writing Radium [Unfinished]

[Complexity 181]

 

I had been in this filthy train terminal for three hours. I had to sit next to people I didn't like, it was so dim that I had to strain my eyes to see, and I could hear echoes of rats doing things somewhere. Oh, and the complete lack of people anywhere except for this one long crowded bench on the back wall was a bit unsettling. The fact that I could actually hear the rat noises over the deafening lack of sound punctuated this weird feeling.

 

I glanced at the clock that had fallen off the wall and fell on the floor. It said that it was 8:23. The train was supposed to come at 6:00. There was no sign of a train. For all I knew, it wasn't coming. No one sitting on the bench next to me seemed to mind that there was no train. The man in the pink hoodie, content and asleep? He didn't seem to mind about the lack of train. Obnoxious teenage girls talking about boys or complaining about social justice issues or something? Not even a glance at the tracks or the clock. Woman reading her child a story? The story was even about trains, and yet no signs of worry at all.

 

I sighed. The train that was supposed to have been here hours ago was supposed to take me to a place called Tomlin. In Tomlin, there was a science convention that I planned to attend. Who needs plans when you have the absence of trains, right?

 

A man sitting a few people away on my right got up and started walking out of the station. He must have been the only sane person in this station. As a sane person myself, I followed suit.

 

I rose from the bench, my legs like jelly, and started walking like I was a jelly monster. Three hours of sitting down makes you jelly, noted. I passed by the other people on the bench and they didn't seem to react to me walking around the almost empty station.

 

The most awkward minute of my life ended when I started walking up the stairs leading to the surface. I got to the top of the steps and took in a breath of sweet fresh air. The city of Velouria was an amazing city, designed to be the best, most efficient city in the world. Skyscrapers towered over the entrance to the station and probably would have cast shadows like brush strokes had the sun been out, but today it was cloudy, as scheduled. Cars, all electric, bustled through the busy road intersection that was in front of me. There was no traffic. There was never any traffic. Velouria was a perfect city.

 

I awoke from my thoughts to find that the man who left before me was only a few feet away and seemed to be unoccupied (he was leaning against a wall, probably thinking), so I greeted him.

 

"Train sure was a bit... well, not there, am I right?" I said (a bit awkwardly, to my disdain) with a weak smile that screamed "I just made a bad joke." The man nodded, and shifted around a bit, taking up the position of leaning on the wall with his hands in his coat pockets.

 

"Yeah, that station's terrible, to be frank," he said with a wide grin. He cast a quick gaze to the ground before continuing. "Trains are always late. Sometimes they never come at all. People live in the station, as well. All those people in there? They all live there. Most of them are homeless. Some of them are hammered."

 

I took a breath of the fresh air. The air was fake. The city supplied the citizens with fake air, since the real air was polluted with chemicals and no longer safe to breathe. Velouria switched to electric cars too late. That was only a slight flaw on the perfect, fair face of Velouria. As I heard the man's description of another flaw on that beautiful face, I frowned.

 

"I didn't know about any of that," I said, feeling a bit stupid for sitting in a train station when no trains were going to come. I sighed and continued. "I was just waiting for my train to Tomlin."

 

"Science convention?" the man hypothesized. "I'm trying to go there myself. Name's Carson, by the way."

 

He offered me his hand and I shook it. His grip was firm. "Nice to meet you, Carson, mine's Rose. Not the most masculine name, but it's mine. I don't care about being masculine, anyway." I shook my head and smiled. "Anyway, yes, I am going to the science convention. I love chemistry."

 

"You too, Rose. I think Rose is a fine name. I like it. And hey! I'm going there because of chemistry too. I'm actually a chemistry professor at the University of Velouria."

 

"What? Really? Because I never went to college..." I trailed off. I did go to college, I remembered. I got kicked out for causing explosions in my dorm. "Yes, I never went to college. I wanted to go, but I had to help my family since they were treading the water between being a moderate income family and a low income family, and you know what this city does to low income families, don't you, Carson?"

 

"Yes, my friend was kicked out of Velouria for being too poor. Would look bad on the government records." Carson was cut off by a loud sound. It sounded like an impact, metal against metal. I turned around to see a plane on the road.

