Listen

23

           

"What do you want us to start doing, captain?" Marshall asked with a wink. My mind went blank as the words left his mouth. What do we need done? I racked my brain desperately until an idea popped up.

Calling Sam, I suggested, "You could try find more information with the resources we have?"

He nodded and agreed. With some prompts from the others, I successfully doled out duties to everyone present. Personally, I decided to give Sam some company while he worked.

           

The room was quiet, not in a bad way, but just quiet. His fingers scurried along the keyboard, leaving behind clicks and taps. He had mentioned that he was able to get more data because of Hudson's ID. While he focused on the blinking screen, his faint voice asked, "Do you think he'll say anything about seeing you?"

I didn't answer straight away. I know Hudson was a stickler for the rules but we had also been friends since near infancy. Would he actually turn me in?

Shaking my head free of the thoughts, I said no. He didn't query my reply and continued typing.

There was no emotion on his face. His lips were slightly parted and his eyes flicked back and forth quickly. Ever since I was first introduced to him, he has always been relatively quiet. He was Finn's techy friend back then. But now, we have gotten closer and I felt like we could talk more.

"Sam, how do you feel about having come here?" I asked softly.

His hands paused for a few seconds. "It was hard, at first. But it's alright now."

Hesitantly, I said "Who did you have to leave behind?"

"My dad and sister." His voice was barely above a whisper. Guilt seeped into me after noticing his drooped face. Trying to lighten his mood, I carefully asked about his sister. He seemed to perk up a bit as he smiled slightly and softened his eyes.

"She's twelve, sweetest girl you'd ever meet. She is just one of those people that everyone loves, y'know?"

His whole demeanour shifted at the mention of his sister. I put a hand on his shoulder and said, "I'd love to meet her."

With a soft look, he murmured, "Maybe one day."

"I'm guessing no one got to tell you about what else we found with the ID," he said in a hoarse voice.

A lump formed in my own throat at the thought of what the 'else' was referring to. I gave him a wordless nod.

"Well, it's let me find anything he is involved with. Meaning, I can get through to other documents connected with the experiments. So far, I've been able to see there is another extra, personal file after everyone here."

Extra file? Another person? My interest was sparked but it wasn't enough to fight off my oncoming tiredness. I shuffled into a more comfortable seated position and tried to cover up a yawn. I wanted to stay awake but my eyes were refusing. Snuggling my head into my shoulder, I mumbled a few incoherent questions before my lids won the battle.

           

It wasn't long before something began to jostle me awake. I pushed it away but it would not stop shaking me. Rubbing my vision clear, I let out a groan.

"Why are you waking me up?" My voice sounded just as drowsy as I felt. As my sight became unblurred, I realised it was Sam trying to rouse me and it was him calling my name urgently. If it wasn't for the gigantic grin on his face, I would have thought something was wrong.

"I did it! I did it!" he hollered in my ear.

I finally succeeded in somewhat controlling frenzy of his hands.

"I got into the other file! It was difficult, but I did it! I did it," he yelled, "We have to get everyone together so we can show them! I'll go get them right now!"

Not a second later, Sam was on his feet and had bounded out of the room. In the distance, I could hear him shouting people's names. It must have only taken a maximum of a minute for him to come back with the rest of the group sluggishly dragging themselves behind. The only one missing was Hector. It was already bad enough with him hauling everyone else out of bed during what I assumed was the middle of the night. He should leave the boy sleeping. He organised people, so everyone could see before plopping back in the seat. Finn stepped forward and leaned on the back of his chair.

Through a yawn, he said, "Go for it, Sam."

Sam, taking a breath, began to speak. "Like we already knew, there is another file connected to mental abilities. But it isn't about anyone here. It's talking about someone who has some power called..." he paused to squint at the screen. "'Energy healing'."

All of a sudden, Tate leapt towards the screen.

"Did you just say energy healing? That would be extremely useful," he asked, although he spoke more to himself under his breath.

Sam nodded and looked up to him. "Yep. Did someone called 'Ruth D. Allaway' go with you, Viola, and Marshall when you were younger?"

Tate's brow furrowed and he sucked in his mouth. "Never heard of someone by that name."

"Go figure. She was supposed to be a good few years older than you."

Certain words snatched my attention. "Supposed to be?" I questioned.

"This says she passed away about fifteen years ago."

Sighs fell over the group. People started to talk amongst themselves, some louder voices clearer than others.

"How's that going to help us?"

Despite the question being rhetorical, it sent my mind whirring with ideas. Wetting my mouth, I thought for a moment.

"Well, if this person had that ability and was examined before dying, surely there will be files about it. And you never know what help that information could be," I murmured, thinking out loud.

The entire room paused and turned to look at me. Everyone stared at me intensely before pivoting to watch for Tate's reaction. He stared at me as well. However, he kept a short smirk on his lips.

"Good thinking girl," he complimented.

After seeing his response, the rest of the group chattered in agreement. I laughed inwardly. Looks like old habits die hard. Giving Tate a quick nod, I smiled at Sam.

"Great work Sam." He folded his arms proudly and let his own grin grow. The room was fully flooded with sound as people shuffled forward to congratulate him.

           

Tate made his own way over to me. Even though I still felt irritated by his comments, I decided to be civil and not move away immediately.

"How's it feel being the one people are looking to?" he asked as he scanned the room. I let out a dry laugh. "You know they still look to you for reassurance."
He shrugged. "That'll fade. Eventually."

But I had stopped listening as I saw Beth waving her arms around.

"All of yous shut up for a second!" she hissed. "Do you hear that?"

The room silent, we all tried to figure out what she was talking about. Then, I heard it. The faint noise of voices outside. A lot of voices.

"Whoever's out there, they have got a bad colour. I don't have a good feeling about-"

Her sentence was cut off by an abrupt series of bangs. Oh no.

Jumping into action, I ordered, "We've got to go. Now."

/// Whoops, nearly forgot to post this. So now I'm in the middle of an eighteenth updating my Wattpad book. 😂 Thanks for reading! ///