GRACE:

“I’ve never shown this to anyone.”

Back at my apartment, I pulled out a video camera from the back of my closet. My hand shook as I gripped onto the device containing incriminating evidence that would ruin my reputation if leaked to the public.

“I should make you sign an NDA…”

Jackie shrugged. “I’ll sign whatever you want.”

“It’ll take daddy’s lawyers forever to draft it. You know not to mess with a Claudi, right?”

“We’re on the same team, Grace. I promise.”

Jackie’s response felt sincere, so despite my better judgement, I swallowed my pride and pressed play. My heart jumped into my throat as we watched the small screen play back my indiscretions.

The video showed me and Feraz in a lab of the science wing at the beginning of the school year.

“Do you think we’ll get caught?” I snickered on camera.

It was after hours, and we’d been drinking. He treated me to a decadent meal at a fancy restaurant, Le Petit Amie, earlier that night. Too nervous to eat around him, the alcohol made my head spin.

Feraz told me to set up the camera. I thought he was going to propose, although we had only started dating. We’d known each other for years, so it seemed natural for our relationship to progress quickly. He got down on one knee, but instead of pulling out a ring, he pulled out a syringe.

“Ew. What’s that for?” I asked.

“Grace Claudi, do you… want to get high with me?”

I hit Feraz in the arm as he laughed. “Gross. I don’t do injectables.”

“This isn’t some street crap. This is the Life Rite immortality serum. Do you have any idea what this liquid gold is capable of?”

“My father makes face creams, not heroin.”

“You know nothing about your father’s businesses. When I was an intern at Life Rite, I found…”

“An internship I got for you,” I reminded him.

“An internship you got for me. Thank you, princess. Like my dad’s connections couldn’t have gotten me in.”

I turned to the camera. “Let’s turn it off. I don’t want this filmed.”

Feraz scolded me. “Shut up and get over here.”

I complied.

My cheeks flushed. How embarrassing watching this private video with Jackie, proof he really was a jerk sometimes. Still, she needed to see the whole thing. Easier to show rather than tell when caught in a tangled predicament.

Feraz hugged me, sensing my trepidation. “Listen, babe. We want this recorded because it’s going to be the happiest day of our lives. We’ll look back on this moment a thousand years from now…”

My words slurred. “A thousand years?”

“Babe, we’ll be together forever if we take this.” Feraz presented the syringe again. “Didn’t you hear what I said? This is an immortality serum.”

I chuckled. “That old rumor? Forget it. My dad wishes.”

“I’ve seen the top secret papers. The research is astonishing. I’m shocked Mark abandoned the project.”

“There must be a reason he didn’t go through with it,” I insisted, but not too hard. Feraz seemed really excited about it, and I didn’t want to upset him.

“Grace, I need this. You know what it’s like to live in my father’s shadow. With this Life Rite serum, I’ll finally lap that old geezer.”

I caressed his cheek. “Understood. You know I’d do anything to help you, but this doesn’t seem like the way to go about it. You’re capable of amazing things without performance-enhancing drugs.”

“No, you don’t get it! We can be together forever if we take this. Our love will last an eternity. Don’t you want that?”

How could I say no to that?? Out of everyone at Hampshire University, Feraz Tal chose me. He wanted to be with me forever. All I ever wanted was a love as deep as what my parents shared.

“Forever?”

“Forever,” Feraz declared.

“So it gets you high?” I asked. “What does it feel like? Are there any side effects? Maybe I should ask my father about it if he’s the one that made it…”

Feraz pulled me into the most passionate kiss. My body flushed watching it back. He swept his soft tongue around mine before pulling away, leaving me wanting more.

Then he wasted no time injecting the serum into my veins like a professional nurse. He did it so fast, I couldn’t refuse. The serum glowed beneath my skin.

“Feraz, I’m not… Oh… Ah!”

There was an immediate effect from the serum, a shock to the system. It jolted me awake, canceling the effects of the alcohol. I ignored the stomach cramps because the rush of doing something naughty was exhilarating. A weight lifted from my shoulders as I shook off my good girl image for a change.

And Feraz looked so damn sexy with his thick, black hair and tight shirt that showcased his chiseled pecks. I leapt onto him. Wrapping my legs around his torso, I devoured him with my mouth.

“Down, girl.” Feraz laughed and pushed me away.

“Aren’t you going to take some too? We’re going to do it together?” I pressed my body against his.

“This is where it gets really trippy, babe. I’m going to make another serum with your blood.”

“What??”

“I’m gonna get high off the serum in your bloodstream.” Feraz pulled out a medical kit from the cupboard. “I know it sounds weird, but it links us. It will bond us forever.”

Feraz came at me with a needle, ready to take my blood.

“Wait.” I stepped back. “Where’d you get that? Why would the school have a nurse kit in here?”

“Grace, we’ve got to move fast. It won’t give me the same effect if the serum isn’t fresh in your bloodstream. Don’t you trust me? I’ve read all the research and fine print.”

“Of course I trust you, but…”

“Then move it!”

I flinched at Feraz’s raised voice. I’d do anything to avoid his temper.

