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“I’m fine,” I say iive me pale blue med patches They’re for “nerves,” he says, but I don’t want to bother I don’t trust the little patches he doles out instead of pills; I don’t trust any medication made on this ship that also once made Phydus

“No,” Doc says, waving his hand dismissively “I mean—well Hrm I’m worried aboutabout your safety ”

“My safety?” I plop down on lances at the only chair in my room, the one atover the back of the chair, and floppies and books I’ve pilfered from the Recorder Hall clutter the desktop He probably wouldn’t want to sit anywhere without an antiseptic wipe and some Lysol

Not that there is any Lysol here

Doc’s stance is aard; he keeps his arht But his face is very serious “I’m sure you’ve noticed the increasedWell, it’s clear now that there are no more traces of Phydus in the people’s systems And noe’re left withThe ship’s not especially safe at the moment, especially for someone who”

“So red hair over my shoulder

Doc flinches, as if my hair is a curse word shouted in church “Yes ”

He’s not saying anything new I am the only person on this ship asn’t born here And while the residents of Godspeed had the individuality bred out of theht green eyes, and red hair to mark how different I am The for the residents that I was a genetic experi At best, most people here think I’m a freak

At worst, they bla apart

Three weeks ago, I went forrun I stopped near the chicken farm to look at the baby chicks The fare s He set the bucket of feed on the ground and justjust stared at ate and picked up a shovel He hefted it up, testing the weight of it and running one finger along the sharp and shiny blade I started running then, looking over my shoulder He watched ht

I haven’t been running since

“I’s aren’t exactly peachy around here ”

I sling open the door topiece of cloth that’s such a dark shade of maroon it’s almost brown Thebehind my left ear, I drape the cloth over my forehead, then underup my hair so it’s coet to the end, I twist the wrapped hair into a bun and tie the ends of the cloth into a knot Then I grab the jacket fro the hood up overI do is tuck my cross necklace under my shirt so no one can see it

“It’s not perfect,” I say as Doc inspects my apparel “But if I keep my head down and my hands in the jacket pockets, it’s hard for anyone to notice how different I aetting up close to anyone

Doc nods “I’,” he says “I’mwell, I’m impressed ”