ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterI:Piper

ii
yproblemisbiggerthanNorthWestsbutt.
ii
AsIlookbackonmylife,Icannotwrapmyheadaroundthecrazyevents

ii
thathavehappenedtounfold.
Iliehere,inthishospitalbed,unabletomovemybody.Mymind,whilefullyfunctional,
isalittlehazy.Iguessthatswhathappenswhenyoureparalyzedfromtheneckdown.Lukas
andAxeltoldtheparamedicsthatIfelldownthestairs,butIknowthatsnottrue.Tobehonest,
Idontreallyknowwhathappened.Iknowthataforceofsomesortthrewmebackwardsintoa
wallitallhappenedsofast,itshardtorememberthedetails.IdoknowthatLukasandAxel
havebeenworkingsohardontheir
project
Idontknowhowanythingcouldhavegonewrong,
orhowitdidgowrong.Ijustcantrememberwhatitis,Idontknow.Axelwouldnevertellme
anydetailsabouttheprojectwherehegottheblueprints,wherehegotthematerials,howallof
thisstarted.Allhesaidwasthathehadtodoit,itwashislifeswork.Hebecameobsessed
withit,itconsumedhim.Andashissister,Imworriedabouthim.
Whendidmylifegetsocomplicated?IthinkbacktowhenIwas7andAxelwas9when
timesweredifferentforthebothofus.Wereinthefrontyardplayingtag.Hewasalwaysso
outgoingandjoyousyoucouldtellhewasgoingtobeabrightkid.Hisblackhairagainsthis
palecomplexionmadehimlooklikeamysteriousghostbuthisintenseblueeyesgavehisface
life.Ialwayslovedthatmemoryofhim.Nowheisantisocialandobsessedinhiswork.Irarely
everhavetimewithhim,eventhoughwelivetogether.Hegivesoffthisstayoutofmy
businessandIllstayoutofyoursvibetoeveryonehemeetsandhascontactwith.Especiallyto
myfianceLukas,whoworksonthe
project
withhim.
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Mybrainjumpstoadifferentmemory,themomentImetLukas.IwasinaStarbucks
drinkingcoffeewhileworkingonareportformyjobasabiomedicalresearcher.Iwasjustabout
toleavewhenIbumpedintoastranger,andofmypapersspilledtothefloor.Icrouchedtothe
floortopickthemup,andthestrangemanhelpedmegatherthepapers.Ifinallylookedupand
whatIsawIwasntexpecting:themoststrikingmanIveeverseen.Hehadtousledcurlyblond
hair,hazeleyes,andabiggoofysmile.Heworeablueandwhitecheckeredcollarshirtbuttoned
uptotheneck,tandresspantsheldupwithsuspenders,browndressshoes,andablacktie.To
others,hemayappearasyouraveragenerdychemistryteacher,alittlebitonthescrawnyside,
buttome,hewassomuchmore.IknewfromthesecondIsawhimthathewastheone.
Lukassuddenlycomesintomyroomclosingthedoorloudlybehindhim,interruptingmy
thoughts.Hehasstitchesonhisface.IfeellikeIshouldknowwhathappened.Imsogladtosee
him,Itrytosmile,butImafraiditcomesoffasagrimace.Hepullsupachairandsitsnextto
me,Iwishhewouldtakemyhand.Butevenifhedid,wouldIbeabletofeelhistouch?
HeyPipes,saysLukas.Helookssotired,sobeatdown.Iknowitstakingallofhis
willpowertonotcry.Iwanttotellhimitsokay,thateverythingwillbefine.AndmaybeI
wouldifIwasntinjectedwithsomanydrugs.Seriously,ifwereplacedthemedicationthe
doctorsgavemewithsilicongelIwouldliterallyhaveabiggerbuttthenNorthWestandher
momcombined.Andthatssayingsomething.Myproblemis
definitely
biggerthanNorthWests
butt.
Piper?heasks.Youwithme?Iwasnt,Iwasspacingout,thinkingaboutcelebrity
butts.WhatagreatfiancIam.Imanagetomumbleano.
Right,Illjuststartfromthebeginning.

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterII:Axel

hecringesechoingcreakgreetsmeasIstormthroughatarnishing,corroding
door.Iwrapmyhandsaroundthechillingdoorknobandslamitshut,ending
thegroansofthedoorwithaloudbang.Andallthatsleftissilenceandthe
thoughtsofguiltinmyhead.MyhandsstingwithpainasIslamthemonthecoldtable,rattling
allthebottlesofchemicalsandscatteringneatpilesofpapers.Thelumpinmythroatforcesmy
mouthopentoletoutastringofcurses.Witharedfaceandshakingfist,Irammyknucklesinto
theoldbrickwall.Inmyfrenzyofanger,tearsfindtheirwaytomyeyes,fallingagainstmy
will.Myloudcursesturnintofeeblemumblesandsobbinggasps.
Evenstill,
her
gaspsofpain,
her
shrillshrieksofagonyringsinmyear
His
shoutsof
panic,
his
desperatewailsforhelpresoundsinmymind.Whenwillitstop?Asiftoanswermy
plea,aringchimesout.Mytremblinghandreachedintomypocketandpullsoutmyblinking
phone.Atextmessageiswaitingtoberead.Hesitantandanxious,myfingerswipesitopen.It
wasfromLukas.
Imvisitingher.
Anotherchime.
Anythingyouwantmetopassontoher?
Itakeshakybreathandtapmyreply.
No.
Takingadeepbreathin,Iforcemyselftobackawayfromthewall.Lettingoutmy
breath,Imakemywayovertoalarge,cylinder,grabbingmyblueprintsandtoolsasIpassby
mydesk.Thecylinderwaslargeenoughtoeasilyfitahumaninside,maybeeventwo.Thetop
andbottomwerecreatedfrommetalwhilethecenterwasmadefromglass.Icrawledintothe
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

