Chapter 4:
Frustrated with dead ends, Dr. Harris sat in the center of scattered papers and folders. The once pristine office was now cluttered with half opened drawers and titled files. Her hair tied back in a sensible ponytail and her glasses pulled down to the end of her nose, the psychologist continued to flip though the endless piles of papers. It seemed impossible that a room filled with so much documentation, could have so little on one subject's background. Yet, here she was, going on six hours, reading and rereading the files, and had yet found an inkling of information. It was as if the subject crashed down from some planet called Krypton, something she read from file eighteen, and was immediately sent to this facility. It was a thought she would have been willing to believe, except for the dates didn't add up. The meteor shower that supposedly brought the creature happened fourteen years ago, yet Dr. Baum stated they've only had the subject for less than a year. Where was the missing thirteen years?
Dr. Harris instantly snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the door creak open for the millionth time. Her lie practiced to perfection four hours ago, she wasn't even fazed by the skeptical look the scientist gave her when looked down at her from the doorway. She quickly pushed up her glasses and rose to her feet. "Hello, I'm Dr. Harris, a new scientist here," she greeted as she politely extended her hand. The stranger hesitantly shook her hand, but his eyes never left the mess around her. Pretending to be flustered, she continued, "Oh...yes! This..." she said with slight nervous laughter for dramatic effect. "Before I joined your team I wanted to make sure I knew as much as a could about the subject." On cue, she flashed her newly laminated ID in front of him, quelling any questions that may come. "Don't worry I'll have it all cleaned up within a matter of hours."
His dark brown eyes finally leaving the piles of papers, he looked up at her and skeptically said, "Well, I must congratulate you on your...initiative." He looked back at the now destroyed gray filing cabinet in the corner. "I need file forty-seven B. Do you have any idea where you put it?"
Subtly biting her bottom lip, Dr. Harris pretended to ponder before exclaiming, "Oh, yes! Of course!" She knelt down to a small pile to the left on her. She immediately picked up the manila folder and handed it to the doctor, secretly thanking her photographic memory.
Obviously shocked by her organization in the seemingly destroyed room, he congratulated, "Oh...very good. I guess I'll be seeing you around. Good-bye." He placed the folder under his arm and quickly left the room.
Sighing with relief, Dr. Harris placed a strand of hair behind her ear, praying that would be her last interruption. She immediately turned her attention back towards the files, her determination quickly draining. Out of frustration, she charged towards one to the cabinets and yanked out an already crooked drawer, letting the contents drop on the floor with a loud bang. Feeling depleted, she leaned her head against the top of the cabinet and placed her hands in the now empty compartment inside.
She instantly picked up her head, a realization sinking in. Without looking, she traced her fingers along the thick feeling paper that was raised slightly from the cold metal shelf. Holding her breath, she looked down to find a manila folder taped against the smooth shelf. Anticipation was bubbling inside her as she gently peeled back the scotch tape and removed the folder. Praying her search was now over, she slowly opened it and peered inside, as if the contents were somehow dangerous to her health.
Cassie felt her heart drop to her stomach as her hazel eyes widened with shock. Falling in the chair behind her, she pulled the contents out, the folder drifting to the ground. She blinked back tears as she fingered the old tattered photograph. In her shaking hand was a picture of a young boy. His dark curly hair subtly blowing in the wind as he joyfully smiled about something unknown. Yet the one thing that caught Dr. Harris' attention was the vibrant green eyes...eyes that told a hidden story of happiness and compassion. Even the small twinkle of loneliness could not suppress his pure innocence and enthusiasm.
Breaking her thoughts away from the disturbing photograph, Dr. Harris glanced at the single sheet of paper that accompanied the picture. Hesitantly reading over the new found information, she grabbed a piece of scrap paper and scribbled down notes with her favorite blue pen, before she placed the picture and paper back in the folder.
Less than an hour later she left the spotless office, reconsidering everything she once believed in.
To Be Continued...
oOo
Chapter 5:
Nervously pacing around the small foyer outside the alien's cell, Dr. Harris scolded herself endlessly on how she could be so naïve. Never before had she been on such a roller coaster of emotions, all happening in less than twenty-four hours. She was used to being calm and collected, always knowing what to say and never failing to act, yet this case...this child may be beyond her help. She never felt so insignificant in her whole life. Leaning against the wall, she fingered one of the green gems protruding slightly. Kryptonite...his only weakness, yet it was scattered everywhere.
