DEVIANT [H.S.]

13 - Vitals

The next morning I'm sitting on the edge of my bed, still in shock from seeing Caleb in the Sphere.

I'm convinced I didn't see him, that it was just a hazy hallucination. That's the only explanation.

Malachi calls me over to him, taking me out of my trance and beckoning me to follow. I try hard to compartmentalize my thoughts by focusing on Malachi's steps away from my room.

Malachi and I head down to the Isolation Hall in silence, our footsteps the only source of sound. Once we reach the end of the hall Malachi turns a corner and I follow him to another door. It may be some type of recovery room.

When I end up on the other side of the door, my stomach drops in nervousness.

Sitting on a clean white bed is Mona, her legs folded and her stare to the concrete floor. She doesn't flinch as we come in. She isn't clutching her ears in agony. Malachi closes the door and walks over to the edge of the bed, sitting down.

"How are you, Mona?" He asks her quietly.

She's out of that room for the first time in three weeks, Malachi. I think she's pretty happy.

She doesn't say anything for a moment, but eventually she speaks up. "I'm okay," She looks up to me, sensing another presence in the room. "Who's she?"

Malachi puts a hand on her shoulder. "This is Serena. She's here to help me help you."

Mona's face lights up at the sound of possible recovery. She looks so youthful... she has to be the same age as Aubrey. They look alike too.

"Will she help you get better too?" Mona asks Malachi, looking to him.

Malachi looks from Mona to me, and a soft smile appears on his lips. "She will try to help everybody. Even your sister."

"My sister?" She exclaims. "Where is she?"

Malachi places a hand on her shoulder. "Aubrey is busy with Harry right now, showing the new group of Deviants around for the day."

Mona frowns. "For all I know, they're together."

I begin to get a bit uneasy with this conversation for some unknown reason. Malachi's face twists into a grimace of a sort and he opens his mouth to speak.

"No, no.. they're not together. I partner them for the introductions because they know the Coalition and are not afraid to talk," Malachi explains. "Harry has his sights set on someone else."

Mona nods in understanding, whereas a pang of intrigue hits me in the chest, its vibrations ricocheting throughout my body.

Who would Harry have his sights set on? Me?

"What is she doing here?" Mona speaks up, interrupting my thoughts.

"She's going to take you upstairs to the new lab and help me do some tests on you," Malachi assures her.

Well, that's a way to make it subtle.

"Think of it as a checkup, Mona," He continues. "You've been in Isolation for a while."

"Aubrey knows about this, right?" Mona asks curiously.

Malachi glances at me, then back at Mona. "Not yet, she's busy. I'll send a message out to her."

Mona then stands to her feet, Malachi rising beside her. "Okay, but after can I see my sister?" She trails off, looking over to him with wide hopeful eyes.

"Of course," He nods.

We head out of the recovery room swiftly, heading upstairs to the lab. Malachi walks on behind us as Mona makes her way next to me.