Chapter 69: The Nature of Nature

"The drones in a bee colony develop from unfertilized eggs and possess only haploid chromosomes. Interestingly, even though the sperm cells of drones originate from these haploid chromosomes, they don't halve further. Instead, they undergo a unique process called 'pseudomeiosis,' ensuring they remain haploid," explained Teacher Helen Nolan, her heels clicking softly on the classroom floor as she paced.

Holding an open biology book, she continued, "In a colony, the sole purpose of drones is to mate. Once they fulfill this role, they die almost immediately."

Helen lowered the book slightly, a subtle, knowing smile spreading across her lips. "In a way, drones can be considered parasites."

As she spoke, her gaze briefly flicked in Antonia Aguilar's direction, causing Antonia to stiffen slightly. However, Antonia remained expressionless, focusing intently on the teacher's lecture.

"But drones are not today's focus," Helen said, her voice smooth as she closed the topic. "Today, we're learning about phages."

Helen walked gracefully down the aisle, stopping right in front of Antonia. "Specifically, the parasitic behavior of bacteriophages."

She continued, "A bacteriophage is nothing more than genetic material encased in a protein shell. It lacks the tools to reproduce independently. Instead, it injects its DNA into bacteria, merging with the bacterial DNA and hijacking the host's systems for its own replication."

Helen paused for effect, her eyes sweeping across the classroom. "But do you think the bacteria will simply accept this fate without resistance?"

"No," she answered herself. "Bacteria fight back using the CRISPR/Cas system, which directs enzymes to cut out the phage's DNA."

A student in the front row raised their hand. "Does that always work, though?"

"That's a question for you all to ponder," Helen replied with a cryptic smile. Then, she turned her gaze back to Antonia. "What do you think, Miss Aguilar?"

Antonia was startled but quickly masked her unease. She had been expecting Helen to single her out, given the strange undercurrent in the teacher's tone throughout the lecture.

"I don't know," Antonia replied curtly, her voice calm but firm.

Something about Helen Nolan unsettled her. Was the teacher aware of the alien embryo embedded in her chest? The way Helen framed drones and phages as parasites—it felt far too pointed to be a coincidence.

Helen raised an eyebrow, her smile widening ever so slightly. "Perhaps you should pay closer attention in class, Antonia, rather than focusing on your own interests."

Helen's hand moved toward the notebook on Antonia's desk. Her fingers brushed lightly over its surface, leaving behind the faintest trace of a floral fragrance.

Antonia's notebook was a chaotic mess of scribbled notes and diagrams—only she could decipher the dense writing. The contents were drawn from fragments of her past-life memories, primarily research on the alien species now sharing her body.

"I like taking notes," Antonia said coolly, closing the notebook with a deliberate snap. "My methods might be unconventional, but they work for me."

Helen tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Perhaps you could visit me in the office sometime to explain your 'special methods.' I find them intriguing."

The smile Helen flashed was disarming, almost hypnotic. The classroom collectively chuckled, many students clearly charmed by their new teacher.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Antonia replied bluntly, her tone making it clear she wasn't interested.

Beneath her composed exterior, her body was in turmoil. The alien embryo within her stirred violently, her heartbeat quickening unnaturally. Worse still, it wasn't just one heart pounding—there were two distinct rhythms echoing in her chest.

The strange sensation spread through her body, bringing with it waves of nausea and dizziness. Unlike the violent urges that had accompanied previous episodes involving the alien, this time the feeling was different—almost primal.

Fighting through the discomfort, Antonia tightened her grip on her pen, her knuckles whitening as she forced herself to remain outwardly calm.

Helen, seemingly oblivious to Antonia's internal struggle, shook her head in mock disappointment. "What a shame," she said softly before turning on her heel and walking back to the podium.

She resumed her lecture, her voice imbued with a languid, almost hypnotic quality. "Whether we're talking about drones or phages, their primary purpose as parasites is singular—reproduction."

Her words hung heavily in the air. "The drone dies after mating, the phage injects its DNA into its host, and fungi parasitize humans. All of these behaviors have one ultimate goal: reproduction. One becomes two, two becomes four, and so on, expanding the population."

Helen smiled faintly. "This is the essence of life's evolutionary drive—a natural imperative to propagate and survive."

Antonia stared at the teacher's back, her mind racing. The pen in her hand creaked under the pressure of her grip, nearly snapping in two.

Who is this woman? Antonia thought. What is she hiding?

The biology class ended, but the questions lingered.

As Gwen Stacy slid into the seat beside her, she leaned in conspiratorially. "Looks like Ms. Helen has all the boys wrapped around her finger," Gwen said with a wry smile.

"She's like the ultimate sorority sweetheart—popular, charming, and seemingly perfect."

Antonia raised an eyebrow. "Sorority sweetheart? That's... an odd comparison."

"Well, think about it. All she has to do is say something mundane like 'frog,' and the class erupts in laughter," Gwen said, smirking.

Sensing that her observation might come off as petty, Gwen quickly added, "Not that I'm jealous or anything. It's just—she doesn't really feel like a teacher, you know?"

Antonia pushed her biology textbook toward Gwen, pointing to the chapter title: Biological Diversity.

Gwen's lips twitched as she read the title. She barely managed to stifle her laughter. "Peter, you're impossible sometimes. You really know how to lighten the mood."

Antonia didn't respond, his thoughts elsewhere. The strange sensations within her chest had subsided for now, but the questions surrounding Helen Nolan only grew more pressing.

---

After school, Antonia excused herself from Gwen, claiming she had errands to run. Instead, she made her way to New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The threat posed by Helen was significant, but her immediate priority was to assess the alien embryo's changes.

Helen's remarks about parasitism and reproduction had struck a nerve. The alien embryo inside her was undoubtedly parasitic, but it hadn't yet reached the stage where it would "break out" and reproduce.

As Antonia sat on the subway, gazing out at the blur of the city, she reflected on her predicament.

Reproduction.

The word echoed in her mind. Was the alien embryo's purpose solely reproduction? If so, what role did she play in this process?

She placed a hand over her chest, feeling the dual heartbeats beneath her palm.

Is this strange sensation—this physiological impulse—a sign of reproductive readiness? Or something more sinister?

Antonia's thoughts spiraled further. The connection between the alien and herself was becoming more complex. Was the embryo influencing her instincts, manipulating her emotions?

She clenched her fists, steeling herself. She needed answers. And if the alien intended to use her as nothing more than a vessel for its survival, she would fight back.

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