Eight

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"All these names are so confusing," Claire said. "I don't get how the doctors keep them straight."

Victoria shrugged as they made their way back to the jetchopper. "It's not too hard once you know them. Most of this stuff is painkillers, like acetaminophen. And morphine, of course. I think the other bottle is something they were working on to help fight infection. And the blue stuff is supposed to help prevent pneumonia..."

"How do you remember all this?" Claire asked.

"I guess I just have good memory." Victoria dug her fingernails into the box she was holding. If the others found out Newman was letting her help take care of Summer, they'd be pretty upset. She needed to be more careful.

The Supers reached the jetchopper and climbed inside. "I'll run the stuff to Newman when we get back," Victoria said as they took off.

"I can do it, Victoria," Claire said. "You don't have to—"

"What does it matter?" Victoria interrupted.

Claire looked down. "Well, I'd like to see Summer."

"Newman doesn't want her having visitors yet, remember? He said she'll get infected. Or something. How am I supposed to know?"

They rode in silence for a few minutes before Claire spoke. "Listen, I know you don't want to be here," Claire said. "I want to go home just as much as you do."

"Really? Because you seem to be having the time of your life."

Claire sighed. "Well, I don't want to leave my friends. But I mean, it's not like I love fighting. And I miss Dad."

"Claire, if you don't want to fight, then don't. They can't make you. I'd rather see you safe and—"

"They're not making me. This is my choice, Victoria. I just wish I didn't have to make it at all. But the Supers need us to help them stop Scorpion."

Victoria didn't reply. Instead, she turned her gaze out the jet window. Why did Claire have to be so... so... noble? It made Victoria feel selfish. Selfish for wanting to stay out of this. Like those kids Ivy and the others found—the Neutrals. Who could blame them for avoiding the fight?

"Victoria," Claire said, her voice gentle. "If you don't want to fight, you don't have to. Dr. Newman wouldn't want you to."

Victoria cursed under her breath as she realized her eyes were stinging. "It's not me I'm worried about," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady. "It's you."

"Don't. Victoria, I'm the same age as you. I'm just as powerful as you are."

Claire was more powerful, but she would never say that out loud, would she? Victoria sighed. "Right. I know."

"Why are you so worried?"

Victoria bit her lip.

If Claire couldn't remember, then she wasn't going to tell her.

They spent the rest of the flight listening to the other Supers chat. When they reached the Fortuna, Victoria silently grabbed the supplies they'd picked up for Newman and headed off to the medical wing of the ship.

She knocked on the door to Summer's room. The door swung open and a nurse greeted her.

"Is Dr. Newman here?" Victoria asked. "I have the supplies he needed."

"Over here, Victoria."

Victoria leaned in and spotted Newman and one of Summer's doctors standing by the IV pump. Victoria grabbed a squirt of hand sanitizer and walked over to them.

"Thank you," Newman said, taking the box. "Summer's starting to get a bit of a fever, so we're a little worried."

"I'm fine," Summer said.

"It could be nothing, but we should get you medication just in case." Newman nodded at the other doctor, whose nametag read 'Dr. Williams.' "I have to go take care of something. If you'd like, you could show Victoria how to administer it. I'm sure she'd be glad to help."

"Uh, yeah, sure," Victoria said.

"Unless you wanted to go train..."

"No, I'd be happy to help."

Newman left, and Victoria let the doctor show her how the machinery connected to Summer worked. While they added the medication to her IV bag, Summer rolled her eyes.

"I swear, I'm fine. You don't need to keep pumping me full of drugs."

"If you want to get back on your feet, you do," Dr. Williams said. She glanced at Victoria. "She's cranky because the other painkillers made her drowsy."

"Am not. And I'm never gonna get back on my feet if I'm always sleeping."

"That's not how it works," Victoria said, absentmindedly examining one of the bottles of medicine. "Your body needs rest."

"Well, whatever. It's boring in here."

"I'm sorry about that," Dr. Williams said. She glanced at her watch. "Victoria, could you keep an eye on her for a minute? I have to go grab something. If you need anything, press the call button."

"Sure thing."

Summer rolled her eyes as the doctor left. "What, like I'm gonna drop dead in the minute she's gone?"

Victoria smiled. "Yeah, they might be a little overprotective. But better safe than sorry, right?"

"I guess. I just really wish I could get out of here."

"I doubt you'll be able to walk yet," Victoria said. "It'll take some time to get back to normal."

"Right." Summer sighed.

Victoria glanced at her. "You know, Claire has like fifty sketchbooks lying around. If you really are bored, I could see if I could bring you one."

"I'm not much of an artist," Summer said.

"Who cares?"

Summer shrugged, then winced in pain. "Well, Newman said he would look into getting a TV brought in here. Thanks, though."

She was quiet for a moment."I mean, I know Newman has a right to worry," she said. "I almost died. I technically did."

Victoria frowned. "What?"

"I was pretty much unconscious for the first week, but Newman told me that my heart stopped for a minute after they got me to the hospital. Before they could start my first blood transfusion."

"But you don't remember anything?" Victoria asked.

"No. I had this weird dream I was trapped in a forest. But I had a lot of weird dreams." Summer frowned. "These past few days I've been having weird dreams, too. I keep seeing this kid."

