It's surprising what human beings can accomplish when death is staring them right in the face. When things began plummeting, few knew how to react. Most were confused, seeking guidance from the very foundations and institutions that, once meant to h...
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"Did you ever come across something called 'Ichor' in your research, Auntie Clara?"
Her arm stops moving forward instantly, the paintbrush in her hand suspended mid-air. My own brush rests motionless on the canvas in front of us, its bristles slowly spreading the red paint into a sloppy circle.
She turns her head toward me, a distant look in her eyes as if reaching for the memories of a past life.
"What's 'I-ch-or'?" asks Declan, enunciating each syllable.
He takes a bite of the apple in his hand as he walks onto the balcony, examining the painting of the forest that Auntie Clara and I have begun creating.
"Like the latest tech update or something? Please tell me they finally fixed the bugs with that whole teleporting thing already, it would make traveling so much easier."
He tilts his head to the left, studying the painting like an art critic, as I continue using small strokes to capture the red streaks of the setting sun reaching across the sky beyond the trees.
"We couldn't afford it anyways," I state, "plus, spliced atoms and detached limbs...no thanks. And, you'd have to give up your shitty car."
A smirk forms on my lips as I turn to give him a mischievous look. He stops mid bite and throws a playful glare in my direction.
"I can't believe you just insulted Ruby like that after all she's done for you. Take it back you little punk," he says as he ruffles my hair.
I let out a genuine laugh and swing my soaked paintbrush towards his cheek, threatening to mark him with the red paint.
Auntie Clara clears her throat, bringing me back to the reality of the iridescent blue serum that has the power to kill wolves. A twinge of guilt forms in my stomach as I remember Lawton's bruised and beaten form lying motionless on the hospital bed.
"I haven't heard that word mentioned in a very long time, Adelaide," Auntie Clara says, a serious and slightly urgent tinge forming beneath her words. "Why do you ask?"
"A couple of days ago, they brought in a young man-a young wolf who wasn't healing at all, and no one could figure out why. He crashed during one of my shifts and the lab tests detected an unknown substance in his system."
This immediately catches Declan's attention as he recalls the patient I told him about during our training the other morning.
I mindlessly continue making brush strokes on the patch of blank canvas in front of me, focused on keeping my words steady and explanation clear.
"The Director said that he has never seen anything like it before and someone close to Law-the young man brought up rumors of this serum being developed by humans to even the playing field with the wolves...a weapon."
I turn to face Auntie Clara, who stares at me intently for a moment before turning toward the canvas to fill in the outlines of a tree.
"I wondered if you had heard anything about it among the wolf factions you were observing and studying," I say.