cylinder,sprawlingmyselfonthegroundwithascrewdriver.Jammingtheheadintothesmall
screwsonthemetalplate,Iglancebacktotheblueprints,cursingmyselfforthemistakeIhad
made,causingthismess.
ForyearsIhadbeentryingtobuildthegreatestmachineofourtime:ateleporter.
Althoughtheideahasbeenstudiedforyears,centurieseven,nofullyfunctionalmachinehas
beencreated.Previousscientistshavetriedandcreatedamachinethatcouldteleporttheatoms
ofahumanbutthebraincouldnotbereconstructedproperlyandsometimescertainatoms
wouldntformproperly,causingbraindamage,deathandotherabnormalities.Attheendofthe
experiment,thegovernmentbannedthecontinuationofteleportationstudying.ButIcouldntlet
thatstopme.ItooktheirfailureandIplanonmakingitwork.Stillthereareinconveniences
duetoitsillegalization.FundingcantbecollectedandIcan'tworkinalab,whichiswhyIam
workinginmycold,rundownbasement.Icantletthatstopmeeither.Morethanever,Ineed
thistowork.Ineedtohelp
her.
Smallboltslightlyclangonthemetalasthey'repulledoutfromsmallholes.Ipullthe
sheetofmetalout,revealingwiresknittedinatangledmess.Thearrayofcolorsand
disorganizedjumblegivesmeaslightpoundinginmyheadbutIcontinuetopresson,
rummagingthroughthewires.Withoutexactlyknowingwhathadwentwrong,Ihavetoguess
wheretostart.IseetheyellowwireImsearchingfor:thewirethattransferschemical1to
chemical2allowingafissionwhichcreatesenoughenergytotakeaparteveryatomofthe
humanbodyandreconstructthemintheperfectorderinanotherlocation.AndthenIseeit.A
leak.
TheangerIfeltenteringtheroomentrapsmeonceagain.Suchasmallslipupcaused
her
myownsistertogethurt.Withadeepbreath,Ishakeoffmyboilingangerandsetmyselfto
thegoaloffixingtheproblem.Ofcoursethiscouldn'tbetheonlyproblemwiththemachine.A
leakagewouldn'tcausetheaccident.Ithadtobethechemicalsused.Suchbeautifulmachine
requiresmuchmoreenergythanmostmachinestofunction.Sotocreateenoughenergy,fission
isused.Fissionisforcedwithinthemachinewhenneutronsareshotatnucleiofvarious
elementstomakethenucleiunstableandsplitintwo.Thesplittingofthenucleicausesmassive
amountofenergytobeproduced.Thefissionbetweenthechemicalweusedthistimecreated
toomuchpower,resultingintheaccident.
AgroanripsthroughmythroatasIdragmyselftomyjournaltoreadjustthenotes.What
otherchemicalscanbeusedtocreateenoughpowerbutnottoomuch?Thoughtsracethrough
myheadasIstareatmymessofajournal.Mythoughtsareinterruptedbychiming.Ipullout
myphone.
Anunknownnumber.Ianswer.
Hello?Istart,clearingmythroatofthelumpfrommypreviousfitofscorchingrage.
Ahyes,areyouMr.Axel?avoicereplies.
Yesthatwouldbeme.
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ThisisDoctorLeefromWashingtonD.C.MemorialHospital.Imcallingaboutyour
sister,Ms.Piper.
...Yes.
Well,shesparalyzedfromneckdownandalthoughwehavesomemedication,itwould
be...veryexpensive.Fornow,wesuggestyoutrytopayforphysicaltherapybutthereisnta
guaranteeshellbeabletomoveevenafterthetreatment.Um,doesMs.Piperhavemedical
insuranceMr.Axel?
No,Ianswerdefeatedanddejected.
Well,itwouldbe$135every15minutes.
Howmuchisthemedication.
Thedoctorsighs.Abouthalfamillion.ItsurpassesthepriceofSoliris.
Mymouthgoesdry.YearshavegonebysinceIlasthadaproperjob.Icanremember
myfatherscreechingatmewiththeeyesofanangrybull.Motherwassobbing,beggingfora
reasonwhyIthrewawaymylifeforadeliriumthatwouldneverwork.OnlyPiperandthe
memoriesofmygrandfatherwasthereforme.Shedidntjudgemeorpitymystupidity.She
merelystoodbymysideandsupportedasshestilldoesnow.Shetookonthejobofearningusa
living.Butshecantgivemethatcomfortandwarmthourgrandfatheralwaysgaveme.He
wouldleavehisjobinthemiddleofthedaywhenheheardIwashurtorcrying.WhenMother
andFatherwereyellingatme,hewouldbebymyside.WhenIneededtogetawayfromthe
stuffyairofmyhome,hewouldtakemeaway.ButthebesttimesIhadwithhimwerewhenhe
wastalkingtomeabouthiswork.Hewouldsitdownwithmeandexplainblueprintsand
scienceforhislifelongproject.Hewouldgushtomeaboutthemiracleshewouldhelpcreateif
hecouldonlygethismachineworking.Ourhappytimeswereshortlived.Hepassedaway
whileIwasingraduateschool.Itookuphiswork.Iquiteverythingtomakehisfinaldreama
reality.AndnowIsithereinthiscoldbasementtinkeringawayatthismachinethatcaused
Piperharm.
Thedoctorsvoiceisdrowningoninmyear.Uselesswordsstutteroutofmymouth
beforeIhangup.Myhandsslamontothetable,clatteringthetoolsandbeakers.Ipickupthe
hammerlyingonthetableandstormtowardsthemachine.Myclenchinghandrisesup,aboutto
slamdownonmylifeswork.Igaveupmyfriends,myhappiness,myfamily,everythingfor
thispieceofmetalandhowdoesitreturnthefavor?Byhurtingmyonlysister,theonlyone
that'sbeenbymyside.Afamiliarchimedisruptstheeruptingvolcanoinmyhead.Ilookdown.
1unreadmessagefromLukas
No,thiswasntmybeautifulmachine'sfault.Itwasallhisfault.Itoldhim
not
tobring
herdownhere.ItoldhimthatIwasntdonewiththefruitofmyglory.He'stheonewho's
makingmeblamemypurposeinlife.Hestheonewhohurtmysisterwhenhepromisedtolove
her.Itsallhisfault.No,mylife'sworkwontbedestroyedorblamedforhismistake.My
machine,mywork,isthekeytoherrevival.Thismachinewillhelpmegetthatmedicinebyany
6

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

means.ThismachinenoSHEwillhelpmegetmylifebackandstandbymysideevenifshe
hastobreakthelaw.

