I hear a sharp intake of breath and I glance at Crynn. He's sitting on the cold, dusty floor looking at me with shock, horror, sadness, and pity stamped on his face.
"They tried to kill you?"
I nod my head and scootch closer to the bars and notice they're squished. I wince and flex my hand, the bars inflate back to normal and Crynn gasps.
"That is so cool! I can't believe it! My very own sister's the first Heavie!"
I smile sadly.
"Yeah but I'm also the last."
Crynn stops his cheering and looks at me.
"What? Why?"
I shake my head sadly, he has to know.
"Because I'm dying. My cells are splitting, my bones are splitting, even my hairs are splitting! They can't cure me, they've tried, and I don't know how much more of this pain I can take. I wish Mr. Candice's pet had succeeded."
I feel a warm hand touch mine and I snap my head up in surprise. I find myself looking into Father's light brown eyes that Crynn inherited and made his own. He's leaning against the cold, metal bars with his hand sticking through so it can cup mine. I smile with new tears pricking my eyes. Is this what it's like to have a little brother? To have someone care for you.
"I wish I was still treated like a princess," I whisper to him while I grasp his hand with my cold one.
"I know. Raylee, I'm gonna get you out of here."
I must be hearing things, did Crynn say he was going to get me out of here?
"What?!" I squeak.
"I said, I'm going to get you out of here. I want you to have that day you told me about. I want you to be able to walk through Prenford and see my school. I want Mom and Dad to see how much you remind me of Mom. I want you to walk around in those silly shirts and baseball caps that say "I heart Prenford" and I want you to run into poles because you can't see over your map and I want you to wear a fanny pack while I show you all the best restaurants and tourist-y places."
By the end of Crynn's speech, I'm gasping for air because I'm crying and laughing at the same time. I didn't even know that was possible! Before I can tell him what an amazing brother he is, the doors squeal open and heavy boots come thudding our way,
"Mr. Damini, it's curfew. I'll have to ask you to leave, I will escort you." A guard's gruff voice announces.
I squeeze Crynn's hand when he tries to pull away and whisper.
"Come back, you didn't get to all your questions."
He smiles and nods, then gets up and leaves with the guard. I also stand and stretch, already looking forward to Crynn's next visit.
A depressing thought ruins my good mood by the time my guards come to escort me to my checkups. I hope my new doctor is nice.