Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

FORTY-FOUR: FORGIVENESS

44: Forgiveness

It takes the five of us two days to complete the first prototype suit. But when we tested it with the serum gun, the bullet went through like a knife through butter. So it was back to the drawing board.

The second prototype was finished in three days, and by then, we were getting agitated with how much time we'd already wasted. We've been in this house for a week, and in the time we spend here, our friends continue to suffer. And no one else can help them but us.

The second suit showed more promise than the first, and we were hopeful when the bullet bounced off the material. But there was still a matter of testing it with someone actually inside the suit. We sat in the kitchen, debating on who would wear the suit to test it out, but no one really wanted to volunteer.

I raise my hand. "I'll do it."

Immediately, four pairs of eyes are on me.

"What? I can't let you do that, Hiroko." Kenji insists. "What if the suit doesn't work?"

"It seems to have worked against the serum bullet." I reply. "But the only way to know for sure whether or not it actually works is if I test it out."

"What if the suit doesn't work?" Kenji repeats more forcefully. "You could lose your powers for good. Are you ready to take that risk?"

"Kenji is right, Hiroko." Juliette gently adds. "We're talking about irreversible consequences here. This isn't a matter you should take lightly."

"And what makes you think I'm taking it lightly?" I snap. "I'm very serious about this. If the suit doesn't work and I lose my power for good...then I lose it. My powers are not who I am."

"I'm sorry, but I won't allow it." Kenji cuts in. "I'll test the suit out."

"No, we need your ability." Warner points out. "Your power is much too valuable to risk."

"I could do it." Juliette volunteers. "Hiroko is right. My powers aren't who I am. I wouldn't mind losing them for good."

"I won't allow you to do that either, J." Kenji says. "I already said I'd do it. If I lose my powers, at least Hiroko still has traces of my DNA, so she can still morph into me."

We start arguing then, our raised voices overlapping each other in the kitchen. No one wanted anyone else to be in the suit. While I understand their fears, it's getting ridiculous.

"I'll do it."

We all stare in surprise at Caitlan, who just walked in. I didn't even realize she'd left the kitchen. But what astonishes me the most is that she's already wearing the suit. The metal suit is silver and black, and it covers the entire body. Warner even made a helmet for additional protection against headshots. It's a lot less bulky than I thought. But she still looks like some sort of automaton.

"If anyone deserves to lose her powers, it's me." She declares. "I'm one of the reasons we're in this bloody mess in the first place. I'm testing the suit, and I'm not having any objections from you."

"Are you sure about this, Caitlan?" Warner asks, his golden eyebrows furrowed. "You do understand the possible risks, don't you?"

"I'm well aware." She nods. "And I'm fine with it. So shoot me now."

We all jerk back at her words.

"I'm not going to shoot you, Caitlan." Warner argues. "You're pregnant."

"Then who's going to shoot me?" She demands.

Warner, Juliette, Kenji and I exchange worried glances. None of us were willing to shoot her. Even though I'm angry at her, I don't hate her enough to actually point a gun at her and fire.