Treizecisiunu || Judas

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

The trip to the institute had shaken Mila badly. She'd had a nightmare about the doctor, and the way his teeth grazed his bottom lip when looking at patients.

Today is the day, she thought to herself. Alec was reading his tablet, eating his overnight oats in the proper way he always did. Unaware of what she was about to do.

In case she failed, she didn't say anything. It was better to keep it to herself, than get his hopes up and end up disappointing him. In school she'd always been a good student, and she applied the same mindset as she would a final exam. She'd studied, waited, and now it was time to utilize everything she'd learned.

She came into the office late, in hopes of avoiding Daniel. It worked, and by the time she got in, the floor was bustling with excitement more than usual. Desks were tidier, employees showed up earlier, and everyone looked busy in anticipation of Mr. Han's arrival.

According to the maintenance record log for the last two years, Mr. Han's computer was always checked by IT when he returned from a major trip. It was her best shot.

"Mila!" said Bonnie. "Where have you been all my life!" Bonnie had come back from Japan with an abundance of energy. Somehow, her skin glowed eve more than usual, and she was wearing new rose gold-colored earrings in the shape of Japanese characters.

It was crazy to think that the formidable Bonnie Lee had ever dealt with abuse.

"The trip went well, I'm guessing?" Mila asked.

"Better than I could have imagined. I think my uncle and I finally found some common ground."

Mila wondered what that meant exactly, but with her delayed start, she didn't have time to focus on office pleasantries. She had to get Mr. Han back into the swing of things.

"I love your hair!" Bonnie continued. Turning her around to get a better look. It was half up/half down, in a different way than she normally wore it. Her new clip was holding it together in the back.

Over the weekend, she'd taken the USB out of the gaudy (and frankly, stupid) keychain disguise and fashioned it into a hair clip. It was a much better way to sneak it in, and she'd decorated it so it looked like an ornament. If security scanned her head, they would either think it was simply a metal hairpiece, or part of her headplate that normally went off.

They were veterans of the Iraq War and had friends with similar injuries. Since then, they avoided scanning it when others were around, out of courtesy to her. She hated taking advantage of their kindness, but she did what she had to.

"Maybe I need to go to Tokyo with you next time." she said.

Bonnie grinned. She got in her earshot and said a little too quietly. "Let's meet up for lunch, ok?"

She didn't appreciate the concerned look Bonnie gave her, and she slumped slightly in her chair just as Mr. Han walked by.

"Unhappy to see me?" he said.

"Not at all." she perked up.

He didn't miss a beat. "I need to see a list of the important meetings I've missed, along with any high priority calls. Oh, and for lunch. --"

"You want your usual. It'll be here at noon." She got up and followed him into his office. "As for the lists, check your email." she said. "I sent you an update with everything you need to know."

He clicked a couple times and winked at her. She missed their dynamic.

Before she could ask him if he needed anything, the IT team lead was behind her.

"Want me to grab that?" He pointed to the computer.

"Sure," Han said. "It's been asking me something about an update?"

"I can take care of that for you, no problem." he replied enthusiastically.

Suck up, she thought. She sat at her desk feeling completely put out. She'd hoped to take it down to IT herself. She stopped wallowing in her bad luck, and was answering emails when she felt a tall presence looming over her. Daniel.

"We need to talk," he said. "Lunch today?"

Apparently, everyone wanted in on her lunch schedule.

"I'm busy." she said.

"You can't avoid me forever," he replied. "I just want to talk. Nothing more."

"It's not personal." she replied, focusing on what she was doing. "I'm just swamped with your uncle being back."

Talking to Daniel was the last thing she wanted to do. She didn't feel like having to break up whatever weird thing they had. She had a job to do, which she was now seriously doubting her ability to complete. She had no idea the next time she would get an opportunity like today.

Daniel dropped it but gave her a stern look before entering his uncles' office.

"I'm just trying to help." he said.

At the moment, the only thing that was going to help her was getting that laptop.

The IT team normally had their mid-day break a little earlier than the rest of the office, which provided her with one more shot. She faced away from them, eating her lunchbox alone a few tables over, where she could hear most of their conversation. It was boring for the most part. They talked about pets, and their lame online dates.

