BOUND IN SPACE AND TIME - NETEYAM SULLY

ACT 1.2

Any kinship to warmth we might have felt has now long gone. The air was ridget and cold, the corridor, indented with metal all around, stretched on far into the dark - only neon blue lines etched along the walls illuminated our journey, almost leading us forward.  A scent of almost artificial fragrance and antiseptic filtered through the air, growing stronger with each passing step on our way to the main laboratory where my father was stationed at. The quiet is ironically deafening.

Originally we were supposed to have him meet us in one of the guest rooms but he pulled some strings in order to give us access to the lab he was working in. It's funny to see how my dad's only been promoted for less than 2 months and is already calling in little favours for us - well me.

With me wanting to also be a Geneticist in the future, it's no surprise how happy my dad was. We'd talk about his research and thesis' for hours and I'd often visit his previous jobs' faculty to see how things were done or the cool samples they'd extract and analyse. To be honest I understood less than half of what was going on, but I was gaining experience in the field and spending more time with my dad. I was just happy to be there - his effort to help me fall in love with the work seemed to have paid off.

Thankful that I decided to wear my favourite jacket today, I burrow further into its warmth. I could feel a cheeky grin stretch on my face as I turned towards my mother, her being less fortunate with only a light t-shirt on. Goosebumps present themselves along the skin that is visible on her arms as a slight shiver could be seen running down her back.

A smug smirk accompanies my teasing comment.

"I told you Ma, you should have worn the sweater I suggested."

"And I told you that there was no way I was going to clash the orange accents of my outfit with that depressing grey. " she quickly rebuttals. "I haven't seen your dad in so long so I have to look the part -let him see what he's missing" she intones. 

A chuckle is released out of me as she ends up bringing her arms up, hugging herself in a desperate attempt to gather some warmth - her signature little shimmy follows. Ma always had a little dance for every occasion - happiness, food, needing the toilet, the cold etc. You could say Ma's body language come in the form of dance as she was a very expressive person.

Before I can help it, my eyes roll in amusement. 

" Well while you're freezing your butt off, keep in mind how warm and cosy I am with this very jacket you tried to pry off of me in the car."

A  big huff can be heard. " In my defence, it was way warmer outside okay. You're just like your daddy - no regard for the decency of fashion whatsoever." a laugh interrupts her.

"When did getting smart require sacrificing your fashion sense? Tragic really ..."

Before I can reply we both turn towards a hugly compounded door.  It's huge form rose until the hall-way's ceiling, with the width stretching wide.  I turn my head swiftly towards my mother, her instinctively doing the same. We both share a surge of determination within our held gaze.

"Are you ready?"

"Let's do this!"

As if almost on cue the door opened, giving off a robotic rumble in its wake. Instead of opening in a sidewards motion, it disconnects from the floor towards the ceiling. Savvy. Fluorescent light seeps from behind the door as it ascends, showcasing the familiar silhouette of a certain someone. His signature glasses reflect the light until the door completely disappears, arms extending outwards in an invitation for a hug. His chuckle filters through the air.

 Our excited and giddy smiles synchronize along with our cheers.

"Aaron!!!"

"Dad!!!!"