourself?" She redacted her hand immediately.

"That's a bit harsh, Logey-bear," her childhood nickname for me caught me off guard.

"Don't," the word aggressively flew from my mouth, "call me that," I dialed the rest of the sentence back.

I was already in a bad mood and she was pushing me beyond my limits, especially with the nickname. She knew it pissed me off, but she continued to think its effect would give me some sort of nostalgia. If we had a better relationship, it might have, but we didn't.

"You're extra sensitive today," she pointed out which only soured my mood further. "I hope you'll have a better attitude," she turned away from me and silently added, "when you come back next week."