ChapterIII:Lukas

hepungentodorofanestheticsassaultmyunsuspectingnoseasIstridethrough
thecrampedanddatedhallsofWashingtonD.C.MemorialHospital.Thepath
toPipershospitalroomisalabyrinthineoflongcorridorsandlooming
doorways.Icanfeelmyselfwalkingstifflyandawkwardly,butpeoplewillprobablymistake
myuneasinesstowardshospitalsformydiscomfortwithmyitchydressshirtandslacks.Atleast
Imwearinganiftyandstylishbowtie.
Tomyimmenserelief,IfoundPipersroomandslippedthroughthedoorandclosedit
withaloud
thud.
UnnervingsilencegreetedmeasIsteppedfurtherintotheroom.Icouldhear
thefaintbeepofPiper'sheartmonitorinthebackground,butitwasalmostcompletelydrowned
outbythesoundofmyfranticbeatingheartboominginmyearsandraggedbreathsescapingmy
chappedlips.Itakeadeep,calmingbreathandhesitantlycontinueonintotheroomtowards
Pipershospitalbed.
HeyPipes,Isayinanembarrassinglyshakytone,afterclearingmythroatItryagainin
afirmervoice.

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Um.Howareyou?
WowLukas,shesparalyzedfromtheheaddown,whatdoyou
think?
Thankfullyitlookedlikeshewasntpayingattentiontothatawfulfailureofagreeting.I
sitdowninthechairnexttoherbedandtakeherhandinmine.
Piper?Youwithme?Shemumblessomethingincoherentandincomprehensible,butit
soundslikeanotome.
Right,IshifteduncomfortablyinmychairandclearedmythroatIllstartfromthe
beginning.Asyouknow,AxelImeanyou,um,I,webuiltawellwewere
trying
,Iabruptly
stoppedthatsorryexcuseforanexplanationandtookadeepcalmingbreathwhileIgatheredmy
thoughts.Asyouknow,AxelandIweretryingtobuildateleportationmachine.Well,
technicallyitwasAxelwhowasdoingitbutIjumpedonboardatthelastminute.Butanyway,
wehadjustfinishedbuildingitandIhadbroughtyoudownstairstoshowyoueventhoughAxel
wasntthereandhadtoldmenottoItenderlyheldPipershandeventhoughIknewshe
couldntfeelit.
IIjustwassoproudthatwefinallyfinished,Iwantedtosharethathappinesswithyou,
soIturneditonandithummedwithpowerandwewerehappyandyouhuggedmeandthen
withinasecondeverythingwenthorriblywrong.The,uh,machineitstartedmalfunctioning
andwelltoputitsimplytherewasa
major
calculationerrorthatmusthavehappenedduringthe
buildingprocess.Somewhereinthere,ameasurementwasntcorrect,andwellyouknowthisis
teleportationweredealingwith!Theresnoroomforinaccuracyandmiscalculation.Iwas
gettingreallyworkedupbynow,myhandswereshakingandmyfacewasred.Iwithdrawmy
handfromPipersandleanbackinthechairawayfromher.Idontdeservetotouchherright
now,Ididthistoher.
So,um,themachinestartedtosuckineverythingintheroomatonce,butwhenan
objectwasabouttobeteleporteditwasviolentlyrepelled.Ourbasementlookedlikeamini
hurricane,dangeroustoolsandchemicalswereflyingeverywhere.Wewereseparatedanand,I
takeadeepbreath.
Youweresuckedtowardsthemachine.Itriedeverythingwithinmypowertogettoyou
butIwashitintheheadwithaflyingbeakerandthrownoffbalance,Imotionedtothestitches
onmyforehead.
Themachinesuckedyouinandthrewyouatthebasementwall.Andumthecollision
brokeyoursixthandseventhvertebraeinthepartofyourspineinyourneckarea,renderingyou
paralyzedfromtheneckdown.IImso,so,
sorry
Pipes,thisisallmyfault,Ididthistoyou.
Pipergavemealookthatsaid
Thisisntyourfaultyouidiot.
Irubmyhandsovermyfacesoshe
cantseethetearswellinginmyeyes.Todistractmymindfromtheloomingdepressionand
guiltIstarttoworkoutwhatwentwrongoutloud.
Ivebeengoingoverhowthisexplosionorwhateveritwashappened,anditmust
havebeenanimbalanceofelectronsthatcausedinstabilityinthemachine.Youknowhow
atomswithoneelectronontheoutershellreactbettertoanotheratomthathasamissingelectron
intheoutervalenceshell?Andhowtherearetypicallyeightinshell,andtheamountofpositive
8

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

chargesintheprotonsandnegativechargesintheelectronsdetermineswhethertheatomis
stableornot?Wellthemachinemusthavemessedwiththecorrelationoftheatoms.Ijustdont
knowforsure!Igroundmyteethandblowoutaharshbreath,I
hate
notknowing.
Axel
no
doubtalreadyknowswhyandImgoingtogetaloadofcrapforitbecausehesgoingtofinda
waytoblamemeforit.
Ifwearetalkingaboutthestructureoftheatom,accordingtoSchrdinger,ththe
electronwouldusuallybefoundinanelectroncloud,butthereisnowaytoknowabsolutely.Its
like,youknowhowyoucallpeopleonacellphoneandyou'realllike,Whereareyou?Well,
ifaprotonweretocallanelectrononhiscellphoneandhesalllike,Whereareyoudude?
Theelectronwouldbeall,IcantellyouwhereI
probably
am,doesthathelp?Pshitdoesnt,
therearemassiveequationstosolveforthelocationofanelectronbuteventhenthatsonly
possibly
whereitis.IdontevenknowwhyIjusttoldPiperallofthat,shesascientistaswell,
andjudgingbyherslightlycondescendingandamusedstareIcantellshesthinkingtheexact
samething.Sciencecalmsme,Iknowthatsthenerdiestthingtosayever,butitstrueandI
thinkPiperknowsittoo.
Tochangethesubjectquickly,andefficiently,Ileanontoherbedandsay,Hey!Are
youmadeofcopperandtellurium?BecauseyouarelookinCuTe!
OhyesIdid!Haha!Pipergavemeanarrowedglareandmumbledsomething
incomprehensiblebutIknowexactlywhatshemeant.
Pshh!Idonttellchemistryjokes
that
oftenOnlyperiodically.Ilaughatmyown
jokeandshotPipersglareoneofmysignaturegoofygrins.Shecanactlikethisallshewants,
butIknowthatdeepdown,shesecretlylovesmycornyjokes.But,uh,anyways,theressome
goodnewsandsomebadnews,wellImeanbadnewsotherthantheobvious,erm.Piperstares
atmeincredulouslyandIhesitate.ThedoctorsaidthattheresamedicinecalledParalingunt
thatcancompletelyrepairallofyourdamagednervesandyoullbeabletowalkagainbutit
costshalfamilliondollars.IsqueezedherhandasIlookedintohereyeswithdetermination.
Oncewefinishtheteleportationmachine,wearegoingtosellitandgetenoughmoneytobuy
youthatcure,you
will
beabletowalkagainPiper,Ipromise.
MystomachtwistsunpleasantlywithknotsasIspitoutthelietomybelovedPiper.
ThereisnowaythatAxelandIwillbeabletosellourmachinewithoutgettingarrested,butthat
doesntmeanwecantuseittostealthecure.Thethoughtofitscaresme,butIdwalktothe
endsoftheearthforher,soreally,what'sstealingsomemedicinefromaridiculouslyhigh
securitygovernmentregulatedPharmacy?IwonderifIshouldpolitelyaskiftheyllgiveitto
meforfree.

