"Oh, Mr. Johnson." Soft pale hands gently held onto a small picture frame, delicate fingers running over the face within it. Tears flowed down the beautiful pale face of the assistant known as Caroline. They slowly ran down he pale, and slightly aged face, and dropped delicately upon the frame within her hands. She gently placed herself in the vacant chair behind her, and reached into the pocket of her sleek jacket she had worn to work that day. A handkerchief had been pulled out, and she gently dabbed at her eyes. That unfortunately didn't seem to work, however, because she just let off another pained sob. Never... he didn't deserve to die so soon. The man she loved... they never even had the chance to start a proper life together. Her grip slightly tightened upon the picture of her deceased lover, her tears running quicker then ever as she continued sobbing painfully. Her heart was so heavy. All the losses she had suffered- they had suffered. It wasn't fair. But then again, life wasn't fair.
There was a gentle knock on the door, before it was thrown open. Caroline, completely thrown off from her emotional outburst, subconsiously pushed herself to her feet. The picture was lowered as she peered over the two scientists who had abruptly entered the now vacant office. The tears rolling down her face were now slowing, and she quickly cleaned what was left upon her face with the already wet handkerchief.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Miss. Caroline, we'll have to ask you to please come with us."
She blinked a few times, her dark brown brows furrowing.
"May I ask...why?"
"Mr. Johnson, he left clear instructions that when he passed, you were the one to run Aperture." "Well... yes, he, he had mentioned something but...but why do you need me to come with you?" "Well, Mr. Johnson," The head scientist continued, clearing his throat. "Had wanted to be placed within an AI, an artifical intelligence... and because he is gone, and wanted you in charge..."
There was a long pause. Caroline's eyes had widened significantly, taking on a deer caught in headlights type of look. "No," She croaked, her head shaking from side to side. Tears had begun to gently fall down her pale face once more. "No, you can't- I don't want this!" But the men had only advanced on the female. Caroline defensively backed up, the picture held tighter then ever in her delicate hands.
"No! DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed as the struggle persude, and they grabbed hold of the assistant, now forcing her out. Her screams of protest stopped absolutely nothing, it hadn't even slowed them down. The thought of being put into some machine... it was terrifying. How could Cave do this to her? How could he want this himself? "MR. JOHNSON, I DON'T WANT THIS." she shouted out, releasing a quick and silent sob, her picture clambering to the ground, and the sound of glass shattering against the white tile resounded, seeming louder than ever before. This was the beginning of the end.
