Glass Helix

By Katee Stein

When Khai escapes the Research Center and crosses the boundary, sick and alone, he expects to find certain death. As an Imitel, one of those with a frail genome, Khai knows his days are numbered, but within the wilds he finds a new beginning; reborn whole and with the ability to heal not just himself, but others as well. 

Returning to

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stag Beetle Books
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889170075

Book preview

Prologue

One thought held him: to reach the forest before he died.

The boy squeezed his thin frame through the gap at the bottom of the chain link fence. The looped metal was the last barrier keeping him from the death that lay beyond. He wriggled his hips free and staggered to his feet, his head swimming. Goosebumps tickled up from hot, fevered skin as he pushed into the bramble, ignoring the thorns tugging against his skin. It was an inconsequential pain in light of recent weeks.

An alarm cut through the silence. His heart rate spiked and a wave of nausea clutched at his belly. He hazarded a glance back toward the city glowing in artificial light. The curved relief of the Medical Support Center swayed within his vision, continuing its muffled pulse accusingly. He had robbed them of the only thing it was his right to own: his body. 

Even in his delirium he felt a stirring of pride. Angular shoulders pulled back and his chin lifted a degree, he turned his back on the community who had raised him—who had killed him. If they wanted his body so badly, they could come and face their own death. Only those who welcomed a quick end would cross the line without full bio-gear.

He had spent endless hours staring at the distant wood from his room. Its lush growth was a testament to an evolution humanity had never managed. Their mistake had been removing death as a deterrent. Now he was free to walk into the embrace of the trees. 

The forest had called through pain induced delirium. Come.

It beckoned as his body buckled under the rigors of testing. Come.

As he faded, the voice of the forest grew in his mind and his every thought was consumed with that one word. "Come."

Tonight, a remnant of life had stirred within him and his waking dream had solidified into a fiery determination. He knew the rhythms of the medical center as surely as he knew his own heartbeat. He had slipped through the rooms and halls unnoticed and into the streets of the sleeping city. The city that should have been more than a flat backdrop to his life.

As sallow looking as he was, waif-like and alone, wearing med-center cotton, he would have drawn attention. So, he crept through alleys and dark side streets like vermin until he clambered beyond the boundary, free.

A tremor of euphoria stole over him, masking another fevered shiver. He’d done it. The promise of soft, damp earth kept him moving even as his limbs trembled and his joints protested each movement.

Death's soft voice called. Sleep here…rest.

His steps faltered and as his eyes lifted to the trees watching his progress with quiet anticipation. A steady thrum rose within his chest. 

Come…come…come.

He lurched forward and scraped his way up a shallow ditch, force of will propelling his spent shell. Mercifully, once clear of the bramble, the terrain leveled and clumps of rough grass and knee-high shrubs allowed his steps to settle into a wobbling gait. In his febrile mind the voice of the wood urged him forward. Finally, as the sun broke free of the mountains in the east, he stepped beneath a broad-limbed grove of deciduous trees. Gilded light shone through the canopy overhead and he tipped his chin to meet its kiss on his tear-stained face before sinking to the forest floor in relief.

The forest welcomed him with a whispered breeze. Home.

He wrapped his thin arms around his chest and sunk back against the gnarled roots of the large oak. There, nestled into the leaves and clutter at the tree’s base, he gazed contentedly up into the vast tangle of life above him. In quiet warmth he faded in and out of consciousness. Peace lay like a blanket over his curled form. Here with the lost and broken pieces of the forest floor he could finally let go, and so, as the afternoon sun shone bright, he did.

Chapter 1

This is Stupid

Khai looked back over his shoulder. This is stupid. Why am I doing this? 

The hills and mountains stretched wide behind him and he resisted the impulse to turn back and find shelter within the familiar folds of the forest, but something told him this was his last chance to return. ARC showing up in the last two communities he visited was pushing his definition of a coincidence.

Thick brambles pulled at the dark navy canvas of his jacket and he fought for footing in the dense growth. The lights of Ardor glowed, chasing away the black of night, the soft halo making it possible to make out the details even here at the boundary. 

Flashes shuddered through his body, partially-remembered moments of the last time he was here. Half-delirious with fever, these same brambles had ripped into his bare skin and felt like an impossible barrier. Has it really been four years? The searing lines cut into his skin had been a welcome relief compared to what had raged through his body. 

