Balloon City, Chapter Two

Balloon City

Chapter 2

   Meggie liked driving at night. There was something so peaceful about gliding through the darkness, seeing lights from the buildings. Tonight, Meggie just felt nervous. It had been strange when she'd found the note in her locker. 

    You are invited for a special tryout, tonight at 8:00 pm. Go to the auditorium. Someone will direct you from there.

   Luckily, Clarissa had gone out again, this time with some guy named Jim. Meggie had considered not going to the tryout, but then realized that she'd be driven mad, wondering what would've happened if she had, and in the end had finally decided that there could be nothing wrong with it. The only question was, what was this “special tryout” for? 

   Meggie guided her Corolla into the high school parking lot, and parked it. As she slipped out into the night, she realized it was rather chilly out. She wondered if there was time to go back home, and get a jacket, but when she checked her phone, there wasn't. With a shrug, she walked quickly over to the entrance, and made her way through the dimly lit hallways to the auditorium. 

   Empty.

   No, wait... Meggie spotted someone. As she walked quickly over to the person, she saw that it was a boy; no older then herself, and rather small in stature. Only slightly taller then her. He was watching her, she noticed. 

   “ Hi. I'm Meggie Earlson?” Meggie said, rather shyly, and wishing that her voice wouldn't sound so squeaky. The boy didn't look the least bit familiar, and she wondered if he was also waiting for the special tryout.

   “ The name's Minato. Come on.” the boy turned and walked off briskly into the shadows. 

   Meggie followed him quickly. He led her straight to a door which had a glowing EXIT sign in red letters above it. Minato barged right through. Meggie hesitated for a moment.

   “ Um, this is the exit?”

   Minato didn't even stop, just kept walking. 

   Meggie shrugged and ran after him. The hallway was bright with light compared to the auditorium, and she found her eyes watering at the sudden light. Minato had already reached the end of the hall, and was standing at the door waiting. Meggie realized that he looked Asian, with his thick, black hair, and dark, almond-shaped eyes, and now that she could actually see his face, knew that she definitely had never seen him before. He held the door open for her, and she slipped through with a quick thanks. 

   And then she was suddenly in darkness. The door shut behind her, and she heard only the soft shuffle of Minato's feet on the floor behind her. There was some more shuffling and loud bang, followed by a grunt of annoyance, and then a click, and the bright light of a flashlight shone full into Meggie's face.  She squeezed her eyes shut and winced. Minato quickly lowered the flashlight, apologetically, and then began weaving his way around what Meggie now saw was a room, crowded with boxes. She followed after again, watching him carefully, and not letting herself lose sight of the light. And then there was another door.

   Minato slipped inside and killed his light, and then looked at Meggie. The room which she stepped into, reminded her of an aquarium, with its dim lighting, and tanks of strange creatures against the walls. 

   “ What is this place?” Meggie asked softly. 

   Minato gave a funny, half-smile. The first indication that he had a sense of humor. 

   Meggie looked at him. “ I'm here for a special tryout.”

   Minato just nodded. 

   Meggie groaned. “ Could you use words, maybe?”

   A blank stare.

   Meggie didn't say anything, and Minato started off again, walking around a large tank of jellyfish, to another part of the room. Meggie followed. Towards the middle of the room, was a large table, covered in diagrams and drafting tools. A man was standing next to it, his bushy, dark eyebrows furrowed in thought. He looked up at the sound of their coming footsteps, and gave Meggie a small smile. He was young – not more than thirty – and had a muscular build, though not stocky. 

   He held out his hand for her to shake. “ Professor Louis Des roches.”

   “ Meggie Earlson.” Meggie said, shaking his hand. She felt dreadfully confused. What kind of tryout was this? 

   Professor Des roches stepped back and nodded at Minato. “ You've met Minato, of course.”

   Meggie nodded. 

   The professor looked thoughtful. “ Well, you see Miss Earlson, we have called you here, because we think that you could be of some use.”

   Meggie felt sick. “ Use? Just what kind of use?”

   Professor Des roches turned back to the table, and picked up a sheet of paper. I believe these are your scores, am I right?” he held the page out to her.

   Meggie took it. It was all of her tests scores from the last year. “ Where did you get this?”

   “ Me and my assistant, Minato, here have been working on a top secret project, which is being funded by the San Francisco government. Stuart Hall High offered us this lab in a closed off part of the school, where we could work secretly without any students interrupting. In addition I am alerted if a particular student is doing notably well, and could be useful in the project. As I happen to know certain things about, which I'm not entirely sure that you know yourself, I've decided that you would do well here.”

   Meggie was stunned. What could he possibly know about her, that she didn't know?

   “ You're surprised, I know.” Professor Des roches said, noticing her stunned expression. “ I've seen that you are exceptional at math and physics. For now, let me just say, welcome to the lab.”