OBLIVION

Chapter-2

 Maira

Now was the time for a small pep talk. Standing in front of the mirror I observed myself. I have lost weight and my skin paler than usual. My almost black eyes had lost there shine. I'm wearing high waisted dark blue jeans with an ivory-colored top matched with a pair of white sneakers.

Taking a heavy breath I closed my eyes and concentrated on my subconscious mind. I can feel the evil inside me suppressed. The formula is working well in keeping my demon weak. It wanted to be let out. It is growing restless day by day. I can't let you out ever again. "This is the beginning of your new life. It's time to get the answer that you are looking for". Sighing... I opened my eyes. 

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 "ARTIC LABORATORIES is one of the exceptional research institutes at the present day. It produces many types of drugs in various fields. The most recent Cancer drug which is doing a great job in curing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia was produced here by one of our finest teams.", said our Research manager with proudness in his voice.

Here I am standing in the office room along with five other absentmindedly listening to what he is saying except for the last part giving a knowing look.

"I'm James Talyor. I'll be coordinating your work weekly.No nonchalance or carelessness is tolerated .", he said giving us a stern look to each one of us.

You will be reporting your work to your team leader every day. He will be accompanying you in two days as he is away because of work. Till then you can refer to the previous work done in the department. I know every one of you is new to this. I highly look forward to your success in this particular field.  My assistant Sara will show you the way to the department library. You're dismissed for now.

I sighed internally, This going to be a long day...

We followed her where she showed us the laboratory and all the advanced equipment. She hurried us to the library and gave us the thesis of different scientists, told us to analyze them, and left us urgently.

The day passed us going through the books of previous experiments. I did not engage in conversation with any as I decided to stick to myself.

It was lunchtime. I went to the cafeteria for some food. It was completely packed people were chatting, eating, and glaring too. Yes, glaring. The people at two tables glaring at each other with such an intensity that an ice glacier would melt, feeling absurd I moved to give my order.

 I'm not hungry but if I didn't eat I would be at another level of hungry by evening. I took my burger along with some fries and choose to sit at a very corner of the cafeteria which is pretty much invisible. As I was eating my food I noticed a pair of legs beside my table. Lifting my head I saw the girl from my research team giving me a full-blown smile.

Hey Hii, Can I sit here? she asked smiling. 

Sure, I said forcefully.

She sat on the chair opposite me."I'm Madison, Madison Brooks. She introduced extending her hand to me.

I looked at her blankly. I think I made my intentions clear to her that I'm not interested in her acquaintance when she asked me a doubt earlier in the library and I replied almost immediately to read the book again and it will be clarified on its own and then left without waiting for her reply.

"Are u there?", she asked waving her hand in front of my face.

I'm Maira Winston. My reply was short.

"I was worried as I didn't see any familiar face and was thinking to leave when I saw you. In fact, I thought It wasn't you. So I came to check".

I stared at her. She is very beautiful with rapture-blue eyes, a heart-shaped face, chocolate brown hair, and a slim figure. Even in denim a t-shirt, she looked like a runway model.

"Worried"? I was confused.

"Yes, you know how it feels when there is no familiar face in the sea of people that too when you are new?. It's pretty jaded", she said sadly.

 "So do you like it here?". she asked changing her expression from sad to the excitement.

"It's good so far", I said not to disappoint her and resumed my eating hoping that she won't escalate more.

"Really! For me, It's just so boring. If our team leader wasn't available for another two days they should have called us after two days". She said sounding irritated. Anyways I've met my team members which is a good thing.

I just gave her a tight smile.

We ate the rest of our lunch in silence.

After that, we went to the library. While madison kept on rambling, I ignored her just nodding my head here and there. But she doesn't seem hurt. I know I'm being aloof but I have my reasons and should keep my distance.

The rest of the day went in a blur.

I was a little hungry when I reached home. I took another dose of the injection and went to bed.

Laying on the bed I stared at the ceiling. There were no calls from dad maybe he had another surgery. He is working too hard and keep tiring himself. Sighing  I took a book and started reading and eventually slept. 

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The next day was the same we were in the library reading all the journals and published papers. Madison kept tagging along with me and behaving as I was her best friend.

 Feeling annoyed, I sat on the chair keeping my journal on the table. I'm currently reading the journal on "the treatment for leukemia and how does the drug work".

Madison sat beside me working on understanding her paper. Along with me and madison, there are another three people where two are guys who are not interested in reading so they went to the cafeteria. The other is a girl Olivia whose name I learned from the girl sitting beside me at the moment. She is silent like me. 

I didn't understand why Madison was ignoring that girl and annoying me. Sighing I concentrated on my book.

In the lunchtime. I went to buy my food where madison obviously followed. Sitting in the same place as yesterday thanking that it is not occupied I started eating my usual food which is a burger and some fries.

Madison started talking non-stop. I highly doubt she even knows I'm listening or not. Suddenly she stopped and frowned looking through my shoulder towards the back. I turned my head around to look back and saw Olivia with a guy, who I remembered was one of the people who were glaring at each other the other day. They are sitting two tables across us. They were in a serious discussion more like arguing. I turned back and faced Madison. She was still frowning and looked away.

I don't know what the problem was, Moreover it doesn't matter to me. Thinking I had my lunch and went to the library.

I took the same place and madison beside me and started working. I noticed that Olivia is not present. After completing my book I went to the self going through book stack.

Maira, I want to tell you something. Madison whispered into my ear. Startled by the sudden sound I jumped. My demon came to the surface due to the sudden emotion. Deeply breathing I controlled by calming it down. When I opened my eyes I saw Madison's worried expression.

"Are you ok?. I didn't mean to startle you", She apologized.

It's ok It was so sudden. Not a problem. So what is it?, I asked.

She relaxed "Nothing important It's about Olivia".

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