He locked his jaw against the intrusive thoughts and pushed aside a sweeping tangle of blackberry canes. The gloves he wore now, though thin, did their job and spared him the bushes' small spears. He wove his way through the dense foliage careful not to leave a discernible path, but it was slow work. Ahead, he could make out the boundary fence and, more importantly, the dead space where nothing grew for several feet on either side. 

Sweat beading on his brow, Khai shrugged through the last desperate cling-ons and stepped up to the fence. A thrill of excitement rushed through him, leaving anxiety and perhaps reason behind. After all these years, he was so close. He stretched out his stride, letting his hand bounce along the dips and rises of the chain links as he searched for a junction box. It would be nearby. They monitored for any movement through the barrier on the off chance the primary deterrents failed to keep biologicals—such as animals or even insects—out. This tech, while effective, was no match for him.

His hand bumped into a conduit line and he traced it to its control box. He popped open the metal cover and swung his backpack around so he could reach a zipped side pocket. Pulling out what he needed to hack the system without triggering alarms, he set to work.

There was only one reason to be here in Ardor. It was time to make good on a long overdue promise. 

He bypassed the security and set a timer. It should only take ten minutes to make it across the boundary fields. He could use a good run. He closed up the junction box, tightened the straps of his bag and scaled the fence. 

The boundary fields were starting to collect the night's dew and before he got too far, his feet squelched in his shoes. Mowers swept the field daily, keeping the mix of grains and grasses from getting too tall, but they still hit mid-shin. At the same time they were cut, they were sprayed to block foreign contaminants from reaching the city. The green space was a complex piece of bioengineering and protective agriculture.

To Khai, it was nothing more than open space to stretch his legs. He shifted from a jog into a full sprint and relished the feeling of the ground disappearing beneath his feet and the wind in his face. A pang of regret dampened the moment. Few would step foot in these fields. None would feel this freedom. After all, there were easier ways to kill yourself. 

The first time he’d made the journey through the boundary, it’d been to meet death on his terms, only to find the forest had other plans. He’d lived but had been separated from everyone he’d ever cared about. 

Today that ended. 

Khai’s heart thudded within his chest as he angled east and made for a dark rise at the edge of the city. East Ardor Park would be a good place to wait. Its slopes ran down to the boundary fields. He slowed as he reached the short grass, his breath coming in long pulls and the scent of cool earth filling his nose. I’m here. He hiked up the hill and searched for a bench. Lamp posts lined a packed gravel path, their warm yellow light pooling around them like honey. 

The ordered beauty within the communities always struck him as ironic. The pristine streets and perfectly manicured neighborhoods. Even these genetically maintained plants allowed for the community's inhabitants to enjoy slivers of nature without risk. How could this space look so safe and welcoming? This place had nearly killed him. He’d run and had been too afraid to look back. 

He found a bench surrounded by a young stand of fir, their needled branches like feathers reaching to dust the stars. He laid back using his bag as a pillow, and tried to ignore the city that lay beyond. It was an impossible task. According to the city files, she was only blocks from here. 

I could go knock on her door right now. 

And wake her up? He shifted and tucked an arm above his head, willing away the impulse to be reckless. He had waited this long; he didn’t want to mess things up more than he already had 

What will I say? What could be said? He planned out conversations and rehearsed explanations, but nothing felt adequate. He sighed and glared at the sky. The stars above remained stubbornly silent on the matter, and so he rolled to his side and forced his eyes closed.

"One day I’ll be out there." A soft voice filled his mind, and Khai was transported a lifetime ago to the rooftop of the Ardor Medical Support Center. 

Others near his age, mostly fourteen to sixteen-year-olds, gathered around an artificial fire pit. Some dragged IV poles behind them, others used mobility aids. Those younger had been sent to bed early despite a chorus of complaints. He sat on a nearby air exchange unit looking out over the city with a petite girl wrapped in a thick knit sweater next to him.

The girl’s statement sent a curl of unease twisting through him. Where would you go?

Anywhere but here, she said with a comical twist of her eyebrow as if it were obvious. But somewhere I could have a picnic on the roof every day.

What would life be like if she left? The uncomfortable thought sent a spike into his young heart. 

How about you? she asked. Her smile revealed a hint of a dimple in her cheek. 

I don’t know, he mumbled. Anywhere with you. The unspoken words stayed lodged in his throat. This thing between them, was it an understanding? Or was it wishful thinking on his part? The feelings felt too big for words. 

Mae, the only one in this god-forsaken world who knew him—the real him—turned to meet his gaze, steel-gray eyes softening at his response.

