The GMNs just stared at him. Dead? The surprise just keeps coming.
"He killed her! Dead people don't come back to life" Williams said after a while. Dr. Andrew Stone's murder of his devil-incarnated wife was the only stain on his impeccable character. It wasn't a known stain but he knew and so did some others.
GMN-6 scoffed and tossed him back standing up. She turned to say something but couldn't quite control herself enough to say them. She just turned away biting her lips.
"Williams you've seen her before describe her," GMN-7 said
"an older version of Rosetta just taller and meaner. Light green eyes, long legs, flawless skin except for a scar…" Williams began
"at the back of her neck" GMN-7 completed. The others wondered how he even noticed that.
"no, no, no, she can't be alive. She is a monster! She tried to kill me!"
"you!? take a look at what she did to her daughter!" GMN-2 roared and all the doctors stopped working and looking at them. They began whispering among themselves
"shut it and get back to work!" the head ordered and when they complied, he shook his head.
GMN-9 walked towards them with his laptop with a paused video displayed. He looked way pale than they have ever seen him. He showed the screen to Williams.
"is she the one?" GMN-9 asked. Williams took one look at the screen and went pale. He heard it but didn't believe it now he was seeing it for himself. Was that Rosetta behind her? GMN-9 opened his mouth to say something but ended up folding his lower lips over his lower teeth. He turned to the rest.
"When we find her, I'll be the one to kill her," GMN-9 said with barely contained anger and hatred. This made the others want to know what was on the screen. 9 was an easygoing person.
Just then GMN-3 walked in with Dr. Andrew. Those that wanted to ask 9 what the video was about, forgot as they rushed forward even the head doctor.
"We got the second antidote for the poison. These were the ones designed to kill her" GMN-3 said, handing the syringe to the head doctor who took it immediately and went to inject her.
Dr. Andrew just stood there watching his daughter. Now he was done with what he needed to do urgently, it dawned on him that the person they were fighting to save was his daughter. The daughter he thought was dead. He subconsciously moved towards the bed. She was still bleeding as he had asked them to drain some of her blood.
He looked down at his daughter and tears clouded his vision, he wanted to say something, to touch her, anything but he just stood there.
The monitors started beeping like crazy again. He turned his attention to what was going on. For a while, he couldn't understand what they were saying.
"she's losing a lot of blood and her body sustained a lot of injuries. We need to transfuse blood fast!" the head doctor said
"Take mine. We have the same blood type and I got tested recently" Andrew said
"We need to have a backup source. We don't know how much she'll need and how much you can give" the head doctor said
"take as much as you need. Don't worry about me" Andrew said, rolling up his sleeves. The head doctor nodded, chasing the other GMNs away so they could have space. The need to save her had become more important than their desire to kill Dr. Stone.
Being chased, they dragged GMN-3. They were in desperate need of information.
"what is going on ?" GMN-4 asked. GMN-3 looked at their faces and took a deep breath.
"the poison was very sophisticated and since it was injected in, its effect was faster. We were able to get the antidote before the poison caused any majorly irreparable damage, at least we hope" GMN-3 said
"And?" GMN-6 asked. He looked at her. "you're keeping something back" GMN-3 took another deep breath and exhaled he didn't know how to say this
"the poison may not be the only problem. There were a lot of chemicals and a bunch of other stuff that was put into her body. Dr. Andrew was a bit edgy about it but we had to focus on the immediate threat. He was mumbling to himself in half phrases but said something about modification and maybe too far. He said we can only know the extent of what was done when she wakes up and that is no longer in our hands" GMN-3 said
"What is that supposed to mean!?" GMN-4 asked
"it means that we have done all we can at this point. We'll still carry out tests and research but for much progress we need her to be awake, and conscious. That itself is dependent on her and her ability to…survive" GMN-3 said breaking this wasn't easy.
He didn't want to tell them the whole truth. Things were not looking too good. The damage done this time was huge. There were lots of things swimming in her blood and DNA right now. They weren't lethal at least not right now but…
"She will, right? I mean she's GMN-1, she is a fighter" GMN-6 said. She didn't like the look on 3's face when he said the last part.
