Amaranth: Amaranth #1 by David M Snow

Author:David M Snow [Snow, David M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781777239794
Publisher: Flame Arrow Publishing
Published: 2022-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

20

SKYLER

“Skyler!” Slightly older, the tall man wearing a vest has this serious, almost feisty look that the Archives’ attendants give off. “You take care of my grandmother, Elaine Farrell, right? I’m Philip.”

“What’s going on?” Skyler replies as he was about to open the door of his cabin. Philip catches his breath, his face flush. His fingers are smeared with paint, and a few droplets are in the wrinkles on his forehead. He looks worried.

“Come see her. She doesn’t have much time left.” Skyler doesn’t ask questions and follows him. The countdown ticks by as he races down the hall to the elevators: eleven minutes. It’s going to be tight. He doesn’t even have his equipment to make the transfer.

Mrs. Farrell’s grandson frantically presses the call button of the elevator.

“They blocked the elevators for the Inspection,” Skyler says. “Anyway, I must stop by Med Bay first.”

“I’ll go with you.”

They run down the stairs as if their lives depended on it. Elaine… How did her health worsen so quickly? She was in great shape during her last examination. What could have happened in the meantime?

Philip waits at the entrance of the emptied Medical Bay while Skyler rushes to the spheres’ cabinet. He grabs one of them and slips it into a cushioned box. After everything that’s happened, it’s a miracle there are some left. He takes along the portable transfer machine that no one put away, and the analyzer for a routine examination. The origin of Elaine’s impending death is bizarre. Despite her illness, she should have lived for several months, years even.

From the entryway, Philip gazes at the box, mesmerized. Skyler asks for his help to carry it.

“We must hurry, or we won’t be able to reach her in time,” Skyler urges him. Philip nods and they break into a jog to the nearest stairwell, then climb the stairs two at a time. Eight floors up, the looping announcement reminds them to shut themselves in their cabins. Too late for that now.

With ringing ears, Skyler walks quickly to Mrs. Farrell’s cabin while Philip struggles to keep up the pace. How far can this be?

Inside, the air is heavy under the dim lights, saturated with the same unpleasant smell as in Med Bay, as if death had seeped through the air ducts ready to smother its next victim. Skyler closes the bathroom door on the way and glimpses Mrs. Farrell lying in an awkward position. She moans as he shifts her arms and legs so she can breathe better.

“Philip… bring… Skyler. Your sister?” She coughs.

“I couldn’t find her,” replies Philip, who kneels and takes her hand. Skyler sets up the equipment on the nightstand while trying to figure out who they are talking about and then it hits him. Philip is Tessa’s brother.

“She must have gone to the sanctuary to pray for your recovery,” adds Philip apologetically.

“I was with her just before you found me,” says Skyler, uneasy. “Had I known—”

“Really? I’ll bring her back.” Skyler puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.