“Fine. Okay. Whatever. Hurry, before you ruin my high.”

He grabbed my arm and took a blood sample. I whined at the needle prick.

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“You’re such a wimp. All done, little baby.” He took my blood and mixed it with another green serum. It turned dark. Feraz swiftly injected himself with this new concoction.

“He’s making you the carrier,” Jackie said, engrossed in the video.

“Carrier? What does that mean?”

Feraz laughed maniacally as the serum coursed through his veins. I didn’t realize it at the time because I was so high, but his wide eyes made him look like a madman. My stomach churned with dread.

Jackie said, “What a creep.”

I didn’t want her to think poorly of him, so I fast forwarded the video.

“He wants to be with me forever,” I explained.

“He wants to be immortal,” Jackie countered.

“This serum can save lives. It could have saved my mother’s life. That’s why Father worked so hard on it…”

Jackie scoffed. “Not that old line again. I’ve heard that before.”

“Here, watch.” I played a later portion of the video to showcase our progress.

Feraz, looking handsome as ever, stared into the camera on a sunny afternoon in the lab. We spent a lot of time in there over the last several months. When we were there, I had him all to myself. It was our little secret.

Feraz rolled up his sleeve and injected himself again. He didn’t even flinch. “Test number fifty-two. The results of the gene therapy have been extremely fast and effective. It’s time to push it to the limit.”

I hugged him from behind, my eyes a telltale sign of how high I was. “Are you feeling it yet? I am!”

My giggles sounded cringeworthy.

“Watch out. You almost made me scratch myself.” Feraz pushed me away.

Watching the videos back filled me with shame. There was a flicker of fire in his eyes I hadn’t noticed before. It felt sinister from this perspective.

The video feed cut out and restarted outside Jenkins Hall, the tallest building on campus.

I cuddled Feraz for the camera, my eyes cashed from the constant drug use.

“This doesn’t seem like a good idea…”

He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be such a wimp.”

“For real, I can’t believe you’re going to do this, Feraz. I’m scared to lose you.”

“Forever, babe. That’s the plan.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me.

I nudged Jackie on instinct, excited for her to notice the good times, too. “Feraz is such a goof.”

Jackie didn’t take the bait.

He hugged me goodbye and cut the camera off. The video restarted on a sloppy zoom up to the top of the building, showcasing my disoriented camera work. It had the makings of a bad home video, but I hoped it would be enough to show Jackie the complexity of the situation.

I zoomed in on Feraz standing like a god on the roof of Jenkins Hall.

“I’m infallible, indestructible!” With arms outstretched, his body fell off the roof like a limp rag doll.

Even though I knew what happened, I gasped as we watched it back. Jackie seemed unfazed.

Hearing my screams on the video made my skin crawl. The camera feed shook as I ran over to him.

“It’s the same in every probability,” Jackie mumbled.

Feraz’s body lay mangled in the bushes. My sobs were audible through the shaky camera. It was equally shocking to replay the moment now.

The video feed refocused as his lifeless body burst into flames. A flash played across the screen from the glow of the fire.

“Feraz, are you okay? What’s happening? Please don’t be dead. Please, please, please!”

His skin melted and became ash in the blink of an eye. Energy rose from the ashes and burst like fireworks. My clothes caught fire when I tried to put out the flames, so I screamed and patted myself to avoid injury. The camerawork reflected my panic.

I refocused the camera on the parts of Feraz that remained, hairless and hideous. I had to look away when he morphed and transformed. It was too hard to relive.

“You get the point. Can we stop watching now?” I asked Jackie.

“A full rebirth,” she said knowingly.

What a relief; the insanity of the situation didn’t scare her off. I was in too deep and needed help to navigate my web of lies. I’d die if Father, or anyone else, found out what we’ve been up to.

My stomach jumped in my throat as the next part played…

I coughed and dropped the camera. It fell upward facing me, bent over vomiting my guts out. I could taste the bile again.

Jackie said, “Rebirthing is gnarly, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but it’s not that. Keep watching.”

Right there on camera, my face aged and withered like a prune while I dry heaved.

“That’s what happened to you in the bathroom. You’re aging. The serum causes mutations, but it’s meant to make you stronger.”

“Mutations?”

“The skin on your neck is only the beginning… Grace, if you keep taking the serum, you’ll be… unrecognizable.”

“Like a monster?” I scratched my rash.

Tears formed in Jackie’s eyes as she searched for the right words.

I explained, “Every time Feraz rebirths, I feel awful. We’re… bonded. It’s like an umbilical cord or something.”

Jackie nodded, putting it all together. “You’re the carrier. He’s the recipient, but you shouldn’t get hurt every time he rebirths. I’ve never seen that before.”

“Feraz said it’s not serious. He’s working on it. Besides, every time I take another dose, I get my glow back. At least for a little while.”

“The side effects of Life Rite are serious for the carrier, Grace. Those patches on your skin will grow and… get worse. Much worse. But Zayne and the others were never directly impacted by the rebirths. Why are his rebirths making you sick?”

“Who’s Zayne?” That name sounded familiar, plus I was too scared to ask about the mutational side effects. Was Jackie telling the truth about that?

