Athena did her best to listen in on what was happening. But it was hard to keep close to the glass while also avoiding detection. She noticed Zoe glancing towards her a couple of times and every time she did, Athena waved her off. She didn't want her friend to expose her.
She pressed her ear up to the glass and listened.
"What do you mean by coalesce?" Zoe's brother asked.
"All of this was explained earlier, when you signed up for the retreat," said the woman Athena didn't recognize. She was probably some sort of guide or administrator. "Right now, your body is made up of segments taken from the other members of your family. But it's all mismatched. Over the course of the week, all of the segments will coalesce into one normal and uniform body."
"So, when the week is over, I'll ..."
"You'll probably stay male, and might lose your breasts. But I'm not sure what age you'll be. It all depends on which segments are more dominant."
"Dominant?" Zoe's brother asked.
Athena pulled back from the window. She didn't like what she was hearing. She needed to help Zoe now.
She slowly maneuvered around the trees, so she wouldn't be heard, then walked to where all the cars were parked. The only way in, she figured, was the cabin. It must have connected to the building Zoe was in, probably through underground passages or something.
She ran towards the cabin and slipped inside before anyone could spot her.