The team lead, Chet, was the most annoying of them all. Clearly he thought he had a leg up on the others, and considered himself superior because of his title. He wouldn't stop talking about the humdrum details of his life. As if anyone were interested.

"I've lost track of the time" he said, getting up. "I'm late for a meeting."

Mila quickly finished her meal and followed him to the elevator, trying to look natural.

"If you need me to drop off the computer, it's no problem." she said.

"That's ok." he replied. Chet clearly valued his facetime with the boss.

"I heard you." she said. "Trust me, Mr. Han is going to want it sooner rather than later. Let me help."

He looked hesitant, but ultimately agreed.

"Ok," he said. "Walk with me, and listen closely to my instructions." She didn't hear a word he was saying. She couldn't believe he actually fell for it.

"Got it?" he said.

"Got it," she replied. As the assistant to the CEO, she had a type of power she rarely exercised. People respected her and typically caved if she asked for something directly.

When he handed her the computer, she realized she was shaking.

She had it.

In the women's locker room attached to the gym, there was a private bathroom. She'd walked by it many times before, but had only been in one time to scout it for privacy. She closed herself in the stall, and carefully opened the laptop.

Her hair fell into her face when she pulled the hairclip. Shakily, she entered the passcode she'd watched Mr. Han enter a dozen times, and waited as the computer registered the USB.

The thought of walking away without doing it occurred to her. She could buy herself more time if she wanted. The hair clip worked fine today--it could work another day. She wondered if she would hold any more value for Alec after this, or if he throw her to the wolves.

She thought of her family, and dragged the USB file onto the desktop.

At first, nothing happened. Just as she began to worry she'd done something wrong, the file disappeared, as if it absorbed into the background.

She'd followed Alec's instructions exactly. Quickly, she ejected the USB and logged out.

Holy crap, she thought. I did it!

Her legs felt like jelly on the walk back.

Mr. Han was on a call when she dropped it off, and didn't pay her any mind. This was good since she'd completely blanked on the information IT guy had shared with her.

"Looks like you already had lunch," Bonnie said. All three of them, Bonnie, Evie and Daniel were at her desk. It was an ambush.

"We're going to get some frozen yogurt at the new food truck downstairs after. Want to join?" she asked.

It didn't seem like they would take no for an answer, but Mila was processing a lot of complex feelings and didn't think she could bare being around them. Especially Daniel, who seemed to see her more clearly than anyone.

Before she could say anything, the lights went out, and they were engulfed in darkness.

Gasps were heard throughout the floor.

"Everyone, stay calm," Bonnie said with authority. "Our backup lights should be on momentarily."

Mila hadn't been in this kind of darkness since the basement, and she desperately wanted to find light. An overwhelming feeling came over. She could barely speak. Barely breathe.

"I--don't know what's happening." she gasped, clenching Daniel's arm for stability. She was confused and scared. She would surely die in this darkness.

"It's ok" Daniel said. "I think you're having a panic attack."

"Something's wrong." Evie said. "The backup power isn't working, and security is telling us we need to exit. They have flashlights near the exits."

Mila's legs wouldn't work, so someone swept her off her feet. Daniel of course.

"Should we call an ambulance?" Bonnie asked.

"She's just in shock." he said. "It'll pass faster in a quiet place."

"Well, that isn't going to work here." Evie said. "There are way too many people." They'd shuffled carefully through the emergency exits, and were now in the parking lot, where all 500 of HSG's employees had swarmed, looking confused.

"Why don't we all head to my place, it's just a few blocks down." said Daniel.

"I think I better stay," Bonnie said, "You guys go. Uncle might need one of us."

He agreed.

"What do you think is going on?" Evie asked him.

"I'm not quite sure," he said. "It doesn't make any sense that our solar power didn't kick in. The only thing that could affect that is if...

"What?" she said.

"If the company's security has been breached."





















================================

Thank you all for getting me to #3 in "Captive," and #8 in "Trapped!"

Thanks to all of you who voted and commented on my last chapter, my book soared in the rankings! Even though my last chapter didn't get to 30 votes, I'm posting out of appreciation.

Don't forget to vote! 30 votes = next chapter.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net