Subject 208

Chapter 9~A Change of Heart

I know I haven't been good with numbering the chapters. I am going to go back and fix the ones that aren't numbered at some point. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

{Pete's POV}

     "Are you sure you're going to be okay by yourself? I won't be long, but if you need me I'll figure something out." I asked Patrick for what was probably the fifth time. I was just so worried. If anything were to happen to him, I don't know what I'd do. 

     "I'll be fine, Pete! Now, go! You're going to be late!" he mumbled tiredly. I didn't want to have to wake him up so early in the morning, but I wanted to let him know I was leaving, and say bye.

     "Alright, alright. I'm going. You have my cell number. You can call if anything goes wrong. Just use the house phone." I reminded him. 

     "I know. Bye, Pete." he said, his eyes still closed. Chuckling under my breath, I leaned in and gave him a small hug before standing back up and exiting the room. I went into the bathroom once again, making sure I looked nice. My dad was a stickler about appearance. Rolling my eyes with a sigh, I adjusted my tie and headed down the stairs quietly so as not to wake Patrick up again. I slipped out the door quietly and headed to my car, climbing in and starting it before pulling out of the driveway.

     About twenty minutes later, I pulled into the lab parking lot and stopped the car. Before I got out, I took a deep breath and let it out. I wasn't exactly nervous-I'd been in plenty of meetings with my father-but this time I was guilty of something. I'd snuck a subject- a vampire-out of the lab. If my dad found out, he would kill me, and Patrick would be brought back to this horrible place, and be put through so much more pain. I couldn't let that happen. 

     Finally, I climbed out of the car and headed to the front door. "Hey, Pete! Heard your dad's in today? Good luck!" the security guard said, giving me a sad smile. He'd been working here for a while. He knew how my dad could get. 

     "Thanks, I'm going to need it." I muttered, heading past him and towards the elevator. My dad's office, as well as my own, was on the top floor. I went into the elevator and hit the "6" key, then waited patiently as the car moved upwards, carrying me to my impending doom. The door opened, and I walked out, heading down the hall to my dad's office. I reached the door, taking one final deep breath before knocking. 

     "Come in!" the voice shouted. I opened the door and plastered a small smile on my face as I entered the room. 

     "Hey, dad." I said, closing the door behind me. 

     "Hello, Peter. Take a seat." he said. I sighed quietly and took a seat across from him at his desk.

     "I'm assuming you are aware of why we're having this meeting right now, son." he said, looking at me expectantly. 

     "One of the subjects escaped." I answered in a monotone voice. 

     "Not just a subject, Peter. A vampire! We let a vampire out of our lab, out on to the streets. Do you know how many people could be in danger?! We need to find 208, now, and make absolutely certain he does not escape again!" he yelled. 

     "I know, dad. We're looking for him. We'll find him." I assured him. The guilt in me was bubbling up, and I knew I needed to get out of here before I admitted to something I didn't want to admit to. 

     "Good. You don't know anything of 208's whereabouts, do you, Peter?" he asked hesitantly.

     "Of course not, Dad! If I knew, we wouldn't be here." I said, silently praising the mock-confidence in my voice.