Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley (reading strategies book TXT) 📕

country and when it is over, you can finally do something for yourself.”

“It’s a bizarre job,” she whispered. “Kinda scary too.”

“We'll look after you, Heather. I promise. You're in safe hands. Think of it as starting over. A new beginning.”

Gerald wanted to cry as he saw the glimmer of her smile, last time he’d seen real joy was when she’d made a perfect standing sand castle when she was ten. “A new beginning...” she whispered. “I like it.”

Peter slid a wad of paper across the table. “We can get you started as soon as you are ready.”

Scarlet flushed her pale skin. “What do you think, Dad?”

I wish you could do something else. “It’s up to you, sweetheart,” he found himself saying.

Gerald felt his heart cracking in his chest as she reached forward to sign her inevitable death sentence. There was no thought, or hesitation when she signed on the dotted line. I’ve failed you, Heather. I’m sorry.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Summer 1979

Laurence Harrison, otherwise known to his friends and family as Laurie, was busy testing samples and rinsing beakers on a late night at Kaltheia. He was one of the few out of his team who actually enjoyed the graveyard shifts. In fact, he loved it. The laboratory wasn't hyperactive, the phones weren’t rattling every five seconds, plus he got full control over the radio. Laurie grinned to himself as he heard Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross play.

The only thing that sucked about working lates was shifts in the summer period, especially when nature decided to transform the outside into a chaotic monsoon. Working in the lab was the equivalent of being in a sauna.

Laurie hummed to the song as he worked on the next batch of samples. He injected the blood into the vial carefully. The sight of the red runny liquid didn’t make him nauseous, he hated how characters on TV would faint at the sight of blood.

It’s what’s keeping you alive, he thought. What substance pumps through your heart? How do you reckon your brain and veins function? People are fucking dumb.

After he finished the tray, he gathered them together and moved to the gas analyser. He slid them into the slots and pressed the button. He stood watching the little black screen twitch with numbers. In a while, the machine would be spitting out paper from the top with the results.

Laurie pulled off his gloves and washed his hands as it was time for his break. He placed his white coat on the hook, locking up the lab. He slumped on the couch in the staff room, lighting his cigarette. Ah sweet heavenly nicotine. Tiredness had begun to kick in, pulsing at his temples. He breathed in the sweet smoke, holding it in his mouth before blowing it out through his nose. Normally, this room was a hot spot for chatter and the occasional Chinese whisper. Not tonight. He savoured the serenity; he wasn’t going to abuse the opportunity of professional freedom.

This was his first job after finishing college. He’d studied chemistry and shockingly, managed to bag the first lab technician job he applied for. Some of his friends were still flipping burgers at McDonalds and were completing applications for every lab out there during their breaks. It was hard not to feel guilty about it.

Laurie had been at Kaltheia for about a year when he'd finally gathered the confidence to work in the lab on his own. He’d done the routines enough to complete in his sleep and his boss seemed comfortable with the idea of him manning the fort. It of course had nothing to do with his colleagues whinging that it was his time to clock a night shift under his belt so they could have a sleep in.

Laurie was becoming immune to the jibes about his lankiness and sandy surfer hair. He was the youngest in his team. Sometimes when he was feeling particularly brave, he'd dish an insult back. Only now and then, he didn't want people thinking he was a complete jerk. In the long run, it wouldn’t be beneficial for his career.

There was a loud bang and Laurie nearly choked on his coffee. It was coming from the lab and his heart began to race.

Shit, I bet the analyser is fucking up! I don't want to call Estates. Those guys are such assholes.

They’d arrive at the lab with their widened smiles and sharp tongues. They’d poke at Laurie’s youth, stabbing at his smooth tanned skin, comparing their silver and white hair to his blonde locks. Also working in Haematology and Pathology was enough for mockery, especially from the opposite sex. Laurie could count on both hands the amount of cutting remarks he’d received when he plucked up the courage to approach an attractive female about his ‘dorky’ profession. Way to go, Mr Sexy…

The banging from outside erupted again. The volume made him jump to his feet. The samples will be ruined!

Laurie pulled on his coat and felt like he was going to barf when he saw something staring at him from the lab window.

What the…

There was a woman standing in the rain. She was slamming her hand against the window pane again and again, watching him.

He wasn’t sure how old she was. She could’ve been a young girl. He couldn't be too sure, with age nowadays. People looked older or younger than they actually were. Laurie grew increasingly apprehensive. Why on earth was there a woman outside?

Kaltheia was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and hills. Possession of a full valid driving licence was essential; it was in his employee contract.

The rain poured down and the woman was so close to the window that her breath was clouding the glass. Her eyes were bright blue, pale like ice. She started to tap on the glass, her gaze never left his.

“Hello,” she whispered, her voice was soft. “Can you let me in?”

Laurie swallowed his fear and opened the window, his fingers were shaking. “What do you want?” he asked.

“My truck broke