Unexpected Conspiracy: The Eternal Experimental Effects Series (The RAMBA Chronicles: The Eternal Experimental Effects Book 1)

by Erin Rickman

  At this point, my father had appeared in the living room door. The near sobs of his daughter and the angered voice of her boyfriend must have prompted him to check the scene out.

  “I think you should leave, Jai,” he sighed, looking at the door. He knew the situation was far too painful for us and was better if it ended.

  Jai looked at my father and back to me. “Consider me lost, I'm sorry but I can’t stand here and watch you fall for someone else, it’s too painful, and I think too highly of myself for that.” He eyed me up and down while reaching for the door handle, barely seconds away from letting a tear escape. “I hope you two are right for each other and this wasn’t for nothing,” he said, his voice laced with venom.

  At that, he swung the door open, exiting with a slam that rattled the hinges. A small sob escaped my lips as my father pulled me into his grip. I wasn’t hurting because I wanted to stay with him; I was hurting because I never wanted to cause him pain. I had imagined this going very differently in my head, more amicable so that we could stay friends, but the exact opposite had happened, and my fear came true.

  “This had been coming for a long time, Blaire,” my father soothed. “I know us men are not as good at emotions, but even I could tell your feelings had changed over the last few months. I know this hurts but give him time; he will come around. You were best friends long before you became partners, and as time passes, you may be able to go back to being just that.”

  I nodded, trying to calm myself, but what I needed was to be alone, to process and reflect.

  ✽✽✽

  I sat in my white egg chair at the window, which I had pulled over from the corner of my room. My cup of coffee was on my desk, both of which were situated next to me. While staring out of my window, I had watched as the sun set, and the street became dark, the lamps along the pavements illuminating the road. Atlas had stayed downstairs, presumably to give me my space and speak with my father. I had watched Atlas get in his car and leave, only to come back a little later.

  I felt empty. A part of me was heartbroken; I had been with Jai since I was sixteen. Although I had fallen out of love with him, I still loved him, and the hurt I had caused him deeply pained me. I never wanted our friendship to end like this, or end at all. I also felt guilty, he had always done his utmost to make me happy, and I had crushed him. Mine and Jai's relationship hadn’t been bad; it had just lost all excitement. Though, I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t at least a little relieved. Was it wrong to feel that way? I was finally free after my six months of inner turmoil. I had spent so long fighting the feelings I had for Atlas that, now I no longer had to, it was a weight off my shoulders.

  I heard a knock at my bedroom door, pulling me from my thoughts. I didn’t answer, but it creaked as it was pushed open.

  “I thought I’d give you time to gather your thoughts,” Atlas’ silk-like voice said wearily.

  “I’m fine,” I reassured, spinning the chair to face the door on the left.

  Atlas shook his head. I noticed in one hand he held a blue carrier bag. He raised the bag. “I heard ice-cream and chocolate work wonders for a break-up,” he paused, “and menstrual cycles.”

  I gave a half-hearted chuckle as he walked towards me, placing the bag on the desk. He reached around to his back pocket, pulling out two spoons and handed one to me. He sat on my desk chair, grabbing the bag and tipping out its contents onto my desk. Out rolled a few different types of chocolate bars and a Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie. I reached forward grabbing the ice-cream, ready to devour it.

  “Well, you would be right.” I announced, shoveling some ice cream into my mouth.

  “That must suck, heartbreak and it's your time of the month,” he jibed.

  “Atlas,” I drawled out with a warning tone.

  “Sorry. Well, even with your puffy red eyes, I still think you’re… hot.”

  “‘Hot’ is what you say to the chick at the bar,” I jested.

  He sighed, his voice turning serious, “Well, that’s all the practice I have.”

  I took a large spoonful of ice cream then paused the shovelling of cold dessert into my mouth as I looked at him in awe. “You’re twenty-four, and you have never had a girlfriend?” My mouth was still full with my last mouthful, but I didn't much care for table manners right now. I wasn't sure why that surpised me, I had always known Atlas to be a bachelor.

