"Honestly, I don't know how you put up with him" said June. Saph shrugged in response. June had been a loyal friend ever since Saph's first day at the call centre. Saph and June sat next to each other and it was a wonder to everyone else how they ever got any work done, as all they seemed to do was talk to each other about anything but the product they were supposed to be selling. Yet it was well known that they were some of the most successful sellers in the entire company. This probably excused them from occasionally chatting to one another.
Saph had just filled June in about hat had happened two days ago; a few hours after Brett's disappearance, he had returned with dried blood on his hands. Initially Saph had not noticed this until she went to hug him after apologising to him. "What's this? Is...is that blood?! Brett, what happened?" He had explained he had thought about what Saph had said and had tried to throw some of the plants out the window. But stupidly, he had picked up a plant that was too big for him and had tried to throw it out the window without first opening the window and subsequently he was shattered with glass. He had rushed to the hospital, which had healed his wounds and then came back.
But there was one thing that Saph had not mentioned to June that continued to play on her mind as she got back to work - the last two days, Brett had been very distant. On weekends the science tech was shut, so Brett had two days off. While Saph intended for them to go on a trip to Birmingham or somewhere, Brett had slunk off to who knows where. She dreaded to think of where he went, but after what had happened after their last row, she wasn't going to cause trouble again.
Nick, one of the few other friends she had within the work place, disturbed Saph's thoughts, telling her she had a phone call. Taking the phone, Saph said "Hello?"
There was silence, then an answer "Saph. It's me...Brett"
Something was wrong - there was no emotion in his voice or at least it sounded it.
"Saph?"
Saph woke up. "Sorry. Must be a bad connection. Um... sorry, what did you want?" Again silence, followed by an answer with less emotion than before, if that was possible. "Work's called, there's been an accident. You need to come here now" The last sentence wasn't a request - it was an order.
"Uhh, Brett, I'm at work"
The usual silence
"I know. But it's important. You need to come here now!"
He hadn't shouted at her had he? He almost never shouted. Brett was so determined to forget his past, when he used to shout to get what he wanted. "OK Brett. I'll be there as quick as I can" She hung up and turned to June, tapping on her shoulder. "Hey June, can you tell Baron I've gone to meet Brett? Apparently, there's been an accident"
"Sure" June replied.
As Saph entered the lift, a man in a brown striped suit rushed to June.
"Hey I'm Dr. John Smith. I need to talk to a Ms." he paused to look at the slip of paper in his inside pocket "Saphire Blume"
June looked up, as if she only just noticed the Doctor "Huh? Oh sorry you just missed her"
The Doctor's face fell. "Oh. Right. I don't suppose you can tell me where she's gone do you"
" No sorry. It's...sort of confidential"
The Doctor nodded and walked away solemnly. He was too late. What was going to happen now, he had no idea, but he had to find that Saphire girl again. If he didn't, she and the entire planet could have their life on the line.