chapter 1

My dad started dropping hints about his secret job a couple months ago. At first, they were subtle but then they became more obvious: "One day you're going to be faster than all of your friends," "You won't need boys or love when you're older." It didn't really make sense to me but I shrugged it off, saying it was because he had always been an odd guy.

But as he started walking toward me in the cave, I knew something was up. 

"DAD," I screamed. "Get me out of here!"

"I'm sorry Layla, we can't stop now."

He nodded toward the various scientists around me (I noticed the lights had mysteriously turned on as we had been talking. "You may proceed," he said, and my the gurney I was strapped to kept moving. 

It went faster now, I was pushed outside of the small room into a big, long, white corridor. It reminded me of a highway, narrow enough for two carts side by side with many people bustling in and out of the rooms around us. 

I felt a mask being pressed on my face and suddenly everything went black.

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I opened my eyes and I saw lots of blinking lights. It looked like a hospital room. I was laying on a bed, IV's in my arm and all I wanted to do was go home.

Why would someone put me in here? And why was my dad part of this whole mess?

The door swung open and in came a business-like woman wearing a simple white lab coat and holding a clipboard.

"Hello Layla," she said. "We are checking out your vitals but Phase I will begin tonight."

"Wh..what's Phase I?" I stuttered, suddenly feeling very nervous. 

"The start of a process that will change your life... for the better." The woman gave me a creepy smile and then walked out, her heels clomping on the floor.

Now that she had left, I noticed a boy had been standing behind her. He looked like a mini scientist, with big black glasses and a white lab coat. Underneath he had a blue shirt rolled up with suspenders, that any other boy wouldn't be able to pull off. But he could. 

Instantly my breath stopped. 

"I'll be in charge of your procedure this week," he said confidently. 

Wait, procedure? "What are you talking about?" I asked him, rather rudely; I was beginning to get annoyed with this whole thing because no one would tell me what was going on. And also the fact that someone had stolen me out of my room last night without telling me. 

He sighed rather loud. "How come I'm the one who always has to break the news," he muttered.

"So, you're getting a procedure that will enhance your athletic capabilities."

"Wai-," I spoke up but he cut me off.

"Let me finish. Yes, it's illegal but it's safe, yes, it's worked before, yes, even though I'm young I still know what I'm doing.." he finished condescendingly.

I sat in silence, pondering what was going to happen to me; refusing to look at the so-called scientist. He looked like he was 16, around my age- so why was he in charge of my "procedure"?

A couple minutes later I looked up and he was gone. I still had an IV in my arm but I pulled it out quickly so there would be no pain. I ran to the door hoping to escape, but it was locked. 

Reviews

[matrixmark]

Yet another interesting read, and has left me wondering where this tale is going. It really does feel like some kind of film which I have seen, but I can't put my finger on it. But, nevertheless, I am intrigued as to what Phase 1 is all about.

Mark.