I look at the subtle beat of my heart in his blood-soaked hands. I lean back as I feel my body slowly giving out. I say a lot of things about Doc but I couldn't deny his surgical skill. I barely felt it at all.
He examines the heart. "Hmm. You rushed this one, didn't you? I've seen better from you, Artemis, but I'm not too disappointed."
Always a critic. Never once given me a thanks for harvesting my organs. But what do I expect? This bastard's been doing this for the past 15 years of my life. Nothing's new.
After a few moments, I regain full consciousness. "Regeneration has never taken this long. I'm usually back in 10 seconds after a heart, not one minute. What's going on?"
Doc places the still-beating heart in a storage container. "Yes, I've noticed too. Perhaps a new donor is needed. The little one is an admirable candidate. Younger hearts are always in demand."
I scoff as he mentions Hayley. "Be serious, I know you're lying."
"Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am not. She has been lacking in her results this week as well. I'm not too fond about keeping her around either. You should speak to her about this. The child seems to listen to you and the other one. Although she has been rather difficult lately. Maybe you should talk to her as well."
I sit up, my chest cavity slowly closes back up. "Oh yeah, is that all?" I laugh. "Maybe you should kick us out since we've been such horrible subjects. You see, we wouldn't wanna ruin your research, Doc."
He finally turns around and faces me. "Now I see what you're doing, Artemis, and I'll admit this isn't your most clever escape strategy, is it? Like I stated before, I've seen better from you." He goes back to packaging the organ.
I sigh as I hop off the operating table. "Well, I'm so glad we had this talk, Doc, I'll go back to my cell now." I say as I begin to exit the room.
"Not so fast, Artemis, who said I was done with you? I still need that right eye."
My tone grows more annoyed. "I thought we were done here." I stop and turn back around.
"Get back on the table. You're lucky I only want two things today. I've been feeling rather generous with you all despite your impertinent behavior."
I sigh and do what he wants.
...
I walk back to my room after the operation. I keep focus ahead until I hear excited banging on a cell door. I look over to see little Hayley trying to get my attention as I walk down the corridor.
"Daddy!" She says with excitement as I walk over to open her door. She runs over and gives me a hug. I smile and ruffle her blonde curls.
I kneel down to her level. "Hello, darling. How are you today? Have you been good?"
"Nope." She says proudly with a head shake. "Doc scolded me twice for not lifting a third bus during warm-ups."
I give a surprised expression hoping she'll laugh. She does. "Really? Did you eventually do what he said"?
"Nope!" She giggles.
"Oh good girl, Hayley dear." I ruffle her hair even more, giving her a tight embrace. Our laughter fills the dark, decrepit halls. I look over to the other side of the hall to see Autumn leaning against her cell door, staring blankly into space. Her once bright skin was now a muted brown. Her body was frail.
I stop for a second as I continue to look at Autumn. "Hayley, did mummy eat anything today"?
Hayley stops giggling to look over at Autumn. "No, she didn't want anything. I tried giving mummy my apple. She didn't even look at it. Is mummy sick"? Her little hands shake my arm as her demeanor grows more concerned.
I continue to stare at Autumn as I hold Hayley in my arms. My expression remains unfazed.
"Hmm...nothing's new..."