Page 17

The question hangs in the air of my silent apartment. I set the scale down next to my laptop and stare at the growing collection of open tabs and dead ends.

I have to know. Whatever it takes.

Sleep evades me as I toss and turn, my mind racing with possibilities. The scale sits on my nightstand, catching moonlight through the window. Every time I close my eyes, I see Darwin's face, those intense red eyes that sometimes seem to glow.

"This is insane." I grab my phone and pull up his schedule. "Jersey office tomorrow at 8 AM."

The helicopter pad sits on top of Rook Tower. Security's tight, but I know the rotation schedule by heart - I created it. A gap exists between shifts at 6:15 AM.

My fingers fly across the screen as I compose an email to the office manager.

"Meeting with Klein & Associates, 9 AM. Will be unreachable until noon."

There. My absence explained.

I set three alarms - 5:30, 5:35, and 5:40. No chance of oversleeping. The helicopter has storage compartments under the seats. Not comfortable, but big enough for someone my size.

"You better be worth all this trouble, Darwin Rook."

The scale gleams as I set it on my dresser. Whatever secrets he's keeping, I'll find them tomorrow. My hand shakes as I program the alarms.

"Time to get some answers."

The alarm pierces my dreams at 5:30 AM sharp. I silence it before the backup alarms can blare, already wide awake from a night of fitful sleep.

My hands shake as I button up my blouse. The scale sits on my dresser, catching the pre-dawn light. I slip it into my pocket and order my ride.

The streets of Manhattan blur past as we speed toward Rook Tower. My driver, sensing my mood, stays silent.

The express elevator whooshes up ninety floors. My stomach drops as the numbers tick higher. At the top, I step out onto the helipad observation deck.

New York spreads before me, a tapestry of twinkling lights slowly fading as dawn creeps over the horizon. Pink and orange paint the clouds. Any other morning, this view would take my breath away.

"Why did you have to lie?" I whisper, pressing my hand against the glass. The scale burns in my pocket, a constant reminder of Darwin's secrets.

The helicopter sits ready on the pad. I check my watch - 6:12 AM. Perfect timing.

I slip inside, searching for a hiding spot among the cargo compartments. My fingers brush metal that suddenly... ripples. The entire interior shimmers like heat waves off hot pavement.

"What the-"

The helicopter dissolves around me. In its place stands something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Sleek chrome panels line the walls. Strange symbols pulse with inner light across what must be control panels.

My hand hovers over one display. The characters shift and swirl, unlike any language I've ever seen. The pilot's seat looks sized for someone much larger than a normal human.

"Oh my God." The truth hits me like a physical blow. "Darwin isn't human at all."

My trembling fingers fumble with my phone as I snap photos of the alien controls. Each click of the camera feels deafening in the silent craft. The pulsing symbols cast an eerie blue glow across my screen.

"Come on, come on." I angle the phone to capture the oversized pilot's seat.

The screen freezes mid-shot. I tap it. Nothing. Hold the power button. Still nothing. The image of the alien controls remains stuck like a digital ghost.

"No no no." I jab every button combination possible. The phone stays dead, mocking me with its frozen display.

A mechanical whir cuts through my rising panic. The door I entered through slides shut with a pneumatic hiss.

"Hey!" I rush over and press my palms against the seamless metal. No handle. No control panel. Nothing but smooth, cold surface beneath my fingers.