"Sorry that we're sort-of late, Melody!" Ben calls out as he runs towards the young blonde girl, waving his arm frantically so she can see them easily before they stop right next to her.
"You keeped me waiting for a really long time! Don't do that again!" Melody replies to them once they stand next to her, she folds her arms and huffs to show how she's displeased.
"Apologies Melody, Ben slept in." Raphael adds with a slight chuckle as he holds out his hands. "You know where to go to find your fazher, oui?"
"I do. Follow me!" Melody commands, suddenly walking off. Raphael quickly lunges forward to grab her hand, and Ben grabs Raphael's arm in return.
Instead of heading upward either of the main staircases that lead to the rooms, she turns to head down a hallway. The hallway is lit up by an occasional ceiling light every few meters but the plain grey walls with no doors makes the hall feel eerie.
Melody takes a right turn to a shorter hallway with a lift at the end of it.
"Normally the button is broken, but they said they fixed it today so we can go up!" Melody says as she hops towards the lift.
"Perfect timing then!" Ben follows along with her words, likely knowing why it is normally inaccessible.
Raphael just nods. "Hold onto my 'and Melody; we don't want to lose you." He requests of her as he pushes the button for the elevator.
The three wait in awkward silence until a 'clang' sound is heard as the elevator parks itself on their floor.
"Are you sure it's gonna hold all three of us? Because that clang didn't sound very good and it's just that I don't wanna fall all the way to China and-" Ben's fast and worried speech is cut off. Raphael responds with a sigh then a soft tilt of the head. "I 'ave no idea what you just said, but I assume it 'as to do wizh zhe elevator. We will be fine; the people above 'ave to use zhis too you know."
The doors open and Melody bounces her way in, pulling along Raphael and Ben.
"I assume it's zhe first floor..." Raphael comments out loud as he pushes the button marked '1'. Some more clanging sounds as the door closes. After a pause, the elevator starts moving upwards, and there is an unfortunate lack of elevator music.
Once the clanging signifies a stop on the upper floor, the door creaks open, and Melody begins to hop off once more.
"Not too fast, Melody!" Raphael tries to warn, gently tugging on her arm, so she doesn't rush ahead.
Melody lets out a whine before slowing down as requested.
The hall they walk through is empty at the moment, but everything is lit up. The walls are white tiles and so is the floor, probably to make sure messes are easily cleaned up. The occasional door and locked shelf appear down the hall they walk.
"Is anyone even here?" Ben begins to question after a while.
"Shhh..." Raphael places his free hand over Ben's mouth to make sure he doesn't speak out loud. "Melody, are we close?" He asks Melody in a whisper.
"We should be getting close..." Melody replies, trying to whisper as well.
Melody's prediction turns out to be correct, as voices belonging to adults can be heard from down the hall and to the left. The voices start getting closer and walk past the hall, headed to the right from the perspective of the three. About four or five male scientists all converse with each other.
"DADDY!" Melody yells, letting go of Raphael's hand and dashing forward.
"Melody, wait!" Raphael quickly runs after her, Ben following soon after.
YOU ARE READING
Operation: Down Below
Historia CortaTeenager Ben Christon is alarmed once he wakes up in what looks like a prison cell with another boy around his age. Where is he and why? And the most important question: Will he be able to get out?
