TEMPTED BY FIRE

1 : The

r neck as she looked at the gl

this lab twelve hour

s of coffee, Alec repli

ed grin, he

urn yours

bbed the cup and said, "I'll re

en might be saved if this is successful.

what with marker ink; a pen was behind her ear; her

leaning again

us you look when you're obsess

y attention. You are awa

in surrender. "Alri

Three years they had been together, developing side by side in the same laboratory. Sh

ndering the budget of t

cold. Her fingers

p babysitting her. She is g

he inside. Though her stomac

said nothing. Just cleared his

e intercom broke o

Conference Room 1; ten-min

ised her de

nk it's

Alec said

's s

s, team leaders, and researchers packed the area. At th

est effective vaccine against pediatric polio. The winner will be gi

among the audience. Co

ent studies. We've selected 12 participants whic

ightly. She turned

're

hat it is. At last, we

Week

d triple-checked the last report. The sample was stable

hor: Dr. C

lled her throat. She

open. Alec entered, hands tu

got a

turned,

done." Alec strolled up

ed to discuss." She

r our part. You know the board, though. They will rip

e you cl

let me submit i

ality, it's still yours, still ours. But t

. "You want cred

plied. "If I lead, they'll listen. Then I

amined the paperwork she wa

and rested a

brief instant,"

Her heart was, nevertheles

d. "Alright... I'

RD

s stood along the red carpet. Her nerves throb, Courtn

ith other finalists wait

Alec Raymond for his incredible advancement in p

With a subdued grin, Courtney appla

icrophone. "I want to thank someone v

every day. I would not

a little bit, her hear

e up on stage, right?

y Kn

lking up the stage, Abby, shimmering in a

ecame unresponsive.

n my biggest backer. She motivated me to give everyth

rt by searing pain. Her lips

y's legs fluttered. Her hands were shaking. The dance floor around

ggered back one stride, then another until she crashed o

abruptly. Smile. Smug

h remained closed, but her jaw clampe

ed in her ears like a siren. She turned and raced for the exit, her hee

lungs as she finally exited the hall. Her eyes bur

reathing. It was then she realized: She'd just given e