“Zayne is… someone else who’s been tested on. Grace, you have to stop this. It’s going to kill you.”

Jackie added in a whisper to herself, “What if there’s a variation in the serum…”

“Huh?”

She looked deep in thought. “Are you sure, Firestorm?”

“What’s a fire storm? Why do you keep saying that?”

Jackie ignored me and kept talking to herself. “I know… We’ve got to stop it. This dangerous path doesn’t end well.”

Jackie didn’t make sense, but she spoke with conviction, as if she understood what was going on. She knew a lot about my family and my… secret. But I wouldn’t let her ruin what I’d built with Feraz. I was ready to be his wife for infinity.

“Feraz has it under control. Sure, we have some kinks to work out,” I admitted. “But we’re going to figure it out. I’ll soon be Mrs. Feraz Tal, and we’ll be together forever.”

“Not if he kills you first!” Jackie yelled.

“I’d die for his love!” The bite in my voice surprised even me, but it was my duty to clear his name. “We love each other. People like us, we always get our happy ending. Someone like you wouldn’t understand.”

Jackie didn’t react to my jab. I’d have to think of another way to change the subject.

She cornered me. “Is Feraz still working as an intern for Mark?”

“No. Well, maybe he will again this summer. I don’t know. Go ask him.”

“Does Feraz see Mark often?”

“Obviously, yes. Of course my soon-to-be fiancé is close with my father.”

“Soon-to-be fiancé?” Jackie asked with her nose turned up.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but I think he’ll propose to me over spring break. We’re going back to Bennu…”

Jackie choked on my words. “You, Mark, and Feraz are all going to Bennu Island together for spring break??”

“Yeah. Feraz told me he has something really big planned. I hope he got the hint about the types of rings I love. What do you think? Princess cut or heart-shaped?”

Jackie was speechless, so I nudged the conversation in my favor.

“I would prefer to go to the Maldives, but at least my mom’s memory lives on Bennu. Feraz values family, so it makes sense to propose there.”

Jackie paced and bit her nails. She needed a manicure more than I did.

“I know Father wants us to wait until we graduate, but whatever. He’ll be thrilled. I wish my mom was alive to help me plan the wedding, but Daddy will spare no expense. He only uses the top party planners. We’ll probably work with Cheryl, who did my sweet sixteen party.” I smiled, thinking of my picture perfect future.

Jackie shook me. “Listen very carefully. You have to cancel this trip.”

“Not a chance. When Feraz asked Father if we could go together, you should have seen the look on his face. He’s tried to take me back to Bennu, but…” I shook my head. “Father visits Mother’s grave often, but I don’t. It’s too hard.”

“Beatrice would turn in her grave if she knew what Feraz was up to. Over her dead body, but of course she knows. That’s why she sent me here.”

On instinct, I slapped Jackie across her face.

“How dare you say that about my mother? She would have loved for me to marry Feraz.”

Jackie touched her stinging face, shocked. “I know the Tal family has a lot of influence. Beatrice bent over backward for Feraz’s father in a previous timeline, but she sent me here to…”

“Leave my mother out of this. She would be happy to see me engaged to the love of my life.”

“Listen…”

“I’m sorry, Jackie, but the wheels are in motion. There’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she said.

I tried to lighten the mood. “How do you think he’ll propose? He better get down on one knee. Of course, a man like Feraz Tal would… It’s going to be so romantic.”

“The probability is too hard to change,” Jackie whispered to herself, always talking nonsense. “When are you leaving for this trip?”

“Spring break starts this weekend. Hey, wanna go shopping and get our nails done? I need some new shoes.”

Jackie shook me again. She was so intense. “Please don’t go.”

“Not a chance.”

“Then you have to take me with you.”

“Feraz wouldn’t approve. Sorry, but I can’t have you ruining the mood, Jackie. A proposal should be perfect, go off without a hitch. Don’t worry, you can stay at my place while I’m gone since you have nowhere else to go. You can use my meal plan, too.”

Jackie looked at me with wild eyes. “I have to stop him from escalating things with Alpha. What’s the deal with that?”

“Feraz is an alpha male, isn’t he? Such a stud. I can’t believe I’m going to be his wife!”

Jackie ignored me, off in her own little world. “Are you sure, Firestorm?”

“What’s a fire storm?” I asked again.

She ignored my question. “Grace, tell me. Have you seen Mark tinkering with a drone?”

“No clue. Father’s always tinkering with something. He’s a disruptor, you know. The Universal DNA Identifier, Life Rite beauty creams, the Institute, who knows what’s next?”

Jackie shook me again, demanding my full attention. “Please take me with you. Back to Bennu… Will you? Pretty please? The future of humanity depends on it!”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Remember the most probable future we saw in the slipstream? Well, it’s coming whether we like it or not.”

“That… creature… is coming?” My voice shook.

“Yes, and worse!”

“No, I don’t believe you. That was just a dream.”

“Alpha will trigger global genocide if we don’t stop it. Billions of people will die! Please, Grace. Either cancel the trip or… will you at least take me with you??”