We’d go together, silly. I’d never leave you behind. You’re my hope. She slipped her hand into his, and at its warmth, his every nerve-ending came alive as if for the very first time. He let their fingers entwine, and squeezed her hand, never wanting to let go. 

Hope?

She smirked and leaned into him and they watched the sun dip below the horizon. The others laughed and joked around the fire, oblivious to the moment unfolding next to them.

Hope that there is more to this life than testing and procedures. Hope I can one day have a life out there. She waved her free hand in a broad gesture to the community below them. Mae’s voice dropped then, the quiet statement holding a question.

With someone I care about. 

You’re my hope, too. He whispered and leaned his cheek against the top of her head. Their lives were anything but perfect, but at this moment, none of it mattered. Khai breathed in a hint of freshly cut grass and memorized the feel of Mae next to him. Her gentle warmth was everything he wanted and needed. Together, we are hope.

The scene shifted and the sun swung in a sudden and dizzying arc. What the hell? What had been a sunset was now on the opposite horizon, fresh rays peeking from behind the mountain range in the distance. It was a fresh sunrise. I’m dreaming, he realized.

His view was of the mountains from outside East Ardor Park as he walked along a quiet sidewalk. He could feel the cool of the morning air and a tingle of anticipation, anxious for the warmth the sun would soon spill across the landscape. Then a string of sensations struck him; a tight chest and constricted airways; reluctant, cramped muscles; and a deep, persistent burning of nerve endings.

Khai sat up, heart pounding. He scanned the area around him. A heavy dew had settled over him during the night, so he pulled a fresh sweater from his bag and pulled it on. The sky matched what he had seen in his dream. Exactly. Even down to the scattered clouds and color of the pre-dawn light. 

He shivered, a possibility nagging at him.

A mind pushing into his dreams? It had never happened before. Even when he had first discovered his ability to hear others' thoughts, his unconscious mind had always remained impervious to such intrusions. Besides, it was ridiculously early. Who walks at this hour? It had to be before 6 am. 

Closing his eyes, Khai opened his mind to sense thoughts around him. The din of a city on the verge of waking came through as a low rumble. Individual minds were too far away to feel anything more than an impression. His brow pinched as he pushed the noise of the community aside and scanned his immediate vicinity. There. He stiffened as he brushed the mind of someone entering the park.

Unlike others, this mind, the pattern and shape of the thoughts felt familiar. What are the chances—

He stood and scooped the pack from the bench in one smooth motion, stepping into the cover of the fir trees. The needles pressed against his cheek as he angled to see the edge of the park. He let the individual's thoughts flood freely into his mind. They were peaceful and contemplative, but he could feel pain gnawing at the edges of their consciousness. 

A woman stepped into view. She was of an average height with wavy brown hair that hit just past her shoulders. Most was pulled back into a loose braid, with a few pieces left free, framing her heart-shaped face. She had a petite nose which perfectly accented her soft features and full lips.

He took her in as only an unseen voyeur could. He traced every line of her and held it up to his own memory of the young woman he had left behind. Mae. She looked stronger than when he had last seen her. Not whole, but a far sight better than being plugged with tubes and wires stuck within the MSC.

She paused on the path and tipped her head to the sun. Khai instinctively moved. It was her. He needed to pull her into his arms and feel the press of her body against his; solid and real. His bag caught in the branches and he stopped with a lurch.

I left. We were to go together. And I left her. The accusation tore at his conscience. The logistics of why didn’t matter in this moment. He’d had four years to return. It didn’t matter he had been alone and afraid; unsure of what he’d become. It didn’t matter he’d worked and planned and found a way to leave the communities behind; somewhere safe. The only thing that mattered was that he had broken his promise. Will she ever forgive me?

He peered back through the trees, relishing the feel of her mind against his. She was admiring the color shift across the sky. His chest tightened as he felt her struggle to catch her breath. She’s still so weak. The thought made his own chest ache. He knew the undefinable sorrow of living with a body you could not depend on. 

He didn’t sense frustration from her, but rather the careful truce she held with her body. She would slow for it, and it would push further for her. She wasn’t at war with herself, at least not as he’d once been.

Mae lowered herself onto a bench overlooking the slope and the eastern border of the park. The creamy morning light highlighted the cut of her jaw and the slope of her neck. She had changed, grown in their time apart. What did you expect? For her to remain frozen in time?

Guilt rushed forward. What was he doing here? Look at her. She had a life now. Her mind prepared for her day, mentally listing tasks and planning her time. How could he have ever thought she would wait for him as if she would sit and pine his absence forever? He couldn’t just walk up to her and ask her to leave the communities with him? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. What had he been thinking?

