Shadows Ablaze

Chapter 4- Shyah

The halls are well lit in the main lobby of the hospital. The sound of my footsteps skip down the long, white passageway. It's too early for many patients and their visitors to be out of bed and traveling to the dining hall for breakfast. And by breakfast, I mean their daily dose of vitamin infused pills. The hospital can't provide anywhere close to the necessary amount of real eggs, or bread, or fruit it would need to feed its guests.

My stomach grumbles at the thought of food. Mom was awake when I got up this morning and had offered to add an egg or two to the pan on the stove, but I had refused.

Stupid, I reprimand myself, have fun starving today.

The truth is, with today being the first day of my shadowing, I had lost my appetite. What if this doesn't go right? What if something happens? What if, after all this planning, I decide this isn't what I want to do? What if my mentor doesn't feel I am capable of doing the job?

So much could go wrong.

Stop doubting yourself, I hiss as I scan my ID badge against a pad next to a solid metal door labeled "Employees Only." I twist the knob and push. You're going to be fi—

My footsteps falter as I gawk at the extensive lab before me. Three long, metallic examination tables sit side by side in the middle of the room. Against the wall are various machines, large and small, all thrumming with life as they work to mix various materials, heat chemicals, pulse electricity through gels, and so much more. I'm so awestruck that I don't even notice the small woman hobbling toward me.

"Hello Shyah," Rynn's voice greets above the white noise surrounding us. "You aren't supposed to be in for another thirty minutes," she adds after glancing at the clock on the wall.

I nod, forcing myself to rip my eyes off all the scientific equipment and focus on Rynn, who stands idly beside me. With her so close, I'm reminded of how short and frail she is. That's what tends to happen to natural-borns who have never been altered.

"I... I didn't want to be late," I whisper, barely managing to find my voice.

Rynn laughs at me, but quickly covers her mouth with her hand to hide the reaction. She takes a deep breath, collecting herself. "Shall we do a quick tour?"

"Sure," I reply, following her as she clomps down the hall. With every step on her left foot, her entire body drops a couple inches, having no other choice but to fall on the shortened leg. It almost looks like she's bouncing as she walks, but it isn't one of those graceful, innocent bounces children tend to perform when they get excited about a new toy. No. This is something entirely different. Something that resulted from ignoring the progression of genetic science.

It makes me wonder... why would a scientist as successful as Dr. Manokile not genetically alter his daughter to make her advanced as science itself? Why would he allow her to be naturally born, only to later experience so many defects and health issues? It doesn't make sense.

Rynn comes to an abrupt stop in front of a large monitor. A small telescope is attached to the side, along with a cord that connects it to the machine. A computer is placed on the small shelf below the screen, wires splaying from it to transmit and record the information to the computer's memory drive. For later research and analysis, I assume.

"This," Rynn begins, placing her palm on top of the monitor. "Is our Ultrasoungen. Do you know what it does?" Her dark brown eyes watch me, patiently waiting for an answer.

"I've heard of it," I finally say, wishing I could explain what it is, but not confident enough to try.

Rynn dips her head. "Well, they're similar to the old machines we call an Ultrasound, but these have the ability to not only see a baby in the mother's womb, but to also see and monitor the genetics of a child. We cannot do anything to alter the genes using this machine, but if we see something worrisome or that we'd like to change, we then move onto this machine," she responds, shuffling to the piece of equipment directly next to it.