"he didn't seem so optimistic. He said her brain was on the repair faster than it has ever been. She might recover her memory and he doesn't know how this would affect her recovery. With the poison gone there will still be a lot of chemicals left and they may clash with each other. They have already been absorbed by her body cells. We don't know how they would react so we can't make any possible headway." GMN-3 concluded. That was a lie. The cell mutation and multiplication going on in her body were absurd and alarming. The body can only take so much before it gives way and collapses. Their continuous mutations although slow was already a problem and now a massive acceleration. GMN-1 was previously recovering her memories and it made her quite erratic and unstable. Now recovering her memory looked sure, the other things not a welcomed bonus.
GMN-4 turned away, wiping his hand on his forehead and then folding it into a fist and banging it on his head. He could sense the words left unsaid. He was at a loss for what to do. The so-called medical experts have reached their limits.
"The best case scenario is if she wakes up before the effects of the chemicals fully begin or the chemicals don't react adversely. The worst case scenario, she might never regain consciousness, damage her brain and nerve cells, or outrightly die." GMN-3 said. There was a crack in his voice and for the first time, they noticed his eyes were red and the veins on his forehead were prominent.
The wave of anxiety was contagious because the rest of the occupants of the room felt it. Then it was replaced by desperation. There had to be something…
"there's got to be something…anything," GMN-6 said uneasily, her anxiety reaching new levels.
"Being her father and all, he said something about her not being willing to wake up if she remembers. I've never been more scared in my life." GMN-3 said shakingly
"no! she'll never give up," GMN-9 said, trying to muster conviction. 1 was a survivor.
"Is it possible to prevent her from recovering her memories?" 4 asked
"That procedure would be riskier" 3 replied
"you're trying to say there would be a difference between her before and after?" GMN-5 asked
"Judging by 2's theory it could get worse mentally and emotionally which may hinder her waking up. If she has a split personality they might via for dominance if she regains her memory before waking up" GMN-3 said. GMN-4 turned to Williams
"What was she like before all this?" GMN-4 asked.
"she was complicated. I'm years older than her and knew about her quite early. At times she looked sad bordering on depressed and other times she looked empty or in deep thought. I never saw her truly happy. When she was younger, I used to able to read her but as she grew she seemed closed off" Williams said with so much pain as if he was revisiting a particularly bad memory.
GMN-3 turned to 4 and they knew that if that was the case they may have a serious problem.
"she's stable now, thanks to Dr. Andrew," the head doctor said. They didn't even hear him coming. The doctor looked at their faces and sighed. He didn't fully understand but he was anguished to see them looking like this. He didn't know exactly how to comfort them.
"We need to monitor her closely for the slightest change in her condition. She just needs to wake up and everything would be better. I suggest you guys go freshen up and take a rest." the head doctor said but they just stood there. He shook his head. "you wouldn't be of much help to her if you're too weak to stand." still no reaction
"how about you take turns? We need to reduce people in the room" they were still unmoving so he went on the offensive.
"I don't know what is going on but I do know that as the head of the medical team, I do control this space and you're going to do as I say! Two or three people can stay behind but the rest must go and freshen up! She may be your friend, or sister even but she's my patient! And I will do everything within my power to ensure she is comfortable and that includes airing out the room!" now he got a reaction because they made to protest. He held up his hand and they gave him that respect by staying quiet.
"I don't care who stays or go, I'll leave that up to you but you also need to clear out the room so my staff can work. You!' he said pointing at Williams. "don't even think about staying 'cause you're also a patient" the head doctor said.
"Okay, guys. 4, 2, and I will stay. See you guys in the next three hours" GMN-3 said
"I'm not going," GMN-6 said
"me neither," GMN-5 said and everyone turned to her. They didn't expect her to be here by this time.