Knowing she was the only one left in the facility at such a late hour, she boldly opened the piece of paper she kept in her pocket. Skimming through the facts once again, she quickly memorized the information and tossed it in the shredder. She could not risk someone else finding out what she knew. There was a reason the information was kept secret, hidden from the eyes of everyone else. Even though such personal information seemed trivial to the naïve scientists, she knew it would the key to her success.
Dr. Harris removed her ponytail and placed her glasses in her chest pocket. Gathering her confidence, she walked through the metal door, leading to the alien's cell. Blinking against the harsh florescent light, she scanned the room, only to find the cot empty and the boy huddled in the corner. As she approached him, she looked over his broken state. The thin sheet was wrapped tightly around him, and he was clearly clutching it as if his life depended on it. His legs were brought up to his chest, with his head leaning against his knees. He was clearly trembling through the sheet, and every once in a while his bare feet would twitch against the cold floor.
Kneeling in front of him, Cassie avoided all contact, knowing how much it frightened him. Her hazel eyes already twinkling with tears, she softly said, "Clark," recalling the name from the now shredded piece of paper. He visibly twitched at the word, but there was no response. "It's me, Cassie. Remember?"
"Yes, ma'am," he breathed, never looking up.
"I'm not going to hurt you, please look at me," she calmly asked, knowing eye contact was crucial for their relationship. At her command, Clark immediately looked up, his fear evident. Noticing his trembling increased, she retracted, "If it makes you too uncomfortable you don't have to look at me. I just wanted to see those pretty green eyes of yours," she slightly smiled. They had made the initial eye contact, subconsciously showing they were equals, now she just needed to make him as comfortable as possible.
Confused by her compliment, Clark furrowed his eyebrows and bit his lip. Glancing nervously around the room, his mind was at a constant war. Which answer was the right one? The doctor said to look at her, yet now she was going back on her word. Which did she want him to do? Holding his breath, he glanced back at her kind face, praying the right answer would be evident from her expression.
Seeing the frightened look in his eyes, Cassie tried to console him, "You can look back down if you want to..." Immediately he placed his head on his knees, his tense shoulders slightly relaxing. Unbeknownst to Clark, Cassie gave him perplexed look, trying to analyze what exactly he was so scared of. Changing the subject, she asked, "Can you tell me about your house?" The questioned seemed simple enough, yet the answer could give her an infinite amount of information on his background.
"I-I came from Krypton," he slightly stuttered, yet his voice, though soft, was the louder than usual.
Surprised by the answer, Cassie softly said, "No..." He instantly flinched, bracing himself against a blow that never came. "I mean your house on Earth...your home."
He immediately looked up at her, his green eyes twinkling with tears. For a split second, Cassie could clearly see the boy she saw in the picture, his eyes longing for hope. But as quickly as it came it disappeared, replaced with the lifeless shell. Looking away from her, he slowly shook his head, muttering, "I have no home."
Placing a hand on his shoulder, she whispered, "Yes, you do."
"I-I have no home...no home..." Clark whispered. 'You're an insignificant...thing!' a loud voice echoed throughout the room. Grabbing at the blanket, Clark shut his eyes and burrowed his head his head behind his knees. 'Nobody wanted you! You have no home!' a stronger voice shouted. Shivering, Clark agreed, praying the tormentors would leave. "...no home..." he whispered over and over.
Shocked by Clark's sudden withdrawal, Cassie slowly rubbed his shoulder. "Clark...nobody's going to hurt you. No one's here besides me." His constant mumbling continued. Becoming worried, she moved in front of him. With both hands she patted the rough material of his pants against his shins, hoping the contact would snap him out of the trance. "Clark," she called her voice strong. "It's just me. Open your eyes."
At the command, he snapped his eyes open. The loud voices immediately disappeared and he was staring into the kind doctor's face. She looked back with him, not with anger or fear, but with compassion. She slowly reached over and cupped her hand around his face. He instinctively flinched but slowly relaxed.
"Clark, can you hear me?" Cassie asked, her thumb gently rubbing his cheek.
"Yes, ma'am," he breathed, his heart still pounding from the flashback.
Her hazel eyes sparkling, Cassie smiled and said, "I told you before, you can call me Cassie."
Slightly cautious, he lipped, "Cassie." And for the first time since his arrival, he felt safe.
To Be Continued...
AN: Someone asked for my updates to be longer, and I thought it was a reasonable request so I decided to put the next two chapters together. Sorry if that was confusing. Thanks for all the lovely reviews and suggestions! I hope this chapter lived up to everyone's expectations.