Lynn's complexion shifted, an instinctive move as he held his breath and widened his eyes at Lambert.
Evelyn also jumped, a worried look in her eyes, but she didn't rise to intervene.
Lynn took a discreet breath, a hint of panic in his muted voice, "What exactly do you want to know?"
"What drug did Raiden use on Rella?" Lambert asked, "How is she now?"
"A new kind of drug that plunges a person into the depths of their painful memories until brain death!" Lynn could see Lambert was a tough cookie and wisely chose to spill the beans.
Lambert immediately pressed, "And Rella? How is she holding up?"
"On an ordinary person, the journey from agony to the end usually takes three days. Rella seems like she's got some fight in her, strong will and all, so maybe she's got a bit more time. That's why the big shots chose her for their trials," Lynn explained. "But at most five days, and she'll be a goner, never to wake again!"
Evelyn shrieked, "Will she really die?"
"She won’t technically die, but live an eternal life in agony, shipped off to the eleventh sublevel for even deeper brain experiments!" Lynn said.
Lambert cursed, "Raiden, that bastard, what's he need this drug for?"
Lynn remained silent.
Lambert's gaze turned dark as he stared Lynn down, "Listen, you find a way to cut Rella's dose!"
Lynn shook his head immediately. "I'm just a pharmacist. It's Professor Jackson running the show on Rella's trial. I've got no clearance for the lab."
"But you handle the drugs, don't you?" Lambert said, ice in his stare.
Lynn, panicked, replied, "If I tamper with the drugs, they'll find out quick, and then they'll kill me!"
Suddenly, Evelyn spoke up, "Lynn, this is murder we're talking about. Don't keep making the wrong choices. If there's a chance to turn back, take it!"
Lynn's face showed self-mockery, "No, once you're in Zion, there's no turning back."
"Don't!" Lynn shook his head in panic, "Don't call them. I'll listen to you!"
Lambert snorted, "Should have been this easy from the start!"
Lynn said, "I can't stop the drug. I can only dilute it. If you want to save her, do it fast; she doesn't have much time left!"
Lambert's face hardened. "I'll get her out!"
Lynn nodded, stood up, and said, "I'm off then, but trust me, I won't go back on my word."
He gave Evelyn one last glance and walked away.
Evelyn, teary-eyed, watched his retreating figure, unable to help herself from following.
"Lynn!" Evelyn called out to him in the hallway, "If this gets out, will you be in danger?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)