Stuck in the Deepend | ONC 2024

Chapter 2

There was a sharp tapping that sounded as though it were coming from inside his head.

'Come on, Lucas. Wakey. Wakey.'

His eyes snapped open at the sound of Diana's voice. She stared at him behind the glass, her features distorted by the water between them.

'The sun's been up for over an hour,' she noted.

He held out his hands, seeing the skin between them gradually shrink away. He felt along his neck, but the gills were still there. It would be awhile before they disappeared. They were always the last to go.

'It's taking longer for me to return to normal,' he said.

'The window is closing.'

He watched her rub her face, her whole being tired even though she'd just arrived.

'We'd better get to work.' She flicked on the monitor that faced his tank and paused at the page that greeted her. 'Who's Doctor Penna?'

'She's moved into the lab on level five.'

'How'd you know? I can't see any updates online about her moving labs from London.' Diana flicked through the computer tabs, her fingers moving rapidly between news stories.

'Trust me, she is.'

'Is she one of your father's selected?'

It had been a running joke between them since they were kids, to call the scientist handpicked by Lucas' father "The Selected". It was not necessarily a term of endearment, considering Lucas' father was not a scientist, which meant his opinion on how helpful their research was likely to be was limited.

Luckily for Lucas, his father had just enough sense to listen to his lead scientist on some choices. Though Edward Jushua Ashfield was well known for his pigheadedness. Some might have admired it. His son did not.

'He hasn't been forthcoming with that list.' They shared a look, but Lucas carried on before Diana could launch into another tirade about his father. 'I met her yesterday.'

'You. Met. Her.' Diana pronounced every word.

Lucas could tell the moment the penny dropped.

'You left the lab after you transformed?'

She didn't seem as angry as he expected, but there was a shadow lurking behind her eyes that told him to tread carefully.

'We ran out of milk.' He winced when he realised it wasn't the best excuse he could have used, but he gave himself points for saying the truth.

'You risked exposure just because you wanted a milky coffee,' Diana demanded.

'I didn't think anyone would still be in the labs this late.'

Diana threw up her hands. 'You're unbelievable.'

'I made sure she didn't see anything. I was careful.'

'If you'd been careful, you'd never have left the lab,' she huffed as she pulled out a chair. 'Still, Dr Penna is a marine biologist. I don't know what her latest research subject is, but she could be useful.'

'Which is why I'm going to see my father today. I need to know if we have access to her research.'

Diana puffed out her cheeks. 'You're going to see your father today? You think that's wise?'

'Probably not, but it's not like he answers my calls, so what other choice do I have?'

'Do you even know where he is?'

Maybe for anyone else that would seem a strange question, but ever since the incident, his father preferred to pretend as though Lucas didn't exist.

'I did some research,' he answered, though his eyes strayed back to the picture of Dr Penna.