Mind Control

Radioactive Isotopes

The sound of gears shifting and the vibrations against my back woke me up from my pitiful reverie. Sitting up straight, I nudged Drew, motioning for him to listen to the sounds. We put our ears to the wall, hearing and feeling things moving mechanically.

"What the hell?" I scrunch up my face in frustration.

The sounds become louder and closer until...

BOOM.

A mechanical object with open wires and gears crashes through the wall beside Drew, sending both of us scrambling for cover. There is debris everywhere, and the once perfect lab is now shattered. The object looks like a mechanical crane.

Standing up, I go towards it. Slowly extending my arm forwards, I jump when a familiar voice comes out of it.

"Lydia, Drew, if you're listening to this, we are very proud," says the voice of my mother.

"Lydia, love, you are so absolutely incredible. You are brilliant and kind, and I know you will make me proud, regardless of whether or not I'm alive. I know you're extremely confused right now, and I don't have much time if you're in the cave. The mind control formula is within this creature we built. It will only be released if both your fingerprints are on the detectors at once. It works, trust me. I will leave it to your discretion what you two choose to do with it. If you've come thus far, I trust you. I love you and will always love you. Your mother and I both,"

"Drew, once you obtain the formula, you don't have much time. You have to get out of the lab and as far away from the cave as possible. In five minutes, highly concentrated sulfuric acid will flood the lab and we've set a small amount of a radioactive isotope to be released within the cave. Safety distance is one mile. Drew, you're kind and courageous, and you've always been there for me. As a parent, I could not be more proud to say that I learned more from you than you ever did from me. I'm with you, Drew, forever and always,"

I look over to see Drew's eyes tearing up. Catching me looking, he gives me a sad smile and walks over, motioning to the creature.

"Shall we?" he asks.

"We shall," I say.