Tramp, tramp, tramp. The sounds of feet in perfect time came down the corridor until one of the previous failed experiments rammed at the door to their cell. Jondy grabbed Max's hand as she pressed herself to the wall with many of the others in their unit. "No one told you to fall out! Get back in line!" They moved fast to get away from the thing.
"The Blue Lady will protect us from the 'Nomlies." Ben told them. "But we need to make her stronger."
"How are we going to do that?" Vada asked curiously attempting to nudge Jondy out of the way.
Ben wasn't paying attention to her. "Ben, what is a 'Nomlie?" Jondy asked.
"A 'Nomlie is a failed experiment that they keep in the basement. The ones that get taken away are given to them."
Jondy's eyes got even larger hearing that. "What-what happens to them?"
"They don't come back," he told her gently.
"Like Jack?"
"Like Jack."
"They're failed experiments?"
"Yes, genetic mistakes." He pulled her close ignoring Vada. "You don't have to be scared. I won't let them take you. I won't let the 'Nomlies get you."
She smiled reassured. "You'll take care of me?"
"I'll always take care of you."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Jondy found herself in the infirmary again sitting on the exam table. The doctor had gone and left her there. Lydecker came in and stood in front of her. "Look at me, Jondy." She didn't want to, but she shifted her eyes onto him. "Do you know what's going on?" She shook her head. "There was a problem with a certain set of genes…there's been a genetic mistake made." Jondy's heart began to beat wildly.
Genetic mistake…
Genetic mistake…
Genetic mistake…
Failed experiment…
Failed experiment…
Failed experiment…
'Nomlie…
'Nomlie…
'Nomlie…
Lydecker was still talking telling her about the delayed development of puberty. They were trying to figure out how to fix it. He was trying to assure her that they could fix it, but she wasn't listening.
Genetic mistake…
Failed experiment…
'Nomlie…
210…
Jondy…