SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 8: Red Eyes

Vivid, violent, and fierce flames surged from the electric tower, a glow that pierced the darkness as if it were a beacon from hell. I rushed to the hall and found many people discussing the situation. For a moment, I felt a flicker of relief, at least I wasn't the only one freaking out about the fire. But that comfort didn't last long. The room was chaos, voices colliding, and nobody listened to anybody. Kate, bless her, was practically shouting to get a word in, but it was clear everyone else had their own ideas or maybe just their own volume.

I didn't see the point in all that endless chatter. The situation didn't need a debate, it needed action. I slipped into the entrance, spotted one of the acid rain protective suits hanging on the rack, and started putting it on. No hesitation.

But before I could even zip up the suit, a hand landed hard on my shoulder, strong, firm, and unmistakably angry.

"Grace, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

I turned to face Kate, her cheeks fiery red.

"I'm heading to the tower." I replied as I finished the last tug of the zipper on the suit.

"You're not going anywhere. We need to decide how to proceed together." She said.

"There's no time to waste."

Kate knew I was right. Out of everyone arguing in the hall, she was the only one actually trying to get people to act. Still, my plan didn't seem to sit well with her either.

"Grace." A pause. "Think about it. What will you do when you get there?"

"And what will you do by staying here?" I shot back. "Look, if we don't reach her soon, the wire insulation could melt. If Heather is okay, we have to help her get out of there before it's too late."

Kate pondered for a minute as if trying to decide whether what I had said made any sense. How could people with so much protection, so much advanced tech, still be so scared to act? On The Other Side, people didn't flinch when someone needed help. Risking your life for another wasn't up for debate; it was a reflex. But here? It felt like you'd need to hold a symposium just to take a single step in an emergency. It was maddening.

"Give me the suit. It's an order." She said placing her hand on my shoulder.

"No."

"Don't make me force you."

Another thunderclap tore through the sky. Lights flickered for a moment and then went down again.

"Damn it!" Kate exclaimed.

"Kate! Come here!" A voice from the crowd called out for her and Kate clunch my arm as if I was a kid.

"Let me go." I said.

She didn't answer but dragged me back to the chattering crowd, her grip on my arm so tight I thought she might cut off my circulation.

"The tunnels might flood! We have to do something!" Said a hysterical voice.

"You sit here and don't move." Kate ordered, forcefully pushing me to a chair. What the hell? Was I a dog now?

"Listen up, everyone! We need to stay calm..." Kate began.

And here we go again with staying calm.

"There are several places we need to check and see how our colleagues are doing. The Electric Tower is our priority now. Heather isn't responding to our messages."

Shit. I didn't know that. How could they be still knowing that? Suddenly, the entrance door opened, and two Narval Officers, Rachel, and Monica, walked in. Their faces were pale, and their acid rain suits looked like they'd been through a bath of mud. Everyone rushed toward them, anxious to know if they were okay. That was my cue to act. Kate got distracted. The door was still open.