"you!?" GMN-6 said
"I may not like her but we still have unfinished business besides I told her that I would be the one to kill her so she can't die until then" GMN-5 simply stated unaware of the actual murder about to happen. The truth was she was feeling as dejected as the rest but she'd rather die than admit it out loud. Somehow GMN-1 had become a constant here. From Deccan to Doc to Silver, his relationship with other GMNs, 1 was always there. She may be nonchalant, bored, annoying, and aggressive but she was always there whether playing games or just watching, she was there. In a way 1 became her obsession, her motivation.
"You just had to say that now" GMN-7 commented, pinching the bridge of his nose. He sighed and dragged 5 out of the room and she let him. 6 and 9 still stood resolutely.
"9 you need to rest 'cause you have a lot of work to do later," GMN-3 said and 9 seem to remember something and nodded. GMN-3 turned to 6. " I don't trust those two, especially 5, you need to keep an eye on her and look for Doc or Deccan. Haven't seen them even with all these commotions"
"come on" GMN-9 said dragging 6.
"she'll be okay right?" GMN-6 asked and 3 nodded. She sighed and said "only because you asked nicely"
GMN-6 allowed 9 to drag her out. They saw the head doctor working towards them.
"good you resolved that," the head doctor said and signaled for a nurse to wheel Williams out. Williams made to complain but the head gave him a stern look and he kept quiet and complied.
"Dr. Andrew has been moved to another room. He donated a lot of blood and we need him to recover fast because he seems to be the only one that knows much about what we are dealing with" the head said and GMN-3 nodded
"How is she?" GMN-4 asked. His voice was laden but calm, not giving away the chaotic breakdown going on within.
"She's stable and if there is no further complication, she should be able to wake up. I don't understand her brain activities but the fact she's still stable while it is all going on then she has a chance at surviving. Plus she's a fighter that much I know" the head doctor replied
"i really hope that holds true" GMN-2 said solemnly
The head gestured to a set of seats that had been provided, they looked skeptical.
"it's fine besides you need it more than I do" the head said and they obliged and sat. The head continued, "I don't know what is going on here. Since I got here I noticed that things were rather strange. I couldn't question those in charge but I guess now they are not here you could tell me"
"truth is, we don't know," GMN-3 said. The doctor looked at them
"I thought so, a bunch of kids in a secluded place…" at the mention of kids they all looked up and the head managed a dry laugh. "Listen kiddos, I'm an old man and you all are kids to me. We are at least two or three generations apart. I was supposed to retire before I got this gig. So as I was saying, seeing you all here raised a red flag. I couldn't say anything because of the non-disclosure I signed. Then I began hearing rumors and seeing what you kids are capable of… well, got me more confused. I went through your charts and obtained blood samples. The foundation of your DNAs is that of humans but the overall DNA has been altered and you all seem to have lost your memory at one point."
There was a long pause. GMN-2 felt overwhelmed. More and more confirmations. 4 wanted to tune it all out. What they were and weren't wasn't important right now.
"We didn't even know we were humans until a while back," GMN-3 said and the head nodded. He was aware of that fact. They all seemed oblivious to the fact they were humans although they were highly intelligent.
"good thing Dr. Andrew is here. He and his wife are experts in this field, they could help" the head doctors said. At the mention of Dr. Andrew's wife, they turned hostile and aggressive and looked like they would commit murder any minute. He wasn't deaf, he heard all that had been said about Anabella Stone. He knew Ann could cross ethical boundaries sometimes and had few psychotic tendencies but their recounts were just preposterous. Was Ann a bitch? Yes, but he didn't think she would ever go to that length. He knew the bond between Ann and her daughter wasn't as most mother-daughter but she would never let anyone hurt her child. No matter what he had seen and heard, he refused to believe that Ann was intentionally capable of such evil. When he thought back to what he knew about them, he began to question his conviction.
"Have you ever met Dr. Andrew's wife?" GMN-2 asked after they had realized that this was the head doctor in charge of 1 right now and may not have an idea of things. The head doctor nodded.
