This choice: Becoming Zara Reed's Unwitting Test Subject (RESERVED) • Go Back... "You see, Zara here is on the cusp of some truly revolution new genetic engineering developments, and just needs to run some final tests with a willing volunteer." Penelope's taunting smile was haunting. "I'm sure Matt would be up for the task!"
Your eyes bulged from their sockets. Penelope wanted you to be a guinea pig for the CTC's no-doubt twisted and sadistic experiments? No chance in hell!
Before you could speak up yourself, Jenna did it for you. "No way. That's not happening. I already know you'd just do something screwed up to him."
Penelope clicked her tongue, like she was scolding a truant child. "Now, now, Jenna. What did I just say about us all trying to be civil here? There really isn't a reason for childish name-calling."
"There is when it's my brother's safety you're so callously talking about." Jenna slammed her hand onto the table. "You got away with a lot back in school, all because I was a much worse person then. But now, I'm not letting you hurt Matt."
Penelope cocked an eyebrow. "Hurt him? Jenna, dear, it's a scientific experiment, not a medieval torture. I promise you, with all sincerity, that at the end of the experiment, Matt will be returned to you, hale and hearty."
Your sister's eyes narrowed. "Why do I have so much trouble believing that? And, if this isn't about revenge on Matt for some inane reason, why does it have to be him? Why couldn't it be any other affected?"
"Collateral." Penelope admitted. "Having Matt partake in the experiment ensures that you won't step out of line, or renege on our deal to take down your current string of inflammatory and slanderous advertisements. Because, while I can promise you were aren't going to do something as cruel and depraved as kill Matt, we will absolutely hold him accountable for your failures should you break our deal. And, I think, as his doting sister, you wouldn't want to put your brother through that."
You piped up. "What's the experiment?"
Zara's eyes glinted with the feverish delight of a woman who loved her science, but she merely winked at you. "It's a secret, little one! But you'll find out after I take you to my lab! It's in an off-site location from this building."
Jenna crossed her arms. "I...don't think I want to agree to this. It's clearly scaled against us, unfairly so."
Althea spoke for the first time, her voice chillingly malicious. "Then prepare to get sued, bitch."
Penelope put a hand on her assistant's shoulder. "Althea, don't be crass. But, yes, she's correct. It's within your rights to refuse, and it's within my rights to sue your little foundation for everything it's worth. But, speaking of worth, is it worth sacrificing everything you've built and fought for just to be able to keep Matt from a simple, assuredly harmless experiment?" Penelope's eyes twinkled with sadism. "Is that really what you want, Jenna?"
Your sister physically flinched from the verbal force of Penelope's argument. "I-I...I don't want to agree wi--"
Before she could speak further, Madilynn put a firm hand on Jenna's shoulder, stopping your sister in her tracks. Giving Penelope a look that begat privacy, Madilynn pulled Jenna into a huddle. Down on the table, you crept closer to the two gigantic women's faces.
Madilynn spoke in a forceful whisper. "Jenna, please calm down for a second. I know that you want to say no to Penelope. Hell, I'd like nothing more than to walk over and slap that smirk right off of her face. But please think about this for a second. Objectively think about it. Pretend Matt isn't your brother, and is instead just one of our loyal and devoted FTTF employees. What would you do then?"
Jenna's eyes widened, and her gaze flicked to you. "But Matt is my brother!"
Madilynn shook her head, and lightly but forcefully tipped Jenna's chin back towards her. "Jenna, work with me. Pretend Matt isn't your brother. Pretend he's any other employee, and you're faced with the choice between saving the foundation you've spent your life building, or handing over your employee for a short while. What option carries the most weight? What option brings with it the most upsides, the highest chance of helping the most people? Which option prioritizes the many over the few...or in this case, the one?"
A tear welled in your sister's eye. "I...I know, but--"
"Penelope wants you to be conflicted, Jenna. She wants to prey on your stubbornness, and your familial devotion. That's why she wants Matt. But if you can divorce yourself from your personal feelings, you'll see that the choice is obvious. We have to keep the FTTF alive, Jenna. There's a chance we could fight the CTC's lawsuit, but I'm kind of doubtful we'd succeed. Oakland County is supremely biased against affected. If we lose the trial, we lose everything. But if we lose this one person, right now, we stay alive. And, we get him back when it's all over."
