Shadows Ablaze

Chapter 21- Shyah

The sun is kissing the earth, saying its final goodbye before falling into the abyss and allowing darkness to claim the world, as I tread down the abandoned sidewalk. The dark of night, while not comfortable in the sense of safety, does reward its bystanders with a refreshing coolness as the heat of day is swept away with the sun. I pass under the large, gated archway, symbolizing the edge of the Elite community. The sun disappears, lighting the sky a brilliant shade of orange. My friends are hanging out today, but I have to do this.

Me: Hey, Ben. I won't be there tonight, but have fun with everyone!

A whooshing sounds as I press send, letting the message find it's way to my boyfriend. Rattles of conversation are muffled against the thin building walls as I make my way to the hospital. All the doors lock at seven o'clock, when night falls, forcing any visitors to come in through the main doors. Not even my badge allows me entry from the outside of the building into other wings.

The lights are white and blinding, the same way they always are, as I enter the lobby and walk toward the front desk.

"Hey Jair," I greet the bearded man on the other side of the desk. "Just have some papers to file before tomorrow." I roll my eyes in an exaggerated manner. "Rynn gave them to me just before I left today but wants them done by tomorrow morning, so I'm back," I sigh, hoping the expression I'm wearing will seal the deal.

And it does. Jair releases a snort, shaking his head. "Just like Rynn to do that." He reaches down, pressing a button to unlock the door to wing D. A loud buzz cascades through the empty room. "Good luck. Hopefully it doesn't take long." A pitiful smile plays on his lips.

Poor girl, he's probably thinking. Coming in so late during her first year shadowing just to file some papers.

If only he knew the real reason I was here. The real dirt I am about to dig up in the lab.

I could lose my shadow opportunity by doing this.

The thought makes me stumble, coming to a stop in the middle of the silent hall. I swish my head to the side, sending my messy ponytail flying and striking me in the face.

No. I'm being smart about this. I'm here at night, when no one else is here to see me. I won't get caught.

This shadow means too much to me. I want this to be my profession, at least I think I do. But I also want answers. I want to know what it is we're doing in the lab. What the vials have in them. Why Rynn reacted so strangely about the wellness check of the new boy at the orphanage. Why the woman died my first day of shadowing, and why more continue to die. There are so many questions and not even a thread of an answer. It's driving me insane. Rynn thinks I'm too fragile to know the truth. I'm sick of being lied to. I am not a child. I do not need to be sheltered from things that people think will hurt me.

I am going to get some answers. And I am going to get them without anyone else knowing. 

My feet start once more, carrying me down the hall and under the flickering white lights. I swipe my badge against the pad next to the door when I reach the lab. It releases a howling beep that reverberates down the corridor. I hold my breath, spinning to inspect the halls. No one accompanies me, not even a janitor. I am completely alone. And I'm not sure if I find that fact comforting or disturbing.

I glide inside, keeping my footsteps quiet, as if I need to counter the tidal wave of noise I just sent hurtling through the hospital. There are no patients in this wing of the building, but I'm not sure that makes me feel any better.

My strides stretch across the room as I gather all the instruments I need, placing them on one of the long, metallic tables in the center of the lab. I lay them out in a fashion that I like. Because Rynn isn't here to hover over my shoulder. She isn't here to rearrange everything. She isn't here to lead this experiment.