  “Are you surprised?” he asked, using this opportunity to finally grab a spoonful for himself. “I mean, there was this girl I uh… multiple times, does that count?”

  I snorted, almost choking on the last bit of ice cream that was melting in my mouth. “Um, no, I’m not surprised, and, no, Atlas, a regular shag does not make someone your girlfriend.”

  We sat in silence as we (I mean I) slowly (quickly) worked through the ice cream. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Atlas not having a girlfriend and bedding more women that I’d like to guess. Despite these flaws in his romantic life, he was trying. However, this could work out great—if I force-fed him chick flicks then I could turn him into a real-life dreamboat (though, recently, he would qualify for that anyway). Regardless of the fact I was now single, and a relationship with him was now possible, I was not going to jump straight into it. I was hurt—therefore I needed time to heal.

  “My mum called earlier,” he announced after some moments of silence. I looked at him, waiting for him to continue his conversation, but he didn’t.

  “What did she say?” I eventually asked, taking a small bit of the brownie and swallowing it.

  He shrugged. “Mum dearest wants me to go home.”

  “Are you going to go?”

  He let out a breath of displeasure. “I don’t know. I should, but I don’t want to. I can’t imagine what my mum would get up to if I didn’t, and I would feel responsible if anything happened while I was gone.”

  “I understand, but, equally, you are not the parent here; you shouldn’t have to look after her because of an addiction,” I reasoned.

  “I know, but I do, and that’s just how it is. It’s probably best I go back tonight; you need your time to breathe and whatnot, anyway.”

  I sat in silence. I didn’t want Atlas to go, but he had his mindset, and it wasn’t changing—much like his theory around the company. I had come to learn Atlas was stubborn. I could imagine that being an asset in certain situations but a downfall in others. He was right; I did need some time to pull together my life. Though a small shot of panic ran through me, was Atlas having second thoughts? Now I’m single—albeit, only just—was I no longer a challenge for him? I mentally yelled at myself to stop. He was being courteous and thinking about me; he wanted to give me space.

  He took my silence as his cue to leave. He leant forward, placing a lingering kiss on my forehead. I smiled slightly, looking down at the nearly finished tub of ice cream. We said our goodbyes and Atlas went to find my parents to thank them for their hospitality. I watched as moments later, he made his way down my garden path, backpack over his shoulder. He stopped at the end of my garden, turning and looking up to face the window and gave a small wave of his hand. I reciprocated the action. My stomach tingled with the attack of butterflies, and my heart ached as I watched him get in his car. He hadn’t even left yet, and I yearned for his comfort as his car pulled away. My stomach sunk. I was now left with my thoughts, truly alone to reflect on my actions of the day. The more I replayed the scene between Jai and me in my head, the more hope I lost at the chance to rekindle a friendship.

  Chapter Ten

  October 7th 2024

  I approached the building, ready to work. I felt hollow, the events of the weekend repeating over in my head. Atlas stood in his usual spot at the corner of the building, wrapped in a winter coat as the mornings now called for one. He grinned when he saw me, the kind that would make any girl swoon. His smile showed pure endearment. The bruise on his cheek was fading; luckily, it was never a bad one. In my hands, I carried a box of Jai’s belonging
s.

  “Morning, B,” he chirped as I met him at the corner. “How are you feeling today?”

  “Better, or at least now I am.”

  At that moment I had achieved something I highly doubted any other woman had, Atlas blushed.

  He cleared his throat, recovering his cool demeanour. “Are you sure you’re up for the plan? It may be a little more difficult now after the weekend.” He already knew the answer

  “Of course,” I reassured him, shaking the box lightly, “improvise, right?”

  We walked into the building together, the woman from the week before still stood where Hector should be. He had been absent over a week now, something that indicated an issue. I was starting to crave his morning greetings again. I hadn’t realised how much I had come to rely on his morning positivity, and I needed it now more than ever. The woman that momentarily took his place gave no interest to other employees; it was clear this was an easy job to tide her over until retirement.