"a very beautiful woman. I thought the girl look familiar, a mini version of Dr. Ann" the head doctor said
"What was your impression of her?" GMN-2 asked. It took the head doctor a while before he responded
"she's a very complicated woman. Ambitious, arrogant, a genius, can be very charming, self-driven, competitive, knows no boundary but I sensed a darkness within made her a bitch" the head doctor said looking at his audience. They seemed lost in thoughts. "they were a golden couple in the science world with numerous awards. I actually heard that theirs was an arranged marriage but seeing them nobody believed it. Then they had this beautiful daughter" the head doctor noticed all of them perk up at this piece of information even the one that had been silent.
"go on," GMN-4 said . the head decided to tell them everything he knew maybe it might help them.
"Everyone knew they didn't want children, Dr. Andrew even had a vasectomy but it just happened. Dr. Ann tried every possible means to get rid of the fetus to the point it started to threaten her life. When she scheduled a clinical abortion it coincided with a seminar and that's how their family got wind of it and the patriarchs forced her to have the child. Seeing that cute bundle anyone would have been moved but she wanted to put the child up for abortion but Dr. Andrew refused. That was their first major rift but he won and we thought they all settled the issue. After a while, Ann too learned to love and accept the child." the head doctor said. Somewhat glad he was able to distract them.
"Did you ever meet their daughter?" GMN-4 asked
"severally. She allowed me to call her Rose and at a small age, she wanted to be a doctor like her parents. She was a walking living prodigy. The most intelligent child I ever came across. She helped me fix my experiment more than once and she was just seven. I wanted to give her credit but her mother refused and instead took the credit. I loved that kid like she was my granddaughter that was why it was more painful. I watched as the light in her eyes slowly dwindled but couldn't do anything. Ann wouldn't have anyone lecturing her about her child and that child craved her approval and affection and was willing to do anything. I had a talk with Andrew then." the head doctor took a deep breath. "she stopped smiling at an early age. When her mates were learning how to ride bikes, she had attended more seminars, made her first discovery, and was perfect at more than one musical instrument. At five she could speak five different languages excluding English. Attended ballet and gymnastics classes. She had no time to play, according to Ann, she was using her time productively. Her parents were hardly around. When they couldn't bring her along they kept her under tight supervision. At ten she had won lots of trophies and science competition sometimes taking on people twice her age. When she was seven, she lost to a sixteen-year-old. Her mother wasn't pleased with all. She didn't quite lose, they both had to share the first prize. It was a tie but Ann wasn't having any of that. She wanted a rematch, just the two of them but the poor girl was so tired that she fainted before they even set the match. That was the only time I saw Andrew act as her father."
"I can't take this!" GMN-4 jolted up, running his finger roughly through his hair. This was from an outsider, who knew what happened within.
"Did she have any friends?" GMN-2 asked
" I would doubt that. She kept to herself more and more and was more secluded from the world except on certain occasions. She was a lonely child who became a sad lonely child." the head doctor said
"How did you know all this?" GMN-3 asked
"I was once Ann's mentor and she let her kid hang around me until she decided I had become a bad influence" the head replied shaking his head bitterly. He stood up and patted 3 on the shoulder. "I need to check on her"
"I'll come with you," GMN-3 said standing. The head doctor just nodded. The rest followed but the head doctor didn't stop them.
The girl looked like she was sleeping and the head doctor was feeling sentimental. He moved the hair on her face and stared at her. He couldn't help the single tear that slid down. Now that he had uncovered the mystery he couldn't help feel it more. This was the girl he watched grow from afar. How did she become like this? She never feels sick often back then. She had one of the strongest immune system for a child back then.
Annabelle if you could see your daughter now, she's all grown up. She looks so much like you. The head doctor thought. He had heard them saying it was Annabelle who did this but he didn't believe them. No matter what this was her daughter and she had to have a love for her no matter how small. He remembered the shock on Andrew's face and how he stood just watching her, he must miss his daughter he thought was dead to the point of not knowing how to react.
They watched the girl on the bed, she looked pale. She had lost a lot of blood and fighting for one's life wasn't a small deal. She appeared to be sleeping, dead to this world. They all needed her to wake up. The Head doctor could see the patch of different skin on her face close to her ear. He had often wondered where they all got that.
"All we can do now is wait" the head doctor