Page 3 of Monstrous Truths
Closer, anyway.
But there’s something missing, something I cannot synthesise in our DNA nor understand.
What the humans did to make us is mostly a mystery, despite the research I was able to find. If only I had more, I could change everything…
I could save our people from our own nature.
If only…
THREE
TALIA
Groaning, I pull my eye from the microscope and take off my glasses, rubbing the bridge of my nose as I slump back into my chair for a moment. I’m rechecking someone’s research, and yet again, it’s wrong, which means I’ll have to spend the next week fixing it without getting any credit.
I jump when there’s a noise behind me. Whirling around, I sweep my gaze over the lab but find nothing. Everyone else has left for dinner, leaving me alone in the lab that takes up the entire side of this floor. I narrow my blurry eyes and notice a man walking across the walkway connecting this glass-enclosed lab with the lab opposite. That must have been where the noise originated.
Shaking my head at my foolish, jumpy nature, I put on my glasses and straighten. I grab my tablet to start correcting the formula when I hear the whoosh of the lab door opening. I don’t think anything of it at first, but when there is no chatter or the sound of coats being put on, I turn slightly and leap to my feet. Stumbling into my work bench, I gawk at the man standing before me with an arched eyebrow.
“Dr Hayes.” I scramble up and check myself over to make sure I’m presentable. I peer at him, my cheeks heating at his cold expression as he watches me. “How can I help you?”
After all, it’s not every day the lead doctor of the research facility comes down to see you. In fact, I’ve only met him once, during my interview, and he terrified me. I’d read his research during my master’s program. It’s ground-breaking. He has a top rate mind, and he was brutal in my interview, and the way he watched me…well, it freaked me out.
Now he’s watching me with the same gleam in his eyes, like I’m an experiment, but then he blinks and it disappears. “Ms Ledger, is it not?”
“Erm, yes.” I duck my head to hide my flash of irritation. Of course he forgot me. I’m nothing, but it doesn’t stop my annoyance since he hired me himself and I’ve been here doing all the hard work.
“I need to speak to you,” he states bluntly.
Excitement courses through me. Has he heard about my research project on the side I plan on presenting this year? “Of course, sir. If this is about the upcoming research presentation, I am ready—”
“No, not about that.” He makes it clear he doesn’t even know what I’m talking about, and I sag before nodding. “Come to my office in ten minutes.” With that, he leaves without even checking to see if I agree.
Bastard.
Groaning, I look back at the research I need to get done. I know I’ll be working late to complete it if I have to stop for this meeting.
Let’s hope it’s important.
* * *
I knock on the doctor’s door nervously. It’s on the very top floor of the skyscraper. I was forced to wait in the lobby of his office for twenty minutes, despite him calling me here. The more I waited, the more angry and agitated I grew, until I was almost bouncing in my seat, much to the annoyance of the prim, middle-aged woman behind the receptionist’s desk.
“Come in,” someone calls, and I hurry inside. When I get a look at his office, I gape.
It spans the entire top floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city of Athesa and the wall beyond. For a moment, I linger on that before peering around. There’s a stone balcony outside, with seating areas and warmers. Inside, the office is decorated to immaculate, if not cold, taste. There is modern artwork and pictures of him doing research everywhere. The floor is hardwood, not carpet, and unwelcoming, just like the man sitting behind the huge desk. Opposite him, on four chairs, are other men I don’t recognise—all middle-aged and forgettable—and there are two empty chairs there. I clear my throat and step farther in.
“You wanted to see me, Dr Hayes?” I say dumbly.
He gestures to the chair, and I nod, hurrying across to perch on the edge.
I nod at the men in the other seats, but they just watch me. Something in their eyes makes me look away. Uncomfortable, I wait for Dr Hayes to speak, knowing he hates being interrupted and questioned.
“Ms Ledger, we have an important field research task we think you will be perfect for.” He poises his hands on his desk before him. The sunlight frames him, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he moved his desk to make that impact in every meeting.
Then what he said hits me…
Field research? I’ve never been in the field. My area of expertise keeps me in a lab, just the way I like it. Things can get complicated in the field, and research is muddled since there are too many factors to take into account, but it’s the first assignment I have been asked to join, so I can’t turn it down.