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterIV:Piper

sIstareblanklyatthewall,theminutestickingby,Icanfeelmyselfbecoming
morealertthedrowsinesswearingoff.Fifteenminuteshavenowpassed,my
mindisonlyabletoconcentrateononethingandonethingonly:thenews
aboutthecure.Theresacure?Howcomethedoctordidnttellmeaboutit?Thedoctorcomes
intocheckmyvitals,Imanagetogetherattention.
Lukastellsmetheresacure?Iaskthedoctorsoftly.
Yes,Ivebeenmeaningtotalktoyouaboutthat,shereplies.Iwaswaitingforyouto
becomemoreawake.Sotherearetwodifferenttypesofspinalparalysis.Theresparaplegia,
whichisiftheinjuryoccursonyourlowerspinalcord,paralyzingyoufromthewaistdown.And
thentheresquadriplegia,whichisiftheinjuryoccursintheupperregionofthespinalcord,or
theneckarea,paralyzingyoufromtheneckdown.Youhavequadriplegia,butitisnotthemost
seriouscasethatIveseen.Inmostcases,thequadriplegicneedsaventilatortobreath.Butyou
arelucky,thespinalcordbrokerightbelowthemainaxonthatconnectstoyourlungs.Your
bodywillstillbeabletobreathenormallybutitwillbeharder.Itwillfeellikeyouhikedupa
verysteephillwith50poundsonyourbackinhighaltitudestillabletobreathebutkindof
difficult.Isuspectthat1weekonaventilatorfor,hmmletssay5hoursaday,andyouwill
becomestrongenoughtobreatheonyourown.Thisisjustsoyourbodycangetusedtohaving
toworkhardertobreathe.Shepausestoletthatsinkin,likeitsgoodnews.
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

TheParalinguntcuretreatsbothtypesofparalysis,butthecurecostsmorefora
quadriplegicbecausetherearemorenervesthatneedrepair.Thecurestartsfromthetopand
worksitswaydownthespinalcord.Itfindsitswaytowheretheinjuryoccurredandcreates
fauxcells:standincelltissuethatconnectsthespinalcordtogether.Itthenusesaspecial
chemicalthatduplicatestheboneinthespinalcordandreplacesthefauxcells.Thefauxcells
thendisintegrateoncetheboneisfullyhealedinitsplace.
Butwhataboutmynervoussystem?Iask.Theboneishealed,butthatdoesntmean
thenervesinmyspinalcordare.
Yesthatistrue,theParalinguntcurehasGMPs,geneticallymodifiedproteins,that
interactwithneuronheadsinbrain.Theneuronscommunicatewitheachotherusingaxons,
whichiswhatthespinalcordismadeof.Whenaneuronreceivesamessagefromadifferent
neuron,itsendsanelectricalsignaldownthelengthoftheaxon.Theelectricalsignalisthen
convertedintoachemicalsignal,andtheaxonreleaseschemicalmessengerscalled
neurotransmitters.Theneurotransmittersarethenreleasedintothesynapsewheretheyarethen
convertedbackintoanelectricalsignalandtheactionsarethenperformed.ButImsureyou
knowallaboutthatconsideringyoureaBiomedicalResearcher.
Well,theGMPsaresynthesizedtobindthebrokenaxonsbacktogether.Theneuron
headsinyourbrainarestillinfunction,itsjustwhentheaxonsthatmakeupyourspinalcord
snapped,yourneuroncellbodiescouldntsendanyneurotransmitterspastthebreakage.
ThatshowImstillabletobreathe,Isay,becausethemainnerveconnectingmy
lungstomyspinalcordwasabovethebreakagepoint.
Exactly.SowhentheGMPsreconnecttheaxons,theneurotransmittersarethenableto
reachtherestofyourbody,resultinginyoubeingabletowalk,swim,jump,anythingyouwere
abletodobeforeyouwereparalyzed.Youwouldbegoodasnew.
Isoakitallin,allofthepossibilities.Iwouldbeabletowalkdowntheaisleatmy
wedding.Iwouldbeabletodancethefirstdancewithmynewhusband.Iwouldbeabletogoon
myweekendhikesuptoRockyRidge.Iwouldbeabletohaveachild.Iwouldbeabletodoall
ofthethingsthatIdbemissingouton.Butwedonthavethemoney.
Illleaveyoutoyourthoughts,saysthedoctor.Shethenleavesandclosesthedoor
andasshedoes,asingletearfallsdownmycheek,alongwithallmyhopesforabetterlife.

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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterV:Axel

itifulsqueakingfillsthebasementasIpickupanotherfurrysubject.Iignoreits
attemptstoscurryoutofmytightgripandplaceinonthefixedmachine.I
closethedoorshut,watchingthesubjectscratchattheglassfranticly.Myhand
findsaswitchandwithaswiftflick,hummingfillsthebasement.Thesubjectsfrantic
squeakingturnsintohystericalwailsasslowly,itsbodystarteddisappearing,recreatingitself
backwithinitscage.Pickingthesubjectonceagain,Iplaceitinamaze.Beforebeing
teleported,allthesubjectshavebeentrainedexactlyhowtoescapefromthismaze.Totestthe
recreationofthesubjectsbrain,Icarefullyobserveitschangeinbehaviorandmethodof
escapingthemaze.Pitifully,theratsclawscratchesatthewall,itsheadtwistinginevery
directiontolookforsomewayout.Asighleavesmylipsastheratrunsintowallslookingfora
wayout.Anotherfailure.AnotherhourwastedinsteadofhelpingPiper.
Thesuddensoundoffootstepspullsmeoutofmyangeredthoughts.Lukaswalksinto
thebasement,hishandsstuffedintohislabcoat.AnnoyancecoatsmyfaceasIwatchhim
glanceupatme,onlytoquicklybringhiseyesbacktohisfeet.
Hi,Axel,Lukasmurmurs.
Igruntinreturn,nottrustingmyvoicetoanswerhimcalmly.Instead,Iseatmyselfat
mydeskonceagain,lookingoverattheblueprints.Thecombinationofchemicalsfortheenergy
fuelingtheteleportationmachineneedstobeadjustedagain.Thepowerhastobestrongenough
12

