I remembered that it was before I gave Alex the drug that she started saying she wasn't a girl. "I thought she was joking!" I defended myself. "I didn't know she was serious!" I quickly thought up an argument. "So are you telling me she's a boy?"

"No," Vondila said softly, "They're something else."

"I don't understand a single thing you're saying," I said blatantly.

"You wouldn't," Vond mumbled softly.

I yelled again, "Excuse me!"

"Enough you two!" Kaynes yelled, and we both fell silent, "Darnell, you wondered why Vondila pretended to not remember Alex? We all know that Vondila has the highest soul class on record as a Contestant Winner. There's a theory going around that soul classes might run in families. If they found out Vondila and Alex were related..."

"Ok," Darnell said, "I get that. But wouldn't Alex have tests made on her - them-" Darnell corrected himself "-anyway? And besides, isn't the higher level you are the more cushie your tests are?"

"That would be true," said Vondila, wiping off her old tears, "but nobody really knows what makes class soul's higher. They would be doing even worse experiments on me if I wasn't so rare, to find out just what made my soul so strong. If there were two of us, one of us would be expendable. They would be able to do the life-threatening tests that they want to do."

I was quiet for a moment. "So what you're saying is..."

Vondila continued my sentence, "That they found out we are siblings."

I groaned in frustration. "Vondila! That doesn't make sense! They would have found out Alex's soul type anyway! And anyway, was it worth hurting you sis - sibling for a risk!"

Vondila was silent for a moment, finally she said, "If they found out we were siblings... We're the first family to ever survive together. They'd probably do tests on us together anyway."

I sighed. "Vond, probably. You were making assumptions on theories! We don't know what would happen! They could have seen that you shared the same parents when doing tests! Alex could have told an Announcer or something about how she - they - thought that you were their sister!"

Vondila stared back at me, daring me to continue. Finally, she sighed and said, "You called me Vond."

"Er - Vondila." I corrected. Vondila stared at me, thinking.

"So," Kaynes whispered after a long silence, "what do we do now?"

I looked at Vondila and demanded, "Tell Alex."

She narrowed her eyes, but said, "I hate that you're right, but I will. I will do it for Alex."

I nodded.

Vondila left the room, probably walking toward Alex.

A thought occurred in my mind.

"Wait! Vondila!" She turned back and I continued, "Alex is healed, Quin and Hugo are probably already there to give them a tour and everything!" Vondila sighed and rubbed her temple.

"Could you have told me that earlier?!" She complained.

"I just told you now!" I retorted.

Vondila clarified, "So tonight?"

I nodded.

Alex, I'm sorry.

...

Kaynes turned to me.

"Vondila," he said, "you're not going to do it, are you?"

I shook my head, Kaynes sighed. He asked me, "Why not?"

Swallowing, I answered, "B-because I can't do that to Alex."

Kaynes smirked, "We both know that's a lie. If you really wanted to help Alex, you would tell them and swear them to secrecy, working together. We both knew how likely the plan would be needed. You insisted, though. Tell me, Vond. Why?"

I snapped at him, "Don't call me Vond!"

He looked at me sadly. "Does it really bother you? Back when we were Diggers, you used to go by Vond all the time."

"Times have changed. That me is dead now."

"Most people," Kaynes said, "when they call you Vond, don't realize the implications. They either don't know or don't care, that when someone calls you your nickname, 'Vond,' they say you're their family. I realize this Vond. Do you really think all those years of being your teacher meant nothing to me?" I looked away. "Tell me the truth, Vond."

I clenched my fists and bit my lip, trying not to cry. "Ok," I whimpered, "You want to know the truth?" Angry tears started falling from my eyes. "I'm scared! I'm scared of what Alex will say to me! What she'll - they'll - think of me. Will Alex still call me Vond lovingly?"

"Vond, if don't want to tell them..."

"No. I have to." I wiped my tears and tried to regain my composure.

Kaynes sighed. "Well, let me tell you something. You were gone for about five years or so. And in all those years? Alex would talk of nothing but getting you back. Alex wants you - Alex needs you. So, before you think of-" Kaynes was cut off by a knock of his door.

"Damn," Kaynes cursed. Suddenly putting on his fake, plastic expression and opened the door, motioning me to do the same and act normal. I hoped to God my eyes weren't red from crying. Repressing my emotions, I put on my usual blank face.

It was Hugo who opened the door. He smirked when he saw me.

"You like older men, eh?" He snorted. I calmly put my hands behind my back and stabbed my finger nails into my palm to keep my anger in check.

"I brought Kaynes his copy of the newest Contestant Winner," I replied evenly, "I was just leaving."

"Well, hold up, Vond," he said, throwing around my tightly kept nickname, "My orders from Quin himself state something that might matter to you." He turned to Kaynes. "My orders state that you are to be the newest guide and guide her to testing and meetings and back. She has a meeting today, Quin has asked to meet her in person so I expect you to follow commands." Kaynes nodded, Hugo continued. "Quin also gave instructions for Vond, that she continue her place as a full-time tester." My blood ran cold. To be a full time tester... That basically meant death, no matter how 'cushy' the tests were.

Hugo continued, "There will be another Contestant Winner joining you as a tester: Doctor Darnell. After the newests' recovery, which is today, he, and you, will be relocated permanently to the testing area. That is all," Hugo looked about ready to leave, when he turned around and looked at me, he said with a grimy voice, "Quin has also told me, if you choose you don't like this assignment, that there's the chance of you working permanently by his side." I shuddered when Hugo shut the door.

There's no way in Hell that I'd work with Quin as his... As his...

Kaynes sighed and rubbed his temples. He muttered to himself. "They're onto us, aren't they?"

I sat against the wall and put my head in my hands.

They sure are, Kaynes. They sure are...

I'm sorry, Alex.