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.”“I understand.” I gulp as the nurse pulls out a needle.“Fi, look at me,” Seth says.“It won’t be as bad that way.”“Do I look that scared?” I ask, though I do what he says.The nurse rubs something wet in the crook of my elbow, and then there’s an uncomfortable prick that makes me cringe.He smirks.“You’ve gone pretty white.”“How are you feeling?” Allie says as the nurse keeps fiddling with my arm.How many vials of blood does she need?“Fine.” I glance at my reflection.I am pale.Funny.“Still getting used to my face, and I feel exposed.But I’m not in pain, and I don’t really feel sick.A little hungry, though.”She smiles.“We’ll get you something to eat from the mess hall on the surface.”I nod.“So, was it a good first test?”Allie’s face turns more serious.“The pain levels were much more than anticipated, and some of the other patients are still feeling ill despite their mutations having gone away.So though the drug did do its job, the side effects are still light years from ideal.And the fading is much faster than I anticipated.Hopefully in the next round I can make it last longer.”Finally the nurse finishes, and directs me to hold the cotton swab to my skin.“You can’t expect perfection on the first test,” I say to Allie.“This was incredible for the time you’ve had with the element.”Allie offers a tiny smile.“Thanks.Oh, I wanted to ask you about possibly getting more merinite—I don’t have much left from the first sample we took.”“That’s fine.Just take Graham with you when he gets back? No one else.”“Of course.” She picks up a vial of my blood, seeming in awe that she can see it.“This is quite exciting, to have the privilege of seeing you like this.”A sudden wave of gratitude hits for what Allie’s given me.“Can I get a picture with you? For memory’s sake.”“No!” Allie blurts out.Seth gives her a surprised look.“Why not?”Allie waves it off, seeming embarrassed.“I just don’t like my picture taken.And besides, this is supposed to be top secret.”I frown.“I just wanted a picture with the person who made this possible.”“I’m sorry.” She stares at the ground.“You were the one who made it possible though.I couldn’t have done it without the merinite, and that’s all thanks to you.”“Oh well…” My voice trails off as I catch sight of myself in the mirror again.There’s no mistaking that there’s something less solid about the way I look.“I guess it’s starting to wear off.”Allie looks up, panic on her face.“Oh no! We need to test these samples now.”“On it!” The nurse is already halfway to the door, Allie right on her heels.Seth doesn’t say anything as he watches me fade.Now that I’m going, I’m not sure how to feel.Part of me is relieved, but then the other half can’t stop staring at my reflection in the mirror.I need to memorize it.I don’t have enough time to do that.I go from slightly hazy to ghostly to barely there in less than half an hour.Then I’m back to a teal dress with white leggings.Seth takes my hand.“Are you sad?”“I don’t know.” I can’t take my eyes off the mirror, surprised by the confidence I feel now that I’m back in my own invisible skin.“Maybe I will be later, but right now I’m glad to be back to my—”The door bursts open, and Graham flies in.His eyes are wide and he pants.“We’re in trouble, Fi.Big trouble.”“What?” If Graham is saying that, then it must be horrible.“Where’s Mom and Miles? Did you go out to get them?”“We were too late.” He cringes as he holds out his phone.There’s a picture, and it’s terrifying.Above Mom’s bed, there’s a message written in what I’m sure is blood: I have her.You know what I want in return.—The PhantomChapter 40I find the bed just before my legs give out.This can’t be happening.The Phantom kidnapped my mom, and I have no doubt that blood on the wall is hers.She’s hurt, captured, alone.And I’m here seeing myself
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