GRACE:

  “It’s all my fault. I didn’t mean to… make so many mistakes. Father, can you forgive me?” I wheezed between words, struggling to breathe and talk as my organs failed.

  He looked at me with regret, but wrapped me in his arms.

  “Tell me how to fix it, dear.”

  I melted in my father’s embrace.

  “There’s no fixing it. Not this time.”

  Father got stern. “I’m very resourceful, Grace. Never say never. Tell me everything. How can I make it go away?”

  Feraz rebirthed once more. Jackie and Firestorm stood ready to defeat him.

  “Start by telling me what that horrific creature is, young lady. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen some messed up things.”

  “That’s Feraz,” I admitted.

  Confusion consumed my father. “I don’t believe it. How could that be?”

  “He found your research on the Life Rite immortality serum. It causes mutations, daddy.”

  The color in my father’s face drained out. “I know, dear. That’s why I discontinued it. Your mother, she didn’t want…”

  Father’s tears soaked my shirt. “How did this happen? How did Feraz get the research? I kept it under lock and key.”

  “But you didn’t destroy it,” I pointed out. Maybe it wasn’t all my fault. Unintended consequences have a butterfly effect.

  As Jackie killed Feraz again, my stomach cramps squeezed the life out of me. My insides twisted while my skin pruned. My vision blurred as death approached. My time was running out like sands through an hourglass.

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  “Ah!”

  “Grace, what’s wrong?” Father held me tight.

  “I took the serum too…”

  “No…” Father shook his head in disbelief. “But wait. The serum should invigorate you…”

  “Bad execution,” I explained. “Feraz messed up the formula and bonded our genomes.”

  “Let me run some tests. My drone can take a blood sample so I can see…” He looked over and remembered his robot lay on the ground in charred pieces. Still, he remained hopeful. “Maybe I can fix him.”

  “No!” Jackie yelled. “The drone is better off broken.”

  “I beg to differ!” Father used his scolding voice. “I can and will rebuild it.”

  “If you fix it…” I struggled to explain. “World annihilation with ensue.”

  My dad furrowed his brow. “What? No. I would never let that happen. It’s a useful tool. It’s not programmed to hurt.”

  I shrugged, not knowing the details, but finally trusting what Jackie said. She’d been right about everything. If only I’d listened sooner…

  “I’m sorry, Father. I truly am. I never should have trusted Feraz. He promised me true love that would last an eternity, but it was all a lie. He used me to get the serum.” I coughed up blood, but continued. Father had to know the full story. “None of this is Jackie’s fault. She tried to save me.”

  The disappointment on his face pained me. One of my greatest fear came true. No longer my father’s pride and joy.

  Yet, with that pressure gone, I could finally be myself and explore the path not taken.

  No longer obligated to be the good girl society expected, I leaned over and kissed Zayne on the cheek. He turned his head lethargically and pressed his lips against mine. All my fears melted away as we embraced passion instead of fear. The heat from his lips tasted positively delicious.

  “Grace Marie Claudi, what’s come over you?” My father clung to his pretenses. “Let’s get you to the hospital ward. Get you looked at and cared for by the best doctors money can buy. I’ll do the same for your friend here too. Okay, honey?”

  “Goodbye, Father. I love you so much.”

  He hugged me tight and sobbed, unsure whether to run for help or soak up our last moments together. I’m glad he chose to stay with me. He hugged me even tighter.

  “It’s not your fault, Grace. It’s mine. Your mother knew the serum was too dangerous. I listened to her, but didn’t go far enough. The research should have been destroyed.”

  Jackie and I locked eyes from across the balcony.

  “Finish him, Jackie!” I called, ready to let go.

  She blew me a kiss then turned to defeat Feraz as he rebirthed for the last time.

  The final wave of pain was followed by immense bliss. With a great exhale, I relinquished control. The world slipped away, and I was okay with it.

  As I left it all behind, my mother whispered on the wind. “The future is written, but never in stone. You will have another chance to follow your dreams, my child. The possibilities are endless…”