4. Hide and Seek

Within the - conveniently placed - cardboard box in the middle of the room, I knew it wouldn't take long for Security to find me. One of the Agents would simply have to peek inside and he (or she) would without a doubt notice the idiot, aka me, pretzelled under a pile of packing peanuts. Feeling defeated by my poor choice for a hideout, and with no liberty to find someplace more suitable and less uncomfortable, I worried in silence. All the while, hoping with all my might that Percy had found some superior refuge.

Security had yet to investigate the vault. But they were close. I could hear them jostling about just outside the door.

Once again, the Alien's voice crashed through my thoughts like a rock to a window: Your friend is hiding in the cupboard under the sink. I would hardly call it suitable, but I suppose it's better than a carboard box...

I squirmed within the busy content of the box. Stop talking to me with your mind! I thought, as loudly as I could. And leave me alone.

His voice gently seeped away. My apologies, I only wished to reassure you that your friend was okay.

A small twinge of guilt made me almost say "sorry" but I didn't want him to think that I was condoning the telepathy, so I said nothing.

Instead, I focused on making myself comfortable. I shifted ever so slowly my arms, ever so slowly, to free the white lab coat from under my rump, and tugged at the tight restraint that were my sleeves to allow blood circulation. I was glad to find that the warmth had rushed back to my fingertips, though now – with the latex gloves still on – the body heat was beginning to feel somewhat suffocating.

Shifting closer towards the bottom of the box, smelling nothing but Styrofoam and industrial glue, I allowed my legs to tangle through a discarded foam sheets and tried to submerge them further out of sight, making as little movement as possible.  I settled into a more suitable position so that every bit of my skin was covered.

This might take a while, I thought to myself and closed my eyes, clinging to the hope that -in the end- Percy and I would end up happily skipping out of the Cabinet in one piece. Perhaps we would have been better off if we would have left those lab coats and masks behind, I reflected. If a Scientist or Agent were to notice their PPE missing, they might come to realise that someone was – indeed - trespassing... Argh, this is no time to freak out, Ashlyn! I reminded myself. I had to figure out a way to get out of this mess and quick.

If you knew the risk, why come here in the first place? The alien's gentle voice interjected again.

My eyes flew open. Why are you still in my head!

He hesitated. I remembered I had a question to ask.

No. I shouldn't even be talking to you!

He went quiet. I could have heard a pin drop if it wasn't for the faint sound of the vents starting to blow even more warm air. I couldn't believe I already missed the coldness that awaited me outside the vault.

I have a proposition for you.

I gasp. I thought you were finally gone!

Nope.

Look, my man, I don't have time to chat right now. I need to figure out a plan before someone finds me and takes me away from this place in handcuffs. So, if you wouldn't mind I would rather be left -

My proposition will be worth your time. I promise.

I lifted a brow. Do you not understand the meaning of a 'no'?

Yes, he said, dread filling his tone. It's actually all I know.

Oh. I blinked, my guilt weighing heavily on my shoulders. Sorry.

Though I felt remorse, I was still determined to refuse him any further time inside my head. This method of communication was not only foreign to me, but it also was something I had never been trained on. I had yet to learn how to protect myself against it. After all, this powerful ability could indeed result in negative effects on my brain. And that troubled the hell out of me. But as far as I could tell, this was the only way this Alien-man knew how to communicate, so.... maybe I could hear him out just a little while longer.

This isn't the only way I know how to communicate.

I choked on a peanut. Could you ask before you start listening in on my personal thoughts? This is a downright invasion of my privacy.

I can't help it. I'm still in the learning process... This is the first time I've ever successfully spoken to someone subconsciously.

Lucky me. I grimaced. So glad I could be your first, I said sarcastically.

I could almost taste the bitterness in his next words when he said: I only understood that you have a need for me to remain quiet. I was only trying to be sensible.

Right. I shifted uncomfortably. Well, that's very kind of you, but, I said, my inner voice now softer, it just seemed odd to me that I'm the first person you ever spoke to like this.

I never tried before. I was scared to. I don't want to give your Agent friends ideas about doing more experiments on my brain. There was a darkness in those words. I've come to despise being seen as nothing more than a lab rat. As one would.

Is that what all those medical instruments in the room are for? My eyelashes fluttered and the packing peanuts budged into my eye. How often do they experiment on you?

Wo, hey, hold on. Let's shelf this kind of interrogation for another day. You have yet to listen to my preposition and I hardly think we have time for chit chat before Agents start barrelling in, looking for you, he insisted.

My stomach twisted. Fair enough.

Just then, a noise boomed just by the front door, and even though I was inside a box, my gaze flickered in that direction.

Listen, he said calmly. I can help you.

Trying to keep my body from trembling with the anticipation of being found. Get on with it. How?

Instant guilt surged from imagining the disappointed look on my father's face when he learned that I trespassed the most restricted part of the Agency. And if he learned that I had a lengthy conversation with a mind-reading Document, he would force me to kiss my job goodbye and drag me out all the way to my house by the earlobe.

