Chapter 11: Bridging the Divide

Jenna had been outside the glass for several minutes. Ava watched her look from Gabriel to the results on her tablet. He had submitted to a health check every morning; every morning he came back and told Ava it was clear.

This time Jenna spoke through the intercom.

“May I come in?”

Ava looked at the scanner in her hand. “For what?”

“To talk.”

After a moment, Ava nodded.

Jenna entered and put the scanner on the table before moving closer. Gabriel stood, but Ava lifted a hand. He sat down again.

“I owe you an apology,” Jenna said.

Ava stiffened, her gaze darting between Jenna and Gabriel.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” Jenna said gently. She set the scanner down on a nearby table and took a cautious step closer. “I’ve been listening to you and Gabriel these past few days. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

Ava’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came.

“I was wrong about you,” Jenna continued. “I let my fear get the better of me, and I misjudged you. I’m sorry.”

For a moment Ava wanted to make it easy for her. Say it was all right, accept the apology, keep this new version of Jenna from leaving. The wish was so quick she nearly spoke before understanding it.

Don’t forgive her just because you want her to stay.

It had not been all right. She still watched the door when she ate. A voice through the intercom could leave her unable to swallow. Jenna was standing here regretting something Ava had to go on feeling, and the difference made her angry. She had not expected an apology to do that.

Ava’s shoulders sagged slightly, and she looked down at her hands. “I didn’t want to hurt you,” she said softly. “I was just… scared.”

“I know,” Jenna said. “And I wasn’t exactly helping, walking in here looking like some kind of alien myself.” She offered a small, self-deprecating smile.

Ava glanced up, her expression uncertain.

“To be fair, Gabriel here isn’t exactly following protocol,” Jenna added, shooting him a pointed look.

Gabriel shrugged. “Protocol didn’t stop that thing outside the pod. Ava did.”

Jenna rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she turned back to Ava. “I’ve been running tests on Gabriel every day since he started coming in here. No signs of infection, no mutations. Nothing. And I have to admit, that’s… remarkable.”

“He tells me when he gets the results,” Ava said. “Is that enough for you?”

“Enough to reconsider,” Jenna said. “He’s shown no symptoms, and the tests keep coming back clear. I haven’t found evidence that ordinary contact with you spreads the infection.”

Ava seemed to relax a little, though her gaze was still wary.

“And I’ve been paying attention to how you interact with Gabriel,” Jenna continued. “You’re not a monster, Ava. You can be dangerous—I won’t lie to you about that—but you’re not choosing to threaten us.”

Ava swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she spoke. “I don’t want to be dangerous. I just want to understand what’s happening to me.”

“I can help you keep track of it,” Jenna said. “The readings, and what they feel like to you. I should have listened before I brought the scanner in.”

Ava kept hold of her sleeve. Jenna had apologized, but the scanner was still on the table. She needed to see what happened when she asked for something.

Slowly, Ava nodded. “Thank you.”

Jenna smiled faintly, then gestured to the scanner on the table. “Would it be okay if I checked you over? Just to make sure you’re okay?”

“Show me what it does first,” Ava said.

The request left her mouth before she could soften it. Let her say no. Find out now.

Jenna passed the scanner over her own wrist and turned the display so Ava could see. Only then did Ava extend her arm.

“If I move it back, don’t follow me.”

Jenna lowered the instrument a little. “All right.”

Ava had expected to be told to keep still. The unused argument left her uncertain what to do with herself. She watched the scanner cross her wrist and allowed herself to become curious about the numbers. For a few seconds she wanted to know what the instrument could see. Then it passed over the old punctures, and she wanted it finished.

Both wishes were hers. She did not have to choose the one that would please Jenna.

The examination was brief, and Jenna worked in silence, her movements careful and deliberate. When she finished, she set the scanner aside and looked at Ava.

“Your vitals are… stable,” she noted, though a trace of curiosity lingered in her tone. “Actually, more than stable. Your heart rate is lower than normal, but it’s steady. Oxygen levels, circulation—the readings are steady today. That doesn’t tell us whether they’ll stay that way.”

She hesitated, glancing at Ava before setting the tablet down. “But readings only tell me so much. How do you feel?”

Ava flexed her fingers, rolling her shoulders before exhaling softly. “Honestly? I feel fine. Better than fine, actually. Like I should be exhausted, but I’m not.”

Jenna’s lips pressed into a thoughtful line. “That’s… interesting,” she admitted. “If anything changes—even something small—I need you to tell me.”

Ava’s lips twitched in a small, hesitant smile. “That’s… good, right?”

Jenna nodded. “It is.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “And for what it’s worth, I’m glad Gabriel was right about you.”

Ava glanced at Gabriel, her expression softening. “He’s been… kind.”

Jenna smiled faintly. “That’s Gabriel for you. Always trying to save the day.”

Gabriel crossed his arms, feigning offense. “I can hear you, you know.”

Ava let out a quiet laugh, and Jenna’s smile widened. Ava noticed she had let go of her sleeve.

As Jenna gathered her equipment and prepared to leave, she turned to Ava one last time. “If you ever want to talk—or if you need anything—let me know, okay?”

Ava nodded. “I will.”

Jenna gave her a small wave, then exited the chamber, leaving Ava and Gabriel alone once more.

“That went well,” Gabriel said, sitting back down beside Ava.

Ava tilted her head, her amber eyes thoughtful. “She’s… not as scary as I thought.”

“Neither are you,” Gabriel said with a smile.

Ava looked at him, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Gabriel stayed still, letting her take comfort in the moment.

Ava stayed beside Gabriel when the camera turned. She did not retreat to the corner.