HUMAN

Chapter 3 - Nascent

"What the hell is taking you so long there?" Abigail's voice thundered through the bathroom door, each bang sending vibrations through the steam-clogged air.

I rolled my eyes, still wrestling with a towel to remove the last stubborn traces of dust clinging onto my fur. That place was a tomb of dirt. Two hours under the water and I still feel grimy.

I even had to resort to using Abby's ridiculous products to see if they'll do their magic. Lo and behold, it did nothing. I still believe it's a scam for how many, and how much she's using, and paying for them.

I can't shake off that eerie feeling. I've changed my opinions on it after a while of thinking. That place holds something more significant than I'd suspect. It's telling me that it needs to be investigated deeper, and it's telling me that I've missed something big.

If I could get in contact with Vannie, Gina, or Valentine I think I'll have an answer. But if not, then that'll confirm my suspicions. That sort of facility in the middle of no where?

The place felt old. Too old, especially for this era. It didn't belong to this time.

Could it be a human facility? But in a condition like that, it's unheard of.

Another bang snapped me out of my thoughts. "Oh, for crying out loud! Give me ten you little brat!" I yelled back. She huffed before stomping away, and her door slammed in the process. Classic Abigail.

Finally, I yanked on a short and shirt then shoved the comb into the drawer. I swung the door open. Steam escaped in a wave, curling into the hallway like a smoke like I'm making an outrageous wrestler entry into the ring.

The cooler air was refreshing. I head to my room only to find Abigail standing by for me like a predator lying in wait.

"You done sulking now?" I smirked.

She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she stabbed a finger toward the vacuum cleaner parked near the wall. "Do you have any idea how much mess you left? Everywhere you walked was just coated with dust!"

"Mom and dad made me clean it up too! That's the worst part!" She continued.

I sighed, dodging her glare. "Look, I fell through a tree, alright? Landed in some ancient abandoned place." I scratched my head, trying to play it cool. A faint glimmer in her eye tells me she was interested, but hid that fact through the sour look she's throwing at me.

"Um, you fell through a tree?" She asked.

"Yup. Fell. Like breathing in a sandstorm in there. I attracted more dust than any girl towards me." I shrugged. "Couldn't exactly leave with polished shoes, could I?"

Her suspicion deepened. She wanted to know more. "Oh, right! I wouldn't have guessed that if it weren't for me spending an hour cleaning up your shit." She said. I held in a laugh.

"I saw those SIU vans coming in earlier through town and into the forest you went to. And the fact that you got questioned by one of their agents? That doesn't happen because you fell through a tree."

Ah, there it is. She always wanted to be the first to find out cool things in the family. Too bad her older brother, me, will not tell her about it. Not like I'll know in the first place, but I'll take the opportunity of pretending I do.

"Oh, relax Abby. It's not like I discovered a world-shattering secret." I grinned. "And even if I did, I can't easily spill the beans. The agent told me so." And. . .there she is.

"-WHAT?! Oh, come on Jack! Just tell me already quit dancing around on it!" She pleaded. When it comes to anything related with the Special Investigation Unit, her eyes and ears are trained on finding out what's up.