Robbie Dorman - Regrowth

Shaw stared at him, the same smile on his face, but Jon felt the menace behind his eyes. Shaw wanted the project to move forward, and he wanted it quickly. Jon knew he should agree to it all, and worry about his ethics later, but his heart spoke before his mind could stop him.

“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that, Mr. Shaw,” said Jon. “Pushing the research too hard and too far, too quickly is dangerous.”

Shaw didn’t change his look, but Jon felt Stone’s eyes on him. “Jon, there’s no moving backward here,” said Shaw. “The only way forward is in the special projects lab. You realize that by now. You want to advance your research, don’t you?”

And before Jon could say anything, Stone interrupted him.

“Of course, Mr. Shaw,” said Stone. “I, for one, am excited to work in a new lab with even more resources. I’m sure we’ll able to find more success, now that we’ve cracked the problem. We don’t want to stagnate in the Medical pillar, do we, Jon?” Jon looked to Stone at the mention of his name, and Stone’s eyes were cold and hard, and told Jon to agree at any cost, asked him if he was a complete idiot, told him of course you agree to move into the special projects lab, Eaton Shaw is not a person you say no to. Jon took a heavy breath and stowed his ethics back into his heart.

“I—of course, Mr. Shaw,” said Jon. “I don’t mean to sound critical. I just—I just want to make sure we succeed.”

Shaw smiled again, and the menace vanished, tucked deep inside. “Of course, Jon. I understand. It’s your baby. Don’t worry, we will succeed. I guarantee it.”

“That sounds great, Mr. Shaw,” said Stone.

“You’ll have a new lab space tomorrow,” said Shaw. “With a tour of the lab. I suggest you talk to your assistants and then take the rest of the day off. To take a breath and revitalize yourself. Because tomorrow, the real work begins.”

And the meeting was over, and they were in the elevator.

“What the hell was that?” asked Stone as soon as the doors closed.

“What do—”

“Shaw is offering us a spot in the special projects lab, and you throw it back in his face? Oh no, I don’t want more resources, no, I don’t want to be the golden goose—”

“He’s moving us way too fast,” said Jon. “It’s going to cause us headaches.”

“Who fucking cares?” asked Stone. “More problems than us getting thrown the fuck out of here? You do realize that Shaw has all your research, right? Mine too? It’s all in his computers, and if we get tossed, along with your son, that research ain’t coming with us. He’ll keep it and use it anyway. So pull your head out of your ass and just do what he says. Smile and like it.”

“I—”

“I know, you’re an idiot,” said Stone. “Believe me, I understand. I’d like a nice safe spot down here while the world is ending, so try and play nice with the billionaire.”

And then the elevator stopped, back on the Medical pillar, and Stone walked out. Jon followed him. Mel was happy to be moving on, and even happier at the news she’d be getting more responsibilities. He helped her pack up the few things he wanted to take with them, and then he retreated to his home.

Tommy was playing a game when he got home, his friend Stan over with him. Jon didn’t interrupt them and went straight to his room. His room had a bar, and right now, he needed a drink.

He poured himself a stiff whiskey, and sat in the lone chair, sipping it, the screen on the wall playing an old movie that he’d seen a hundred times. Soon, the prisoner would crawl through the sewer tunnel and emerge into the rain. But Jon wasn’t really watching. He flinched at the bitter taste of the liquor, but he drank on it anyway, his body warming.

He should be celebrating. He had worked for years and had gotten his first taste of success. But this didn’t feel like a victory. It felt like a sentence, and he didn’t know why. He sent Tabby a message, asking if she was free tonight, but she didn’t respond. She was probably working. At least he would have more opportunities to see her down in the dark lab.

The dark lab. He pondered those words, feeling the weight of them in his mind. He remembered the rat in his palm, its new arm treading on his skin. He had taken the rat’s arm, and then he had given it back.

A knock on his door brought him back to the real world. “Come in,” he said loudly, setting down his glass, as if not holding the drink made him less tipsy.

It was Tommy, who peeked his head in before wheeling the rest of the way inside.

“Yeah?” asked Jon.

“What are we doing for dinner?” asked Tommy. “There’s nothing in the fridge. Stan had to go home.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Jon. “Just order something. Whatever you want, and I’ll eat it too.”

Tommy nodded, and thought to back out the door, but instead wheeled farther in.

“Are you okay, Dad?” he asked, moving closer.

“That easy to tell, huh?” asked Jon.

“Yeah,” said Tommy. “You’re not good at hiding things.”

“Well,” said Jon. “Today, we successfully had a rat regenerate a limb. We put it under, removed its arm, and with the right set of circumstances, gave him the ability to regrow it.”

“Wow,” said Tommy. “That’s good, right?”

“Yeah,” said Jon. “It is. But now me and the team are moving to the special projects lab. And I thought I’d be excited about doing that. But now—now I’m not too sure.”

“Is it bad?” asked Tommy.

“I don’t know,” said Jon. “It’s less control. And talking to Shaw—I don’t know, sometimes it feels like he’s threatening you, without even really trying.”

Tommy looked at him, and then hugged him, reaching out to him. Jon returned it, and he attempted not to cry.

“What was that for?” asked Jon.

“I know you’re doing it for me,” said Tommy. “I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

Jon struggled to speak and wiped away a tear. “It’s not your fault, Tommy. I’m sorry—I’m sorry for everything.”

“It’s okay,” said Tommy. “I made a friend, at least. Have you—have you heard anything from Mom?”

“No,” said Jon. “I’ve sent her letters.”

“So have I,” said Tommy. “I hope she’s gotten them.” He took a breath. “I miss her.”

“I know you do,” said Jon. “You’ll see her again. I promise.”

The next day, Jon, Stone, and their team moved into their new space. Into the special projects lab. Into the dark lab.

They wouldn’t step foot back into the four pillars until it was much too late.

It had stunned Jon when he toured the four pillars. Each lab was expansive, with incredible equipment, with resources for hundreds of people working on cutting-edge science. It had been more to work with than he’d had in his entire career.

The dark lab dwarfed them all, combined.

Jon, Stone, Mel, and Andrew were met at the elevator doors by Sabrina again, wearing all black, her blond hair tied back in a ponytail.

“Welcome to the special project division,” she said, and led them into an expansive space, segmented off into dozens of labs.

“This is incredible,” said Mel. “I thought the Medical pillar was extravagant—”

“Please keep up,” said Sabrina, walking at a brisk pace. “The division is much larger, and so we have more ground to cover.” She wasn’t lying, the corridors between labs massive, the level a labyrinth, Jon already losing track of where they entered, right after they turned once, and then twice. The glass walls were tinted black, always opaque. A few of the lab doors they passed were open, but most were closed. It was so much larger than the four pillars above. Jon struggled with the scope. Jon spied a man, dressed in all black, an assault rifle slung around his back. He stood against the wall in a corridor, looking straight ahead. He wore a tactical helmet, with a clean visor over his eyes.