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

totakeapartthehumancellsandreformthemperfectlyinanotherlocation.Duetothe
fragilenessofthehumanbrain,theenergyalsohastobesoftenoughnottocauseanydamage.
AnothergrowlplayedatmythroatasIslammyhandsonthepaper.Apowerfulchemicalbond
iscreatedthroughhowwelltheatomscanbondwiththenumberofelectronsontheouterorbit.
Feelingtiredandunabletoremembertheentireperiodictable,Irummagethroughthemessof
paperstofindmypapercopy.
Withoutanythought,myhandroamstotheleftwherethereactivityincreasesthefurther
Igo.WhenIrealizedthereactivityhasnothingtodowithfission,Ishookmyheadatmyself.
Myhandskimsdownthepapertotheverylefthandcorner,examiningtheelementssize
increasethefurtherIgo.TodecidewhichchemicalIusetocreatefission,Ihavetoexaminethe
relativesize.Thelargerthenuclei,themorethereistocausefissionwith.Thus,thethelarger
anelementsatomis,themorepoweriscreates.Myhandsslidesbackup,knowingthatan
elementwithtoobigofanucleuswouldntfixthesituation.Achimeripsmeawayfrommy
frustration.Atextappearsfromachemistfriendofmine.
Areyoustillworkingonthatteleportationmachine?
Iriseaneyebrowquestioninglyathisquestionbeforetypingareply.
Yes.
Anotherchimeringsalmostimmediately.
Theresanewmanmadeelementgoingaroundtheblackmarket.Itmighthelp.Ihearit
canproduceahighenergyreactionwithanyelementwithsevenelectronsinitsoutercloud.It
mightworkifyoucombineitwithanelementwithlessionizationenergy.
Hope.TheresstillhopeforPiper.
Howmuch?
TheresashortpausebeforeIhearthechime.
Notmoney.Iwantthatmachinesblueprint.Imeanwhatareyouusingitforanyway?
Iflinch.Togiveawaythesecretsofmylifeworkwasdevastating.Hedidntunderstand
howhardIveworkedtocreatetheprogramtoinputcoordinates,themachinetocontainanduse
theenergy,theamountoftrialsIvedonetolookforthislastelement.Butwithoutthislast
element,IcantsavePiper.Withoutit,howcanIcompletemylifesachievement?
DAMNIT!Iscreech,kickingmywoodenchairacrosstheroom,watchingitturninto
nothingbutapileofbrokenwood.Lukasscamperstotheothersideoftheroom,eyeingmelike
abomb.HeslowlyplaceshishandonmyshouldertoconsolemebutinsteadIcouldfeel
anotherspikeofdisgustrunthroughmyveins.Donttouchme,youlittlewimp!Igrowlout.
YouwentagainstwhatIsaid!
You
weretheonewhogotherhurt!Nowlookatyourself!
Sittinghere,inmylabdoingnothingbutwhining!
II,Lukasstammers,daringnottolookawayfrommyenragedeyes.Ididntmean
to.Imsorry,hesobs.Lukasfelltothefloor,cradlinghimselfinhisarms.Hemuttershis
meaninglessapologyoverandover.Ifeelthesamewayasyoudo.Iwanttohelp.
13

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Help?Isnap,grabbinghisshirtwithatightgrip.Youdontknowthefirstthing
abouthowIfeel!DontpretendyouunderstandanythingthatIgothrough!Youdontknowthe
humiliationofbeingtauntedforthecreationyouknowyoucanmake!Silenceandtension
drownsourunmovingbodiesasIglareintohisshocked,tremblingeyes.Getout,Ibreath,
holdingmyselfbackfromslammingmyfistsintohishead.MygripslackensandLukasletsout
anotherwhimperbeforerushingoutofthebasement.
Pantingheavilyfrommysuddenoutburst,Iseatmyselfonthecoldfloor.Grabbingmy
phoneItextbackmyfinalreply.
Illsendittoyouthroughaflashdrive.Imusingittogetacureformysister.

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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterVI:Lukas

