(DabiXOCXHawks) Soul Reaper

Chapter 13

Cindy had a couple of tasks the next morning, scheduled ahead of her. She unlocked the suitcase full of cash, counted the fresh bills that totaled a little more than the amount they needed for the day and headed early to class.

She wrote a few emails and took a scan of the permit on her local computer. With a photo-editing tool, she carefully replaced the words on the permit and took a print. The file was in the bin when the first student arrived in class.

It took an eternity for the day to pass.

After class, Rose joined Cindy out of the classroom. The latter pulled out a sheet of paper from her bag and handed one to her friend.

"We take the cab to university in half an hour." Cindy pulled out her phone from her pocket and began frantically typing for a cab service.

"Do you think we can just – go?" Rose whispered, a hint of worry in her voice.

"We have permits, remember?" Cindy winked, waving the sheet of paper in her hand. They paced outside university to the main street. The cab was just on time.

She could feel a pair of eyes from the rare view mirror and cautiously turned to the window.

"Hello miss," the cab driver spoke.

"Good day," Rose replied instead.

"It's been a while since – "

"Take this right," Cindy interrupted the cab driver. She pointed outside the window, avoiding eye contact. Her phone rang.

"Hey, hon!" It was Mum.

"Hello!" She replied.

"We received your invitation to the University Showcase. Your dad and I are both thrilled!"

"I'll be excited if you could make it too!"

"Of course, this must be a busy week for you right?"

"Yea, a lot is going on." She glanced toward Rose.

"Aw, good luck. We'll be there to cheer you on your big day."

"Thanks mum! That'll mean a lot to me! "

"Take care! Bye!" Her mum hung up. They had arrived a few minutes after the call ended.

University of Kurk was a tall reflective glass building. The interior was clean and polished, an abstract figure modeled by a 'Lucien Badeaux' stood in the center of the hall. There was a small desk in the distance. The halls forked to the left and right into the student halls. A university map was displayed on a wide billboard to the right of the entrance.

Rose began to trace the map to the metallurgy department when a voice startled them. A slender and tall red-head appeared behind them.

"How may I help you?" She placed her hands on her knees, lowering herself.

"We have a permit to allow us to take some supplies for our Graduate research project." Cindy showed her the paper she held in her hand. She eyed the sheet of paper, adjusting the glasses on the bridge of her nose. Rose gulped.

"This way, follow me." She handed the paper back to Cindy and headed to the elevator. They followed.

"Your research project seems interesting. What made you choose the topic?" The lady broke the silence.

"Ah, I really like renewable energy resources and I am trying to find a breakthrough." Cindy replied. Rose was still uncomfortable with the idea that they had forged the permit.

"Yea, we need more people like you." She smiled at her. "The world would be a better place with more energy efficiency."

"Agreed, my friend here in fact has a fascinating – " Before Cindy could finish her sentence, the elevator arrived at the 16th floor.

The lady walked a few paces in the hall andturned toward them. "The Physics lab is down the hall and to the right. Youwill find what you are looking for." The two followed her gaze to the end ofthe long hall. "I'll wait here. Let me know when you are done."