The Telling Locket pt. 2

The locket guided us through the city. It was well after curfew and Stefan by now knew something special was going on with my neckless. I found his restraint admirable as I knew his curiosity was tremendous. I was getting tired and wondered how much longer before we arrived at our destination.

The locket gave me a series of numbers. At first, I was confused and then recognized the building we were standing in front of. It was the lab Stefan and I worked at. In the dark and having never walked there, only rode the bus, it took me a moment to realize we were at the side of the building. I entered the numbers on the key pad and the door swung open. We went to our lab knowing there were snacks there. It was also nice to be in a familiar space. We were fugitives from the law. Having avoided the blood bus, I wasn’t sure how long before our absence would become significant. I had never heard of anyone avoiding the blood bus and wasn’t sure what would happen.

My mind returned to my last rushed conversation with my friend Krista. Knowing she needed to vote for the horrible cartoon in order to stay alive, I worried for her safety. I knew she would never vote for the show that would keep her alive and tears sprang to my eyes. I knew I would probably never see her again. Even if she could pick the television shows that would keep her alive, Stefan and I were on the run, forever. We may not have any longer than her if we were caught. Stefan busied himself making us a make-shift bed. Wiping my tears away, I bolted to the nearest trash can and vomited until I dry heaved. I couldn’t remember the last time, if any, I had ever thrown up. Slumping down next to the trash can and against a metal desk I instinctually pressed my face against the cool surface and closed my eyes. I basked for a moment reveling in the lack of movement in my stomach. I reached down and placed my hand on my stomach, “How’s about you give your mom a break?” Just then, Stefan placed his hand over mine. I looked at him and weakly smiled, “Don’t kiss me, there’s nuclear waste in my mouth.” He pulled my head towards his face and kissed me on the forehead. He handed me a towel full of ice and I closed my eyes with a sigh so very thankful to have him!

“I found some soup and am heating it in the microwave. We will need to eat before we proceed with the next thing.” I knew he thought I had a plan. I didn’t. He helped me to my wobbly knees and walked me to a pallet he had made on the floor. It looked like an oasis and I wasted no time laying down. Balling up, which seemed the best way to settle my stomach, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

I awoke to the sound of popcorn popping in the microwave. What a friendly sound in such a scary world. It smelled good and I remembered my empty stomach. It was still dark outside and I looked at the locket. It showed only the people in the slots. I looked at them closer and really wondered who they were, or more importantly, who they were to ME.

Stefan brought me a bowl of popcorn and sat criss-cross applesauce in front of me. He stared at me and waited. I knew it was time to tell him about the locket. I lifted the neckless over my head and held it open, in my palm. Stefan scrutinized the heart and then looked back at me. At that moment the locket began to vibrate and his eyes widened as he focused on the instructions scrolling across the photos. They were small, and he held it closer. I let him receive the message. Quietly I asked, “What does it say?”

He replied, “The locket says authorities are outside the building. A blood bus is with them. It’s telling us to hide.” He paused a minute, his brow furrowing. “Let’s hide in the vault.” He began quickly picking up stuff off the floor. I spilled the popcorn on a nearby desk. “What are you doing?” We can’t get rid of the smell. It will hopefully cool off and explain the buttery smell.” “Genius” he said grinning. I marveled at his unending optimism. How did he do that?

We quietly ran down the hallway to the vault. It struck me then how stupid it was to come here. Of course, they would look for us here! It was the only other place we could go. I hoped the locket also knew the risks coming here, and knew enough about government search protocols to make it a viable idea.

The vault contained germs. It also contained seeds from pyramids and plants from seeds grown on the space shuttles. These words were thrown around at the lab but I knew only vague information about both. I knew the germs had to stay frozen or things might go from bad to diabolical. Who knew what some of those biological mysteries might do to plants, animals or humans?

Stefan and I had security clearance and were able to get into the vault. It occurred to me that our security clearance may be protecting us, at least for the present. The complex only had cameras in the lower security floors. I realized when we keyed in, we keyed in on the 4th floor. In some architectural feat, the building was built into a hill which gave it not only extra security but random abnormalities playing in our favor. We punched in the code and the door opened with a whoosh. Frozen air billowed out as we stepped into it hoping we wouldn’t have to be in the vault for long. Stefan had brought jackets he had found on the hooks and draped around office chairs. We donned them and huddled together to try and preserve warmth. I wondered how long we would be in there and if we would freeze before the blood bus left.

An hour went by. I couldn’t feel my toes. My teeth were chattering. I knew the cold was worse for Stefan as I was leaning against him, but he was against the metal wall. He pulled the top coat over our heads and I felt a tad bit warmer. In the dark, he began to speak.

“Remi, I know you’re scared but I want you to know something. I love you. I want our baby and I will die for you. We are going to be parents! That’s beyond anything I ever thought would happen!” I was extremely moved and wished my teeth weren’t chattering. Finding this, this love in such a dark world gave me hope.

I felt the locket vibrate. “The blood bus is leaving. Wait 10 minutes and then code out of there.” I showed Stefan. “I have questions.” I nodded.

The 10 minutes seemed to last a long time but finally we opened the door to a balmy 73 degrees. I breathed deeply trying to warm up my insides. Stefan set up the pallet again and made hot tea. He also brought me a bowl of soup. After looking after me, he joined me and just said, “Tell me.”

I told him. It seemed like a life time ago, but wasn’t even a year since the programs began and the people started missing. Stefan was fascinated and I could tell he wanted to take the locket apart. “You have no idea who the people are?” I answered no and he said I favored them both. It would make sense that I would be related. I liked to think that maybe they were alive and I wasn’t really an orphan.

The locket began to speak again and its words were wise and what I needed. “Sleep. Eat. Sleep. You will leave tomorrow evening before the workers start reporting for work.” There was no going back, no way to know what was coming. Well, a baby was coming and we would need help. I closed my hand over the locket, said a prayer and snuggled up to Stefan.