heexcruciatinglyfrigidfeelingofdreadandhorrorracethroughmyveinsand
seizemyheartasIstepdownintothebasement.Imsoridiculouslyanxious
andpanickedthatIcantevencrackagoodchemistryjoke.Thedimflickering
lightsoverheaddotheirbesttomakemeevenmoreuncomfortable.
Whyhaventwegotten
thosefixed?
Imaneuverexpertlyaroundthevariousdeadlychemicalsandhazardoustools
layingaround.Jesus,thisplacereallyneedstobecleanedup.
AsImakemywayclosertoAxelsloomingsilhouette,Ithrustmyhandsquicklyinmy
pocketssoAxelcantseethemshaking.Themachineisfinallyfixedforgood,lets
hopeandIwasscaredtodeathaboutwhatweareabouttodo.Stealahalfamilliondollar
curefromamaximumsecurity,governmentfundedpharmacyalthoughAxelisunbelievably
scary,thereareotherthingstobeworriedabout.Iwalkuptotheworktableandtrytorestmy
elbowscasuallyonitandstareatAxel,heshunchedoverthemachineprobablymakingthe
finishingtouches.I
hate
howIbecomeatimidshellofmyselfwheneverImaroundhim.These
pastcoupledayssawtheharshesttreatmentIhadeverreceivedfromAxel.Ideserveditthough.
EverythingthathashappenedtoPiperismyfault.Thismorningheseemedbetterthough,I
knowhehadtogivetheblueprintsofthemachinetoafriendinexchangefortheonlything
thatwillmakeourmachineworklastweek.Whatsdoneisdonethough,nowwearejustone
stepclosertohelpingPiper.
Hi,Axel.
Heimpassivelyglancesatme.
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Lukas.Ididntseeyou.
Iclearmythroattofillthesilencethatcameafterwards.
Wow!Ilovewhatyouvedonewithyourhair!DoyougotoSylviatoo?Iexclaimed.
Ineedadrink,hemutteredunderhisbreath.
Ilookaroundthedimbasementandletoutahumofagreement.Whydoesheneedto
makehavingaconversationwithhimsodifficult?Itakeadeepbreathandleanbackagainstthe
tablebehindme.Axelispickingatacoupleofwiresinthebackofthemachine.
Um,areyoualmostdone?Iaskcautiously.Idontwanttogivehimanyreasontobe
annoyedwithme,God
knows
healreadyhasenough.HegruntsandIstareddubiouslyathim
untilheclosesthelatchandturnstome,wipingthegreaseoffhishandsonarag.Yes,webetter
gonow.
Isuckedinasharpbreathandnodded.Wehadgoneovertheplanmanytimes:Axeland
Iwouldbetransportedinsidethepharmacyviateleportationmachine.Oncewefindtheroom
thecureislocatedinIwillstandguardwhilehegetsit.Heresthecatch,theteleportation
machinedoesntteleportitself,justthepeopleorthingsinsideofitsoitsuptoAxelandIto
escape.Sincethepharmacyhasneverhadtodealwithanyonebreaking
out,
theonlythingthat
willsoundthealarmiswhenweopenthedoors.Oncewedothat,wewillhaveexactlythree
minutestoescapebeforethesecurityguardsarrive.
Completelyfoolproof.
Axelfastensthestrapsofhisblackbackpackandlookstowardsme.Itstimetogo.AsI
hesitantlymakemywaytowardsthemachineIstealforlornglancesatthehomeIllprobably
neverseeagain.IremindmyselfthateverythingweareabouttodoisforPiper.Iwoulddo
anythingifitmeanstheloveofmylifewillbeabletowalkagain.
Arewegoingtogoordoyouwanttostareatsomerustedtoolsalittlebitlonger?
Axelssnideremarkharshlyinterruptsmythoughts.Iglarehiswayandpushedpasthimand
steppedintothehollowedcylinderlookingteleportationmachine.Icouldtellhewasutterly
astonishedbymyactions,buthisattitudewasgettingonmynerves.Idontunderstandwhyhe
hastobesorudeallthetime,cantheatleastpretendtobenice?Axelstepsinbesidemeand
closesthedoorbehindhim.Hisshouldersaretense,probablybecausehesforcedtostandso
closetome.
Letshopethemachinewillputallofouratomsbacktogethercorrectly.Hesaid
terselyandstartedflippingswitchestoturnthemachineon.
Yeah,Idontreallytrustatomsthough...Iheartheymakeupeverything.Isaid
casually.AlaughescapedmewhenAxelturnedtogivemeacondescendinglook.Hereallyset
himselfupforthatone.Beneathusthemachinestartedtohumwithpowerandeverything
aroundusstartedspinninginstreaksoflightandsound.
Herewego.

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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterVII:Axel

letoutashakybreathasIlookthroughtheislesonpills.Foreignandcomplicated
namescovertheplasticcontainersasIskimthroughthePsection.Whereisit?
Myeyesdartupanddown,sidetoside,desperatelysearchingfortheonly
medicationIneed.Whereisit?Ifinallycometotheendoftheisle.Still,myeyeshavenot
landedonthemedicationIneed.Whereisit?Jerkingmyheadaround,Iseeablockedsection
ofthepharmacy,asmallshelfofpillsprotectedbyglasswaitingforme.Iscurryaroundthe
office,lookingforanykeys.Imabletofindsomebutnoneofthemfit.Clenchingmyfists,I
noticeLukasrushingtowardsmewithanelectronickey.Ifthekeydidntfit,thepolicewillbe
alertedofourpresence.Suckinginabreath,IwatchLukasplacethekeyintothehole.Thelock
clicksopen.
Wearily,Iwastednotimetomakemywaytothecabinet.AftertestingeverykeyIhad
found,theglassfinallyunlocked.Withouthesitation,myhandreachedouttograbthebottleall
myhardworkhasbeenputintogetting:Paralingunt.Beforemyhandscouldwraparoundthe
bottle,redflashesacrossmyvisionpairedwiththeloudbellsofalarms.Cursingundermy
breath,Igrabthebottleandcrouchlowtotheground,pullingLukasalong.Keepingmyhead
underthecounter,IledLukastowardsthedooroutthepharmacy.IfreezethemomentIheara
firmcommandyelloutatus.
Freezeandcomeoutwithyourhandsaboveyourhead!apolicemanyellsoutatus.
Lukasstartsshakingatlooksatmewithtearyeyes.Iwanttotellhimsomething,evenasnarky
remarktoslightlycalmhimdownbutmythoughtsaretoojumbled.Howdidtheyknow?How
didwegetcaught?
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ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Whatdowedo?Lukasasks,evenhisvoicetrembling.
Snappingoutofmyshockeddaze,Isay,Shutupandfollowmylead,beforepulling
outthepistolIhadhiddenbeforeleaving.Lukasseyesgrowtothesizeofsaucersashestares
attheweaponinmyhand.Ignoringhim,Itakeadeepbreathbeforesuddenlyjumpingoutto
shotthegun.Withoutlookingatthedamagemyfirstshotdid,Ipullmyselfbackdownunder
thecounter.Shotsareheardastheydestroythecomputerthatstoodwheremyheadwas.
Puttheweapondownandcomeoutwithyourhandsaboveyourhead!thepoliceman
yellsoutagain.Inresponse,Iyelloutacolorfulinsult.Ignoringhisnextwords,IturntoLukas.
BeforeIcouldtellhimanything,afamiliarvoicecallsout.Shockforcesmybodytopeakout
fromunderthecounter,myeyeslockingonmytrustedpartnerwhohadhelpmemakemylife
longworkasuccess.
Iwoulddowhatthepolicearetellingyou,Axel.Itwouldbelesspainfulandafavorfor
mesinceIgaveyouthatnewelementthatendedupbeingthekeyingredienttoyour
teleportationmachine.
VenumcoatsmyvoiceasIreply,Whatthehell.Yourattedusout!?
Heletoutadisgustingcrackle.Yousee,Iknewyoucouldntsellthismachinefor
moneysinceitscurrentlyillegal,soitsmostlikelyyouwouldbeusingtostealthecureforyour
dearsister.ImgladIcouldgetmyhandsontheblueprintswithoutliftingmuchofafinger.
Still,myconnectionwithyoucouldcausesometroublelaterwhenIsellthissoitsbetterIpay
thesepolicementotakeyououtandforgetaboutmylittledealwithyou.
Isnarlathimwords,slammingmyknucklesintotheconcretefloor.YoubBeforeI
canfinish,Lukastugsonmyshirt,hischeeksstainedwithtearcoatedtears.Iletoutashaky
breathbeforetellinghimmyplan.
Weregonnarunrightthroughtheirwallofpolicemen.
What?Lukasasks,dumbfounded.Youcantbeserious.
Whensthelasttimeyouheardmejoking,Ibiteback,rollingmyeyes.
Never?Lukasasksunsurely.
Exactly,nowfollowcloselyrightbehindme,Iorder,softeningmytone.Lukas
hesitantlynodsbeforefollowingmeasIboltoutthecounter,shootingapathforLukasandme
toescape.Gunsarefiringbackatme.Searingpainbloomsinmythigh,thenmyarmthenmy
stomach.IcanhearLukasyellingatmeaboutsomething.Thepainhurttoomuchformeto
understandhiswords.Imnotlookingatthedooranymore.Imlookingattheceiling.Mypain
inmylimbsistoomuchformetothinkstraight.Someoneshutthatannoyinglaughterup.Why
isLukascrying?Itshardtosee.Darknessiseatingawayatthecornersofmyvision.Piper.I
wontbeabletoseePiperssmile.Orhis.Lukas.IguessitsnowthatIrealizethathesthe
onlythatsbeenhereformewhileIvebeentryingtogetbackPiper.Hesbeenbymyside.I
donthatehim.Iwanthimtolive.
Weakly,Igaspout,Thepills.TakeittoPiper.Lukasonlystartstocrymore.I
wonderwhy.HeshuggingmylimpbodybutIcantfeelit.Darknesshasalmostconsumedall
18

