Shadows Ablaze

Chapter 13- Shyah

I'm late and tired as I swipe my key card and enter the lab. People scurry about the room, hopping from one machine to the next. A figure hobbles toward me, her tiny body stumbling between the tables. She comes to a stop in front of me, dropping a good two inches as she places all her weight on her left side, leaving her right leg bent at close to ninety degree angle.

"Good morning, Shyah," she greets, tucking short hair behind her ear as she speaks. "How was your morning?"

For a moment, I'm worried she may know something, but the expression on her face tells me it's a genuine question. There is no motive behind it. "Good," I reply. "What are the plans for today?" I ask, wanting to change subjects and jump into whatever work she has for me.

"We have a couple injections today," she replies. The statement makes my stomach somersault violently. The last injections are still fresh in my head and after watching two classmates seize yesterday and then experiencing a seizure myself, I don't think I can stand watching someone else flop helplessly to the ground. "But," she progresses. "I have a bunch of paperwork I need filed and a lot of back office stuff that I need you to do for me."

A sigh of relief escapes my lips before I can stop it. "Point me in the right direction."

Rynn leads me down a narrow hallway. We stop at one of the doors that looks identical to all the others in this hall. A label indicates this one is the 'Storage Closet.' It makes me wonder what all the non-labeled doors in this corridor have hiding behind them. Maybe if I'm here long enough, I'll find out. But do I want to know?

Rynn quickly shows me all the tasks she's compiled. "Feel free to take breaks whenever you want. And if you run out of things to do, just come find me and I'll give you more."

I nod as she walks into the hall and disappears. I sit, listening to the silence. I can't hear her footsteps as she retires back to the main room. These walls must be soundproof. A chill bolts up my spine at the thought. I push it down, forcing myself to focus on the tasks at hand. My fingers sift through the papers, analyzing them and determining which folder they should be filed in.

I decide it's time to stretch my legs after what feels like hours later, although it's hard to tell without windows to show the moving sun. I check the handle when I exit, ensuring it remains unlocked before progressing down the hall. As I walk, my curiosity peeks. My hands stretch, fingers wrapping around doorknobs and giving them a jiggle as I pass. They all come to a halt almost immediately, reminding me that I don't have authority to see whatever is in them. Or maybe it's just that they're all empty rooms. No secrets. Nothing to hide. Maybe.

My mind buzzes with ideas as I reach for yet another handle. I twist it, but it doesn't budge, just like all the others. I take a step forward but stop abruptly when I hear the metal knob reverberate. I twirl, noting that there isn't any movement in the hallway, but the sound came from somewhere. I grasp the handle once more and give it a twist, listening for the lever to click against its lock. I release it when it does and wait. The noise sounds almost immediately, clanking as someone on the other side of the door responds.

Is there a person in there? Are they locked in? Or is someone just playing a joke on me? I don't have keys to unlock the door. I can't get to them.

"Hello?" I ask, pressing closer to the door.

There is no response. Ringing sounds in my ears as I strain to hear something. Anything. But there is nothing.

"Hello? Is someone in there?" I ask once more.

No answer.

I remember how the storage closet had seemed soundproof. If all of these rooms are, which I assume is the case, there is no way the person inside can hear me talking. I'm surprised they even heard the lever catch.