The door to the laboratory slid open and a boy walked in. His blue eyes sparkled at the sight of his favorite professor, Dr. Glassman. He ran his hand through his messy bedhead black hair and closed the door behind him.

He drew closer while calling out “Professor Glassman,”

“Mark?” He flinched, he hadn't noticed his entrance. He sighed out. His exhaustion evident, he removed his rectangular glasses and collapsed on his chair.

Massaging his temples, he asked, “What are you doing here? Only authorized people are meant to come in here”

“Authorized people?” Mark scoffed, “Is that even still a thing in the kind of world we live in now?”

Mark was probably right. Dr. Glassman sighed, trying a different approach to chase him away “Your mum might get worried Mark, at a time like this you should be with her always”

He waved him off. “She'll be fine”.

Succumbing to defeat, Dr. Glassman sank further into his chair, occasionally exhaling. He barely just reached forty but he looked much older. His wife and only daughter passed away as a result of the virus that he and many other Canadian scientists were working on. Now, he felt obliged to find a cure. Thus depriving himself of necessary sleep and self-care.

“You're lucky Mark” his thoughts escaped his dry lips

“Huh?”

“You're lucky; both you and your mother are auspicious….unlike me,” his expression saddened. He couldn't even look at Mark, he felt ashamed comparing himself to him.

“Professor, look at me,” said Mark

He looked up and his gaze met Mark's unyielding eyes. For someone who often goofs around, it was shocking to see such a serious expression on his face.

“The antidote will be perfected and then no one else has to die. I have hope, professor….you should too”

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His eyes didn't hesitate; Dr. Glassman saw a familiar look in his eyes; he felt a familiar presence. “You're just like your father Mark,” he said

Mark sighed and looked away “Too bad he's never coming back”

“He will return,” Dr. Glassman assured him, but he had long stopped believing that. He countered by saying

“I'm not six anymore, professor; I think I'm old enough to understand that if someone has been in space for ten years, they're never coming back.” he sealed his mind on it.

“If you still have hope of a cure for the virus, why can't you have hope of your father's return?” Dr. Glassman asked

Mark's brows drew together. “It's different,” he responded in a whisper.

“Mark!” The doors opened forcibly. The entrance of the beautifully tanned girl caused Dr. Glassman to freak out,

“How the hell do you kids keep getting in here!?” He rubbed his temple.

Her entrance caused a ruckus, so she calmed down. “Oh, hi, Mr Glassman,” she greeted before her scolding eyes reached Mark, where he stood with a dull expression.

“Mark, what are you doing here?? Your mum has been worried sick asking around for you..”

Mark groaned, “Why the fuck are you here Chloe?, Why won't you just leave me alone”

“Language Mark!” Dr. Glassman scolded.

Chloe, quick to anger, seethes at Mark's words. She stomped in and pulled him out by the ear. “How dare you speak to me that way?”

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” He wailed while being pulled out of the laboratory. He finally struggled out of her grip and whinged “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he held his right ear which was pulsing with pain

“I told you your mum is looking for you right now”

Mark, annoyed, folded his arms across his chest “It's freaking annoying when you try to act older than me; we're the same age!”

Chloe punched his shoulder “Don't beat yourself up about it, it's not your fault I'm way more mature”

“Fuck you” he mumbled.

After being checked thoroughly by Leira, Mark and Chloe met up with their other friends at the back of one of the metal domes.

As always, Liam was busy teasing his sister while Helen sat and watched. Their sibling squabble was always cute.

“Hey, Liam! Cut it out!” Chloe yelled while running towards them.

Liam's face was etched with annoyance and anger as he swayed the stuffed bear above his twin sister's reach.

“Cut it out, Liam, give him back,” Leah whined while trying desperately to reach his hand.

“Stop being freaky!” He yelled, “You're seventeen and still carry stuffed animals around, have a little shame”

“Give him back!” she wailed but he didn't stop teasing.

Chloe reached them and punched his shoulder “Enough Liam, give it back to her”

He sneered and tossed it “Whatever, here, have your silly little toy”

Leah stopped struggling, she watched her stuffed toy fall to the ground below her. She didn't pick it up; she stood there with her eyes on the ground.

“What now?” Liam asked, still

annoyed.

She mumbled something under her breath, still looking downwards.

“Huh?”