  Atlas and I entered the elevator, he pressed the button for our usual floor and also pushed a button for me. I watched as it flashed red, it was a floor that required a fob. I then realised Atlas was pressing the wrong button, so I leant over and pressed the correct one for a different level. When the doors opened, he wished me luck with a wink and exited. I listened to the quiet hum of the elevator music, waiting for my arrival to a floor much higher up. Eventually, I reached it. The storey was much smaller up here but still of a decent size. Offices spanned as far as the eye could see. As I stepped off of the elevator, a woman sat at the desk.

  “Can I help you?” she chirped.

  I shook the box. “I have some things I need to give to Alina.”

  The woman gave me instructions to her office, after getting lost around the office block I finally found the room I required.

  ‘ALINA ROBERTSON - Head of Internal Affairs’

  I knocked, after a few seconds, a voice beckoned quietly for me to enter. I wasn’t sure how the interaction would go; Jai was close to his aunt, so I had no doubt she would already know.

  “Blaire,” she breathed, tired but not missing a beat.

  I looked around her office; I saw her back wall formed from large windows that gave a breathtaking view of the busy city below. Her desk stood in the centre of the room, bookshelves full of paperwork on both sides of the office.

  “Hi, Alina,” I started, “I’m sorry to do this, but would you be able to give this to Jai? I would drop it off myself, but I don’t think he really wants to see me right now.”

  She looked at me, her eyes sad. “Of course.”

  She slowly walked around the desk, outstretching her arms to take the box in her hands. I passed it to her.

  “I’m sure you two will work it out,” she reassured.

  I smiled half-heartedly. “I hope so. I really don’t want to lose Jai.”

  Feeling the awkward silence fill the room, she cleared her throat and asked, “How are you finding working with Doctor Van Wick?”

  I grinned, making my voice sound cheerful, “It’s great. To be honest, the whole team is.” I paused, deciding how I should word my next sentence to avoid detection. “Speaking of team, do you know where Hector has gone?”

  Alina hesitated, pondering over her next few words. “I can’t say too much, but he won’t be returning. We had to fire Hector for misconduct. It’s a shame,” she sighed.

  “What did he do?” I asked shocked; Hector was not the type to do something radical and if it was an innocent mistake he would have told us.

  She shook her head. “That I can’t tell you. However, I can tell you my mornings are not the same without him.”

  “I can agree with you on that; his smile was what got me through the day. Anyway, I should get going, you’re a busy woman, and I have samples to analyse.” I pointed to the box. “Thanks again, Alina.”

  I walked towards the door, but before I had the chance to exit, she called out to say, “He’s hurt Blaire, but, in time, he will come around.”

  I turned to look at her, a small smile on my face. No more words needed to be said, so with that, I exited the office.

  ✽✽✽

  Lunch came around slowly. I had sat in the office since the start of my break. I noticed Atlas was nowhere to be found, so Kenji and I sat alone. I was at my desk, absentmindedly munching on my sandwich. Kenji was lent over the paperwork, his pen loudly scribbling as he made notes.

  “Are you okay?” Kenji said, turning to face me. I was surprised; he was not someone for small talk. “You’re not as annoying today.”

  “Thanks,” I sarcastically remarked, “you really know how to make a person feel better. Though, I suppose it’s good you pay some attention to me.”

  Kenji shrugged. “Well, it’s kind of hard not to when you chew so loud that it interrupts my paperwork.”

  “You know, Kenji, there’s more to life than paperwork,” I retorted unamused.

  Kenji looked almost wounded before turning back to his passion. It didn’t take an idiot to realise he was a workaholic. Therefore, not taking too kindly to my remark, though he didn’t take kindly to anything really. I sometimes wondered if he was a robot. He seemed void of all emotions except hate and annoyance, although I suppose that made him more advanced than a standard machine. Still, I wouldn’t be shocked if one day he whipped out his circuit board. Asia was far more advanced on their technology than anywhere else, so my hunch was not as far-fetched as it seemed. Oh god. Look at me creating conspiracies—just call me Atlas.

