Wrong dose

Chapter 9 (Skylar)

Three days had passed since the day Jake and Skylar had talked with Clarice. Two days since they had begun researching, but they hadn't found a thing. Skylar was back in the computer lab with Jake. The mood was irritable. They had wasted their lunch period to do some more research--this time looking for anything related to the experiment they had taken part in--but to no avail. There was absolutely nothing.

Skylar wondered when Jake would understand that it was no use. Something told her that if Clarice didn't want to be found, then she wouldn't be found.

"Jake," said Skylar firmly, "Drop it. Clearly there isn't anything on the web about this, let's stop trying to find answers that aren't there."

Jake groaned in annoyance. "So where else do we find answers, Skylar?"

"We have to find Clarice. It's the only way we'll learn anything else." Said Skylar. She knew it was true.

"But how?" Half-shouted Jake. "How are we supposed to do that? The only way to talk to her is for her to come to us!"

Frustrated silence enveloped the room.

Jake ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry, Skylar," he said, "I'm just really stressed about this..." He trailed off uncomfortably.

But Skylar understood. She knew what Jake was feeling. If Clarice had found them, then these scientists--who would have better resources and equipment--would definitely be able to as well. It felt like they weren't safe anymore.

"It's fine, Jake, I get it." She replied with a smile, "Let's think about it this way: As long as Clarice doesn't contact us, it probably means we're safe because she would probably tell us if the scientists were looking for us, right? So let's just forget about this crazy story until Clarice comes back, okay?"

Jake's expression cleared at those words. "Good idea. And to think I was supposed to be the smart one," he laughed.

********

It was fifth period, and all Skylar wanted to do was fall asleep. She and Jake were in history class, and they were currently in the computer lab, working on some essays. Skylar had barely written two paragraphs, and it was due the next day. She dropped her head in her hands. Despite having reassured Jake multiple times about Clarice and the scientists, the stress was catching up to her as well. She understood Jake's logic, and a small part of her being was beginning to wonder if he was indeed right.

Needless to say, Skylar didn't feel safe anymore. As she half heartedly typed in a few more words on her essay, Skylar was half expecting two scientists to burst through the door and kidnap Jake and her at any moment.

Skylar glanced over at Jake, who was in the seat next to her. She was planning to ask him for help, but he was completely immersed in his writing. She decided to leave him alone. Since there were only about fifteen minutes left till the end of the period, Skylar just gave up. She quickly scanned the room to make sure the teacher was looking elsewhere, and then searched up a website with online games. She mindlessly played a couple rounds of Angry Birds, until boredom assaulted her once more.

Sighing, Skylar began to drum her fingers on the table. She stared out the window, waiting for the bell to ring, until a notification on the screen caught her eye. She had gotten an email. Since there was nothing better to do, Skylar logged into her inbox.
Sure enough, there was an email from someone named Unknown User.

Mystified, Skylar dragged her mouse to the email. Despite having suffered through the usual do-not-open-emails-from-strangers lecture countless time, she was curious. Something told her to open it. The email was short and to the point.