The tear rolled down Jenna's cheek, and Madilynn delicately wiped it away as your sister spoke. "M-Madilynn...I-I know. I know. I'm sorry."
Madilynn smiled warmly. "You're the heart of our organization, Jenna. Don't apologize for being so kind. But, that's why I'm here, right? To give you that push, when it comes down to it. To prioritize as many lives as possible." Madilynn flicked her eyes to you. "And I hope, Matt, that you don't take this personally. It's just the choice that makes the most sense, wouldn't you agree?"
You crossed your arms. It did, admittedly, make the most sense, though you couldn't help but feel that it was easy for Madilynn to say that when she wasn't the one who was about to be effectively sold to the enemy, however temporarily Penelope promised your sentence would last. But, you knew it was the only thing you could do, so you nodded and smiled at Jenna. "It is the best plan, sis. Trust me, I'll be safe."
Jenna smiled lovingly at you, before clearing her throat, wiping her tears, and turning back to the trio of CTC women. "We are prepared to accept your proposal."
The tiniest bit of surprise shone in Penelope's eyes, replaced quickly by smug satisfaction. "Excellent. Althea, if you would?"
Penelope's plus-sized assistant smirked as she withdrew a packet of paperwork from a folder, and slid it across the table. Madilynn intercepted the paperwork, and then spent the next thirty minutes poring over every single detail, putting her incredible training to use by making sure the CTC's legalese wasn't screwing them over in some capacity. For everyone else, the thirty minutes passed in awkward silence, with Jenna staring numbly at the floor, Zara perusing something or other on her tablet, Penelope nonchalantly looking at her phone, and you trying to avoid the piercingly ravenous gaze of Althea.
Finally, Madilynn set the packet down. "It all looks good...mostly. We will hand over Matt to the CTC for however long it takes Zara Reed to conduct her experiment, but no more than one week. In that time, we are to take down all of the advertisements from our current run, and submit a statement explaining that our use of 'defaming language' was uncalled for. Then, everything will be water under the bridge." Madilynn's eyes narrowed. "The only part I question is the requirement of an NDA."
Jenna's eyes widened. "A Non Disclosure Agreement? What for?"
Penelope smiled. "It's simple. For the benefit of the reputation of both of our groups, we are merely asking you and your assistant to not tell a single soul about this deal. Obviously that includes your family, too. Oh, and the family of Matt, of course."
Jenna tensed, but Madilynn nodded. "Fine. We'll sign the papers. Matt returns in one week, remember?"
Penelope grinned. "Of course. Honestly, it could be sooner than that. Our experiments could have profound implications on the pursuit of knowledge and scientific development, but according to how things go, Matt might wrap up sooner than expected. And, hopefully, a bit more enlightened after participating in such an exciting scenario!"
Glumly, Jenna signed her name on the bottom of the contract, as did Madilynn. Apparently, your own signature (nor input) was needed, which was admittedly a little bit dehumanizing to just have your rights signed away like that by your sister. Again, you understood the tough position she was in, and the high-stakes nature of this entire meeting, but it still didn't sit right with you at all.
Althea reclaimed the papers, while Zara strolled over, spared you little more than a vapid smile like she was seeing you as nothing more than an object, then grabbed you in her hand. You reflexively struggled, only to remember that whether you liked it or not, this had to happen. So, you went limp, and allowed the woman to tuck you into the breast pocket of the trim white coat she was wearing. Due to her less proportionally-developed body, the confines weren't too tight, but they were still humiliating.
Meanwhile, Jenna stood and watched as Zara strolled out of the office with a skip in her step, the woman clearly over-the-moon to have a new test subject for her experiments. Jenna glared daggers at her as she left, then let out a deep sigh.
She turned to Madilynn. "Madilynn, please text Mari and let her know that...Matt is going to be doing some work with us for a bit. He probably won't be home during that time."
"Of course, ma'am." Madilynn nodded dutifully and sent the text. She and your sister then gathered up their belongings and left the office and the CTC headquarters, practically feeling the force of Penelope's mocking stare on their backs the entire time.  You have the following choice: 1. Continue |
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