I talked Charles into letting me have the afternoon off. I didn’t tell him why of course. I figured that would be the best way to make sure he didn’t let me off. I took a taxi as it would be a pretty long walk and the sky was threatening rain.

When I arrived at the University I stopped to ask a security guard where I could find her.

“You mean Professor Rockefeller? She had an experiment scheduled but it got pushed back to 5.”

“Pushed back? Why?”

“I was told it was due to safety reasons. That's between the day and night classes.”

This should have been a warning sign.

With hours to kill I went to the library. I read up on some things that I had been meaning to check into. I had even brought along my backpack so I could borrow some books.

It might seem silly but it is kind of my lucky charm. I used it all the time on my ultralight single day hikes. It always had my ultralight hammock and tarp along with some other essentials like fire starters just in case I took a spur of the moment trip.

On one such hike, I slipped and fell down a steep bank and almost went over the cliff at the bottom. Somehow the bag snagged on a bush and stopped me not 15 feet from the ledge. I also got lost but luckily the pack had come with a cheap compass/whistle that I had never used. With it I found my way back and immediately upon returning home I absorbed survival techniques for field orientation from the internet.

Getting lost in the woods is scary as hell.

While I was at the Library I found a couple of books I wanted to borrow. The first was on permaculture which is an organic gardening technique. I had quite the garden back in the States to the chagrin of my neighbors. That was one of the few hobbies the wife actually supported. She had her selfish reasons because she had an almost unhealthy obsession with tomatoes.

I also found what I was really interested in, a book on England's history. I was an avid history buff and knew the highlights but outside of the World Wars and Colonialism I didn’t know much. I had read a little in a brochure but that was mostly about the Tower and the complex and didn’t really wet my appetite.

I checked the books out and left the library. After some searching I found a nice quiet place to light up a joint to pass the time while reading.

A little before 5 I walked to the physics building and found Rebecca’s Lab.

I was the only person that came. I guess that was the only reason she invited me. She figured I always thought with the wrong head and she wanted at least one person there.

“She’s right,” I said to myself grinning.

When I entered her lab, I immediately noticed some strange equipment.

In the center of the room there was a square clear box made of glass. It was around 6’ foot cubed as it only came up to my nose and I’m 6’3”. Inside the box was a waist high clear tube with what appeared to be a box made of lead on top of it.

The lead box had some all kinds of lasers pointed at it and what seemed to be metal pipes coming out the top. The pipes went out to gas cylinders outside next to the computer. The clear box had what appeared to be a vacuum pump hooked up to it.

After a few minutes trying to figure out what the hell this thing's purpose was, Rebecca came into the room. She somehow looked even better than the night before even with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing glasses and in a lab coat. I’ve always been a sucker for a girl in glasses.

“I’m glad you came, Looks like you’re the only one who did.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I say the human race is pushed forward by the people who don’t listen to naysayers.

“Well when you’re rich and famous you can shove it in their faces.” I said trying to cheer her up.

“I doubt that. Most of my colleagues are afraid something might go wrong.” She said trying not to look hurt but failing. Intellectuals get their feelings hurt when other intellectuals shun them.

“It does seem to be similar to Icarus flying with his wings made of feathers and wax. If you’re not careful you could be burned by the sun.” I said.

“You know Greek mythology as well. You are full of surprises Arthur.”

“What can I say? I’m a little bit of a history buff. I figure if you learn the mistakes of the past you are less likely to make them yourself.” I said hoping it didn’t come off as a cliché.

“I agree completely. Icarus succeeded in flying if you remember he just got cocky”

“And I’m sure we don’t have to worry about that from you”

“Of course not. Now I’m going to start up the experiment.” She said turning to her computer.

As she entered a few keystrokes on the keyboard the lasers started to hit the lead box. Then she opened the gas cylinder up and I heard a hiss as gas went through the regulator on the tank to the top of the box. Then she hit another few keys and the Vacuum pump started.

At first nothing happened but after what seemed like an eternity the lead box started glowing red. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck raise up and the most peculiar sensation passed through me.

The nearest I could describe it was like touching a Tesla coil. Tesla coils emit extremely high voltage but so low in amps that it doesn’t harm you. Tesla actually invented it to demonstrate this as people at the time were afraid of high voltage AC power (which he invented).

The whole room started to progressively get louder and louder. The lead box started to literally float in the air a few inches and then the whole container started to erupt what could best be described as lightning. A bolt narrowly missed Rebecca causing her to duck.

She started frantically hitting the keyboard trying to shut it down. Then a lightning bolt hit the computer and it exploded into flames. She fell backwards in shock but luckily I was close enough to catch her.

“Rebecca we have to get the Hell out of here.” I shouted over the noise.

She looked back at me with wide eyed terror.

“I can't stop and it has to be stopped. The energy in that space could wipe out the school and part of London.”

“And you’re messing with it in one of the largest cities in the world? Are you insane? Hell Icarus ain't got nothin on you.” I said feeling absolutely amazed at the turn of events I found myself in.

Frantically I look around for something to cut the power cord. Within seconds I spotted a fire axe across the room. I ran to it and shattered the protective glass in front of it. Once I had the axe out a lightning bolt hit the wall not 3 feet from my head.

“Shit!” I said as my way too late reflexes caused me to duck.

I ran back to Rebecca, ducking as lightning streaked by. Intellectually I knew that I could not dodge something moving near the speed of light. You can’t Matrix bullets in real life either but we all flinch when we hear a shot.

“Listen get the Hell out of here. I’m going to cut the power cord then run like the Devil himself is after me.” I Shouted over all the noise.

“If you cut the power it could cause it to explode. I will do it, you run. It is my responsibility.”

“No way in hell. If I have to kick your ass down the hallway I will but you're leaving. It’s not up for debate.”

“You’re impossible.”

“That’s what the ladies keep telling me,” I said with a grin. “Now get!”

She grabbed me by the collar and pulled me to her. Then she kissed me with such passion that I just sat there with an open mouth as she ran out the door.

Shaking my head to regain my focus I rushed to where the power cord was. After 5 or 6 swings I was through the huge anaconda of a cord. I then looked down at my now drenched shirt and realized I was sweating like a politician on the stand.

My first thought was that I might just have made myself a human lightning rod.

I didn’t worry long as within seconds the machine let out a loud high pitch scream and it started to hiss and pop. The whole atmosphere seemed to be sizzling and full of electrical charge.

I also started to feel like I was getting lighter. It was as if Gravity itself was breaking down.

“I think that’s my signal to get the hell out,” I said.

I started to run towards the exit when I noticed my backpack on the floor where I had set it down. I grabbed it off the floor as I ran towards the open door. I ran as fast as my legs would take me but when I was just through the doorway there was a loud noise and everything went black.