 Khai slumped back into the tree, finding it hard to pull in a full breath. He wrestled down hysteria. The instinct to run pressed adrenaline into his veins. You missed your opportunity. The thought crushed the air from his lungs. She was the only future he had been fighting for.

Mae pushed herself up from the bench. She steadied herself and looked around. The back of his throat ached. She was still living within a battlefield. Could he really leave Ardor without speaking with her? Explaining, apologizing? Saying good-bye? She deserved to know another life was possible. He owed her at least that. Anything beyond that, anything between them, would be up to her. A thread of hope strengthened his resolve. Maybe there is a way forward. Starting tomorrow.

Now that he saw her, he knew he needed to get his head straight and make a proper plan.

She had been his lifeline on more than one occasion and by this time tomorrow, it would be his turn to be hers.

Chapter 2

No One Runs

Mae stumbled, her toe catching an uneven paving stone at the park's entrance. She cast a quick glance around, and seeing no one, allowed herself to pause at the spike of pain twisting through her ankle. She experimented with the range of motion, rolling her foot slowly one way and the other. She breathed out relief, forcing the knot of anxiety to release her gut. No one saw.

It was early enough most people were still home asleep. She couldn’t remember a dawn she had had the luxury of sleeping through. As if cued by her wishful thinking, angry nerve endings flared to life and pain rippled through her with a wave of nausea. The ground felt oddly unsteady under her feet. Medic Aldrin assured her this latest treatment would eventually mute the pain, but failed to mention it would make her dizzy.

With a conscious effort, she continued walking, though slower than before. I can’t teeter into work looking half-snapped, she worried. It’d been almost two years since she started working in Data Processing and so far, she’d managed to hide her true condition. If she stumbled in like, well, the Imitel she was – the consequences would be disastrous. Medic Aldrin would be pulled up on charges for falsifying her medical records. Her department supervisor might even face disciplinary action. 

Imitel, the genetically broken, had one place – the research wing of the Medical Support Center. Her freedom, this life people like Aldrin had helped her forge, balanced on a knife’s edge. For everyone’s sake she had to keep it together. Their futures all depended on it.

Mae reached into her pocket. She’d call Aldrin now and ask him to adjust her meds or prescribe her something else to take before she went into work. She cursed as her hand met nothing but pocket lint in her broad-collared peacoat. She pursed her lips and glanced back up the street. I’ll have time when I get back. She didn’t want to miss the sunrise.

The park was a block from her apartment and she walked it every morning she was able. Fir and aspen traced winding paths along the crest of the gentle slope, making it the perfect place to watch the sun rise. Low grass covered the hillside down to where it met the boundary.

Of course, there was no wall. A simple chain link fence and layers of biological engineering provided the protection the community needed. She may be an Imitel, but the truth was all of humanity was incomplete. They were the species evolution left behind; reduced to hiding within communities like Ardor, unable to interact with the new biological world without succumbing to even the most basic bacterial or viral infection.

Mae frowned as she caught her breath. Someone sat on her bench. You’ve got to be kidding me. Her lips pressed tight in a grimace. Who…

He looked to be near her age, 17 or 18, with a lean, well-muscled build. From his profile his face had sharp, angular features. His dark almost-black hair looked haphazard, as if he had been lying in bed one moment and sitting in the park the very next. His posture was relaxed but there was an active energy in his bouncing toes and fidgeting hands that felt at odds with sitting on a park bench. Obviously a Pheno, she thought. 

Mae eyed the next bench further down the path, swallowing hard. Did they have to space these things so far apart? She tried to muffle her rattling breaths, but could feel her cheeks redden as she drew his attention. Painfully aware of her shuffling steps, she kept her eyes focused on the ground before her, avoiding his gaze.

 Morning, he said, his smooth tenor sounding hesitant. What does he have to be nervous about? 

She didn’t look up. Morning. Annoyingly, her own voice sounded thin and airy.

Do you need to sit?

I’m fine. Liar, she inwardly chided. In her peripheral, she caught him shifting on the bench as if it was too much to sit still. Must be nice to have so much energy.

He let out a huff of air as if amused. 

Phenos. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Then the sun peeked over the horizon casting scattered rays across the landscape, revealing the true colors of surrounding mountains, an evergreen blue, and she forgot the stranger for a moment. Mae let the light seep into her soul as it crawled across the lush landscape. She lived for the peace she found in these quiet moments of beauty.

