Cairo

Chapter 6: Hands of a Boy

The desert was hot. That was something Cane had grown used to in his travels over Cairo. Growing up in a port town, he never got much experience with the desert itself, but now it was like second nature to him, he thought briskly to himself as he pulled on his sweaty t-shirt to try to get some air. Scorching desert heat made any activity hard. Even the quarter mile walk back to Doctor Savas' lab was an exercise and a half. 

Cane just about jumped out of his pants when he saw the metal structure of the lab. He would have cried too if he knew not to waste his fluids. The smile only vanished from his face when he saw a strange man standing in front of the lab, examining the door up and down. There was something about him that wreaked suspicion despite his over zealous smile and sparkling eyes. His clothes that seemed a bit more expensive than the average person could afford were covered in a small layer of dusty sand. He'd been standing out there for awhile.

"You wouldn't happen to know if this is Doctor Savas' lab, would you?" the man asked, taking a step away from the hot metal he almost leaned on. "I'm an old friend of his, but unfortunately I haven't been out to see him since he moved here. It all looks so much the same I almost got myself lost."

"You've got the right place if you're looking for Doctor Savas, unfortunately I don't think there's anyone who's going to open this door for us until my friend comes back with the access key." Cane pulled his backpack off his shoulders, slinging it to the metal walls. "We're also here to see him, but he sent us on an errand before he'd talk to us. Some lady that worked here was the one that showed us around. She gave my friend the key to this place for when he comes back, so if you want to get in, you'll just have to wait."

"How long is this going to take?" the man asked, looking at the time on his watch. "I don't exactly have the most flexible schedule since we're always down a person. I was lucky I was even able to make time to come out here, though I did pin it as official business." 

"Don't know." Cane shrugged. He didn't seem interested in what the man had to say as he rummaged through his backpack, pulling out a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen. "We might have to wait awhile, it might not take very long. Oh. You can use some if you want. I'm not really pro getting baked alive, but to each their own, I guess." 

The man held out his hand, but it wasn't for the sunscreen. Cane barely glanced up. "Aidan Yalles. It's a pleasure to meet you, kid. I don't get to meet many people with your certain... spunk." 

"Cane." His tone was harsh to the ears, completely unmoved by anything that was said as if he wasn't listening. Cane straightened out his back, sniffing the air. "Did you smell that?" 

Aidan leaned against the outer wall, seemingly unphased by the heated metal. "Cane's an unusual name. Are you from around here?" 

"I am from 'around here.'" Cane's voiced lowered, his eyes digging their way into Aidan. There was an authority present that he lacked at any other time, straining his voice to be rough and scratchy. "It just so happens that I was born and raised here. I don't know why you all of a sudden changed the subject on me, but it's rather suspicious. Listen here: I smelt something in the air, and it smelled an awful lot like blood. If you're some big hotshot like you're acting, then do something about it!" 

He let out a sigh, shrugging his shoulders. "Listen, kid, you said it yourself that we can't get in without an access card. There's nothing I can do without one unless we somehow find a way to pick the lock or break the whole fucking door down." 

"Fine!" Cane screamed. "You're agitated I get it, Mr. Hotshot. Well, so am I, but you don't go seeing me spit in other people's faces like I'm some great hero that others should fall down to their knees for. I don't care who you are, we're all human beings, so you better damn treat me as one."