Chapter 11

1 0 0
                                    

      The next day at school, Shina used a library computer looking up GeneTech. Cathy disliked computers as she saw them as unnecessary machines and didn't want to pay extra for internet. They only had a landline phone, as well. No cell phones for fear of the family becoming distracted.

      Shina and Hancock agreed to help each other watch for the scientists. Even though Cathy drove them off when they first arrived, they could still be lurking about. They could not afford to let their guard down.

      Shina found the GeneTech website. She clicked on it bringing up a clean, pristine, cold and mechanical webpage.

      "What are you about?, GeneTech?" Shina asked herself quietly. She brought up the "About" page which read:

      GeneTech is committed to producing quality make-up products for consumers. They are guaranteed to be 100% safe for human consumption and were tested ethically.

      "That's all? I don't think that About page should be that brief," Shina said. "Is there a phone number?" Then, the bell rang. "I'll just have to continue tomorrow." Shina got up and exited the library. Nancy came running up behind Shina.

      "Hey!" Nancy exclaimed throwing her arms around Shina.

      "What's up, Nancy?" Shina grinned.

      "I was just wanting to catch up with ya," Nancy said cheerfully. "Jeez, you're heavy for a girl your size," Shina teased.

      "What are you saying?" Nancy laughed. "I can't help it that daddy makes great food!" Nancy then noticed something in Shina's sweater pocket. She pulled it out and gasped at the sight of a cigarette. "What is this?! You're smoking?" Shina covered Nancy's mouth.

      "Not now," Shina whispered. Shina arrived at her next class. "Can we talk about this later?" Shina uncovered Nancy's mouth. Nancy nodded.

      After class, Shina and Nancy met out front of the school away from earshot of others.

      "Why do you smoke?" Nancy asked. Shina looked away embarrassed. "I began smoking since I was in eighth grade," Shina answered. "Some 'friends' said that it would be relaxing. Ha, fat chance. And now, I'm hooked." Shina sighed. "And it's so hard to get off it. I can't bring myself to tell my parents!"

      "Shina..." Nancy placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "How about we work together on this? We can keep it secret, but you must stop. I don't want to see you suffer anymore. Promise?" Shina looked up at her friend and smiled.

      Shina grabs all the cigarettes on her person. She raised her hand... but couldn't bring herself to throw the cigarettes to the ground.

      "Come on, you can do it!" Nancy encouraged. Shina's arm shook as she tried to throw the cigarettes. Shina grabbed the arm with her free hand. "Do it!"

      Shina's face turned red as she threw the cigarettes to the ground screaming. She stomped on the cigarettes until they were nothing but dust and paper. Hot tears formed in her eyes as she fell to her knees. formed in her eyes

      "It's so hard!!" Shina shrieked. Nancy knelt down and hugged her friend. "It's so hard..."


CopeWhere stories live. Discover now