More shifting on the bench pulled her back. What is he doing over there? 

All too soon, the sun untethered itself from the earth and the mist on the fields below began to curl upward in delicate tendrils, burning off as it reached for the sky. 

Mae’s legs trembled with fatigue. It was time to go. She sighed and turned towards the city. 

Wait, the stranger blurted.

Mae’s eyes snapped his direction and her breath caught in her throat. Her thoughts felt as if they were stuttering, trying to grasp words that would not be pinned down. 

The stranger was handsome; shockingly so. His green eyes were made more vibrant, framed by his dark hair and warmly-colored skin. The sharpness of his profile softened under his smile. 

More than that, he lacked the tell-tale markings of day-to-day life; no dark rings, no rashes, no blemishes. There was a wholeness about him that made him striking in an indefinable way. His easy breath and relaxed movements hinted at a vitality she’d never witnessed. Even for a Pheno he was remarkably vibrant.

I mean, you can’t beat this view. He grinned at her expectantly, holding his hands out to his sides in a ta-da gesture.

She shuffled and bit at the inside of her cheek, an awkward squirming filling her stomach. He looked at her with such anticipation, clearly expecting her to recognize him.

I’m sorry. I think you’ve confused me with someone else. 

For the first time his smile faltered, dropping away and exposing something far more vulnerable than the teasing bravado of a moment before. He looked away and rubbed at his jaw. Oh. 

Her eyes lingered over his features. Something felt familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

His eyebrow twitched and his eyes flicked back up to meet hers. He held her gaze, unabashed. Is he holding his breath? Her face flushed. She dug her toe into the gravel and looked away. Maybe you mixed up the time? Not many people come this early—

I know! he said, looking cheekily sheepish. Your schedule is—ambitious.

Discomfort crawled down her spine. 

The stranger flinched and a flash of concern crossed his face. He forced out an awkward laugh, sounding almost like a choked-backed sob. I wanted to surprise you. 

At her grimace he rambled on, I mean, I’ve wanted to —he paused, as if gathering himself— "meet you." He swallowed and ran a hand nervously through his hair. A hint of his earlier smile returned as he shrugged apologetically, but Mae couldn’t miss the pained expression that flickered across his face.

Mae gave a non-committal nod. He obviously was expecting someone else. Was it a meet-up gone wrong? He should have known the moment he saw her it was a mistake.

I have to get to work, she said, making no attempt to soften her abrupt departure. The ground was still playing havoc with her senses, but she made her strides as long and confident as she dared.

His voice called out behind her. Mae, please, wait.

She froze. He knows my name? She spun back to face him.

Pop! Her knee gave way. 

A cry tore from her mouth as she collapsed to the ground. The impact of the hard path and torn joint flashed fresh and hot through her body. She let out a string of curses under her breath. No. She thought. I can’t go back.

The man was off the bench and at her side before she could blink. 

Are you okay? His voice full of concern.

She smothered her panic and modulated her response. I think so. She pulled herself up into a sitting position, instinctively hiding the pain. But her knee had already swelled with a pulse of its own.

Her hands began to shake, and a thin sheen of sweat gathered on her upper lip despite the cool of the morning. Faking her way through this was likely beyond even her. Panic squeezed her chest. No,no,no. In a moment, her whole future slipped away. They’ll find out I’m Imitel. 

The stranger’s jaw locked and he scooped her from the ground into his arms.

Mae squeaked at the sudden movement. What are you–

You’re hurt. Let me put you on the bench. 

She glanced at his face; there was no sign of strain. He lowered her to the bench and stepped back. 

How did you do that? 

What?

Lift me like that?

The man let out a dismissive puff. You weigh nothing.

Mae eyed him dubiously, breathing through her teeth. Not even a Pheno should be able to do that. 

I can. He shrugged.

That settles it. The familiarity was wishful thinking. She’d never been close with a Pheno; one of the few born with a strong enough genome to live an almost ‘normal’ lifestyle. They could go through a day without fear a single misstep would land them in the Medical Support Center. But this strong? She’d never heard of such a thing.

My name? How do you know it? She asked, fighting to keep her voice level even as her jaw clenched against the building pain.

How’s your knee? 

Mae paused, fighting the urge to tell him the truth. The discomfort clawed its way forward anyway. She shakily rubbed her hand over her face, belatedly recognizing she was showing signs of shock. Hold it together. I’ll be fine. I just need to rest a minute before heading home. 

He gave her a flat look. You’re lying.

