The days were long, the nights were short. There were a few cases of the sick and bed ridden making remarkable recoveries, those at death's door, seemingly healthier than most within a few hours. Other than these strange phenomenons the world was normal.
The news of what transpired that night was kept under wraps and was only known to few. In a few days the news of the discovery would become public, and a small ceremony would be held in honor of the young man who passed in pursuit of his dream.
The book itself had yet to be opened, many had tried. The book seemed to have it's own set of rules that none at the Bryne Company could understand.
Sofia Bryne was the head scientist in charge of the operation as well as the one person there whom had a front row seat to the events leading up to it's discovery. Yet even she struggled to make sense of the relic.
She tried to make contact with Dr. Maria Snow on multiple occasions, but she refused to pick up the phone for anyone. Especially for someone who supposedly watched her protégé die. She considered the two as her younger siblings, causing the thought of one leaving the other to hurt that much more.
Sofia tried to explain herself over and over again, but it all seem too unreal to believe. But Maria didn't blame her for what happened, only the people she worked for and her sister. She found out about the order a few days after the events, from Sofia herself.
Ever since then she would stay to herself, even when she returned to work. She focused solely on her own work, simply trying to keep the thoughts and memories from resurfacing and overwhelming her.
Sofia knew there was nothing she could do to change what happened, all she could do was try to keep both their minds off of it. Which led to her trying to ask Maria for help opening the book.
Ashley Bryne on the other hand, was quite frustrated with the fact the book refused to open. Each day she would grow angrier at herself, knowing that the one person who seemed capable of opening it was dead, by her hands. She tried to convince herself that it was done for the good of the world, and to protect her younger sister. But what was the point of it all, if the one thing she seeked was locked away inside itself.
"Claire, patch me over to Sofia in the lab, please."
"Yes ma'am, one second."
Sofia was working on a few different ideas to open it, she had even used a small laser, but so far nothing seemed to work.
"Dr. Bryne?"
"Yes."
Sofia took off her goggles as she looked towards the phone on the otherside of the room.
"Miss. Bryne would like to speak to you."
"Over the phone or in person?"
"Over the phone ma'am."
She placed the goggles back over her face and began trying to drill a hole through the area where the chains once linked.
"That's fine, thank you, Claire."
"It's no problem ma'am, sending her through now."
There was a small beep as she ended the call, and another when the other was sent through.
"Soph?"
"I'm here."
"Good, any news on the book?"
"Nope, like cracking a diamond with a toothpick."
"Right, I suspected as much. Did you get ahold of Dr. Snow?"
"Nope, she's still upset about everything. She's closed herself off to everything and everyone, as of late."
"I understand, they were close. It's hard to lose something you held close in your heart, to break a routine just because one person doesn't show up anymore."
Sofia paused hearing the words, she felt the same way. She hadn't known them for long, but did care for them, she had grown accustomed to their presence. Now she had neither of them to keep her company, in a lab full of strangers.
"Yeah."
"I uhh... guess I'll let you get back to it then."
"Thanks."
"Hey, remember I only want what's best for you."
"I know sis."
She wiped a tear from her cheek, then fixing the goggles back into place she started up again.
"Love you Soph.... and uh.... I'm sorry.... For everything. We'll talk later."
There was a moment of silence, between the two. Ashley sighed at the lack of a response from her, then ended the call.
Sofia dropped her tools on the table and looked at the book for a moment. Snatching the goggles from her face she threw it at the wall nearby. Another tear rolled down her face as she stood up abruptly, knocking her chair to the floor.
She stood with her head down for a moment, lost in her own mind. Wiping the tears from her face, she walked over to her desk and pulled out a small black journal.
The name Michael Sun was written on it:
"I'm at a loss Sun. Maria won't speak to me, you're not around anymore. Ashley keeps saying she wants what's best for me but I just can't see it that way....
God, I wish I could hear your voice just one more time, I don't care if you have to yell at me for leaving you. Even if you hate me for it, I just want to hear you say it."
A single tear rolled down her cheek landing on the journal, as she closed her eyes trying to hold them back.
On the table not far away from her, the book began to shake violently. Her eyes shot open as she turned her head to the sound of the rattling table. She rose to her feet as she stared in shock, the book began rising in the air floating in place.
The air in the room grew cold as the book opened and began flipping through the pages. The pages slowly stopped as it reached it's destination, then it slowly began to fall back onto the table.
Sofia slowly walked over to the book, being cautious as she neared. Standing over the book she slowly picked it up and read the words written.
A smile appeared on her face as she mouthed the words:
"Thank you."