Okay… This story isn't doing so well…. But I'm going to keep going anyways… Here's the next chapter.
"Are you ready for this, Mikayla?" Dr. Felton asked me, her eyebrows raised questioningly.
I nodded, even though I was feeling a bit queasy.
She nodded back sharply. "Good. Is your earpiece secure?"
I put my finger on it and tried to wiggle it, but it didn't budge. "Yeah, it is," I told her.
"Okay, then you're all set. Your dad, Dr. Amélie, and I, along with a few other doctors, will be watching you on these monitors," she said, gesturing to the several large computer screens behind her. "And your earpiece is hooked up to those speakers." She pointed at them. "We'll be able to see and hear you at all times."
"Okay," I said. I couldn't think of any other response.
"Remember your instructions: just go in there, make contact, and try to get as much information out of him as you possibly can, alright Mikayla? You know what questions to ask? His name, where he's from, his parentage. That type of thing."
"Okay," I said again. Then I asked, "This will help him, right?"
Dr. Felton smiled at me, though it looked oddly pained and forced. "Of course, dear."
Something went off in the back of my mind, like an alarm almost, warning me that she was lying. But I ignored it. Instead I turned to my dad.
He hugged me tight and whispered into my ear, "stay safe, baby girl. I hope you know what you're doing."
"I do, daddy," I assured him, giving him a confident smile. "I do."
"Mikayla!" Dr. Felton snapped. "It's go time!"
I turned back to her. "Okay, okay, I'm ready."
"Good," she said. "We don't have the time or the room for slackers."
I bit my lip to keep from retorting and followed her out the door. Two guards were waiting for us on the other side, fully armed with guns and everything. I really hoped they didn't have to use those on Brady. Though if I think about it, they were probably to use against me. How…. nice.
"Take her down, boys," Dr. Felton instructed the guards. "Don't forget your orders."
I couldn't help wondering what those orders were.
The two nodded sharply and took positions on either side of me.
"And Mikayla," Dr. Felton said. "Good luck." She gave me a small smile, then went back inside Room 539012, where they would be watching me and the refugee, and shut the door behind her, leaving me alone in the dark hallway with the guards.
They escorted me through the winding halls and down the staircase to the Sublevels. Since I hadn't really been paying attention last time I'd gone down here, this trip was a totally new experience, and I didn't particularly enjoy it. The walk down seem to take eons, our three pairs of feet echoing loudly on the gray concrete steps. I noticed that the temperature dropped lower and lower the farther down we got, each sublevel being colder than the last. By the time we reached Sublevel Eight, we were at glacial temperatures.
I walked slowly over to the door, pausing at the handle. I rounded on the guards, who stood there like statues. "I don't want you to come with me. I want you to stay here and keep everyone out." Not that I expected anyone to come down here really. But they needed something to do.
They nodded in perfect unison, then turned and stood on either side of the door, guns at the ready.
"Perfect," I said under my breath. Then I placed my palm on the handle, wrapping my fingers slowly and cautiously around it. "Here goes nothing," I whispered. Then I slowly pushed it open and entered, closing it softly behind me.
The freezing cold air of the room didn't take my breath away this time, but my first inhale of it did send icicles through my lungs. I took another deep breath and tried to adjust to it.
The room looked exactly as it had two days ago; same shiny black walls, same high ceiling, same teenage boy leaning against the far wall.
He hadn't moved since I'd left, he was still just sitting there, eyes closed, motionless. Looking at him, I couldn't help but wonder if he was even still alive. He hadn't eaten in at least ten days, maybe he'd starved to death.
I started walking towards him, my sandaled feet making no sound of the obsidian floor (I was dressed in my normal clothes, jean shorts and a pink floral top, instead of my uniform). I stopped about two feet away from him and fixed my eyes on his bent head. "Hello?" I said, hoping my voice would wake him up. If he was sleeping, that is.
I waited for about three or four minutes, watching him, but he didn't move.
I went closer and knelt, then reaching out a trembling hand and touched his shoulder.
The result was instant. As soon as I made contact, his eyes flew open and his head snapped up, those hazel eyes staring straight into mine.
My first instinct was to jerk away, but I fought it and met his gaze. "Hello," I said quietly, trying not to startle him like he'd startled me. "Can you please talk to me?"
He didn't say anything. Just looked at me.
"Please?" I asked again. "Please talk to me. I'm begging you." I felt my eyes start to water. "I want to talk to you."
Not breaking eye contact, he opened his mouth. "They can hear us," he said, his voice so soft I could barely hear it.
I knew immediately that he meant the doctors. I was tempted to whisper back, but that wouldn't do any good. They could hear my every word, not matter how quiet my voice was. "Yes," I said, not letting my eyes wander from his face.
His eyelids started to flutter.
"No!" I exclaimed, grabbing his shoulder. "Don't go away, please."
His eyes opened again. "You're one of them," he whispered.
I shook my head. "I do work for them, I'm not doing this for them, I'm doing it for you. They promised me that if I could find out more about you they'd help you."
He was still watching me. "Can I trust you?" His voice sounded hoarse and pained.
"Yes," I said. I hoped that was true.
He nodded. "Come back tomorrow. I'll talk to you."
I got slowly to my feet. "Okay. Thank you so much." I started walking to the door. Halfway there I stopped and turned around. "Can you at least tell me your name?"
He looked down at the floor, then back up at me. "Brady. My name is Brady."
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