Another present for you guys since I disappeared. Two updates in two days? Yes, it's true. I am feeling that bad. Hope you enjoy... and just to let you all know, there's only one chapter left...

You know what to do

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XII – Last Ditch Attempt

"Adam, I have a plan," Emma announced, bursting into Adam's quarters without knocking. He was sitting at his desk with his computer on, staring at the monitor. When Emma came in, he barely flinched as he casually glanced at the door. He looked like he hadn't slept all night.

He heard the words Emma said and stood, raising his eyebrows.

Emma opened the laptop and showed him the files on Alex Duncan.

"The main thing about Alex's unusually strong telekinetic abilities are these abnormalities in her DNA. The volatile DNA strands are what causes the acceleration of her abilities, in turn causing her body harm and eventually killing her. But, if we replace these genes, the abnormalities will correct themselves. There are a few setbacks, but if we can guarantee that Alex lives, I'm sure she would rather she was less powerful than dead," Emma explained, feeling proud of herself and praying that her idea was useful.

Adam nodded silently, pondering over Emma's inventive plan.

"There is no guarantee it will work. There's no safe way of replacing the volatile strands of DNA, but we could neutralise them if need be. I'm not saying it would work, but this is our last ditch attempt to save her life."

---

"It's risky, but it's all we have. And we need to decide quickly. Time is of the essence," Adam declared.

They all watched Alex thinking over her options. All except Shalimar. She couldn't look at the singer. She wasn't sure about the procedure. She wanted Alex to live, but without the definite possibility that she would be okay, she didn't know if it would be worth the time.

Only, it wasn't her decision to make.

Tears filled her eyes and she felt Emma's grip on her hand tighten as she looked around the room, finally letting her blurry gaze settle on Alex. She was sitting with the ever-vigilant Cammy by her side, appearing exhausted and pale, but determined.

Her piercing blue eyed stare caught Shalimar's as she made her decision.

"I'll do it," she muttered, looking away as the reality of her choice began to sink in. She looked around at the grave expressions surrounding her.

"I'll do it," she said more forcefully. "And then I'm gone." This was directed more at Shalimar than anyone else, and she swore she heard something break inside her. Was it her heart?

Her conclusion was final and the feral knew there was no changing her mind.

---

There was no easy way to describe how she felt. She was scared, that was obvious, but not of dying. She was terrified of what would become of her friends in her permanent absence. It should be easy for them to move on; they could find a replacement singer at any time. It wasn't like she was the only singer-guitarist in the city.

"Moose, you need to promise me one thing," she rasped, fighting back tears as she stared her best friend in her deep hazel eyes. With a weak nod, she acknowledged the singer's speech. "Don't give up. This is what we always wanted, a chance to prove to the people we play for that we're strong. We can make it, even if I'm not a part of it. We said we'd do it, so you have to do it for me. Continue doing what you love and don't let me hold you back. You're an amazing guitarist, Moose, and you can take this band far. So do it," she ordered, squeezing Moose's hand.

It killed her to hear her own words, urging Moose to carry on after she was gone. They had sworn that they'd make it together. She was breaking their once-spoken promise.

The dark-haired guitarist looked away and blinked tears from her eyes.

"Don't make it sound like you're not gonna get through this. You're strong. I know you will."

Alex smiled weakly.

"De-nile is a river in Egypt sweetie," was all she said. The guitarist flinched at her words and she instantly regretted them. Tears spilled from Moose's eyes, flowing unabated down her cheeks. Alex didn't know what to do. She had never seen the guitarist cry before. Maybe this would affect her friend more than she had imagined.

A cough from the door of the lad brought their attention to Adam and Emma who stood waiting patiently for them to finish what Alex would call their goodbyes. Despite their calm façade, it was clear they were concerned about the complex procedure ahead of them.

"Are you ready, Alex?" Adam asked.

She looked at Moose, and then to the faces of Cammy, Ross and Shalimar, who were standing outside the window to the lad. Her eyes lingered on Shalimar for a second, sad that she would likely never get a chance to spend more time with the feral.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breathe to prepare herself. She was as ready as she ever would be.

"Let's do this."