Trust Fall

Fifteen

The next day, as everyone was still waiting for the lab results from the prior day, I decided to spend my morning reading a book I brought along when me and Minho went to my house to get things.

By the time it was a little past 12:00 noon, I decided to eat lunch in one of the snack bars of the living quarters. The main cafeteria at the ground floor was usually crowded with other agents, so I opted for the smaller snack bar at the fourth floor; maybe things would be more quiet there, allowing me to be alone for a while.

I lean on one of the countertops, staring blankly at the half-empty cup of coffee in front of me. The croissant on my plate is barely eaten, the glazed ham inside trying to catch my attention again. Alas, I find myself swimming in my thoughts again...except I'm not leisurely wading but exhaustingly swimming laps in a never ending ocean.

What if I can't find a way to safely negate and dispose of the serum? Would that mean I'd be stuck here for years? Sure, I'm a scientist and doctor, but does that mean I have the solution? What if I really can't do it?

I sigh deeply, cradling my head in my hands as I internally groan. I'm finally disturbed from my state when my phone - or the phone SKZ gave me to use for work-related matters and such - began to vibrate on the counter's surface. I check the caller ID to see that Seungmin was calling.

"Hello?" I answer tiredly.

"Ko." Seungmin starts, "Jisung got the test results just now. Minho wants you to come now."

"Ok, where?"

"Lab Room 4."

"I'm coming."

I drag myself off the stool, grabbing the phone and leaving the snack bar.

When I enter the lab room, Jisung, Minho, Chan, Changbin, Seungmin and Szell are there already, all seated on the chairs provided. I make an effort to avoid everyone's eyes, focusing instead on the sheets of paper in Jisung's hand. "What did you find?" I ask immediately.

Jisung holds his pointer finger up before waving the sheets of paper in the air. "So I was right about majority of their stuff being sulfuric acid. And as Ko pointed out, there were a lot of nitrogen and hydrogen formulas being tested. Seungmin was also correct in observing the chlorine properties." The scientist explains.

Szell leans back on the chair and nods slowly, "Yet they can't seem to find the perfect formula, huh."

Chan shrugs, "All those chemicals are dangerous in itself. I'm sure they want something much more potent and destructive. Instant death kind of stuff."

"What else can we deduce from those results?" Minho inquires.

Jisung nods, "Well, you shouldn't be able to obtain such chemicals in drugstores or anything. Only licensed and authorized organizations, clinics or labs are allowed to distribute and acquire them. Luckily, we know where most, if not all, these chemicals are supplied."

"Gimpo." I state, eyes scanning the test result papers, "Nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine and sulfuric acid - whether gas, liquid or solid - are mostly supplied and distributed in a lab in Gimpo. Only licensed people are allowed to go and purchase things, usually for lab work or hospital stocks."

Changbin leans forward, looking at Minho and Chan, "Then I guess we know where to sniff around."

The two agree with the agent, the three of them turning their attention to Szell. The head hums for a second before sitting up straight and nodding. "I want the three of you to investigate. If this is a highly secured and picky location, we'd need a permit to enter. Ko, would you happen to have access to this lab?"

I contemplate whether to tell the truth - yes, I do - but I don't really want to go, thus being conflicted in lying and saying no.

But what if I told them about whatever permit I had and they later on use that to their advantage? What if it allows SKZ to gain control and access to dangerous chemicals and drugs?

It wouldn't be the first time people exploited me for my skills and qualifications, and it certainly wouldn't be the first time people from SKZ use others to do the wrong things.

Ironic. I hated lies and being lied to, yet here I am, almost willing to do so.

However, that urge doesn't last long. Not when Minho is staring at you with a piercing gaze. A piercing gaze that shoots past my flimsy, sheet-thin mask as if looking into my very soul.

As if telling me that he already knew the answer.

In his defense, my body language was quite easy to read. That was one of his special gifts, perhaps; to read and observe how people behave. Not a mind reader, definitely not, but experience and certain events taught him to see past people much better now.

I eventually nod my head, replying with a shaky voice, "I do. My license as both scientist and doctor permits me to visit that lab."

"Great. Jisung, do you have anything of that sort as well?" Szell turns to the male.

"Yeah." Jisung nods, "I have a scientific permit of sorts."

"Seungmin?"

"Medical license, but I still need to finish some things up in the medical wing." Seungmin explains, "Some agents still need their injuries checked and all."

"I see." Jung nods, "Then Jisung and Ko will accompany Minho and the rest on this investigation. The sooner you leave, the better."

"Got it." the three agents respond in unison while Jisung nods.

Szell dismisses everyone and leaves the room first. Before Chan leaves next, he says, "Should we head out in an hour?"

"Sounds good." Changbin nods, "I'll get things ready."

Jisung says he's going to do the same, so the two exit the room. Chan smiles at you, "Dr. Becquer, just bring whatever you think is necessary. Or...you don't need to bring anything actually."

With that, he leaves as well. I then turn to Minho, biting my lip before speaking. But as I open my mouth to say whatever, Minho speaks ahead. "Call the lab and inform them that we'll be dropping by for inquiry and business purposes." he says sharply, "We'll get things done faster if we aren't held back by their questions on the site itself."

I nod but still ask, "And if they ask anything more?"

"Come up with a believable explanation."

"So lie?"

Minho smirks, his voice dripping with pure and utter sarcasm, "Surely you can do that, Dr. Becquer." he looks at me with a gaze I can't quite read - disappointment, perhaps - before continuing, "You were just about ready to do that not so long ago."

"I didn't - "

"Don't lie to me or anyone in here, Dr. Becquer." Minho warns, the smirk now gone and replaced with a scowl, "You wouldn't like it if you were the one lied to."

He then leaves the lab room, leaving me to deal with my fuming irritation.

Yes, I didn't like it, but jokes on him because it already happened before.

And by the very people of the organization he worked in.