 

Wait, what? A plane had crashed on the road, this much I knew. It was on fire and smoking and had crushed several cars and no doubt there were hundreds of deaths. But what I didn't get was... why? What was this plane for, what was it doing, and how did it crash?

 

I turned back around and Carson wasn't there. I panicked for a good five seconds before I regained my senses and realized that he was running to the crash, trying to be a hero. Alright, fine, do that, Carson. I'll just be here, looking foolish and awkward for not being brave enough to help.

 

I resumed my thoughts. I tried to read the wrecked remains of the side of the plane. After a moment of vigorously piecing together bits of metal in my mind, I concluded that it said "Tomlin Airlines". Alright, so yet another Tomlinite mode of transportation being purged from the Earth.

 

I heard the roar of fire engines shouting over the roar of people panicking and being generally confused. Someone was run over by one, and gave the Earth one last shrill scream before being crushed. "The good of the many over the good of the few," I recalled. Yes, that's a good policy to live by.

 

And finally, after rambling on about something or other in my head, I took off, running away from the crash. I was going to my apartment, about four blocks away. One good thing about general hysteria was that you didn't have to wait for the "WALK" icon in order to walk. I saved about five minutes with that. Finally I got to the building. I rushed up to the vacant elevator and waited a bit more. Finally the elevator opened and I was free! I rushed out of the elevator, turned the corner in the hallway, and rushed into my apartment.

 

Well, it was nice to see that something in my life hadn't screwed up today. My apartment was just as I had left it: my experiment with cesium right where I had left off, ready for me to continue (yes, leaving lab stuff out is very unsafe, blah blah blah). I realized that I smelled like smoke and desperation, so I went off to take a shower.

 

-----

 

After my shower, I had briefly contemplated the strange occurrences of the day, and then gone to sleep. I woke up to a knocking at my door.

 

"Come on, at..." I took a glance at my old digital clock, resting on my oak nightstand with but a lamp to keep its company. It read 9:48. "At, well, at this moderately reasonable hour?" I complained.

 

I made a poor attempt at cleaning myself up a bit before I answered the door. I trudged to the door and opened it slowly. Behind the door was none other than Carson, the man I met yesterday.

 

"Carson? Why are you here? Why are you here this early? How did you even find me?" I shot off about six more questions than these all at once.

 

"Slow down, Rose. You know, you're the only Rose in Velouria. I was able to find you that way," Carter fielded all my questions, running back and forth around center field like a professional. "And why, you ask? Well, we got rudely interrupted by a plane crash yesterday, so I thought we might continue our conversation."

 

"Good enough for me, I guess," I conceded. "Give me a minute to freshen up. I'll invite you in in a minute." I did so. About ten minutes later, Carson was in my apartment.

 

Now, for some reason, I trusted Carson. I don't know why. Maybe it was our shared interest in science. Maybe it was his friendly attitude. Maybe it was the way he seemed to know it all. Maybe it was because he just up and saved a couple people from dying in a plane-based fire. Probably the latter, I assumed.

 

Anyway, we talked for a couple hours. I showed him my cesium experiment. I wanted to see how different factors affected the reaction of solid cesium and liquid water. He looked unimpressed. He was a chemistry teacher, after all. And this was basic stuff, too. Cesium reacts in water. The basics.

 

Nothing really interesting actually came about in the conversation. I just got to know Carson a whole lot better. He felt like a friend. Someone I could talk to, maybe even share a drink with. Lord knows I needed one.

 

His name was Dr. Carson Crosser. He was a chemistry professor at the University of Velouria. I knew all this. He was 29 years old, two years older than me. He was unmarried and had no kids. He lived a quiet life in happy content. Nothing major happened in his life. At all. It occurred to me that Carson had a very boring past. It ought to have been nice to have had a boring past.

 

As it stood now, Carson was fiddling around with my cesium experiment and giving me general advice. That was fine by me. I stood by the little window in my tiny apartment, watching the birds fly across the clear sky. I was thinking about the plane crash yesterday. It seemed like... like I hadn't reacted appropriately. Usually in that type of situation, I would run around screaming until I fell in a hole I didn't see. But no, I kept my nerve. And that seemed odd to me.

