The World Forgot by Martin Leicht

Author:Martin Leicht
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Chapter Nine

Wherein our Heroine’s Worst Nightmare (Not Including the one Where She Has to Perform an Elaborate Ice-Skating Dance She Hasn’t Rehearsed, to the Tune of “Sexy and I Know It”) Comes True

“All right, now. This will be the last sample we take today. Sound good?”

As Dr. Marsden guides the needle under my skin, his voice is as gentle and reassuring as someone who wasn’t holding me captive and performing a series of invasive tests on my person.

“You’ve taken, like, six vials already,” I mutter. “I hope you’ve got a sugar cookie hidden away somewhere.”

“We’ll make sure you’re replenished.”

By “replenished” Marsden means more needles—the kind where stuff goes into your arm as opposed to being drawn out of it.

“I bet people wouldn’t mind your taking over the world so much if you guys had sugar cookies.”

Marsden chuckles and shakes his head. “I do so prefer you this way,” he says, a please-kick-me-in-the-teeth level of obnoxious smile on his face.

“What, you mean lucid?”

“I was going to say ‘chipper,’ but why split hairs?”

“Quick question,” I say. “I mean, not that I’m not enjoying all this blood-taking and awesome bonding time with my baby’s kidnapper, because, whew boy, it’s been a hoot! But, uh, you mind sharing why you still haven’t cracked the secret to hybrid fertility, even after all this time? I thought you were supposed to be a mad genius.”

Marsden doesn’t seem offended in the slightest. “Even mad geniuses must work through the science to reach their goals.”

“So how come I get to have all the needle-pointy fun? Why do the others miss out?” This is my supersneaky way to try to figure out what Marsden has done with my friends.

“Don’t worry. Mr. Archer has had his fair share of needle pokes.”

So Cole’s still alive, and even if they’re poking and prodding him, that’s a good thing. But . . .

“What about Ducky?”

“Ducky?” Marsden asks. Like I just ordered something that wasn’t on the menu. I feel my stomach go icy.

“Donald?” I say. “Floppy hair? Skinny arms? Probably barfed a few times by now?”

“Ah, yes. Your human comrade. He’s here. But what use would I have for his DNA?”

I settle down a bit. Ducky’s alive. “So Duck gets a free pass from all these good times just for being normal? That hardly seems fair—not that I’m suggesting you start poking him, too.”

“I’m looking for an evolutionary breakthrough for a superior species. I don’t have time to muddle with apes. And to save you some more sleuthing, your redheaded hybrid friend is alive as well. Her samples are a helpful baseline to compare yours against. So no one’s been executed. Does that satisfy you?”

“I suppose,” I say. “Unless you’re still considering my offer to have you surrender?” The snort from the doorway belongs to Chloe, who has been standing quietly at attention since she brought me here from my cell. I pretend to ignore her, even though what I’m saying is as much for her benefit as ­Marsden’s, if not more so. “You know the Jin’Kai leadership will never understand what you’re trying to do here.

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