Melody: A First Contact Novel by David Hoffer

Author:David Hoffer [Hoffer, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2020-10-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Ileapt away as the door of the control room violently shuttered. On the opposite side there was a muffled cry and I perceived the anguished whorl of Eric’s mind as he pleaded for me to come to my senses. But the door held, as Dolores had done what I expected, given me time. I fought the temptation to explain myself, to tell my brother of the vision, and my hope that it meant I could reunite with my daughter. But how to convince him of something I didn’t understand myself? Placing a hand onto the barrier, I silently thanked him, for his presence had given me the courage to do what I must.

She’s waiting for you.

I knew that. Somehow, in some way, I could sense Danika riding one of two interlacing chords that echoed inside my head. But within the second chord there was a separate and altogether disturbing presence, one that had raised the hairs on the back of my neck when I arrived.

Moving to the table I eyed the controls Dolores had used to activate the machine. In the center of the console, amongst the buttons, lights, and single keypad, was a red lever. I tugged on it, but it wouldn’t budge. I didn’t expect that to be a problem. For I saw the code Dolores used to unlock the elevator, and she made sure I knew the security codes were the same. She even made it easy for me to remember, by using my home address. Before I was able to type those numbers onto the keypad, I heard a voice.

“What is it you think you’re doing?”

Surprised, I turned around. Dolores’ colleague stood before the lift, coddling the dead rabbit in her arms. I had forgotten all about her. “It’s Megan, isn’t it?”

“Megan McCullough, and there’s no way I’m letting you in there, Mister Fisher.”

“What makes you think I’d consider that?” I asked, pondering this new obstacle. Sure, I might force my way past her, but then Megan would let the others inside. Which meant she somehow needed to be immobilized. Scanning the enclosure, I noted bundles of cable and rolls of tape lying under the tables. Tools enough to secure a small human, I supposed. I sized up Megan, considering how difficult the task would prove.

“No chance, Mister. Forget about it.”

I had to agree. She may be short of five feet, but the woman was stout and her composure grim. Plus, I was weak from inactivity and had no experience with this type of thing. There might be another way, but the mere thought filled me with a sense of foreboding, not for myself, but for her. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I said.

Megan snorted. “Dolores had a wild theory that your presence would change the outcome. But it didn’t, the animal died, like they always do. Her experiment failed, Mister Fisher, and your committing suicide won’t change that. Why be such a fool?”

“Maybe I know something you don’t,” I said, hoping that was true.

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