 

Finally Carson said he had somewhere to be (presumably pertaining to his job) and said goodbye and thank you for my time. I was all alone, then. Nothing to do. Well, I could work on my experiment, but Carson had moved stuff around and it wasn't as it had been the day before. I went over to the ancient refrigerator and got myself a bottle of water. I bumped my head on the way out of the fridge. Ugh.

 

I sat down in a chair by the table with my experiment, and noticed something odd on the table. It was a letter.

 

"Rose,

 

I'm formally inviting you to a chemistry scholarship at the University of Velouria. You might not be the best chemist, but I want you there. I've talked to the dean of the University and he has agreed to this offer. Here's your chance, Rose, don't waste it. On July 21 at 8:30 am, there will be a meeting between me, you, and the dean in the dean's office, and we will discuss. Don't be late.

 

Dr. Carson Crosser

 

PS: I guess we aren't going to the science convention... It's already started.

 

PPS: If you don't already know how to cook, LEARN."

 

"Whoa, what!?" I exclaimed, and my chair kindly deposited me on the floor. "Really? This is great!" I said to no one in particular.

 

"But I really didn't do anything... Why would Carson trust me so much and find me to be so promising? I just met him yesterday, for crying out loud..." I rambled.

 

I took a huge gulp of water from my water bottle. July 21 was tomorrow. I'd have to get up early tomorrow morning in order to be there by 8:30. Velouria was a massive city, and it took about thirty minutes to walk across the whole city. There was no way I'd be taking the city subway. Yesterday already proved that the subway was trash, even if that particular station was the one where trains leading out of the city were. Yes, I'd have to walk. However, this is something to be excited for! Finally, something to be excited for!

 

 

 

-----

 

After doing nothing for the rest of yesterday, and then sleeping like a log, I woke up bright and early at the ripe hour of 7:00 am. Plenty of time to get ready. Today was going to be a good day.

 

After rolling out of bed, I did my everyday morning routine. Shower and friends, get dressed (a suit for today, hooray!), and coffee. Then out the door. I waved to the old war veteran across the hall. Good man.

 

The elevator went off without a hitch. Perfect! Any past worries about anything going wrong went out the metaphorical window. As I started my walk, I saw some very strange people, even for Velouria. I thought I saw some kind of street clown on the corner of one block. I passed by a man who I could've sworn was an FBI agent. Weird.

 

Anyway, I passed by the plane crash site. It was glowing a positively foreboding light blue. Just great. Some more bullshit to deal with. There were paramedics at the scene. Police sirens were roaring. However, it was deserted. Not a soul to be seen. What the hell?

 

If I didn't know any better, I'd say aliens, but I definitely know better. What glows light blue? Radium does. Thanks Madame Curie. Why would an airplane like this have so much radium? A better question would be, why the hell am I still here? Radium is RADIOACTIVE!

 

I booked it for the University. I had a hell of a story to tell once I got there, that was for sure.

 

-----

 

After an uneventful "booking" to the University, I was exhausted. I limped up to the dean's office, looking like a sad potato. I needed to start jogging.

 

Well, the dean let me in. The office was grand for such a small room. There were plaques and awards on the side walls, and historic pictures on the back wall. On his desk, there was a computer with the keyboard and mouse, a couple family photos, and a mountain of papers. Why were there still papers in the technological age? I had no idea, but they were there. Behind the desk sat the dean. In front of the desk, there were two chairs. One was occupied by none other than Dr. Carson Crosser. The other, I assumed, was for me. I sat down in that chair and was greeted by weird looks from Carson and a handshake from the dean.

 

The dean looked at a paper on his desk before greeting me. "Hello, Mr., um, Rose? There's no last name on this paper," the dean said. "Anyway, I'm the dean of the University, but you can call me Jason."

 

Jason smiled warmly. He seemed to be friendly enough. "Well, Jason, I'm glad to meet you," I replied.

