The Higher Define (2018)

21

"Where on earth have you been? Richard's been asking for you." Spencer rubs his brow in frustration as I make my way towards him. He is standing by the headwaters of the river and his eyes are nearly unforgiving.

"Did I make you angry?" Is the first thing that comes to my mind. He blinks at me, almost surprised and then shakes his head, "I'm not mad at you."

"You look furious. You should get a new look."

"I'm not kidding, Aspen. Richard's really desperate to find you and-" At this, Spencer lowers his voice, "I think it has something to do with Terry and the new disappearance."

That's when my whole body goes stiff. Does Richard have a new lead on the case? Or does he think that I have information?

Because if that last part is true, I'm in worse trouble than I thought. If he confornts me, I don't think that I'll be able to come clean and tell him that Friday is the killer. Or might be the killer.

"Where's Richard now?" I question.

That's when someone from behind me clears his throat. I whip around, shocked, to find Richard standing behind me.

He is standing with a calm and confident stance and he looks composed. His shirt is crisp and looks recently ironed, which makes me wonder just how serious of a situation I am in. This isn't the friendly Richard that I talked to on my first day here.

This is a new Richard that I have never seen before. Is he coming to take me away? Maybe I'm another Terry, someone to transfer to a different environment.

"Thank you, Spencer." Richard shoots Spencer a smile amd while the corner of his lips turn upwards, there is something about the action that rings a little false to me.

"Come on, Aspen. Let's take a walk." With that, Richard turns away from Spencer and heads towards the gigantic glass aquariums.

"Good luck." Spencer mouths to me but I know that no amount of luck will be able to get me out of this, whatever it is.

Richard's pace is fast and he walks briskly, with a determination that doesn't falter even when people around us call out to him.

I can barely keep up with his speed and when I make it, we are both standing along the conveyor belt that goes through the aquarium view.

The little memory chips of the Higher Defines are gone and replaced with marine creatures that dart back and forth, unaware of the tension that is apparent between Richard and I.

Richard frowns and waves a hand as the conveyor belt slowly pulls us forward. A holographic screen appears in the air- there are bars to adjust settings of the aquarium and with a few quick motions, the entire aquarium that surrounds us shifts.

The glass panels shift downwards, almost melting and grow into the floor that runs along the perimeter of the conveyor belt.

We are standing along a belt that gently nudges us past an aquarium that is now built into the floor. I know I should feel relieved- this must be a good sign, trying to make it less awkward, right?

But all I feel is dread.

Richard's focus is still on the small tab that controls the settings of the aquarium and his finger dances along the screen. As he swipes along a thin line, thin layers of glass appear on both sides of the belt and slowly grow upwards before stopping just above my wait. The glass are capped with handrails which are dark and made of rubber.

Richard closes the tab and leans against the rails, his eyes watching me carefully.

"That's... dramatic." I find myself saying before I can stop the words. A hint of a smile appears on Richard's lips but it vanishes quickly. He turns serious.