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Lukas answers for her, having studied her files the most. “Healing, immunity to most diseases, enhanced learning abilities.”
Dr. Franks dips his chin, encouraging her to continue.
“The lab that gave me these advantages is also the place that I escaped from, and also the place that Bennet and Jackson sustained their injuries. Bennet was put through much of the testing that I went through, but he doesn't have the same advantages that I do, and also he was subjected to a lot of torture over a short period because he was protecting me. We went there to break him out and found him in this condition. Jackson was shot during our escape.”
“You're right that I don't want to know everything,” says Dr. Franks, a horrified look on his face. “But I've put together some pieces based on what's in the news right now. I thought you all might have been involved at some point. So that was the place that you escaped from?”
“Yes,” Micah answers for Six, giving her a chance to collect herself. “And Six wasn't the only one. There was a…sister. They had subjected her to reproductive testing. She was in her second trimester. Her files said that the lab had been using injections of plasma to help her sustain the pregnancy.”
“Oh, shit…Now I'm picking up what you're putting down,” I exclaim excitedly.
Dr. Franks looks contemplative. “Therapeutic plasma exchange has been shown to have positive benefits for autoimmune disorders and a list of other conditions, but I've never heard of it helping sustain pregnancy.”
“…Plasma directly from Six's blood,” Micah specifies.
“If this wasn't super scary, it'd actually be really freaking cool. We could pitch this as a movie, or a freaky sci-fi novel even,” I whisper to Lukas. He’s looking at me disapprovingly, but I saw his lip twitch.
“These tests suggested that the plasma injections had healing properties?” Dr. Franks asks.
Luis cuts in. “We had little time to explore the specifics, but it was heavily implied that the plasma was responsible for the continued health of the pregnancy and some other rather miraculous benefits that they planned to test further. The other pregnancies had all ended very early.”
“How many pregnancies?” Lukas asks, appalled. I forgot he wasn't privy to everything that happened in that room.
“You don't want to know,” answers Micah in a low voice.
“Is there any chance that we might have access to those files? Maybe Dr. Franks would understand them, or could we bring in some kind of genetics specialist?” I ask, finally catching on to what they might be thinking.
“What purpose would that serve?” asks Dr. Franks. “Are we considering if the same treatment would be beneficial to Mr. Ad—to Bennet? That suggests that it is your blood that gives you the qualities that make you…special?”
Six looks at all of us, almost as if she is asking for permission or getting advice on how to proceed. I hold my breath.
“The reason that Bennet is also different is because both his mother and he were part of a study that was meant to enhance genetic qualities—everything from physical attributes to intelligence. That serum was made from my DNA.”
Dr. Franks looks at us, almost disbelieving. But the more he studies each of us, the more he seems to understand.
“Mr. Boyd, how long has it been since your last dose of morphine? I haven't noticed you use your pump.”
“Uh…I woke up in a lot of pain at some point and used it once. I'm not sure how long ago that was,” I answer, unsure why that's at all important.
The doctor stands, opening my chart on the computer set between my bed and Bennet's.
“What would you say your pain is at now, out of ten?”
“Maybe a seven. I'm not sure why this is important, though. We're talking about Bennet.”
I don't mean to be rude, but I really don't want to talk about me or my injuries right now. It's hard enough to ignore the persistent ache radiating from my bones. I haven't used the morphine trigger because I'm concerned about Bennet and I can't think on that stuff. Otherwise I'd be enjoying sweet oblivion from my overcrowded mind.
“Is it safe for me to assume that Bennet isn't the only one of you to receive this same serum?”
We all pause, again searching for each other's expressions, unsure of how much we should divulge.
Not answering for anyone else, I confirm only my own status as part of the study. “I definitely have, yes.”
“It's been nearly ten hours since your last dose of morphine. You're in pain, obviously, but not enough to use the patient-controlled medication, and clearly able to move past the pain you're in to converse. That seems like further confirmation that whatever is in Six's DNA does affect your healing…Out of curiosity, what is your blood type?”
Wow. I didn't realize we'd slept that long. I'm not entirely sure what time it is, but it looks like it might be sunset by the light coming through the edges of the blinds.
“O-negative,” I answer, still confused but less annoyed, trusting that the doctor is making connections we haven't.