 

"Yes. Well, Rose, my friend Dr. Crosser here recommended you for enrollment here at the University of Velouria on a full chemistry scholarship. I presume you have no objections to this?" Jason looked at Carson with a question expression, and Carson nodded back. I wonder what that was about.

 

"No, none whatsoever. I'd be more than pleased, in fact," I answered. I nodded.

 

"Well, that's great news! Dr. Crosser?" Jason prompted Carson.

 

"Congratulations, Rose! I think you'll do great here. I want you to move to an apartment on campus, though, and I want the move done by next week." Alright, I should've expected this one, except I didn't. I guess moving was fine, though. Not the worst thing that could happen. I sighed. Now that that thought had crossed my mind, the worst thing that could happen was bound to happen...

 

"Alright. Do you have a little brochure or something that will give me my options for where I want to move into?" I gestured towards the pile of University of Velouria informational papers on a little table next to Jason's desk.

 

"Actually, we've already chosen a place. In fact, it's right next to the chemistry building. I'm sure you'll find the location convenient?"

 

"Uh, yeah. Well, can I move in now? I just have to get my things-" I was cut off by Carson.

 

"No need for that, your stuff was already transported to your new apartment. Follow me, and we can go there now." Carson stood up, extending a hand to me. I took it and he helped me up. He practically dragged me out the door.

 

"Good luck, Dr. Crosser. And welcome to the University of Velouria, Rose!" Jason said, waving his hand. I don't think Carson heard, because he kept practically dragging me. Carson told me it was about a ten minute walk from the dean's office to the apartment next to the chemistry building.

 

I have to say, the campus was beautiful. Lush green grass, thick oak copses, and beautiful roses. There was an absolutely gorgeous lake in the middle of the campus, and a few students were swimming and doing various water-based activities.

 

We had passed a huge clock tower. It said that it was 8:43. So, that whole meeting took all but thirteen minutes.

 

"So, how do you like the campus?" Carson asked.

 

"Uh, it's beautiful. But isn't it a bit weird that you already got all my things and transported it to my new apartment?" I replied.

 

Carson laughed. "Not at all, Rose. That's the way we do things here."

 

Alright then. I nodded my acknowledgement and turned my head back to the road. Carson whistled a song... it might have been Mozart. I was no music major.

 

We eventually got to the apartment. Carson led me to my room, gave me my key (how'd he get that?).

 

"Rose? You should get used to the room, walk around campus, generally just chill out. I'll see you tomorrow morning at 7:30 am for chemistry-related business. Alright, farewell!" Carson instructed.

 

"Yeah, see you at... 7:30? Isn't that a bit late?" Ugh, I didn't want to wake up that early again.

 

"Yes, you need to get in the habit of getting up early!" Carson laughed and walked away, and I was alone.

 

I turned the key and opened the door...

 

 

 

-----

 

My room was nice (I loved the blue color on the walls, by the way). It had a little kitchen thing (which was nice since I did in fact know how to cook), a bed, a desk to out my computer on, and a bathroom. All perfectly functional. No flash, no dazzle (that was also my personal motto).

 

Nothing happened of interest. I cooked myself dinner and then fell into bed. That's a pretty normal nightly routine for me.

 

I was awoken by déjà vú. There was knocking at my door. I got ready, and opened it. There was Carson. The only thing different was that it was 7:30, and I was expecting him.

 

"Hello, Carson, sorry about the wait," I apologized. "You actually woke me up!"

 

"Yeah, I see that," Carson replied. Was that a veiled insult? "Today I'll be giving you the grand tour of Chemistry World," he joked.

 

"We should get there early before the wait times become too long," I agreed.

 

Carson laughed. "Well, then let's get going," he said, and he gestured for me to follow him. I grabbed my wallet and keys (you know, the basics) and followed him.

 

"So, the only classes I'll have to take will be chemistry classes?" I asked. I'd been curious about the answer to this question for some time. I despised English classes, and I really didn't like history. Too much writing involved in both.

 

"Well, usually no, but you're a special case. You will be permitted to only take chemistry classes. You won't even be allowed to take anything else, since you're not paying for it." He paused. "We need money too," he added. He laughed again. He seemed to laugh a lot at jokes that weren't funny.

