Remade

Chapter 1

Present Day

I walked out of the bathroom and stared directly into a mirror. My heart stopped. I had been avoiding mirrors. And now that I was looking, I didn't like what I saw.

My skin was tinted a light pink color. My hair was pink and purple at the roots; it was no longer growing in brown. My eyes were the same dark brown they always had been though.

I rushed into the mess hall. I grabbed my plate and looked for Wren. Our eyes connected from across the room. I saw an open seat next to him.

I couldn't help but smile. After being in for so long, you appreciated the little things in life.

I went over and sat down. I looked at him. "How long, Wren?" I asked quietly.

Wren looked at me. "How long what?" He asked chewing half a pancake.

"My skin, my hair," I said a little panicky. "How long has it been changing?"

"About a week."

I was stunned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you knew." Wren turned serious. "I was wondering why you were so calm about it."

I looked into Wren's eyes. I saw his concern and almost broke. "I'm scared." I whispered.

Wren's hand found mine under the table. "I know." He said. "But it'll be fine. You're strong. You'll-"

"Keep eating." A passing officer yelled at us.

Wren squeezed my hand.

"Naila, the physician will see you now." The smiley assistant chirped.

I walked into the exam room. The smell made me sick. The smell of antiseptic and latex. It reminded me of my one day in the infirmary.

That was not a pleasant day.

"What seems to be-" The physician stopped when he looked at me. He looked nervous. "I, uh, I see."

I sat in one of the chairs. He continued to stand. He pulled out my file and looked through it.

He looked up at me. "When did this start?" He asked with a pencil in hand.

"I just noticed it today, but my friend told me about a week ago." I answered plainly.

The physician nodded. "And your abilities, have they changed?"

"Not that I've noticed, no."

"Do you feel any different?"

"No."

"I'm going to refer you to Dr. Scott." He said. "He will give you a definitive answer.

I nodded.

"I suggest you go as soon as you can. I'll have my assistant fax over the files."

Dr. Scott saw me immediately. He asked the same questions as the physician and then some more about my general day. What was I eating? Whatever was served that day. How much did I exercise? An hour in gym. Had my schedule been changed? No. Had anything been changed? No.

I didn't understand what the questions had to do with anything.

Dr. Scott wrote down my last answer and looked directly into my eyes. "You have some idea about what is happening, correct?"

I nodded.

"The chemical that originally changed your genetic makeup is now being produced again. It is affecting the pigment that is being produced. It is becoming permanent." He continued. "Yours is the most aggressive case that I've seen. It took a week for you to complete what others have done in months."

I was quiet.

"Usually, we would try to block the production of this chemical by giving you a prescription, but it would do nothing for you. You have already changed too much."

The truth was both terrifying and comforting. The prescription would have inhibited my abilities, and I loved my abilities. But since nothing could be done, I'd be under more watch. I'd have officers watching my every move until it was finished.

I sat next to Wren in the mess hall. It was dinnertime. "Nothing can be done." I whispered.

Wren smiled a little. "Good."

I hid my smile. "I like the power." My voice was barely a whisper. "It's intoxicating."

Wren ran his thumb over the back of my hand. It was comforting. "Can you come out later?" His voice was quieter than mine.

I nodded. "I'll be there."