Free The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester Page A

to see. Elevator, commence.”
    “Level one,” the elevator reported a moment later as the elevator fell. Piper kept a keen eye on the glass elevator window, and through the large glass walls of the first level saw scientists hunched over telescopes and other pieces of equipment that Piper couldn’t even begin to imagine the use of, let alone put a name to.
    “Level two, entry granted. Horticultural specimens. Minimum-security protocols in effect,” the computer reported.
    A moment later Piper caught glimpses of laboratories filled with exotic plants, arboretums with vast rows of shrubs and trees, and facility staff carefully tending and monitoring it all. One particular scientist caught Piper’s eye as he leaned forward to smell an exceptionally beautiful rose. Suddenly the rose’s petals pulled back to reveal a mouth with sharp, thorn-like teeth. The rose fiercely lunged forward and bit into the scientist’s nose. Although she wasn’t able to hear, Piper could see the poor scientist yowl in pain.
    “Look there!” She pointed for Dr. Hellion to see but the elevator dropped down another flight.
    “We have special task forces that carefully monitor the globe to identify and locate any species that requires our assistance and protection. That way we can ensure its safety and, in the cases of some of these life-forms, the safety of the rest of the world,” Dr. Hellion continued.
    Piper watched as scientists gathered around a large insect. The insect suddenly gave itself a mighty shake and unraveled wide wings from beneath its many legs. Its wingspan was extraordinary, perhaps five feet, and adorned with incredible patterns. The patterns started to move and change hypnotically, and the scientists were beginning to fall asleep. Even Piper began to sway back and forth.
    “Amazing!” Piper shook herself awake.
    “The entire facility has been created as a ‘smart building,’ meaning that it has sensors that can detect and answer your needs. The computer voice can assist you with a lot of things, including giving you access to a wide variety of information.”
     Unexpectedly, the elevator came to a stop and a research assistant embarked, holding a glass specimen cage that housed a tiny black cricket. Piper moved closer and the cricket stood up on his back two legs and looked right at her. Intrigued, Piper leaned inward.
    It was the cutest cricket she had ever seen and he was just as interested in her as she was in him. He moved to the side of his cage next to her and even took one of his tiny legs and put it up against the glass. Piper was entranced. This was like no other cricket she had ever set eyes on and she could have sworn he was sizing her up too. The spell was broken when the elevator stopped and the cricket and his handler disembarked. Unlike the other levels, the windows on the fourth floor were frosted over so it wasn’t possible to see inside.
    “Will I get to know about all these other things I’m seeing?” Piper wanted to see and touch everything.
    “That might be difficult. Many of them are dangerous and most of them are being carefully studied. Unless we know all about them, it’s not safe to risk your welfare or theirs.” Piper was clearly disappointed by this answer and Dr. Hellion relented, adding, “Why don’t we see how things go and, based upon your progress, perhaps certain exceptions can be made.”
    Piper grinned. Maybe she wouldn’t need to travel around the world after all. It seemed like everything she was looking for was right there under one roof. There wasn’t a place Piper could set her eyes where a startling and amazing thing wasn’t happening. She caught glimpses of a fish that had fur like a leopard, a snake with wings, and something that looked suspiciously like a unicorn.
    “Level thirteen. Humanoid life-forms. Maximum-security personnel only.” The elevator had dropped to the very bottom of the well and