 

Carson pressed the elevator buttons to take us to the ground floor. The buttons lit up that weird yellowish color that all elevator buttons have. The elevator itself was nothing noteworthy, except for the fact that it smelled vaguely of sulfur. Random traces of the odors of chemicals must have been a side effect of living next to the chemistry building.

 

We rode the elevator in silence. I think we were both thinking. I had no idea what Carson was thinking about, but I was obviously thinking about the situation I was in then.

 

Finally, the elevator stopped and the door opened automatically. A very horrible ding sound happened somewhere. Carson stepped out first and I followed him. We walked out the lobby and into nature.

 

"Sun's bright," I commented, not really directed towards anyone in particular. I put my hand on my forehead to block out the morning sun. Other than the intense brightness, the morning was beautiful. A cool breeze was blowing and birds were singing songs. The fake air was even fresher and cleaner than it usually was.

 

"That's one of the sun's main perks," Carson replied, kind of sarcastically. He rolled his eyes and we continued walking to the chemistry building.

 

The chemistry building was right next to the apartment, so it wasn't a long walk at all. We were there in seconds, actually. Carson opened the door for me, and we walked in.

 

The main lobby was plain. No flash, no dazzle. Pure function. There was a sitting area on the right, with eight chairs and two tables. There was a larger one in the back, though. That one had about twenty-four chairs and six tables. The chairs were yellow. I hated yellow. To the left was a flight of stairs, and Carson led me up them.

 

"So, where are you taking me first, Carson? Or should I call you Dr. Crosser now?" I asked, a smile growing on my face. I thought I was funny.

 

Carson apparently thought it was funny. He laughed. "Carson's fine. And I'm just taking you to my lab." We reached the top of the stairs and turned left into a hallway. There wasn't anything on the walls. It was all plain white. It was actually rather unsettling.

 

"Oh, okay." We turned right. "So, where is it exactly? Are we nearly there?"

We reached a dark stairwell. I hoped there weren't any ghosts in there. "Yes, just down these stairs," he confirmed. Great. I left my ghost vacuum at home.

 

We descended down the stairs, and ended up on floor B1. That's what the sign said. We walked down a hall and arrived in a basement laboratory, or at least that's what it looked like.

 

The lab was dimly lit. In the lab itself were two lab tables on the near wall on either side of the door we were in right now. On the far wall there was a large monitor, and two smaller monitors on either side. On the side walls were various lab experiments that I had no clue about, and an abundance of bookshelves housing old and worn books about... probably chemistry. Couldn't read the titles from so far away. Finally, in the center, was a very stylish wooden desk and a few chairs. Carson walked into the lab first and sat down in the chair behind the desk (presumably his desk).

 

"Come, sit," he suggested. It didn't sound like a suggestion. I sat in the chair in front of the desk.

 

"So, nice lab you have here. What's up with all the monitors?" I asked. Surveillance, maybe? I wasn't sure why Carson would be in charge of the building security cameras, but then again, I wasn't sure of anything.

 

"Thanks. The monitors are for something I'll get into in a minute," Carson answered firmly, and he smiled. "Rose, welcome to the C-lab."

 

The C-lab, I repeated in my head. I didn't think Carson would be one for silly names (assuming C stood for Carson or Crosser... how about asking? That would make sense). "So, what's the C in 'C-lab' stand for?"

 

"Well, you'll see later on..." Carson answered. It wasn't really an answer. I didn't like that, it kind of unnerved me.

 

Carson continued speaking. "Now, for why you're really here," he said enthusiastically. He started drumming on his desk. "Drumroll please..."

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 2015 by Complexity

[Idris 241]

I really like that

It's got that edge of spookiness.

Does this mean 'collapse' is on ice for time being?

[Complexity 181]

I really like that

It's got that edge of spookiness. Does this mean 'collapse' is on ice for time being?

Yeah, I wouldn't say "on ice", though. More like "suffering from a lack of inspiration in that story so anything I write for that story will be very bad."

 

In other news, I've split up the story into three spoilerific parts! The first two are old, but the third is new.