Page 6 of Hollow State

"So's Wynn." Scout smiled.

“I don't disagree," Darwin said.

"I'm going to ignore that comment." Wynn poked his arm.

Darwin chuckled. “All kidding aside, you have a clean bill of health. But if you're worried about anything, or have any questions at all, you call us. Day or night. Or you can call Prewit at the institute.”

"I do have one question," Brea said. "Why did you take so much of my blood? And why some of Quinn's?"

Darwin tapped the keyboard. In any other medical setting, he wouldn't have shared this information with a patient. But this was different. Emma might have treated Brea like a lab rat and a number. He wasn't about to be that cruel. "Emma gave the compound, or various versions of it, to others. I don't know who they are. No names. Just biometrics. When I compare your medical data to theirs, it's vastly different. Your body not only handled the drug, but it also managed it. Or more likely, your body moved the drug through your system, enhancing performance and then rid itself of the toxin. No one else in her experiment did that." Darwin hated using that word, but he couldn't call it a study. Not when Emma had refused to value human life and completely disregarded her profession—not to mention the oath she took as a doctor.

"So, what exactly are you looking for?" Scout asked.

“Shared genetic markers. Enzyme activity. Variations in the way your bodies metabolize and eliminate certain compounds.” Darwin pushed aside the keyboard.

“If I have whatever Brea has, does that mean TITAN wouldn’t hurt me, either?” Quinn asked.

“Not necessarily. Siblings share genetic material but not every trait. I'll put a few drops of Emma's compound into her blood and watch what happens to the functions. Then, I can compare it to what happens when I do the same thing to your blood," Darwin said.

“And if you figure out what protected me?” Brea leaned closer to her brother.

“If there’s a specific marker that identifies people who can safely metabolize the compound, I might be able to develop a rapid blood test that can be used in emergency situations in combat zones, or crash sites where it could take hours for medical transport. The thing is, with VKR-1 and KTH-1, there’s a window between the two drugs. If KTH-1 isn't given in time—and that window is different for every patient, which is why Gideon built the HELIOS device—cellular breakdown begins. Not to mention, it's a one-and-done type situation. Once we give a patient these drugs, we can't do it a second time. But given your results, TITAN, in theory, could last days. It could potentially be administered multiple times in small doses with the same effect. This could be key in situations like avalanches or storms where help won't arrive for who knows how long.”

“You would have to test this on people again, wouldn't you?" Brea asked.

“Eventually, but only after years of laboratory work, computer modeling, animal studies, and independent review. No one receives an experimental compound without understanding exactly what it is and choosing to participate. A lot of the guesswork would've been taken out by then.” Darwin shifted. "You're not a number or a project to me."

"I believe you," Brea said. "And I want to help. I just don't want the cost to be lives."

"That's what I'm trying to prevent." Darwin rested his hand on her shoulder. “You're clear to leave. But we're always here if you need us.”

"I can't thank you enough." Brea jumped off the table and gave Darwin a hug.

"Any time." Darwin kissed her cheek.

Wynn got between Quinn and Brea. “Take care of yourself.” She wrapped her arms around Brea.

"I will, I promise," Brea said.

"We better get going. I want to get Brea to the safe house." Quinn turned.

"I can't thank you all enough for everything you've done." Brea leaned into Quinn.

"I'm just glad you're recovering so well.” Darwin moved toward the door.

Quinn shook Darwin’s hand. “We’ll check in once we’re settled.”

Scout took Brea’s bag and led them into the corridor. Quinn stayed close to his sister as she glanced back once and lifted her hand. Then the three of them rounded the corner and disappeared.

Darwin stared at the closed door.

“She's going to be okay,” Wynn said. "And you're finally going to get some answers. Move forward with your program. This is a good thing."

Darwin crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her. She relaxed into him.

“Finch has turned my work into something ugly,” Darwin said. “Brea's lucky. But so many others weren't. I don't know how much longer I can hold out down here. He has to be stopped.”

CHAPTER TWO