Evergreen

V

My thoughts were racing. Fred stayed on my mind; When I mentioned his job, the flash in front of his face, it was almost like he hadn't known about that. Which didn't make sense to me, how could he not know about his job? I decided I just read his look wrong, maybe he just felt shocked when snapped at him.

The elevator doors slid open. Floor Thirty-Four.

All I heard were hushed whispers. The same words uttered again and again between each employee.

'...Alex Dixon has been found...'

'...They have leads on the boy...'

'...He's been missing for so long...'

Who is this boy and why is the entire floor talking about him? I may still be recently new to the job but I didn't believe I was this out of it.

I sign in and out the policemen that walk through here. I collect the identities of the criminals and lawyers that come through; scan the men in whites' ID cards. I know everyone who comes in and out these doors. In fact, I am aware of practically every criminal in this country, so why am I not aware of who this Alex Dixon is?

There's only one person I could ask. No one had come through in the last hour so I got up, walked through a door to my left and went to one of the conference rooms.

Throughout my brief time here I'd only really befriended one of the other receptionists. Georgia Bradley, she made me laugh on the first day and liked to keep me informed on the Gossip. She was the exact person to ask about this.

I walked in and she looked up from the desk a massive grin grew on her face. Georgia was simply just gorgeous. Dark wavy hair, bright eyes.

'Alright Bri?' She said with a laugh as I threw myself onto the swivelling chair, the opposite side of her desk.

'So, tell me who is this boy everyone's talking about, I can't stand not knowing and we all know you're the queen of gossip.' I giggled.

She stuck her tongue out at me before laughing. 'Right so you know that stupid story that went around a couple of years ago? The boy that escaped? Well apparently, the myth is real. They've got leads on him.'

My mouth was open. They'd seriously found him? 'Don't look so shocked they were bound to find...'

The door was opened and we both turned to see Delphine at the door. 'I'm so sorry I know I'm meant to be working...' I began but she held a hand silencing me.

'Everyone's presence is requested on floor 51.'

Georgia and I exchanged confused glances, before both turning back to Delphine, she could provide no further information and the elder woman led us to the glass elevator.

Once we reached floor 51 it was already full. You'd sometimes wonder what a prohibited floor looks like. Its white. Just like every other floor. Only this one was full of people, some believed the reason for everyone being called here was due to the boy being located.

We all faced the stage against the back wall lined by men in white. A woman, dressed in a white pant suit, skin sagging, short blonde bob made her way to the stage.

'My name is Jean White, and I am here to tell you all the cure has been found.'

Everyone was cheering, finally we can all be safe from the diseases. It was announced that first the contaminated will receive the cure. Routine checks will be introduced after the initial curing in case further development of the disease continues. This stops the cure from being handed out too freely and that those who require it will receive it.

'I have more exciting news' She addresses the room. First a man in white walks onto the stage, a silver tray held in his hands. Upon the tray was a green vial and what looked like a syringe, with a thick hollow tube instead of a needle.

'You will be the first to witness the cure, you will all see history before your very eyes!' Everyone cheered wildly, I was now stood at the front of the stage. 'Let me introduce our first subject' She was smiling widely, her yellow teeth on full show.

'Alex Dixon!'

The boy was led on stage.