Free Ultraviolet Catastrophe by Jamie Grey Page A

lip. Dad had brought me to his lab over the weekend, but I hadn’t been paying much attention.
    Then, suddenly, a series of images flashed through my mind until it landed on the facility map, and I knew exactly where to find his suite. I steadied myself against the wall until the world stopped spinning. I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to that feeling.
    As I walked, I peered through the glass walls into various labs. Some were completely clean and shiny, with slick countertops and crisp, white computers, like no one was using them. But more often than not, the rooms were full of cages and boxes, of strange machines I’d never seen and tables full of vials and bottles. Some of the glass walls were frosted, and I couldn’t see anything.
    The silence grew heavy, and the skin at the back of my neck crawled like it always did when someone was watching me. But the hallways were empty, a long expanse of cold, stark marble and harsh, fluorescent lights. I shivered and stared straight ahead as I walked, imagining some of the experiments that could be hiding behind the closed doors. Somehow, I didn’t want to know.
    Dad’s office suite was at the far end of the hall, and I pressed my finger to another scanner. There was the familiar beep as the door unlocked, and I let myself into a small waiting area full of sculpted plastic chairs and glass tables. It was all very modern. Dad’s personal office was through the lobby and to the right. I’d pushed open the door and started down the narrow hall when I heard voices.
    A woman’s giggle, to be exact.
    I paused. When the giggle came again, I crept closer to Dad’s office and peered through the cracked-open door.
    A woman had her arms around Dad’s neck and was staring lovingly up at him.
    Really, “woman” probably wasn’t the right term. She looked like she could still be in college. Who the hell was she? And what was she doing trying to make out with my father ? Just the thought of it made me want to puke. Less than two days ago, he’d been kissing Mom.
    Dad shook his head and ducked from beneath her arms. “Stop it, Jordan. I have work to finish before I can get out of here.”
    She pouted. “But, Will, I’ve been flirting with you for so long. I finally had to do something .”
    That was enough of that. I shoved open the door. “Nice to see I’m still your top priority, Dad.” I would have laughed at their shocked expressions as the two exploded apart if I hadn’t been so disgusted.
    “Lexie! I, uh…” Dad tugged at his collar and flicked a glance to the girl. “Lex, this is Jordan Sellers. She works here at QT.”
    Jordan stepped away from Dad and extended a hand.
    I ignored her.
    “I thought you were going to come get me in the library. Class finished a while ago. But, no, I find you here with this…person. Let me guess. You forgot about me. Again.”
    “Of course not, Lexie. I swear…”
    “Stop lying. I know the signs. They’re the same as they were ten years ago when you forgot me at school. Or got too busy to remember my class recital. I’ve had enough. I don’t want to be here in the first place, and if you don’t want me here either, that makes it really easy. Doesn’t it?”
    Dad’s mouth gaped, and Jordan blinked rapidly.
    “Since you’re obviously busy — ” I made sure to emphasize the last word. “ —I’ll just call the shuttle. Don’t worry about me. I guess I’ll just get used to taking care of myself.” I spun on my heel and marched from his office. And just to make myself feel better, I slammed the door so hard it echoed down the hall.
    I rushed to the elevators and hammered on the button. It seemed to take forever, but there was still no sign of Dad as I stepped into the metal box and barked, “Main floor,” before Ellie could even ask me what division.
    Why was I surprised at his behavior? He’d never told me the truth about anything in my life. Why should it be any different now?
    And what about Mom? Last time