I could divert the Agents' attention away from you and that ridiculous box, he suggested, convince them that you were never here in the first place.

I blinked. You think they'd believe you?

Why wouldn't they? I have no reason to lie to them.

Eying the cardboard wall, I pursed my lips together and pondered over the idea. You think it will work?

We'll never know unless we try.

My body already felt sore betwixt all the garbage, and I really hoped that this uncomfortable contortion wouldn't amount to nothing.

And why exactly do you want to help me?

Because if I help you, you would be in my debt.

I should have known there was a catch. I rolled my eyes. And what exactly would I owe you, mister alien?

A long pause. My freedom.

My heart jumped and my lips parted slowly. "Your freedom," I accidentally said the words aloud. Wait! Are you suggesting that if I allow you to help me, I have to help you escape the Filing Cabinet in exchange?

Correct.

I nearly laughed out loud at his ludicrous idea. Forget it. No deal.

Do you really have a choice?

I narrowed my eyes. Of course, I didn't have a choice! I needed all the help I could get, considering the circumstances.

It's an equal exchange. Your freedom for mine.

What you are asking is crazy! You're insane.

If I thought that a little sneaking around could land me in jail, freeing an Alien from the Filing Cabinet would surely end with a public hanging. They would make a whole show of my punishment too, just to make an example out of me.

I heard himphysically sigh from behind the glass, followed by a light tap that soundedstrangely like his forehead against the enclosure wall. Well, after all those years, I wouldn't be surprised if I had gone insane. There was a coldness in his tone when he added: I have to get out  of here before it gets worse. You have no idea how bad it's been in here.

Someone was unlocking the door of the vault, I could hear the typing sound of a keyboard. They must be typing a digit-passcode on a keypad lock beside the door.

There was a pause, and all I could hear was the plastic bag above me. It was moving alongside every breath while I quickly meditated over this life altering decision I had very little time to make.

They must have put you in here for a reason, right? I theorised, trying to find an excuse not to make a deal with him. I can't just agree to free you all willy-nilly if that's the case.

I can assure you: I'm not here for any good reasons.

Really? How can I be so sure? Can I really trust that you're not dangerous or a threat to my society? How can I know that you won't seek revenge once you're out of here?

I'm no threat to society. I won't seek revenge. And I do not wish to hurt anyone - to the best of my knowledge – I also never have either.

What if you're lying to me?

I'm not.

And what if that's a lie?

There was a smile behind his words now: Seems like your only remaining option here, is to trust me.

And how, may I ask, do you expect me to just 'trust you?'

Blindly, he said, sounding almost amused by it.

Despite myself, I scoffed aloud.

Two beeping sounds rung between us and a door opened.

Tic tok, we are running out of time. He sounded nervous now. What's your decision?

A large BANG followed, resonating through the room like thunder. It was the front door slamming shut. My blood crawled up my spine like cold-water. Everything stilled, and the air felt like it had been sucked out of the room like a vacuum.

Swallowing down the dryness in my throat, I became as still as a rabbit during hunting season. Is that them?

They're in.

The inside of my chest tightened with dread and a cold sweat began to tickle my temples. My pulse pounded loudly in my ears as footsteps dragged slowly towards me. I glanced up through a thin sheet of plastic and white peanuts above my head, but all I could see was the bright lights shining like spotlights above me. Like a big neon arrow pointing right at me, saying: "There she is! Come and et her."

Ashlyn? He said, in a tone so soothing, it calmed me instantly, which was a huge change from the immense sense of stress I was just under.

My name had never before crossed his lips, and yet it felt familiar. Why? I had no idea. But, after hearing it, my heart rate slowed. My body, which had only begun to shiver, moved into total relaxation mode. My breaths, which had been lodged in my chest until this moment, slowed. And my eyes, which had nearly dried up from staring directly at the lights above, soften.

Are you doing that? I asked as my body relaxed against the floor.

No time for questions, he said gently. Your decision, please.

I'll agree. Because I literally have no faith that your plan is going to work but I'm willing to give you a chance anyway. Just so you know, I can't guarantee anything on my end, I warned him. Getting you out of that place is going to be an impossible endeavour. It may not happen at all... And even if I succeed, I can't guarantee you won't be dragged right back here the moment we step foot outside.

I'm willing to give you a chance anyway, he quoted me. As long as we both try, that's all that really matters. Right?

Right. A genuine smile spread across my lips. Seems like we have a deal.

I could hear the relief in his voice as he replied: That's good to hear.

As I heard the sound of people whispering and shuffling closer to me. Metal clanked gently with every step they took. They must be wearing utility belts, I thought, feeling the remainder of that peculiar calmness vanishing into thin air. That means they brought guns. I winced and my anxiety rushed back through me like water from a faucet.

Before I could ask the alien-man to hurry and convince them to leave, not wanting to continued this little game of hide and seek, he was already speaking:

"Is there a problem, Officers?" The voice – the one my brain had become accustomed to - asked aloud.