GREY  

I waltzed into the Self Defense room and saw the students doing their daily stretches. Max was scheduled to take his Sim Test and as one of Vera's puppets, and I was the one who had to  inform Xander.

The class payed me no mind as I walked across the room, of course with the exception of a greeting from Jett and daggers  thrown by Tegan.

"Why don't you take a picture, it'll last longer," I said to her, receiving an eye roll and a few quiet cheers from eavesdroppers. 

"I would but it might break my camera," She shrugged with feigned innocence.

"How bout I break your neck instead," Venom dripped from my sharp tone. 

Tegan stood up, angered, "Let's see you try."

"Try? I-"

"What's going on?" Xander's firm voice interrupted. He frowned at my presence. "What are you doing here?"

"Vera sent me to tell you Max has to take his Sim Test."

"No."

"What do you mean no? Let him take the test, it's mandatory," I replied incredulously.

He jerked his head toward his office. " Everyone get into a circle and figure out who's up for the Trial Run," He told the class. I followed him and closed the door behind me.

"Tell Vera to schedule it later, he's not missing my class."

"Pfft!" I spat a bitter laugh. 

"Just go tell her!"

"There is no way in heck I feel like hearing her run her mouth so just do what she asked!"

He leaned forward. "I have to go through that everyday, you can deal with it. Now go."

"Fine. I'll just tell Max to leave then," I went to turn around, but Xander squeezed my arm and yanked me back. I stared right into his mesmerizing blue eyes.

"Don't you dare," He warned.

I pulled out of his hold, "Watch me."

Xander sighed and turned away from me, running a hand over his face. "We need to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"Fighting," He rolled his eyes. "It's exhausting."

"So what are you saying?" I inquired.

"Vera isn't going to stop putting us on the same task force, she already knows we work decently together in the field," He pointed out. "So I guess I'm saying we just stop fighting and . . . be friends."

I must of looked at him like he had two heads, it seemed as if he himself couldn't believe what left his mouth either.

"Naaah," We drawled simultaneously, shaking our heads.

"I'll just hate you civilly," I nodded.

He laughed and leaned himself against his desk, "Civilly?"

"Yeah I mean, we'll fight less and just low-key hate each other."

"Alright. I guess I can get with that," He nodded in agreement. "So we agree on not being friends?"

"Why not," I shrugged. 

"I'll send Max for the test," A smile lingered on his lips. "You know this whole concept makes no sense right?"

"Shh!" I shushed humorously.

*

The rest of the day lagged on.

I managed to get my active time in earlier than usual. Active time is part of the Agent schedule. We have to spend at least two hours doing exercise. I like to break it up, do an hour here and an hour there. It was a little tricky in the beginning, but now my body is accustomed to the regimen.  

I decided to give Violet a visit today seeing that my schedule is clear. When I entered Vera's quarters, we exchange no words as to she was too engrossed in her work to even acknowledge my presence.

I opened Vi's door and saw her bouncing up and down on her bed as a up beat catchy song from High School Musical played on her tv. I was surprised it wasn't Frozen this time.

"Grey!" She leaped off her bed and gave me a hug.

"Hey Vi," I greeted.

"Do you wanna watch High School Musical with me?"

"Of course I do," I smiled. She climbed on her bed and I settled next her.

"Which one is this?" I asked.

"The second one, duh. Everyone knows Troy gets cuter after every movie," Violet said like it was given fact.

I choked on a laugh, "What'd you just say?"

"Nothing!" She giggled. Sometimes I can't believe half things that leave her mouth. But then Vi has grown up around siblings years older than her for majority of her life.

"Where do you get all these movies?"

"Vera!" She beamed. "Anything I desire is her pleasure to provide me with she always tells me."

I felt a mix of anger and annoyance bubble inside me. Here my little sister is being blinded by a corrupt women, slowly filling the empty space in Violet's life . . . as a mother. Violet never had the opportunity to know Mom. She and Dad disappeared when Vi was only a year old.

Mom and Dad live in her heart only through memories Jett and I tell her.

