Heather's One-Chapter Bits

Success at a Price (I Failed Part III)

"But Professor, I won!" I protest.

"Yes, Jackie," Professor Holmes answers absentmindedly. "That's why I'm giving you a B on this lab report."

I groan in frustration and throw down my mask. "I need a better grade than that to pass the class, though."

"You did absolutely nothing for three months," he scolds. "Yes, you won, but you also brought Crosswinds here to the university. The paper's a B."

"Can I do anything else to bring up my grades?" I plead, my eyes in my best puppy dog expression. I probably look constipated.

The professor puts down his grade book and leans back in his chair, sighing. "Well..."

"Please, Professor?"

"Hmm... the department head, Dr. Walsh, is currently working on a treatment to give ordinary humans superpowers. The Criminal Committee wants results next week, but the good doctor can't find anyone who'd be willing to submit to testing, though I can't imagine why..." Professor Holmes looks at me expectantly.

I wring my hands together. This does not sound good. "What kind of testing?" I ask cautiously.

He waves a hand about the empty lab. "Oh, you know, some electrotherapy, some untried chemical substances, some hormone injections... nothing that'll cause permanent damage."

I shake my head. "My mother will actually kill me if I come home for Easter with a third eye. I'm sorry, Professor. Is there anything else I can do?"

His expression hardens. "Well, Jackie, frankly I'm disappointed in your efforts. I'm afraid your current grades will not suffice. You may have to repeat this class." And with that, he walks to the door, papers in hand.

I sigh. This is not going to turn out well.

"Professor Holmes? I just did a cost-benefit analysis..."

--------------------

"Ow!"

"Are you sure you aren't feeling any different?" Dr. Walsh asks. He puts away the shock therapy equipment.

"A little numb, but other than that, no," I answer, rubbing my arm to try to regain feeling.

He hooks another machine up to my arm. "I'll test for any changes, just to be sure..." He stares at the screen and falls silent.

"Anything?" I ask hopefully. At least if his experiments are a success, I won't have to go near those terrifying beakers full of neon liquids in the corner.

"No." He pulls me over to the table full of chemicals. "Next trial."

He points to a bright blue bubbling mixture and gestures for me to drink it. Hesitantly, I lift the flask to my lips and swallow all of it.

"Anything...?" He asks.

I screw up my face in disgust and let out a belch. "That one was gross."

"That was a solution of radioactive uranium in small quantities dissolved into copper sulphate."

Oh, shit. I've taken enough chemistry to know that could easily kill me. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Oh, yes," Dr. Walsh says distractedly. "My calculations show only a 14% chance of death, especially if you drink multiple solutions. Try the pink one."

I glare at the back of his head and make a face. Carefully I tip the beaker of pink solution into my mouth. I sputter and cough. "What was that one?"

"Trust me, Miss Jackie, you do not want to know. Any change?"

"I'm feeling a bit queasy..."

"Alright, try the yellow one."