Abby stopped and turned to face me, her eyes somber. "To test it, we'd need to expose someone to extreme radiation. It's a dangerous and morally fraught step," she explained, her voice steady yet laden with the gravity of the implications.
I pondered her words, the reality of our situation casting a somber shadow over the conversation. "Can we even do such a thing?" I questioned, the ethical dilemma gnawing at me.
"Yes," she admitted hesitantly, her eyes flickering with a hint of internal conflict. "Becca's original design for this lab included a radiation chamber, intended for cancer research."
Digesting this information, I felt the full weight of our predicament. "We're talking about deliberately exposing someone to a potentially fatal dose of radiation – the very threat we're all facing," I reflected aloud, the stark reality of our situation dawning on me.
"But you said it – we might have no other choice," I pointed out, the urgency of our situation lending a sense of inevitability to my words.
Abby corrected me gently, yet with a firm resolve. "No, we have a decision to make."
Realizing the gravity of her words, I ventured, "Who do we test?" hoping my guess aligned with her thoughts.
Her slight nod, a subtle but powerful gesture, confirmed my understanding.
Our intense discussion was abruptly interrupted by Jackson's call, "Emori, hey!" Both Abby and I spun around, our concentration broken by his voice.
Emori, with her distinctive dark hair and face tattoo, spoke up. "I'm heading to the house. Does anyone need anything?"
"We're fine, thank you, Emori," Abby replied, mustering a smile that, despite its warmth, couldn't mask the undercurrent of stress we were under.
"Wait!" Abby called out suddenly, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. "You should go with her," she suggested, her tone encouraging yet firm.
My initial reaction was one of resistance. "No, I need to be here. I want to help," I asserted, my desire to contribute outweighing my personal needs.
"There's nothing you can do right now. The samples won't be ready for hours. Take a break, get some fresh air. We'll reconvene later," Abby insisted, her voice carrying an authoritative yet caring undertone.
I could feel the frustration etching lines on my face, but Abby's gentle chuckle and reassuring gaze softened my stance. "Go on," she urged, a lightness in her voice that belied the seriousness of our conversation.
With a resigned sigh, I nodded in agreement, turning to catch up with Emori, who had already started to leave. Jackson's voice followed me, "I'll lower the drones," he said, nodding respectfully towards Abby.
As I hurried after Emori, the weight of our conversation and the decisions that lay ahead hung heavily on me. The lab's sterile, humming environment faded into the background as I stepped out, following Emori's retreating figure, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions about the daunting task that lay before us.
***
Emori's words cut through the stillness of our trek, the crunching of dry leaves underfoot punctuating her statement. "Raven says the black rain will be here soon."
I attempted to inject a bit of lightness into the dense, foreboding air, "As per usual, Raven's right. Rain used to be something I loved, but now... it terrifies me."
Her reply came with an unexpected edge, a hint of snark lacing her words. "I would have thought nothing terrified you."
Her tone caught me off guard, prompting me to question, "Did I say something wrong?" I was genuinely puzzled by the sudden shift in her attitude, a stark contrast to the rhythmic sounds of the forest around us.
Emori exhaled a sigh, the tension in her shoulders visibly easing. "No, it's just... this island. I hate it," she admitted, her voice softer now, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability beneath her tough exterior.
Seeking to connect, I brought up a bit of her past. "Murphy said you used to work here. Is that right?" I ventured cautiously, hoping to bridge the gap between us.
"Something like that," she responded, her eyes fixed on the path ahead, evading mine. The air around us felt charged, the natural chorus of the forest a stark backdrop to our conversation.
"Scavenging tech for ALIE?" I asked, immediately realizing I might have overstepped. "I'm sorry, too many questions," I added quickly, regretting my intrusion.
She paused, her gaze finally meeting mine. "Ignore me. I'm just upset about the mission failing. Maybe your mother will find another way." She stopped and faced me, her eyes earnest and searching. "You're just like her. Willing to do anything for your people. Skaikru's lucky to have you."
Her words struck a chord, and I replied with equal sincerity, "We're not just doing this for Skaikru." I hoped my gaze conveyed the depth of my conviction, wishing it could bridge the gap of trust between us.
For a moment, our eyes locked, a silent exchange hanging in the air. Then, breaking the connection, Emori reached for her walkie. "We're at the tree line. Coming in," she reported, her voice regaining its earlier steadiness.
The reply crackled through the walkie, "Copy that, drones down. You're good to go," signaling our safe entry.
As we continued our journey, the forest around us seemed to mirror our complex dance of emotions – the towering trees standing like silent witnesses to our fears and hopes, the rustling leaves whispering secrets of survival and resilience. In this moment, amidst the beauty and danger of the natural world, a fragile understanding began to form between us, a shared acknowledgment of the challenges we faced and the uncertain path that lay ahead.
Our walk through the dense forest eventually gave way to an open clearing, revealing a property that took my breath away. I hadn't seen many architectural marvels in my time, but this building was undoubtedly the most beautiful I'd ever encountered. A grand marble staircase led up to a porch that was equally elegant, the stone gleaming softly in the dappled sunlight. As we approached, the sound of music drifted towards us, a lively melody that suggested Murphy's influence. Emori, with a practiced ease, slid open the large doors, ushering me into a world that felt like a different universe compared to the ruggedness outside. Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the stunning interior. The white theme from the exterior flowed seamlessly indoors, creating a sense of continuity and grandeur. The entire building exuded an air of understated elegance, each detail meticulously crafted. My eyes were drawn to Murphy, who was dancing around with an infectious energy that seemed to animate the room. Meanwhile, Emori moved to set the security system, her actions swift and precise.
YOU ARE READING
It's the End of the World as We Know it (Silent Moments Series: Book 4)
أدب الهواةThey've just saved themselves from the City of Light. Just to find out the world's going to end...again. Now it's up the Kegan and his friends to save everyone.
