Chapter Seventeen
Ember's point of view
"Hey, Ember, someone's here to see you!" A voice rings down the hallway of the District Thirteen research labs. I sigh. Usually, when someone's here specifically for someone, they're either in trouble, or about to be put on some huge project that no one else wants to deal with. And I'm already in the middle of one of those.
"Okay, let them in." Before the sentence is fully out of my mouth, my physical double slides into the room.
"Rhea?"
"Ember?"
My little sister runs into the office. Ignoring the stares of my colleagues, we throw our arms around each other.
"It's been so long," I whisper into her hair. "You've grown up so much. You're taller than me now."
I feel her face shift into a smile. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. Things have been crazy for us, and-"
"Rhea, hush." I smile softy. "Don't apologize. I understand. I've been through this before, too. I know it was years ago, but still. I completely understand."
She pulls away. Her eyes look dark. "Really? Then what's going on, Ember? What are you doing in here? What are you doing in our brains? I know that has to be what this laboratory is for. Rue and I figured it out. Don't deny it."
"Rhea, I-"
"Stop it. Don't try to say I'm wrong. I get it, okay?"
I sigh. It's true, that we alter the tribute's DNA, and therefore their brain chemistry, ever so slightly. But it's such a subtle change, that it doesn't matter too much. "Higher intuition. More precise facial and voice recognition. Your healing capabilities are nearly doubled now. Oh, and your reflexes, especially fight or flight reactions, might be stronger, but that doesn't happen for everybody. That ones hard to regulate. But that's it, I promise."
"That's it? Ember, I can't believe you!" Rhea throws the door open. "Don't you get it? Don't you understand what you did to us? Don't you care? Don't you understand what you are helping them do to us? To your sister? I can't believe this!"
"Rhea-"
She swivels around. Her hair flies around her face. "What?!" She stares up at me, hr eyes gleaming. I guess the fight or flight did double in her. "What could you possibly have to say? Why would you do this to us?"
"Rhea," I repeat. My voice comes out worn. "I'm sorry."
"Then prove it."
Frusturation wells up inside of me. "What?"
"Prove it, then." Rhea smirks. "Make an effort to reverse the effects. I will be your test subject. Try something, anything, on me. Just make me the way that I was. Please. If you're really sorry, you'll do it."
I guess that not everything changes. She is just as manipulative as ever. "It's dangerous, but... Okay. Fine, I'll try."Rhea grins. "Fantastic. Come find me when you're ready to start."
As quickly as she entered, she leaves me with just my notes and newfound sense of passion.
