"Morgan, you won't believe this."

"What happened?"

"Hunter has the same sickness I did."

I nearly spit my water onto my journal.

"I know. Insane, right? There is good news, though. I get to stay here and take care of her." Laura is practically carrying Hunter, who looks frailer than ever. Her hair is wilting and oily, eyes sunken in. She can barely stand up. "Anyway, she's moving into the same room as me, so I need to move her stuff. Wanna help?"

I shake my head, and the two hobble off.

As soon as they're out of sight, I flip open my journal and start scribbling down ideas.

If she found a cure to the sickness, why hasn't she cured herself?

Laura was sick for years before she looked as bad as Hunter. What happened to her?

What will happen to her?

I stare at the words I wrote, then close my journal. I return to my room, which is only separated from Laura's by a curtain. I throw the journal on my bed, then open the curtain.

No one is in her room.

I take a step inside and look around. Some of Hunter's stuff is here already. 

A binder.

I pick it up.

It has a title.

Ability Transfer Reaserch.

Research is spelled wrong.

I shrug and open to a random page.

January 3

In the past year, I have documented over three hundred unike abilities while I have traveled around the country as a soldier. 84% of these abilites' downfalls are emotional or mental. The other 16% are phisical, either sicknesses or malformations. I think I have enouf data to begin testing ways to transfer abilities between people.

I close the binder.

Drop it.

Run back into my room.

Listen.

I knew I heard footsteps.

"Hunter, just sit down on my bed for now, and I'll clear a spot for your bed," I hear Laura say.

"Actually, La La, can I have some cardamom and marshmallow coffee?" Hunter asks.

She stole my nickname for Laura!

"Of course, Hun. I don't want to leave you alone, though. Morgan can hang out with you, though."

"Thank you."

"Morgan?" Laura pops her head through the curtain. I quickly pretend to close my journal to make it look like I was doing something. "Listen, I'm sorry we haven't spent much time together recently. I really want to at some point. But anyway, would you mind coming into my room and hanging out with Hunter for a few minutes while I grab her something?"

"Sure, La La. And yeah, we need to catch up soon," I reply.

"Thank you so much! Alright, Hun, I'll be back soon, okay?" Laura gives Hunter a hug, then she flies out of her room, leaving Hunter lying on her bed and me on my side of the room.

"Well, Morgan, I'm glad we can finally talk alone," Hunter says slowly and smiles.