"Are you ready for your first class, I hope-…Wait, what is that?"- I hear Robert's voice coming inside the lab hurriedly, stopping abruptly when he sees what I'm doing. I quickly shove the weird notebook in my bag, acting like I was very interested in the testing tubes placed on top of my desk.
"Oh, nothing! Just started fidgeting with the material while I waited. Sorry about that…"-I respond with an innocent tone in my voice. Robert stares at me for a few seconds, clear skepticism drawn on his face until he decides to let it go and start the class.
A huge wave of relief goes through my body as I sit up straight on the lab stool and prepare myself mentally for the long hours of practice ahead of me. While Robert gets ready in his station, I start to think about the notebook. I end up deciding to read it tonight in the safety and privacy of my room. However, as I'm thinking about my bedroom, I remember the other strange notebook I found during my first days in Atlas. Intrigue and curiosity building in my mind make me promise myself to open and read them both tonight, waiting no longer.
. . .
My first neurology practice class had gone pretty well. It was difficult at first, but Robert assured me that combined with the theory lessons, I would be working in no time. Now, I'm on my way to the infamous "rusty door" to meet with Aiden. Although I'm in a good mood from the progress I made in class, I can't deny a feeling of nervousness is increasing with each step I take closer to the end of the running field.
It'll be the first time we see each other since the time we shared on the cliffs, well…THE KISS we shared on the cliffs. And even though it had been less than 24 hours ago, it felt like it had happened in another lifetime, many years back.
Speaking of the devil, there he was. Today he was wearing one of his characteristic leather jackets, paired with apple-bottom jeans this time, with a cigarette in his mouth of course. Leaning on the old garage door, causally and seemingly unworried. I remembered that last night he had insisted that I keep the jacket that he lent me because of the cold. However, I was carrying it in hand with the intention of giving it back to him.
As I'm approaching him, I can´t ignore the huge contrast between our clothing styles. His cutting-edge style looked almost theatrical next to my nurse-like fits. Like most of the students and workers here at Atlas, my wardrobe was simple and clean, consisting of simple baby blue and white dress pants and shirts, no accessories, and all of it topped off with basic white sneakers. This made me wonder how and where he could have possibly found those clothes since he was the only one I had seen around this institution wearing them.
"Hey, girl. What took you so long? The path isn't bumpy."-He salutes once I'm a few steps in front of him. There's something about that charismatic smile of his that makes my insides melt, every single time.
"Nothing, just wondering where you get your clothes from. They're definitely not the kind you see around here."-I say confidently, surprising myself with the tone and at how smooth and easily words escape my mouth. He seems mesmerized by my attitude, which only makes me happier.
"You mean this old thing? I can show you another day if you'd like. We can even look at some pieces for your wardrobe."-Aiden remarks jokingly. Well, I actually don´t really know if he's kidding or not, I guess only time will tell.
After a few more ironic comments followed by laughs, we make sure no one is around or looking in our direction and proceed to go inside the garage. Aiden turns on the flickering industrial lights, and in front of us stands the monstrosity of The Passage, fully uncovered.
"While I was waiting for you, I took the liberty of getting it all ready, to save us both some time."- The tall boy informs. I simply nod, not taking my eyes off the enormous machine. It seemed a lot bigger than the first and only time I saw it. But I knew that couldn´t be possible, so I instantly blame my memory and my fright-provoking imagination.
"Okay, since this is the first official "training session", we're only going to go through the basics, alright? Well, so The Passage creates an experience and is able to do so in two ways, with a programmed one, and with a vision or a dream. Today we're going to try the vision, which can only happen if a person like us activates it. I know you have a lot of questions about the so-called "people like us", and so do I. That's why I've been trying to figure this thing out because it was definitely created by someone for a reason. With that said, are you ready? I promise it won´t be dangerous."
"Yes, I'm ready. And don´t worry Aiden, I trust you."-Those words make him flush a little, a shy pink showing on his cheeks. He nods and leads me to the machine.
I enter the portal and hear the sound of a mechanic flick behind me, probably from the lever being pulled down. Lavender smoke begins engulfing me. I close my eyes and focus on the past, on a memory or a dream, as Aiden instructs me.
< "You're unbelievable! I have sacrificed so much for you, and this is how you thank me?!"
Distant voices come into the scene, it looks like a garden. The sounds of a big waterfall make it hard to decipher what the two people arguing are saying, but I'm able to do it with great effort.
"You've sacrificed what, exactly? I don't know about you Aiden, but I'm trying to not get killed here, got it? I don´t want to have anything to do with this shithole you're in. I'm out…>
Blue fumes turn my eyesight blurry, followed by lavender smoke. I realize I'm getting out of the vision. Those voices… was that Kat?