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ofmysight.Thisisntfair.Iwasgoingtoproveeveryonewrongwithmymachine.Illthink
upsomethinglater.Revengecanwait.Imtootired.

19

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterVIII:Lukas

prisonguardstridesthroughthedark,grimyhallsofthemaximumsecurityprison.
Surroundedinanauraofsmugness,hecasuallyflipstheonandoffswitchofhis
taserwithaseeminglypermanentscowletchedonhisweatheredface.Dirty
looksthatpromisedpunishmentwereshotatalloftheinmateswhodaredtopeerathimthrough
thebarsoftheircellstheinmatesknewtostayawayfromhim.Hewasbadnews.
Theguardwasfinallyreleasedforhislunchbreakandheplannedontakingadvantageof
everysingleminuteofit.Theonlysolacefromthisgodforsakenplacewashischickensalad
sandwich.Hecouldntwaitto
EExcuseme,sir?atimidvoicebrokethroughhisthoughts.
Theguardturnedsharplyandhisnostrilsflaredinindignation.Whowoulddarespeaktohim?
Hiseyesscannedthedingycellsuntiltheycameacrossascrawnypaleinmateleaningagainsthis
cellbars.Theguardtookhistimetomenacinglystalktowardsthecellandstoodafootfromthe
inmate,whoweaklysmiledathim.Itwasapoorsight,purpleandyellowbruisesstretched
acrosstheinmatesfaceanddownhisneckwhereitlookedlikesomeonehadtriedtostrangle
him.Oneofhiseyeswasswollenshutandhisrightarmwasinasling.Hemustbethatnew
inmatethattheprisonerstooktobeatingup.Cometothinkofit,hesthatguywhotriedtosteal
someridiculouslyexpensivecurefromthegovernmentregulatedpharmacy.Yeah,hesheardof
thisnewbie.Whatanidiot.
CanIhelpyou,princess?Theguardssays,voicedrippingwithsarcasm,hiseyesflash
withmaliciousintent.Snickersarisefromthesurroundingcells.
20

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Um,itsjust,theywontletmehaveanycontactwithmyfamilyontheoutside,IIwas
justwonderingifyoucouldsendthisletterforme.Itstomyfianceandshesparalyzedandhas
nooneleftandIreallywanttotalktoherandtellherthatIloveheronelasttime.
Theprisonguardbarksoutahumorlesslaughandsays,Shouldvethoughtaboutthat
beforeyoutriedtostealfromthegovernment,inmate.
Theinmategripsthebarstightlyandpleads,Please,
please,sir.
Dontyouhave
someoneyoulove?Canyoupleasedothisforjustonce?Imnotabadperson,Iwasjustina
badsituation.Hethrustsadirtyenvelopeintotheguardshandlooksolemnlyintohiseyes.
Theguardrollshiseyesandhisfacemorphsinrepulsionbuthetakestheletter
nonethelessandgivesashortnod.Oncetheguardreachesthenowemptybreakroomhepulls
outachairandslumpsontoit.Curiositydominatinghishunger,theguardripsopenthe
envelopeandstartsreadingtheletterinside.

Dear Piper,
I miss you. It hurts being here. They wont let me call or send letters
to anyone but I had to talk to you. I long for your gentle hands stroking
my hair as you tell me the honey-soaked words of I love you. Im always
desperately calling out to you in my dreams here. Well, I used to. My dreams
have all turned into nightmares. Ive lost all salvation in this cage. In the
darkness, I only see Axels dying face. I only hear his dying gasps. When I
close my eyes, I only image your pained weak face in that disgusting hospital
bed. Your screams of pain echo on my mind. My sanity is slipping away. My
hands shake in this cell. Not because Im cold or scared. Because I want to
destroy that damn machine. Without that machine, you wouldnt have gotten
hurt. Axel wouldnt have been killed. You wouldnt have to deal with any loss.
I want to see you when I finally escape this hell hole. I want to feel your
warm caresses. I want to hear your radiant laughter. More than anything,
I want to tell you how much I love you. Piper. I love you.
Love,
Lukas

Theguardstaredunsurelyattheletterforacoupleseconds,thenletoutaspitefullaugh.
Hestoodupandwalkedtowardthemailbox,hisstepsledhimpastthethemetalslotsandtothe
21

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

garbagecanwherehetossedinthecrumpledletterfromtheinmate,andwalkedawaywithouta
secondlook.Itsnotliketheprisonerwillbealivebythetimehisfiancewritesback.Hegets
thedeathpenaltynextweek.Theguardwalksbacktohisseatandeatshischickensalad
sandwich.
Yep,justanotherdayonthejob.

