DREAM GAS

22. SAFE OR NOT ?

RUSSIA, VOLGONDONSK

6th Friday, March 2020

7: 00 a.m

The more Roy looked at his reports.

The more he thought deeply about it.

The more he was almost vehement against the plans they had set in place. He wondered and grappled to come up with ways in which he could bog down their prospects.

They were setting themselves up for suicide  something that someone with a clearly functional brain should see.

Too much brilliance could result in bad decisions.

Roy concluded with a nod. Mark and Grigoriy were most of the time quite likeable with a free spirited air but both Alexei and himself knew whenever the two wanted something, they would get it. They had an underlying big shot energy that Roy was worried would cost them a lot one day if not soon.

But as scientific experts and nuclear engineers surely they would be right ?

Roy glared at the thought. Whenever they were within the confines of the plant, the atmospheric conditions within were totally different without. Something he thought his mates would see sense but apparently it was not so.

Roy had observed the buzzing energy of the gas during the wee hours of that morning and his fears rose up a great notch.

It was seven a.m, hours later of no sleep but constant worry.He managed to pour himself a half cup of coffee while he eased into a folding chair in the crammed space to think.

“ How did you even see it ? ”

Roy hated the question and regretted why he even spoke of it, he was not much of a talker, he should have kept it that way.

“ Just out the window, ” He replied with a shrug.

He was careful, under the current conditions, it would be the worst moment for a row. He also had his own share of requisite ego contributed by his career. Roy was exceptionally witty and savvy, he knew it, there was no way he would sit through a lecture from a work mate who thought Alexei and himself were completely off their rocker for seeing red where even a fool could understand.

Were they even taking precautionary measures concerning their going out ?

No.

According to Grigoriy, Andrew and Mark they would quickly go out when the gas was in least concentration as per their observation then come back within the same time, leaving Alexei outside to dream. They knew or rather thought the gas concentrated in various locations at different times and when Alexei raised his safety concerns at his best friend, he was dismissed under the reasoning , ‘ It's simply sleeping gas, we can always wake up. ’

Unbelievable.

Roy knew Alexei backed down for the sake of his friendship with Mark.  He slowly wished his friends would understand that this was not a mining affair, it was not business as usual.

“ How did you see it ? ” Andrew prompted again, dissatisfied with Roy's initial answer.

Roy jolted from his reverie,“ I just peered through the window. It was there like a grey cloud. ”

Andrew frowned, “ The windows in this place are so tiny, how is that possible ? ”

“ I was keen and patient enough, ” Roy was vague again.

“ But - ”

“ You asked me to keep an eye out and I did,” Roy said, more vaguely.

Andrew was skeptical. He opened his mouth then shut it. It was clear Roy was with holding information.

“ The air is however clear, we can go, ” Roy announced.

Andrew nodded, it was a clever dismissal.

“ Alright guys, time to get some supplies ! ” Mark yelled.

***
It was usual freezing cold when the team decided to leave. They had zipped up their jackets and walked out of the small compartment.

Alexei had pleaded with his wife to stay behind but she had stubbornly insisted to go.

Roy thought it would be good riddance if she never made it back anyway.

Andrew and Mark set Alexei on a chair outside. Each an attempt at cracking jokes about what he would dream about, Alexei was too grim to laugh.

“ Well be back before you know it, ” Mark said.

Alexei doubted it.

They started out but Roy suddenly stumbled and stood still before yelling, “ I remember this ! I remember this ! I dreamt this, please we shouldn't go ! Postpone it ! ”

Alexei shot him a confused look like the rest before slowly remembering Roy recounting to them his overly complicated dream.

“ Listen if you're trying to scare us it won't work. We need some supplies urgently and I'm in need of some serious food might get lucky at the store,” Mark said, clearly unimpressed.

“ If you're to scared you may stay back in, ” Grigoriy offered.

Roy sighed and nodded.

“ Go, ” Alexei encouraged his friend.

“ No. I think I'll stay. I think I'll stay here with you, ”

With a last look, his work mates turned and climbed into the SUV before driving away at high speed.

For some reason, it felt like an unspoken good bye hang in the air.

Roy wiped a lone tear that rolled down his cheek while Alexei watched.

Helpless, Alexei wondered if he would see his wife ever again.