"She's almost like a Mommy," She smiled innocently with a hint dolefulness. My heart shattered and my eyes burned from the tears that surged in the linings of my eyes. I really felt for her.

"Do you think our Mommy and Daddy are coming back?" She asked. I grabbed the remote and clicked the tv off. This subject was too deep to have quirky songs playing in the background.

"I . . . I don't know," I answered, holding the building tears back. She laid her head in my lap and I combed my fingers through her luscious hair.

"Can you tell me about Mommy again?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "She uh, she used to sing to you. Jett and I would always sit by the door and secretly listen," I laughed at the memory that unfolded in my mind. That was the only way they stayed alive. By fond memories that my mind gripped on to. 

"Before she became a kindergarten teacher, she taught herself sign language."

"Really?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "She taught Jett and I a few things. Like the sign for I love you."

Violet sat up, "What is it?"

I formed my hand into the sign for I love you and she mimicked it with a smile.

"What else did she teach you?"

"Well I know how to-"

Violet let out a soft groan with a frown, her hand pressed against her stomach.

I frowned intensely, "What's wrong?"

She grimaced with tears starting to stream down her face. "My stomach h-hurts."

She began to hyperventilate.

"Oh my god," I panicked, stroking her back. "Vera!"

"I feel like I have to-" Vomit shot from her mouth and pooled onto her bed. I backed away just in time to remain clean. Her breathing still remained irregular.

"Vera get in here!" I shouted. I turned around just in time to see Violet's body give out and plop on her side, passed out.

"Oh god! Violet!" I ran to the other side of the bed and took her limp body by both arms. "C'mon Vi, wake up!"

I pressed two fingers to the side of her neck. Weak pulse.

"What's going on?" Vera walked in.

"Go call Medical," I ordered sternly. Her eyes widened at the scene, she rushed out of the room in no time. I turned my attention back to Violet.

"Vi please wake up," I pushed a stay strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh my god."

What caused this? How did this even happen? Questions swarmed in my mind like untamable bees.

Vera rushed back into the room, "Nobody is answering."

I sighed frustratedly, "Just stay with her. I'll go get a doctor."

I ran out of Vera's quarters and down the white hall. Xander was walking in my direction, frowning at my speed.

But a sudden sharp pain in my stomach stopped me. I stumbled and grabbed hold of the wall with one hand, the other clutching my stomach as the pain intensified.

"You alright?" Xander called.

I hunched over and vomit spewed from my mouth and splatted onto the floor.

XANDER

I frowned and jogged to her.

"Hey hey, you ok?"

Grey straightened her back, her breathing became choppy and uneven. She grew pale by the second. I looked at her with worry and alarm. Her eyes rolled back and her body fell limp into my arms.

I got down on my knees, "Grey!"

I pressed two fingers to the side of her neck.

"Weak pulse," I whispered. I wasted no time in picking her up bridal style and speed walking down the hall.

I entered the Medical wing and Grant came into the sight from the adjacent hallway. He immediately noticed me and frowned.

"Get 'er in an exam room," He instructed firmly. I nodded and followed him to the nearest room.

I laid her on the sick bed, "Is she gonna be alright?"

Grant opened each of her eye lids and flashed a light in them, "I don't know yet. What happened to her?"

"I saw her running down the hall and-"

I clutched my stomach.

"Oh god," I grimaced at the strengthening pain.

"Whoa whoa you alright?" Grant asked.

I slowly lowered on my hands and knees, back heaving.

"Ah jeez what's happening," I whispered.

"Dr. Collins," Another doctor peeked in the room, his voice held immense worry. "We have sixteen people unconscious. The number is growing intensively."

I hurled and the contents of my stomach were suddenly visible. I rolled on to my back and everything started to blur.

The last thing I heard was the chaos and madness developing from outside the door.

_______________________________

A/N - what do you think happened?! 😳😳🤔.

you guys also got to know a little more about the Liara's mother, I cried when I wrote that part tbh. Not gonna lie loll.

Hoped you enjoyed this chapter!

Votes/Comments, much appreciated! x

- kya h. ♡