SandBoxed Paradise...or is it a Prison

CHAPTER TEN

Xander Saggito entered S.O.S. headquarters around noon the following day. He had an extra spring to his step; he was excited.

I'm really going to pull this off!

The overnight meeting was not only about solidifying the current plans statewide, with many other states to follow, but successfully introduced the idea of working with major corporations. His idea was brilliant. Well, it wasn't really his idea to claim but no one would ever know that, he thought as he glanced sideways to the beautiful brunette walking beside him.

He would share his bed and nothing else, he grinned, feeling completely satisfied in every way. He was going to ride this ride all the way to the bank. To think this was his first real business venture, and it may very well be the last. The fortune he was about to amass would need no other supplement.

He winked at Mia as she exited the elevator on the fifth floor, saying slyly, "I will see all of you later."

He was taking the elevator to the top, floor 11, to check in on the Jane Doe Project and figure out the next steps. Despite his current narcissistic high, the bare facts were too obvious to ignore. He was making things up as he went along. This had never been the plan. Jeannie had thrown him a wrench he wasn't expecting. What else could he have done but play the cards in front of him?

Unfortunately, the unexpected cards were now stacking up to a double size deck. The so-called brilliant hacker geeks he hired had been useless at cracking the core code. How long could the company run like this? He had no idea but was smart enough to realize it was shaky ground.

"Sir, we have a-a-a development," said Dominick, the day nurse assigned to the Penthouse Lab.

"A development? Explain," said Xander, lightheartedly putting his briefcase down on the desk he had custom made.

"You asked me to report any differences in our Jane Doe's behavior, she has been busy this morning, Sir," said the man with excitement. "We think she may even have some memories returning!"

Dominick's statement stopped Xander dead in his tracks, his morning high crashing to the ground.

"And, why do you think that?"

"Come see for yourself, Sir," said the nurse as he hurried to the monitor.

The first thing Xander saw was the writing in the path just outside the cave entrance. There were three letters and one word: "SOS" and "Sheryl."

Xander wasn't sure whether to be concerned or relieved.

Who in God's name is Sheryl?

"We think Sheryl must be her name and having that memory has prompted her to write SOS in the sand, like she is hoping a plane will fly over or something. Just a coincidence about the company name is my guess. She was unconscious when she arrived here, right? What should we do? Should we call someone, update a missing person's report or something?"

"Let's not be hasty," said Xander. "Where is she?"

"She crossed into the dark zone, Sir. But she'll be back in a second, she has been doing that all morning. There she is," pointed Dominick.

"Where did she get the clothes or whatever that is wrapped around her?" Xander asked with suspicion.

"We aren't sure, Sir. She showed up with them this morning."

"What is she doing now? Zoom in," commanded Xander.

"Looks like she is painting, Sir."

"Where did she get the supplies?" Xander demanded.