Victoria clenched her fists. "Malcolm?"

"Who's Malcolm?"

"Newman didn't tell you?"

Summer shook her head.

"This kid attacked us a few days ago. He has abilities, but he's not a Super. He's locked up in the cell block now, but apparently he's got crazy dream powers."

"Pale skin, black hair, gold eyes?" Summer asked.

Victoria nodded.

"Wait, I think I remember Newman mentioning him to the other doctors. I was half asleep at the time, though."

The door to the room opened and the doctor walked in. "They're starting dinner, Victoria. You should go eat."

Victoria wasn't really hungry, but she nodded. "See you later, Summer."

Summer smiled. "See ya."

Victoria glared in the direction of the cell block as she left the medical wing. What was Malcolm's deal, anyway? He was just showing up in people's dreams now? What could he possibly be trying to accomplish? Getting information?

Shaking her head, Victoria kept walking. Was it weird that she felt so protective of Summer? She hadn't liked her much when she first came to the Fortuna, but that was really Victoria's fault. Talking to Summer the past few days made Victoria realize she was actually... pretty cool.

Victoria entered the cafeteria, grabbed a tray, and walked to the table where the others were already eating. She froze when she saw Wren sitting next to Spencer.

"What is she doing here?" Victoria asked

Ivy looked up at her. "Apparently, she wants to help us now."

Victoria's hands tightened around the tray. "Oh really?"

Wren rolled her eyes. "What's your problem?"

"No offense, Wren," Spencer said. "But everyone here kind of hates you."

"Wow, thanks, I had no idea."

"Wren, focus please," Ivy said, not bothering to hide her irritation. "What time is the attack supposed to take place?"

"Three hours from now," Wren said. Just about everyone else in the cafeteria was glaring at her.

Victoria narrowed her eyes and took a seat. "Where's Claire?" she asked.

"She ran to the bathroom," Ivy said. "Oh shoot, I totally forgot. I was going to have her read Wren's mind."

"Claire doesn't like reading minds," Victoria reminded her.

Ivy sighed. "Right, I know, I just..."

"You can trust me," Wren said. "I swear."

Victoria cast her a sideways glance.Wren was one of the first Altered to join Scorpion. She'd been loyal to them for over a decade. Trusting her sounded risky. And as Ivy explained what was happening, she couldn't help but think that this mission sounded risky too. It was possible they were walking into a trap.

"We'll leave after dinner, then," Ivy said.

"Can I come?" Tyler asked.

Ivy jumped, apparently having forgotten that Tyler was at their table. "No."

"Why not?"

"Scorpion's only sending four people," Ivy said. "We don't need anyone else."

"You could use me," Tyler insisted. "Or have you already forgotten that I'm the one who knocked out Malcolm?"

"I already have to deal with keeping an eye on Wren, I can't watch you too."

"I don't need anyone to watch me."

"Me, Claire, Spencer, Victoria, Wren. That's final," Ivy said.

"You're letting Victoria go?" Tyler asked.

"Wow, thanks," Victoria muttered.

"Hey, technically Spencer's in charge, not me," Ivy said. "If you really want to go, talk to him."

Spencer glanced at Tyler, and Victoria wondered what he thought about the whole thing. Tyler sighed, but didn't press the matter. Ivy went back to poking at her food. Victoria drummed her fingers against the table as anxiety began to creep in. Couldn't the universe chill for one second?

The rest of dinner flew by, and all too soon they were getting to leave.

Only a sliver of the sun was visible in the sky. The sunset bathed the ship's deck in an orange light as Victoria, Claire and Ivy waited next to the chopper.

"Come on, Spencer," Ivy muttered.

"There he is," Claire said as Spencer came into view.

Ivy frowned. "Where's Wren?" she asked.

Spencer spun around. "She was right behind me," he said. "I don't—"

Wren came around the corner and Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. "Where were you?" she asked.

"I had to tie my shoe. Geez," Wren muttered. Her gaze drifted to the logo on the chopper, the one Claire had designed. They had settled on a blue hand on top of a white shield. The hand's palm and outstretched fingers mimicked a Super using their powers.

"You have a logo now? Cute." Without waiting for a response, Wren entered the chopper. Victoria scowled and followed her in. Behind her, she heard Claire offer to read her mind again.

"It wouldn't be too hard," Claire said, but Victoria could hear the hesitance in her tone.

"You sure?" Ivy asked. "We're walking into a fight. I know mind-reading gives you a headache."

"Do you trust her?"

"No. But we can handle this. She was running from Scorpion, anyway. Her intentions might not be the greatest, but I think she's telling the truth."

"Okay."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. If Claire pushed herself too far... Well, who knew what would happen?

Wren directed them to the warehouse. "It's supposed to be an easy target," she explained. "No guards or anything."

Tall lights cut through the pitch black around the warehouse. The jetchopper descended and landed a few hundred feet away from the small building. Heart racing, Victoria followed the others out of the chopper and into the night. No turning back now. Scorpion would be here any minute.

The air was thick with the smell of rain. Victoria looked around. The area in the immediate vicinity of the warehouse was illuminated, but the world beyond that was pitch black. She could just make out power lines at the edge of the light.

Something moved in the darkness. "There," Ivy hissed to the others.

Victoria tensed, bracing herself for a fight.

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