Chapter Forty-Four

  The only person Alex found back in Gamemakers Hall was Martina, who was hanging out in the kitchen making a meal in a big pot. Alex hadn't passed a window, so she didn't know what time of day it was, not that she'd be able to tell by the mix of ingredients on the counter.

  The container of pancake mix was normal enough, but the colorful crunchy candies and jar of kimchi suggested stranger things were afoot in the pot.

  "New kid Alex," said Martina as she stirred the pot with a spoon big enough to be called a paddle. "I hope your exit from the game five days before lockout means you made it to level twenty?"

  "It does," said Alex, "though it was close."

  "Always is," said Martina.

  "Did Bucket ever return?"

  Martina's crestfallen expression told the tale, along with a tiny shake of the head.

  "I'm sure he'll be out soon," said Alex. "If I didn't have...things to do, I would have stayed and leveled up my skills. He's probably just doing that so he's more prepared for his final year."

  Martina blinked a few times before lifting one shoulder in the semblance of a shrug.

  "Speaking of things to do, I have to get going," said Alex, scrunching up her face.

  "No problem," said Martina. "Gotta do what you gotta do. I'll see you around next year. Have a great summer."

  "You too," Alex said happily, giving Martina a little wave before heading to her room to collect her things.

  It was weird to be leaving the Hall when she barely felt like she'd lived there. The rooms just felt like places to hold her stuff until she was out of the game. She wondered if Gamemakers Hall had always been like this, empty rooms and beds, waiting for its students to return from the obsidian cube. But the size of the building suggested that it'd once had to actually house its students during the year.

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  Dr. Fairlight seemed surprised when Alex walked onto her floor at Golden Willow.

  "I take it you're still a student," said Dr. Fairlight.

  "For at least another year. Long enough to get started on my treatments," said Alex.

  "Let me pull up your files," said Dr. Fairlight, tapping on her data pad. "I took the liberty of sending your bloodwork and x-rays to some specialists to give a second opinion while you were gone."

  "You thought I'd be back?" asked Alex.

  The doctor winked. "I had a good feeling."

  "Thank you," said Alex.

  Dr. Fairlight shook her head. "You're probably not going to thank me when we get into treatments, especially if we're going to keep your magical ability."

  "I'm ready for whatever that means."

  "Good, you're going to need that positive attitude," said Dr. Fairlight, lips squeezed.

  "So what's next?" asked Alex.

  "We need to run more tests on you. There's a few alchemical infusions we're going to give you so we can see the shape of the tumor better, see where it's connected to the brain. If we're going to remove it, we're going to have to make a map of both the tumor and your brain. Eventually we're going to take a sample so we can better plan the treatment, but that's not for a little while. Mostly, I'm waiting on the feedback from the other specialists."

  "What should I do this summer? Stay in the city? Or can I go back home?"

  "Home for the summer. I'll be sending you with an alchemical regimen. The potions won't taste good, but they'll keep the tumor from progressing. You're rather lucky that the tumor doesn't seem to be that connected to your brain. That's not normal. And the specialists I contacted are, uhm, unusual, so it takes time for the necessary negotiations. But they're the best at what they do, which is what you're going to need. When you return for your second year, stop by the hospital, I should have more details for you then. Is that good?"

  "I guess," said Alex. "I'll do whatever it takes."

  Dr. Fairlight gave her a grim nod, adding a wink for good measure.

  "If you notice any changes, problems with your sight, or headaches that won't go away, give us a call, but otherwise you should be able to enjoy your summer." Dr. Fairlight threw her a blue gown. "Now for those tests. Nothing too radical, today anyway. Hop off that table. I'll leave you for a moment so you can put that on."

  After the door closed, Alex stripped down, replacing her jeans and T-shirt with the blue gown. The table was cold on her butt and the air smelled like cleaning solvents.

  She wished her mom could be with her, but had no plans on telling her about the tumor. If her mom found out, the guilt would destroy her. Alex knew that the cancer was a challenge she'd have to meet alone.

  But it still would have been nice to have someone with her.