Dr Anderson's POV
"Dad!" Stuart's tired voice called out to me while everyone else turned in my direction, confusion written on all their faces.
I was not left out, as I too was as confused as fuck.
"Where is mom?" Stuart asked again, catching me off guard.
"erm... your mom..." I started to mutter unintelligibly but Mr Crawford came to the rescue.
"Dr Anderson, can I have a word with you?" He said, leading the way toward the exit.
Stuart made to accompany me, but he was restricted by the doctors.
Once we stepped outside, Crawford came heavily at me, with a vicious stare.
"What did you do to him?" He asked in whispers.
"I did nothing to him. I am as surprised as you." I said, trying hard not to panic.
"We should do something about it," I added after a second thought.
"I don't think so, Anderson. Just stick to the story." Crawford replied, patting my shoulders.
"But..." I started to say in protest but stopped when I saw Crawford going back in.
Resignedly, I went in after him.
Inside, Stuart, now unbounded sat docily on a chair. Beside him were two doctors who held onto his shoulders firmly.
Once Stuart caught sight of my presence in the room, he made to stand up, but he was restricted by both doctors who undoubtedly were carrying out Crawford's orders.
"Allow him," I instructed the doctors while Stuart rushed at me for a warm embrace.
"Where is mom?" He asked.
"I don't think she will be here anytime soon," I said in a very convincing manner that surprised even me.
"Why not?" He asked further.
At this point, I was tongue-tied, not sure of what excuse to give.
A glance at Mr Crawford revealed just how tongue-tied and unhelpful he was at the moment.
"Why is she not coming, Dad?" Stuart pressed when no reply was forthcoming.
Just then the door was torn open, forcing all our attention towards it.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Dr Sofia standing at the entrance. Behind her were two securities who were undoubtedly trying to stop her from gaining entrance.
"We are sorry sir, we tried to hold her back." The security men apologized, fear evident in their eyes, while Mr Crawford dismissed them with a wave.
"Anderson!" Dr Sofia exclaimed in shock, once she saw me.
"Mom!" Stuart suddenly exclaimed, running towards Dr Sofia, while I exchanged surprised looks with Mr Crawford.
"Stuart dear." Dr Sofia said, cupping his face fondly. If she was surprised at his misplacement of identity, she did not show it.
"Dad said you wouldn't come," Stuart reported while the rest of us looked on in shock.
"Nonsense. You didn't think I would leave you here all by yourself, did you?" Dr Sofia asked affectionately.
"Now let's put you back to sleep." Dr Sofia added, leading Stuart farther into the room.
"Who are these people?" Stuart asked, pointing at the other children inside medical tanks.
"They are your friends." Dr Sofia replied.
"What are they doing inside those... small houses?" Stuart asked again.
"They are enjoying a peaceful sleep. You should sleep too." Dr Sofia said convincingly, while she helped him get into the tank.
"What the hell is going on, and what the fuck are you doing here?" Mr Crawford asked, breaking the silence which had now enveloped the ward.
"Not here, Crawford. Not here." Dr Sofia said with gritted teeth, and with a single saccade of her eyes towards Stuart as he lay quietly in the tank.
Mr Crawford led the way towards the exit, after signalling both doctors to remain in the ward.
Dr Sofia followed closely behind while I walked ever slowly behind them.
Dr Sofia's POV
I cast a glance at my wristwatch for the fourth time this morning, and it showed 09:50 am, and Anderson is yet to report to work.
Strange!
After a brief deliberation in my head, I decided to give him a call. From the way he sounded I knew for certain that something was wrong, even though he tried to sound normal.
By the time I got off the phone with Dr Anderson, my mind was made up.
I went straight to my closet where I picked up a shoebox from a discreet corner.
It contained a burner phone which had only a single number.
With a slight thump in my heart, I dialed the number, and just as expected, it went straight to voicemail.
" I have decided to utilize the compound. Tell me if the boss is in." I instructed codedly.
I smiled at myself for being so clever. It was a great idea after all to have a plan B plus an inside man within the walls of MEDCORP working for me.
Within a few minutes, the burner phone beeped to indicate a new message.
"It is done. In the ward upstairs." read the message.
I left for my car immediately and drove straight to MEDCORP.
It was a good thing I had strong ties with Mr Crawford as there were no restrictions at the gate or the entrance. However, when I tried inserting my key into the keyhole of the private elevator door, I was apprehended.
Mr Crawford, as I know would always accompany whoever is using the private elevator, hence their surprise when they saw me all by myself.
"Crawford... Mr. Crawford is expecting me.", I started to say but corrected myself when I saw the surprised look on each of their faces.
I forced my way into the elevator, while they followed suit, not minding the fact that they were forbidden to go through the private elevator, and I was not about to remind them.
Once we alighted from the elevator, I could see the shock in their faces as they didn't know that such a place existed in the building.
We got to the entrance of the ward, and this time it was I who tried to stop them from entering.
I forced the door open while the occupants of the ward turned in my direction in shock.
Crawford was not left out, as he appeared to be cornered.
With a wave of his hand, he dismissed both men after regaining some level of composure.
"Mom!" Stuart suddenly called, racing towards me, and I couldn't be more pleased. I knew I could always count on my inside man and today isn't an exception.
With a false show of affection, I made Stuart climb into the tank, while secretly waiting for an outburst which I knew was coming from Crawford.
"Not here Crawford. Not here." I said once Crawford started to come at me.
Thankfully, he saw reason and then led the way toward the exit, while I followed closely behind.
Outside, he stopped abruptly, making me stop so suddenly, to avoid bumping into him.
"The keys." He said curtly, stretching out his hand, while I fiddled with my collection in an attempt to detach the key from the others.
Once I was done, I handed it over to him and the journey continued.
Cautiously, I followed Crawford until he came to the familiar premises where his secret office was located.
He opened the door and motioned for Anderson who was way behind, and I to get in.
"What did you do to the kid?" Crawford asked, facing both Anderson and me.
"I did nothing. I'm shocked at the whole turnout of event." Anderson replied in defense.
"And you?" Crawford asked, regarding me as an enemy.
"I know nothing either. I only played along because I thought it was your doing." I lied, even though Crawford wasn't the least convinced.
"How convincing!" Crawford replied with a scoff.
"I will walk you out." Crawford suddenly said, after a brief pause, moving towards the exit and I almost didn't believe my ears.
He isn't saying anything about the men who had accompanied me to this floor. I noted with a sigh of relief.
I walked towards the exit where he stood, but his voice stopped me.
"It's Anderson, not you."
My relief was immediately replaced with disappointment. I knew I would be punished for my carelessness but the big question is how?