The Post Sunday Experiment | COMPLETED 2020

Chapter 20

Back at the lab in Cazenovia, the Hispanic woman stood just at the mouth of the mulch road, looking out at the path. The dampness of morning dew gave the air a fresh, crisp smell of rain.

A red pickup drove down the road, the gentle crunch of mulch beneath the tires creating comforting background noise. Even though the sun was barely over the horizon, Eric could see Ramona's big bright eyes. They were as wide as ever looking as if she'd consumed at least four cups of coffee.

As Eric pulled the car over at the end of the mulch road, uneasiness churned in his stomach.

Climbing out of the truck and closing the door behind him, he approached Ramona. The woman stood there with her arms crossed and a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses sitting on her head.

"Welcome, Eric," the woman's voice was gentle, but no warmth softened her face. Her kind disposition was nothing more than an act.

The woman was certainly an interesting one. While observing her countenance and posture, he couldn't help but think of her as prideful. It was odd that her pridefulness was the only trait he could think to pin her with.

In her face and posture, there weren't any traces of stress or fear. It was such a believable poker face that if Eric hadn't been set off by it, he would've believed it. Deciding to focus back on her words, he shook all thoughts of her strange expression away.

"Thank you," replied Eric.

"Very well zen, follow me," the woman's eyes were empty.

Staring at the woman in front of him, his eyes began to notice her lack of emotion. He couldn't help but dwell on it. He watched the way her face didn't change. It was strange.

"Now, Eric, if tou have not yet assumed zis, tou must know zat once tou sign zis document I have for tou, tou are agreeing zat all zat tou learn in your studies is up to your boss to announce to za public. No matter what tou find, it must remain hidden unless Mr. Aldrich—your boss—tells tou to share which he won't. Tou have been selected out of hundreds of thousands of people to work on zis experiment and it is a privilege. Do as we say and zere will be no issues. Break your contract and zere will be legal issues. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am. Am I allowed to know what it is I'll be studying before I sign my life away?"

"Yes and no. Tou are looking for how natural gases affect mental health but zat is about all I am able to share before tou sign this contract." Ramona tilted the clipboard she held down so he could see the tiny text on the paper.

"With all due respect, ma'am, I'm not equipped. I haven't studied psychology."

"Do not worry about zat, Dr. Blurr," she spoke with that same blank face but the sound of a smile in her voice, "We have a team. Please, call me Ramona. I'm the chemist of the team."

Walking up behind her came two other men who smiled softly at Eric.

"I believe we've met before," smiled Dr. Plomin, "If you have forgotten, my name is Dr. Benjamin Plomin but please, call me Ben. I'm the psychiatrist."

"My name is Damien Neloms. Neurologist." The large, bald, African American man smiled.

Surveying the people around him, Eric took the clipboard out of Ramona's outstretched hands. His eyes quickly scanned the document. Eric took in a deep breath.

This was the opportunity of a lifetime but did the benefits outweigh the risks? All he had to do was keep his work secret from outsiders and he'd have nothing to fear from his superiors. The pay-rate was incredible. It was better than any other salary he'd had.

Saying a quick prayer, he pressed the pen to paper and signed: Eric Bhurr.

***

Walking down the halls of the underground base trapping him, Ody did his best to blend in. He didn't know the importance of his actions but despite his fear, he felt strangely secure.

He was searching for an exit. As he circled the building several times, he grew increasingly desperate. He was beginning to doubt that an exit would be easy. His stomach began to rumble and he hated himself for being so human at such a time.

Silently continuing to walk down the halls, he came across something very odd. It was a corner. But it was the strange angle of the corner that cause his attention.

After he traced his fingers over the corner, it came to him and all color drained from the boy's face. This angle was 108 degrees. He didn't even need to guess it. That was the final clue. He knew where he was.

He was in the Pentagon, the large military building in Washington DC. The man in the truck had mentioned that they would be taken to DC so his assumption made sense.

Ody's heart beat faster than ever. This was one of the most highly guarded buildings in the country. It was also many miles away from Cazenovia.

How was his mother supposed to find him or Penny? How was he supposed to get help? What on earth could he possibly do to help Penny?

Breathing rapidly, his eyes shifty looking from left to right. He'd considered turning himself in. His heart raced so quickly now that his stomach began to hurt. As he stopped walking to hold onto the wall and the world began to spin.