Dome

8

Cold, white halls stretched for as far as I could see. Windows looking into offices and research labs lined the walls. I didn't see anything that needed to be classified in any of the labs. I could only see people on computers and lab equipment.

'I don't know what they're researching, so I suppose it could be classified' I thought as I walked next to my mom.

"We need to take you to Dr. Red, the head of security, before we can go any farther. His office is just this way". My mom pointed down a hallway.

This facility was a labyrinth. I wondered how many people got lost in here when they first visited.

Mom knocked on the door, and a short man with scraggly gray hair opened it, "Ms. Artison, and I assume, Jeremy Artison".

"Yes, this is my son. I'm giving him a tour of the lab, well, only the parts where he is allowed". We stepped into the room. It had a desk, monitors, and filing cabinets.

"I see". He turned around and pulled a small metal object out of a box on the wall.

Dr. Red sat down at his computer and started to work on something. I wasn't sure what it was, so I switched my attention to the monitors.

One screen caught my attention. It was dark, the floor was concrete, and I could tell it was cold. Crumpled paper was scattered on the ground.

A paper ball was thrown from a dark corner. I focused on the shape in the corner; it was a person.

A black sheet was thrown over the screen by my mom. I turned away, knowing I probably wasn't supposed to see whatever I saw.

"That should do it". Dr. Red handed me a small silver hexagonal pin. Three dark lines were inside and a small glowing blue dot was in the center. "This has a small tracker in it, so the security team will be able to see where you are at all times. Also, it will only give you access to certain doors. If you attempt to go into a restricted area, security will be called and you will be removed, whether that be by force, or by you walking out yourself".

I fastened the pin to my shirt, "Okay".

"Ms. Artison, you can't take him below the second floor, or to the D-wing. You already know this, but no entering anyone's office without permission, and you can't take him into any of the active research labs. The rooms on the second floor are off-limits for him, but he can go in the hallways". He handed my mom a small sheet of paper.

"Thank you. Common, Jeremy". We walked out of the office and down a hallway.

I couldn't go into many rooms, because they were either offices or active labs. We were in the elevator going down to the second floor when I asked my mom a question, "What kind of work do you do here"?

"I'm sure Samantha told you a version of what we do, but it was most likely warped. We are working on creating a new type of human that is more capable of survival. The way humans are now won't last long. In around 500 to 1000 years from now, humans will be reduced to essentially blobs that are incapable of basic thought and skills. We're trying to prevent that future by making tweaks to the brain and body". The elevator stopped and we got off, "Anyway, this floor is where we are working on the chemical compound of the medications to better the brain".

A young woman, maybe 25, ran up to us, "Dr. Artison, you're needed on floor 5, room 27". She handed my mom a clipboard.

"Autumn, can you take Jeremy home"? I could tell my mom was getting a bit nervous.

"Yes, Dr. Artison. Does he have any things with him"? The woman, Autumn, asked.

"His bag from school is in Dr. Red's office. I need to go". Mom ran off.

I got back in the elevator with Autumn, "I'm Autumn Sage-Zingaro. There was something very urgent your mom had to take care of".

"That's ok, I'm Jeremy".

"It's nice to meet you," She smiled, "Now I don't know where you live, so you're going to have to give me some directions". Autumn chuckled.

"My house isn't too far". I replied.

We found our way back to Dr. Red's office, I returned my pin and picked up my backpack.

Autumn had a small car with a baby seat in the back. "Do you have kids"? I asked.

"My wife and I take care of my niece. She was put into my care after my brother was killed two years ago. I think of her as my own kid".

"I'm sorry about your brother". Autumn turned the car on.

"Thank you, but you don't need to be sorry, I try not to focus on it too much".

I gave her directions on how to get to my house, and she drove me home. Autumn was nice, but throughout the whole ride, I couldn't help but think about the person I saw on the monitor. Was Smithy right? Was my mom taking children away from their families and experimenting on them?

I pushed the thought out of my head and listened to Autumn's story.

"I was your age when I got the opportunity to do a year abroad. Of course, I signed up and by the time I did the only country left was Italy, but I'm not complaining, Italy is a beautiful country. The family I was staying with was super nice too, that's where I met Luce, my wife. She was my age and we became friends immediately, then one thing led to another and now we're married with a kid".

She pulled into my driveway and I unbuckled my seat belt, "Thanks".

"No problem, I hope to see you again soon. My father-in-law always said 'Your life's work is useless unless you inspire a younger generation to carry on'". She mimicked an old Italian man badly.

I laughed a bit, "I'll probably be back, but I'm not sure yet".

"Bye, Jeremy, it was nice meeting you".

"You too". She pulled away and I walked into my house.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out, expecting a message from my mom. Instead, it was from Smithy.

'Autumn Sage-Zingaro, you're friends now. What a shame'.