JULIET'S QUILL

CHAPTER 8: DOUBLE TREAT

The sudden transition from breathing the natural air with 21% Oxygen to a pure shot of highly refreshing air was too much for my lungs. I could feel very cell in my brain alert and ready to function. Something elevated my mood, made me feel confident and in control of the situation. The darkness of the tunnel was faded in the bright row of lights that welcomed me. The two gentlemen walked ahead of me, guiding me through the single infinite tunnel with nothing but white walls. The lights behind me went out as I took my steps forward. I swiveled my head back to stare in the darkness and then looked at the dazzling white light ahead of me. The perfection of the moment made me feel like passing through the final tunnel of death, towards the bright light. For a nanosecond, my mind converted the two men into angels guiding me through but Louis spoke something dragging me back to reality. My imagination had almost got its hands on a brush, trying to paint a perfect painting of being hanged between the darkness and the light.

Doctor Stephen ranted," Are you sure about this?"

"Positive."

Louis fondled the wall, trying to grab on something. His hand stopped as he pushed the brick and a part of the wall seemed to slide back. I gaped at the first sight of the enormous Laboratory.

It seemed like another world, too dramatic to be real. About a dozen people in lab coats were walking around, interacting with each other. They were too busy to notice us. But one of them, an elderly stout woman walked towards us.

She frowned," The results are still the same. Should we try again?"

Louis mumbled, "Not yet, Margaret"

She turned her head towards me, and gave me an awkward smile. "And this is?"

"Marcus Breton." I offered my hand to her. But she exchanged queer looks with Doctor Stephen.

"Breton?"

"Yes, he's the only one who might help us."

"I don't think...."

Louis raised his hand to stop her from saying anything further. She spun on her heels and went back to her workstation.

"What was that about?" I pointed at her. "Why was she shocked to hear my surname? If you want me to help you, then at least tell me everything."

"Stop Whining, Kid. We brought you here to tell you everything that we know and listen to your side of information." Stephen patted my shoulder.

There were two doors that opened in the gigantic hall, one on each side of the main door. The left one was "Microbiology and Genetics Lab" and the right one was "Nanotechnology Lab".

Louis pointed to the right door, and spoke, "Go there, and wait for us." I stepped inside another big hall but with few people sitting at the far corner on their work stations. I dragged a chair and sat facing the glass door. I saw the two men talking to Margaret with their hands. It seemed like an argument rather than a simple discussion. Margaret shot me another gloomy look, and nodded. Louis and Stephen walked towards the door, with a triumphant smile spread across their faces. Somehow, my instincts told me that Eloise was nothing more than a trap and I was stuck in something deadly because of her.

Louis spoke aloud," Code 13. Leave the hall." I had never seen people acting this swift on any order. They almost rushed their way out of the hall leaving three of us there. Stephen motioned me to follow him towards the large screen with series of digits changing rapidly.

"Your parents are the sole reason why we brought you here. They have something that belonged to us, and we want it back"

"They died when I was young..."