Her heart skipped a beat. Please don’t call the MSC. I have a personal medic

He cocked his head, brows furrowed. A personal medic? Who has that?

He’s my guardian. Why am I telling him this? "I’d call him, but I forgot my glass at home." She was definitely going into shock. 

Easy. He shrugged out of his coat, a dark navy reinforced canvas, leaving him with the green hoodie beneath. The coat looked like the commercial grade boundary gear with its banded collar. He draped it over her shoulders. You’re okay. I’ll call whoever you need.

Who is this guy? He stood before her uncharacteristically still, chewing at the inside of his cheek, seeming to consider her. A prickle of recognition pressed into the back of her mind again at his thoughtful expression. She dismissed the sensation. As if I could forget a face like that.

Medic Aldrin’s your guardian. Of course, that makes sense, he said, smacking the heel of his hand to his forehead. He pulled a backpack from his back and began to rummage inside one of the pockets.

You know Aldrin? She frowned and narrowed her eyes. Who are you? 

He seemed as if he were going to shrug it off once again, but she caught his eye and held his gaze. He shifted, as if trying to wiggle his way out from under her stare, but finally, with a sigh, relented. His green eyes met hers. I’m Khai.

Khai. She tried out the archaic name. 

A small grin cracked at her scowling face and shifted into an almost pleading expression. You really don’t remember me?

Come on, brain. Mae leaned forward as if proximity could jog her memory and waited a moment. Nothing surfaced. She shook her head. I don’t. 

Khai dipped his head with a tight smile, voice cracking. That’s okay. We can talk about this later. 

The disappointment he was trying to hide was confusing. Why did he care so much? She shifted and jarred her knee. Shit that hurts. Tears sprang to her eyes and Mae cupped the joint between her hands. The continued swelling was a growing fire threatening to consume her leg.

Now, she said through clenched teeth. This is bad, she finally admitted and shrugged. Who knows when I’ll be getting out of the MSC.

Khai lowered himself onto the bench next to her and nodded solemnly, empathizing. What would a Pheno know of spending time in the Med Center? Another wave of dizziness swept over her but she didn’t let her gaze drift from his. She wanted answers. 

We’ve met before. His voice was light, but the set of his jaw held too much tension.

Met a Pheno? Why couldn’t she remember it? Where?

Khai wasn’t looking at her. He stood and was staring towards the edge of the park. From his profile, Mae could see his brow crumple in concentration and his face go pale. 

Oh, hell no. Shit, shit, shit, he mumbled.

Confused, she followed his line of sight. Nothing was there. No one was visible and the streets and buildings stood as quiet as ever. What’s going on? 

Her voice brought him back to the moment. He shook his head and gave her an apologetic smile. I thought I heard—never mind. Can I check your knee? Maybe save you waiting for Aldrin or a trip to the MSC. 

He dropped to the ground in front of her without waiting for an answer and gently probed the joint. She flinched as a static shock pulsed into her leg, but his hands held steady. 

Are you a medic?

With a satisfied huff, Khai withdrew his hands and sat back. Not really. Try it now. Can you move it?

It was an absurd question, but a tingling sensation began radiating from her knee and through her leg. Her eyes jumped up to his in surprise. His expression remained neutral. Color flushed her cheeks and she tried to slow her racing heart.

Mae? 

He was waiting for an answer, but she couldn’t pull her attention away from her leg. As she watched, the swelling in her knee receded, and with it, the throbbing pain. She hesitantly experimented with her range of motion and found she could move it. In the space of a few moments the pressure eased and her knee returned to its original size. 

Khai watched closely as she fully extended and retracted her leg. "Okay?’ he asked again.

Yes. She nodded in disbelief. How is that possible? 

How’s what possible? 

She eyed him. I should be laid up for weeks.

He shrugged. Maybe it wasn’t as injured as we first thought. He paused. Or maybe you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.

She snorted, the one thing she knew about herself was that she was not strong. She was weak even in a society of fragile people.

He smiled at her and then glanced back towards the city, his smile dropping away. You’ve got to be kidding me, he mumbled.

Kidding about what? she asked, unnerved by the strange shift in his attention. 

He kept his gaze fixed towards the city center and ran a hand through his hair. I have to go, he said. He looked as if he wanted to say more, mouth moving wordlessly, eyes darting between Mae and whatever held his attention beyond the edge of the park, but no explanation came. I promise I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. I gotta deal with this. 

With a wave, he turned and jogged away.

Any response she had died on her lips. No one ran; it was unheard of – even for