Ryan opened his eyes, struggling to focus. Every breath brought fresh waves of pain. His head felt full and heavy.
"Good morning sunshine, hope you slept well. Facilities to your liking?"
Ryan looked up and met Suarez's gaze. Unsurprisingly, the joke was lost on him.
"I'm Sarge. Me and you are going to be new best pals; if you cooperate. If you don't, then we should have just used real bullets on you back in the woods. Put you in the ground with that broad of yours."
Ryan's eyes filled. He might have been breathing but his life was already over. "Cut me loose and we'll get acquainted, you scum bag."
"Ah. You think you're going to take me out with that sneaky invisible shit you pulled on Thompson. Funny how a lick of paint can level the playing field. You're in plain sight now boy. For all to see. And you just try and front up. I'll beat the shit outta you so bad, they'll need dental records to identify you." With that, Suarez stunned Ryan with a strong left hook. "Just give me a fucking reason."
"Now, now boys. Play nice. Suarez, get yourself a brew and freshen up. You stink." Falconi seated himself in front of Ryan and began to dab his new wound with a wetted towel.
"What do you want with me?"
"Just need to pick your brains, and run a few tests. You are very, very important to me and my business Ryan. You and Mike called yourselves the 'Lab Rats' right? That's cute. Well now you'll get firsthand experience."
Falconi began to explain to Ryan how he had hijacked their research once he was made aware of the potential side effects of the project. He had used Lexi as leverage to get Mike onside. All the old man needed to do was follow instructions, keep quiet, and more importantly, keep the project out of the limelight. And his daughter would be safe.
However, once Ryan made it clear he wanted to present to the Board, Falconi had to change his plans.
The door behind Ryan opened and he heard footsteps. "Boss. She's awake."
YOU ARE READING
The Ghost
Science FictionA cure to save millions. Or a tool to create devastation. If only Junior Researcher Ryan Elliot could have known what dangers he would place all of those around him in upon revealing his big breakthrough, maybe he'd have thought twice about it. But...
