“Maybe she just wants what's best for you?”

  The moment those words left her mouth, she realized it was a mistake.

  An exasperated gasp left him as he took a step back, “What!? Are you even listening? I’m basically telling you she treats me like—like a slave!”

  “Maybe that's just her way of looking after you?” she offered quickly.

  She chose the wrong words again.

  He dragged a hand through his blonde hair, eyes narrowing.

  “You’re not listening.”

  “Sorry… I just want to—”

  “Ugh.” He cut her off, shaking his head. “I knew I shouldn’t have brought it up with you.”

  He brushed past her before she could react.

  “Wait—!” she called, stepping forward, reaching out.

  He didn’t turn back.

  She paused, arms falling to her sides as she watched him trudge down the corridor, his footsteps fading until all that remained was the hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. She shifted to the side, her gaze remaining at the spot where he had once stood.

  “What was that about?”

  She flinched at the sudden voice.

  Turning, a young man entered her view. He was short and broad, with a cap atop scruffy black hair that never quite stayed in place. A white coat hung loosely off his shoulders, his hands buried deep in its pockets. One emerged just long enough to push his glasses back up his nose.

  “Oh… hi Jacob…” She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and leaned back against the wall. “It’s just…” Her voice trailed off.

  Meanwhile, his orange irises peered down the hall.

  “Abel?” Jacob said easily, finishing the thought for her. “He’ll get used to it. We all do.”

  The corner of her lip twitched as those words entered her ear.

  “Are… you sure? I think that—”

  “That works hard?” Jacob interrupted gently, a small chuckle slipping through. “Yeah. That’s kind of what happens when you land a six-figure job as complicated as ours.”

  Her head perked up, “You get paid six figures?”

  Jacob laughed, shaking his head, “No. Ashley might. Schafer definitely does.” He shrugged, like it was obvious. “Still, it means we’re trusted. That counts for something.”

  She rubbed her arms, her earlier smile slowly returning, “I guess that’s something to look forward to.”

  “I know I am.” Jacob grinned, a hint of pride in his voice. “They wouldn’t lean on us this much if we weren’t important.”

  Suddenly, his gaze focused as he let out a gasp.

  “Oh, right.” He straightened slightly. “Ashley’s looking for you.”

  “Really? What for?”

  “Not sure.” He tilted his head. “She mentioned some kind of mystery substance. Said you’d probably know more than anyone else.”

  Blinking, she stared blankly back at him, “Huh?”

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  Jacob bobbed his shoulders and gave an apologetic look, “She’ll be in the IT room. You should find her there.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She pushed off the wall. “Thanks for telling me.”

  “No problem.” He stepped aside to let her pass, already turning back down the hall. “Good luck.”

  “Bye,” she said, waving to his back.

  Left alone in the hallway, Ava cleared her throat and straightened her posture.

  Her thoughts raced ahead of her steps. The mere suggestion felt almost inconceivable. As if someone had told her the sky itself had fallen. Maybe it was a code, a way of asking for something else without saying it outright. If that was the case, she’d be ready. She always was.

  She followed the familiar corridors of the facility, turn after turn, until the hum of servers grew louder and she reached the IT section. Pushing the door open, she was immediately assaulted by a thick, sweaty musk that clung to the air.

  Pinching the ridge of her nose, she didn’t take long to find its source.

  “How many times do I have to tell you?” a gruff voice barked. “You don’t need to make it this damn complicated!”

  “Sorry, Chief…” came a higher, apologetic reply. “Could you show me again?”

  A heavy scoff boomed across the room, “You just don’t learn! Fine. Move.”

  At one of the cluttered desks, a tanned girl with long, curly hair pushed back her chair and stood. Taking her place was an oversized, grungy older man, his coat stained and wrinkled beyond saving. He launched into an explanation full of jargon she herself barely understood, but the other girl watched him closely, nodding along as if every word mattered.

  Watching the scene unfold in front of her, she couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. Nor stop the giggle that escaped them.

  Both heads jerked toward her.

  “Oh,” the girl said, tilting her head. “It’s just you, Ava.”

  The man grunted. “What do you want?”

  Clearing her throat, Ava returned the smile, “Have you seen Ashley? She said she’d be here.”

  The man leaned back in his chair with a creak, “That bitch?” he scoffed. “Something came up. She said she’d be late.”

  Slightly flinching at his harsh tone, Ava slowly nodded her head. “I see…”

  Before the man could say more, the girl stepped forward, eyes glinting with curiosity, “Oh? Are all the girlies getting together?”

  “No,” Ava replied quickly. “She just wanted to talk about something.”

  “Why here?” the man snapped. “Can’t you leave us alone?”

  “Hey!” The girl rounded on him, lips pursed. “Don’t be like that.”

  He sneered but stood, lumbering over to another desk piled with loose papers and cables. A crooked nameplate reading Matthew hung precariously from the edge.

  “Don’t mind him,” the girl said, rolling her eyes as she turned back to Ava.

  “Oh, I don’t,” Ava said lightly. “He’s just like that. So… how’s your training going?”

  The girl brightened. She dragged a chair over and slid it toward Ava, who happily took the seat. Maddie grabbed another for herself, sitting and crossing one leg over the other.

  “It’s rough,” Maddie admitted, “but I’ve got a great teacher.”

  Ava mirrored the posture, resting one leg over her knee, “You’re okay with his… quirks?”

  “Totally,” Maddie said without hesitation. “I’d take this over some spineless guy who doesn’t teach me anything.” She leaned forward slightly. “Anyway, how about we talk about you?”

  “Me?” Ava blinked.

  “Yeah. You and Ashley.”

  “What… do you want to know?”

  Maddie’s eyes sparkled as she leaned closer, “It just doesn’t make sense. You hang out with her… by choice?”

  “Don’t you?” Ava asked, leaning back.

  “That’s different,” Maddie said. “I think she’s… unique.” She paused. “But you’re friends, right? How did that even happen?”

  “Is it that hard to believe?”

  Maddie laughed softly, batting her eyelashes, “Um. The difference between you two is kind of night and day.”

  “Really?” Ava tilted her head.

  Maddie hesitated, then fixed her with a more serious look. “You… actually talk to her, right?”

  Ava crossed her arms, “What are you saying?”

  Maddie exhaled quietly and placed a hand on Ava’s shoulder, “Oh, my precious summer child.”

  “Huh?”

  She leaned back, stretching her arms, “It’s fine. I think I got the picture now.”

  Ava searched her face, unease flickering beneath her expression, but she smoothed it over with a smile, “Okay.”

  Maddie opened her mouth to speak again, but the room shook with a sudden bellow.

  “How long are you gonna gossip?” Matthew shouted. “We got work to do!”

  Maddie groaned under her breath, pushing herself to her feet.

  “Sorry. We’ll talk later.” She gestured vaguely. “Help yourself to any snacks lying around.”

  “The fuck she can!” Matthew growled. “They’re mine!”

  “You could lay off a few,” Maddie shot back, hands on her hips as she returned to her desk.

  Receiving her response, Matthew proceeded to make a series of noises that can only be described as guttural.

  As an observer of this exchange, Ava let out a giggle as she got comfortable.