  As if on cue, Atlas entered the office; his face was stern but softened when he saw me. I smiled back, moving to the side so he could get to his desk.

  “Did you find out what you needed to?” I asked with urgency.

  He shook his head, side-eyeing Kenji. His look almost told me to shut up. I forgot I hadn’t informed him that I came to Kenji for advice when we were arguing, meaning I briefly spilled information on Atlas’ wormhole.

  “He knows about your conspiracy, Atlas,” I announced.

  He glanced over to Kenji, who nodded, not taking his eyes off the paperwork.

  Atlas turned back to me, slapping my leg gently but with meaning. “Why did you do that? You could put him in danger.”

  “Forgive me,” I drawled, “but you were acting like a wacko.”

  “That is beside the point.”

  “No Atlas, that is the point. We were arguing, and I needed to know if you were all kinds of nuts. Kenji fought your corner, just so you know.”

  “Well,” he grunted, glancing at the man next to him, “that’s because Kenji has my back.”

  “No, you are crazy,” Kenji clarified, “however, your hutches are often true.”

  Atlas’ head slowly turned to face me, raising an eyebrow as if to say ‘I told you so’ and I scoffed.

  “What did you find out about Hector?” Atlas asked.

  “He was fired, apparently.”

  Atlas shook his head, eyebrows furrowing. “That doesn’t make any sense. Look, later on we can meet, and we can talk about this more. We don’t want to put Kenji in more danger, plus, the work place is probably not the best place to discuss our suspicions.”

  “I am here, you know? I’m not bothered about you putting me in danger, especially if your hunch is true. What are you trying to find out?” Kenji asked in a low tone, finally turning to face us.

  Atlas shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” He was resistant, I imagined it was because he didn’t want to lose anyone further.

  “I’ve been here longer than you,” Kenji pointed out, “meaning I know more than you.”

  Atlas let out a long, low grunt as he toyed between putting another friend in danger and hitting a dead end with his investigation.

  “Do you know of any secret and or restricted areas in the building?”

  Kenji sat back in his chair, thinking. He then shrugged as he wrapped up his thoughts. “I don’t know how true it is, but apparently there’s some lower levels that
’s restricted and some up top for the big guys.” He had then decided he had enough of entertaining Atlas’ antics and got back to work. I suppose any information was good information.

  Atlas looked at me. “How do we get in the elevator and explore every floor without being suspicious?”

  “You don’t,” I laughed. “We can’t just walk out and around every floor, they would see it on the cameras, and we would end up in the same place as Hector and Maze if your hunch is true. Plus, there’s like thirty floors.”

  “Yeah, but we don’t need to go to every floor,” Atlas reasoned. “We just need to narrow it down to find the restricted floors and explore them. You're going to hide people where no one can go, aren't you?”

  “How do we even get on the floors?” I asked stumped.

  None of us had high enough clearance to get on a restricted floor. In order to do that it would require a promotion, which despite the company’s high turnaround rate didn’t come up often. Even then, it would have to be a pretty big jump to get on such a floor.

  “I imagine Van Wick might have clearance for basically all floors, if not Alina will have,” Atlas declared. “They're two of the highest respected people here. I'm also pretty sure Van Wick is responsible for monitoring most of the investigations here.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “That we find the restricted floors and steal one of their fobs to get on the floors.”

  “Brilliant.” I breathed. “And what if Van Wick doesn't have access to all the floors?”

  Atlas waved off my latter comment. “We will cross that bridge if and when we come to it.”

  I was apprehensive to the plan, I could’t think of a logical way to pull this off. It was evident we needed to plan more. If we got caught and this turned out to be completely crazy, then I could kiss goodbye to the career I had started to build over the last seven months and any other job in a similar industry. Even worse, if Atlas’ wormhole was right, and we got caught, we could end up in the same place as Hector and Maze, which meant facing the possibility of death. After all, who knows if they're actually still alive.