22

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

ChapterIX:Piper

iveyearshavegonebyandIhaventheardfromLukasonce.Youwouldthinkhe
wouldwriteconsideringhowhedoesnthaveasinglethingtodoinprison.Im
stillpissedofftheybrokeintothatPharmacy.Howthehelldidtheythinkthey
weregoingtopullthatoff?Whatwentthroughtheirminds?Thattheyweregoingtousethat
stupidteleportationmachinetogetin,stealthecure,thenleavewithoutanyonenoticing?Boys
aresofreakingdumb.God,whydotheyalwaystreatmelikeIcanthandlemyself?Imfine!
Well,actuallyno.Im
not
fine.Iknoweverythingnow,andwhatsworseisthatIfoundoutfrom
thenews.Nooneevercametomydoorandtoldme.Iwishsomeonewouldhadtoldittome
straight.
Iwalktothebasementdoordraggingaheavywoodandmetalobject,myexpression
deceivinglycalm.AsIopenthedoor,IthinkbacktowhenIheardthenews.AfterIfoundout
Axelwasdead,Icouldntleavemyhouseforaweek,weakenedfromtheshockoflosingmy
onlybrother.TheonlythingIcoulddowascallallfamilymembersthatstillcaredaboutusand
tellthemthenews,brokenheartedandsobbing.SoIcalledmygrandmother.Sheandmyparents
hadafallingoutwhenIwasten,butIalwayscherishedthetimeshemadeforAxelandI,taking
ustoherextremelyfancycountryclub,teachingushowtoplaygolf.IguessIshouldmention
thatshesrich.ShetookthenewswellandaskedhowithappenedandifIwasalright.Itoldher
abouthowAxelandLukasbrokeintothePharmacytostealtheParalinguntcureformeandhow
itwentabsolutelyandhorriblywrong.ThenItoldheraboutmyaccident,howIfelldownthe
stairsandwasparalyzed.Ithadturnedoutsheheardaboutthecureandofferedtopayformy
23

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

treatment.Iguessshethoughtitwouldmakemefeelbetteraboutmysituation,helpmefeelless
awful.Itdidnt,Ihatetakingcharity,itmakesmefeellikeIcanthandlemyselforsolvemy
ownproblems.ButIacceptedherhelpanywaysbecauseIknewitwouldmakeherfeelbetter.
AndthreemonthslaterIwascompletelycured.Whoopy.
Iwalkdownthestepstoaroomwherenotone,buttwodisastershappened.WhenIreach
thelaststep,colddankairsurroundsmeinstantly.Ifliptheswitchtomyleftandtheyellow
fluorescentlightsflickeron,alongwiththehumofelectricityrunningthroughthebulbs.And
thereitis.Theohsofamousteleportationmachine.Iwalkovertothemachineandstandinfront
ofit.Justthesightofitmakesmeinfuriated.
This
machinetoreAxelapartfromtheinside.
This
machineruinedLukas'sfuture.
This
machinehurtmeandthepeopleIlovemostintheworld.
Imgettingworkedupnow,breathingheavily.
This
machinerippedAxelslifeawayfromhim,me,andeveryoneelsethatlovedhim!
This
machinetookLukas,myonetruelove,andlockedhimawayforeversoIcouldneverbe
happyagain!
This
machineisthereasonmylifewillneverbethesame,andIcantmakeitgo
backtothewayitwasbefore,I
never
will!!
IlifttheonethingIbroughtdowntothebasementwithme,asledgehammer.AsIliftit,
alltheangerIheldinforfiveyearswellsupinsideme,readytoburst.AscreamseizesmeandI
bringthehammerdown.
Smash!
Thehammerleavesagiantdentinthemachine.
Smash!
It
leavesanother.
Smash!
Andanother.
Smash!
Andanother.
Smash!
Andanother.
Smash!
And
another.IslamthesledgehammerintotheteleportationmachinesomanytimesIvelostcount.
Imnolongerhittingdentsintothismachine.Instead,piecesofmetalareflyingoff,running
awayfromthemercilesssledgehammerthatstrappedwithinmyfirmgrip.Imstillscreaming,
tearsrunningdownmycheeksoutofangerorsorrowIcanttellwhichmaybeboth.
Themetalisnowsodentedanddestroyed,thewireshavestartedcomingouttheseams.I
smashthehammerintotheglass,thecontrolpanel,andcrushsomemoremetal.Icontinuemy
assaultonthecoldmachineuntilthesobschokingmythroatmakemedropthesledgehammer
ontotheground.Nolongerabletoholdtheheavyweapon,Ipickupsomeemptyglassbeakers
andthrowthemacrosstheroomandintoabrickwall.Mythroatissoscratchyanddrymybody
forcesmetoquitscreaming,butitdoesntstopthetears.Ipickupstacksofresearchpaperand
throughthemintoanoldmetaltrashcan.IfindanoldunopenedbeerbottleleftoverfromAxel,
openthetop,takeaswigofbeer,thendumptherestintothetrashcan.IthengrabAxelslighter
andlightit,theflamewarmingupmythumb.Idropitintothetrashcanandwatchthepaper
eruptinflames.Thefiredances,likeAxeldidwhenhewas6.Itflickerswithlight,likeLukass
eyeswhenhetoldacornychemistryjoke.Itswarm,likebothoftheirhearts.AnditsmellsGod
awful,likehowlivinglifewillbewithoutthembymyside.
Icryharderandcollapseontothefloorinaheep.Ifeellikedeadweight,justasackof
skinandbones.AlloftheangerIharbouredinforsolongleavesme,andgriefreplacesit.Iwail
andweeplikeababy,butIdontcare.
Ijustdontcareaboutanythinganymore.
24

ParalinguntNopar,Novella,Ngo

Piper is sitting in her hospital bed, watching the most important people in her life go through
their own hell to help fix their mistakes against her. Axel is drowning himself in his work to help her,
losing more than just her and his sanity along the way. Lukas is trying to save the love of his life
while surviving under Pipers brothers tyrannical wing. When they fall into desperations grasp,
theyll break the law for each other. How will Piper find her way out of her drug induced daze? What
will happen when Axel finally finishes his obsession? Will Lukas find his way back to his love and
save her brother from his fatal end?
I couldnt take my eyes off the words after I started.
-

Hanna, a best selling author (also author of this book)

They put the novella in this.

-

Natalie Novella, a novella expert

I couldnt put the book down because when I did, they threatened to kill my cat.
-

Matt Ruppel, a chemistry teacher of High Tech High

25