Chapter 32
I tap my fingers on the laboratory as I patiently wait for James to change into his human form again. The first time Professor Wood injected the antidote in body didn’t take effect because according to him my immune system fought it off real hard. But that shouldn’t be the case next time, as for James, this is his second time changing back. The first time was hours after I left the underground laboratory when he was being operated by Professor Wood.
Rhythms of a familiar melody start to fill the lab. Again and again, until my fingers go numb and tired at the same time. James is sitting in the floor, growling once and a while, reacting at each sound he hears. His senses are way better; improved in some way I guess. But it sucks too for James, not being able to talk and think as he was before.
I look at the Professor’s computer and see that it’s already twelve noon. I had just missed half of my classes on a Monday morning! I better run now or else I’ll miss my afternoon classes too.
There is no way I can get away with Valix, the Venturian guard, this time. It doesn’t concern him if I’ve been leaving the dormitory too early on Saturdays and returning so late on Sundays, but returning at Monday noon, that’s different!
“I’m going to leave your for a minute, James. If Professor Wood comes back, don’t hurt him okay? And if you change into human, please, don’t leave. Wait for me.” I say, just like a mother talking to her child.
“…. I won’t be long.” I whisper.
I take the stairs and opens the secret door quietly, which doesn’t makes sense since it doesn’t really produce any sound. I step out of the wall-door, checking both my right and left for any sign of teachers or guards roaming around. But the hallway is clear so I take another step and I am 90 inches away from the door. Who would have thought that a solid rock wall like that would lead to another world, a world full of secrets and science?
Someone’s coming…
I may not have a good sense of hearing just like those Venturians, but my nose is my most entrusted body part. I used it a lot when I’m getting something on Erda. I can smell something different. It’s pestering the ancient smell of the hallways.
“Who’s there?” I ask. Silence is more dangerous than noise; I’ve learned that through experience. The ‘attacker’ is either watching you or planning something, but either way, he’ll come to the point of destroying you. “You should’ve not used such strong perfume if you don’t want to be caught.”
Then, footsteps arise, accelerates.
Faster, louder, nearer.
A boy emerges as soon as I feel cold wind blowing my hair. He sniffs his collar and blankly says, “Professor Flicker is on her way out. What are you going to do now?” He waits for my action, but I don’t move.
“She’s near.” I tremble.
He looks at me directly in the eye and says, “I don’t know how you know she’s near, but you see Brainiac, she can’t see us here! Not with Valix’s watch.”
He’s right, I can’t be expelled now. I’ve come too far for that. “This way.” I instruct him. I grab his harm and pull him back to the secret wall-door where I came out. As soon as we reach the wall-door, I push the rock and the wall opens. I pull him in, and catch my breath for a second.
“What is this place?” he asks
I don’t know what to say.
He takes another step. “Where does this stair lead to?” he asks again. And yet again, I don’t respond.
