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“Ikept you in sight.Icould tell tall and creepy was determined to talk to you.”

“He’sprobably just trying to make some friends.”

“Ifthat’s the case, he needs to start talking to some of the other guys instead of every girl who passes by.Lacie, you’re too trusting for your own good.Youready to head back?”

“Yeah, we might as well.”

We’vebarely gotten back into our room when a buzzer goes off.Ilook over atBriar, “Whatdoes that mean?”

“Noclue.”

“Destroyer, can you tell us what that sound is?”

“Onceagain, forgive me for not informing you ahead of time thatMedicLeXwas going to visit your quarters this rising.Thesound you are hearing is someone notifying you that they are awaiting you at the door.”

Iwalk over and place my hand on the pad, then step back whenIsee him standing there.Nowthat he’s right in front of me,Itake back my original thoughts of him being smaller because he is still larger than any guyIknow.ButwhatIwouldn’t do to runmy fingers through all that damn vibrant hair.Hemotions for me to step back into the room.

“Beat ease,Iam here to check on you and answer any health concerns you both may have whileIam implanting your permanent translator.Thisprocedure is quick but unfortunately, can be quite painful for some.Ihave already done this to about half of the other survivors, and no two have responded in the same way.Ifyou both would like to have a seat,Ihave a few questions to ask before going any further.Haveeither of you experienced any hallucinations or dizziness in the last rising?”

Bothof us shake our heads no.

“Areeither of you on a prescribed medication?”

“Nope,” we say at the same time.

“Doyou feel depressed or suicidal?”

“Well, who the hell wouldn’t be depressed?”Briar’swords are extremely defensive.Helowers his holo pad and frowns.

“Forgiveme,Inormally have a better bedside manner.Mythoughts are elsewhere andIfeel likeIam just repeating myself over and over.Youhave every right to feel the way you do;Iam not making light of your feelings.”

“Sorry,Ididn’t mean to get defensive,Doc.Iseem to be snapping first, only to apologize quickly afterward.Ihave a bad habit of always thinking the worst of others.”

Heturns away, messing with something on a tray. “Youare both young and attractive females that have been displaced and lost most of your own race.Aword of advice, listen to your innervoice.Ifit tells you something is wrong do not ignore those emotions.Whowants to go first?”

Briarlifts her hand, and he pulls the tray closer to her. “Ifyou would move your hair back and away from your ear,Iwould appreciate it.Miss, she may feel better if you hold her hand, but be prepared to help me hold her still if necessary.”Inod my head.

“FirstthingIam going to do is numb the area, then you are going to feel a slight pinch behind your ear; that is me opening the nerve for the translator to merge with it.OnceIpush this patch firmly into your skin, several things can occur: a burning sensation, tickling, or pain.Nomatter what, you cannot touch it until the symptoms disappear and the patch dissolves.Doyou understand?”

“Yeah,Igot it … this is going to suck.Justgo ahead and get it over with.”

Iget closer toBriar, holding both of her hands in mine and trapping her knees between mine.Ican tell he’s waiting on my signal.Lookingup,Inod, and immediately he starts.Itisn’t a second later thatIfeel her entire body start to tighten up.

Graspingher hands tightly,Isee him also settle a large hand on her shoulder. “Talkto me,Briar; tell me what is going on?”

“Ifeel like my damn brain is melting!Whatin the living fuck did you just do to me?”Along moan leaves her lips, andIwatch as she grits her teeth.

“Youare doing great little female.Itshould start easing down anytime now.Ineed you to count to five with me.Repeatit just likeIsay it to you.”

Thenext thing he says is nothing but gibberish, yetBriarresponds as if she understands exactly what he just said.Themoment he stops speaking her entire body relaxes, but when she opens her eyes, there are tears in them.

Ireach up, wiping her flushed, tear-streaked cheeks. “Youok?”

“No… that was so intense!”

Allhis attention turns to me when he seesBriarhas calmed down. “Areyou ready,Lacie?”

“Notreally, but let’s do this.Doyou want us to switch places?”