“Hey everyone,” Siddiq said, breaking eye contact with Alex.

  “Oh hello Siddiq, come meet our new member Zachariah,” called Reshma waving his hand at Siddiq.

  “Cool, nice to meet you,” Siddiq said, walking over to shake his hand. When he finished he moved to stand next to Amirah. Alex shuffled awkwardly and moved away.

  “So we have one more team member joining us tomorrow I believe,” Reshma said, pushing his glasses back into place. “How about we get to know each other and tomorrow we will go over all the projects when everyone is here.”

  “I like that idea,” Evalyn agreed, the others nodding.

  “I would like to read my speech and get your opinions on it, if possible?” Alex asked.

  “You are giving a speech?” Amirah questioned.

  “Uh, yeah. There is a conference being held here in a couple days and I was asked to be on stage and say something,” Alex said, scratching his head.

  “Oh wow, that is amazing. I would love to hear it!” Amirah exclaimed, clasping her hands together in excitement.

  “Yeah man, let’s hear it,” Siddiq said through gritted teeth.

  “The floor is yours Alex,” said Reshma as he grabbed a chair, the others following suit.

  “Oh, sure we can do that now,” Alex said and went to grab his bag. “Alright, let me know if this is too long, if it's not clear, or what I may need to change.” Alex asked the group. Everyone nodded and sat in attention as Alex began.

  “And with that we ask that you all please know that we are doing everything we can to stop these disasters so we can all carry forward together.” Alex finished. “So what do you think?”

  “Wow, that was really good. Well done!” Reshma said, clapping his hands, the others nodding and clapping as well.

  “Really?” Alex asked, relieved.

  “It’s perfect!” Amirah exclaimed.

  “I mean, I don't know about perfect, but it was alright,” Siddiq muttered.

  “Well then, thanks everyone. I am pretty nervous about this. I hate being in the spotlight,” Alex said.

  “Well I don't think you should change a thing, it was really good. Gives the right amount of insight and hope,” Evalyn added. “Well done.”

  “Alright, how about we go to the recreation center gaming area and get to know each other, humm?” Reshma asked. Everyone nodded and gathered their things and headed out of the lab.

  Alex hopped on his scooter, “I will meet you all there, just going to drop this and my bag off at the apartment so I don't need to worry about them.”

  “Good idea,” said Siddiq. “ I will do the same.

  “Alright, meet you guys there then,” said Reshma as Alex and Siddiq took off towards the apartments.

  Alex and Siddiq rode in awkward silence towards the apartments. When they got to the turn, Siddiq broke off towards his building without saying anything. Alex frowned and went to his building. As he entered he put his bag and scooter up and walked back out towards the recreation center. As he made the turn to the walkway he saw Siddiq standing there.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Hey man, did I do something to make you mad at me?” Alex asked.

  Siddiq sighed, “No, it's just me. I got kind of jealous the way Amirah was acting towards you.”

  “Yeah, I could tell,” Alex said.

  “That bad?” Siddiq said sheepishly.

  “Only because I know you. It's ok though. I wouldn't step on your toes,” Alex smiled.

  “Sorry,” Siddiq said.

  “No need to be man, let's get going,” Alex said, grabbing Siddiq by the shoulders as they started walking to the recreation center. The others joined them shortly after getting to the game room. After a few hours of games, laughter, and getting to know each other they called it a day.

  “Alright, let's meet at the lab bright and early and get to work tomorrow!” Reshma exclaimed. The others cheered and everyone made their way to the apartments.

  The next few days went by in a blur, and before he knew it Alex was getting ready to go on stage live in front of the world. “Oh man, I don't have a tie! I only had one and I used it on Zayd!” Alex panicked as he flung clothes out of his closet. “It’s okay, I don't have to have a tie. I could just wear my lab coat and stuff. I'm a scientist after all,” he said, grabbing his crumbled coat from off the floor. He put it on and tried to smooth it out. Letting out a big sigh he walked to his kitchen and grabbed his speech. Sitting down on his couch he closed his eyes and pushed out his senses.

  He had been practicing this more the last few days. Even in the lab with the others he would open himself. He could feel their movements before they even did them.

  “Allllleeeexxxxx,” whispered an unfamiliar voice.

  “Huh?” he muttered.

  “It is time,” said the voice.

  A chill ran down his spine as a cool breeze wrapped around him. His senses flashed with an unknown presence but he couldn't feel anything more. Weird, he thought, as he stood up suddenly and searched the room. Frowning, he looked at his speech and flipped through the pages. A feeling of calm entered him as he knew what needed to happen. Gathering his things he left his apartment and headed to the conference room.

  “Alex!” Emily called, waving him over.

  “Hey Emily,” Alex smiled as he joined her.

  “Got your speech? Are you ready?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I wanted to wear a tie but I forgot I used it on Zayd,” Alex said awkwardly, smoothing his jacket.

  “You only had one tie?” Emily giggled.

  “Yes,” Alex confessed. “So I went with the lab coat, figured I'm a scientist so looking like one might be okay.”

  “You look fine, and you will do great,” she smiled at him.

  “I am so nervous. I hate this stuff. I am more of a behind the scenes kind of guy,” Alex said, creasing his brow.

  “Well, you don't have to say much if you don't want to. I think you are the last guest speaker and then the host will close out. So you mostly just get to stand there and look sciency,” she said with a wink.

  “Sciency, got it,” he laughed.

  “Well I need to go check on the others. When they call your name just make your way up and smile,” Emily said, then gave him a small wave and dashed away. Alex walked around the stage and peaked at the gathered audience and gulped.

  “Mr. Moorez,” said a deep and familiar voice. Alex’s skin crawled as the stench of cigar permeated around him.

  “General Dempsey,” Alex replied as he turned to greet the large man.

  “I am glad you agreed to give a speech today. I look forward to hearing your insights,” he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

  “Oh I don't know if it's super insightful. I am just going over some of the projects we are working on here,” Alex answered.

  “I look forward to it nonetheless,” General Dempsey said, taking a long puff on his cigar but never taking his eyes off Alex.

  “Alex come on,” Emily called.

  “That’s my cue,” Alex said as he walked around the large frame of the general.

  “Of course, good luck up there. I will be watching,” he replied.

  Alex hurried to join the others being called up to the stage. As they called his name he glanced back to see the general puff circles with his smoke still staring at him. Gulping Alex hurried on stage and took his place. He scanned the audience and found his team all sitting together. They waved and gave him thumbs up which made him feel a little better and smiled. As he continued to scan his eyes, General Dempsey had joined a group of guards to the side of the audience. General Dempsey took a puff of his cigar and as he finished, gave a lethal smile.

  Oh man, Alex thought.