The Bunker — Episode 10 - by Scarletpaine

The past six days has been especially hard. Some even said I had become quiet. Alec’s words really hit me deep down.But that was not all there is to it. I started to look at everything from a different view; from the view that Maya sees, the view that the old me would have looked from. And suddenly, everything started to feel different.Something really was wrong.I first confirmed it that same day when we fixed the air conditionings. I saw some black cables taped across each one of them which, without a doubt, were connected to the rooms. Although I realized a little later what it was. I finished my shift and Malcolm came over.“Hey, Bree. Are you alright?” he asked. “You know you can always ask for a leave if you feel sick or…”“No, I’m fine,” I tell him. He gave me a weird look, like he was trying to get some other answer, and he finally said, “Okay.” Then he left.I went to Internal Affairs the next morning. I was going to ask Alec for help with Ellis’ file—although I’m not sure if he’ll be willing to help me with that. Still I needed to try asking.A guard tried to stop me from going in, but when I told him my name with my prison number, he surprisingly let me in. Well, I had also added that I was running a work for the chancellor.I guess being prisoner 219 isn’t that bad if I’m allowed some certain benefits.I was walking down the offices when a door opened and a hand closed around my wrist. Mai pulled me inside and closed the door before I could even speak.“Mai,” I called with a high tone and forced a smile. “What is going on?”“I’m sorry Bree, but I need you to stay here for a few minutes,” she said as she grabbed a tissue. “I saw you walking up and I just needed to ask you for a favor. You see, my partner isn’t in yet and the office can’t be empty, but I need to use the office real quick.”“Okay. But why me?”“You are not going to get in trouble, I promise. I’ll be quick. Just sit.” She reached for the door and swung it open in a rush. “And please, don’t touch anything,” she said quickly before shutting the door behind her.I released a sigh and looked around the office. There are cabinets and desks for each person with computers on it. I strolled toward Mai’s desk where her computer was on and I sat on the chair. I stared back at the screen and saw that it was logged in. The cursor sat on the search field of a portal which reads ‘Bunker Files’.I looked away from it immediately and told myself not to do anything and just wait for Mai. I don’t have access, and Mai seems to have forgotten to close the portal. I was on my way to see Alec and ask him for help before Mai pulled me in. And now the screen is staring at me.Was it a coincidence that what I was looking for is within reach and right in front of me?I shut my eyes and suck in a breath. The second I opened them again, my fingers flew to the keyboard and I typed in a name.Lena Reed.My other hand moved to the necklace I’d worn since the day I picked it up. A file appeared and I clicked it open. Then I saw the information on her.Medical researcher. Family: Ellis Reed. Deceased. Cause of death: Infection during confinement.Those were the same words they used for Ellis. He had died because of an infection breakout. It was the reason they had to all be quarantined and then imprisoned for defying an order.I was about exiting when I saw a secondary log underneath. It was still accessible because Mai’s session was still on.My brows pulled and my body fingers froze as I read the words with my eyes:Subject obtained unauthorized documentation regarding containment protocols. Subject threatened public disclosure. Subject classified as a threat and contained as authorized. Threat terminated. Son (Ellis Reed) placed under observation for possible secondary disclosure risk.My fingers were still trembling when I searched Ellis’s name. The public file was almost the same.Resident of Sector Number Three. Family: Lena Reed. Deceased. Cause of death: Infection during confinement.The cause of death sounds very familiar and too used. It was their only excuse to explain why someone died so anyone wouldn’t have to question them.I stared at the secondary log and clicked on it.Subject classified as a possible threat. Subject under close observation. Subject confirmed to have classified information. Subject is unpredictable. Authorities decide they can no longer keep him alive. Subject contained after attempting to escape. Subject...The door opened and Mai walked in. The first thing her eyes went to was the computer before she looked at me. I see her face go pale instantly.

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