A Crow In The Darkness

10 Let This Haunt You

1900 hours, December 25th, 2021
Location: The Facility, Dr. Greene's Study

He was so still. The air around him was so still. Everything was so still. His eyelids hung gently below his eyebrows and his fingers had no tension to hold them closed. Green and red lights flickered on his pale face and clothes in a random pattern. I was front row, my team behind me to catch me if I fall.

Dr. Greene's body was suspended from the ceiling. He had previously screwed a hook into the ceiling, claiming he was going to place a large plant on it. And we believed him, he loved plants. But I realized now that, that was not his true intention.

"Why would he do that?" I turned and saw Charles start to cry. He looked away from everyone and composed himself as best he could.

I face the kid who first found him, "Who all knows?"

He looked dazed. "As far as I know, everyone that is here."

I look around, we all wore the same uniforms. We had to notify Kade and Ander as soon as possible. I exited the scene, listening as the Christmas songs Dr. Greene had left on to help ease him into death had disappeared into nothing. I expected Gold to come and follow me, but she never did. And I don't know if I'm happy or sad that she didn't.

I didn't know where Kade and Ander stayed but I knew where Howard was. I turn the corner of the hallway and look up into a camera that was in the corner.

I wave into it multiple times. "Howard!! We need you!" I beg, wiping away a stray tear. "Please."

A cold hand was on my shoulder in an instant. I turn around, my eyes widened with gratitude. "Howard! Dr. Greene, he's—"

"Just take me to him, son."

I held onto the damn robot as we rushed to his study. I incoherently whispered curses at myself for not seeing the warning signs. They were impossible for me to see.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," my lips formed over, and over again.

Dr. Greene's door was still crowded. "Get out of the way!" I scream as I push through with Howard on my heels.

I couldn't seem to help. I couldn't seem to move.

"Hue," Howard looks at the first kid who first had found Greene. "How long ago did you find him?"

Hue stutters. "Uh, maybe five minutes ago. I didn't know what to do. I was so scared. I should have checked his pulse or something, but I was so scared. I wasn't prepared. I-it was so sudden . . ."

"Relax, it's okay, you aren't at fault." Howard confirms. "I need help getting him down."

I volunteer. This would be the only way I could help Dr. Greene now. Charles was the only other who volunteered to help. I'm merely inches away from Greene's motionless body. I close my eyes, apologizing for putting my hands on him like this. I remember what a fatherly figure this man was to Kade and Ander. They should be here. "Howard, what about—"

"They were notified as soon as I saw Dr. Greene's state." His tone was flat.

I nod more than needed. Me and Howard grabbed onto Greene's waist and lifted as Charles unhooked the rope from the hook in the ceiling. I instantly acknowledged Dr. Greene's weight. He was heavy and incredibly mobile. Maybe it was because his blood was still evenly stored in his veins, and hadn't yet gathered to where gravity forced it to.