“What if it’s a sentient substance?”
Max stared at him, then burst out laughing. By the time he’d repeated what Kaden had said, everyone in the room was chuckling. And of course, Harris walked in.
“Something funny?” Harris glared at him.
“Kaden was just wondering if the substances we deal with can feel pain, joy, fear, luuurve.”
“I didn’t actually say…”
Harris’ mouth tightened and Kaden was immediately defensive.
“You can’t be sure,” he spoke more loudly than he’d intended to.
“Oh yes we can,” Harris said. “You know that beings without centralised nervous systems are not sentient. That includes archaea, bacteria, fungi, plants and certain animals. Basic biology. You did it at GCSE, didn’t you? There is nothing in this lab that is sentient.”
“Not even you?”
That caused some titters. Harris took hold of Kaden’s upper arm and squeezed so hard, Kaden almost yelped.
“Have you seen all you need to?” Harris’ smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Not yet.”
“You can have another hour.” Harris let him go and it was all Kaden could do not to rub his arm.
He walked away and thought about what Harris had said and about what he had in his pocket. That showed Harris didn’t know everything. Except if Kaden said anything, they’d take the blob off him and…Isn’t that what I want?
He explored the building from top to bottom all over again. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, somewhere to leave the blob? Or cupboards full of food for animals he’d not spotted? There weren’t many rooms he couldn’t access. He even wentdown to the basement and found himself in the engine room of the building.
There was an incinerator.Oh. Could I?
When Kaden put his hand in his pocket, the blob came out and stayed still on his palm. Then one tendril came out and stroked his finger. Kaden looked at the incinerator, then at the blob.
“I can’t do it. Guess I’m taking you with me. You need to hide under my shirt, higher up my arm.”
The blobslithered under his cuff, rippled up and wrapped around his arm above his elbow. Kaden went back to Harris’ office and knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Harris frowned when he saw him.
Now what had he done?
“Shut the door.”
Kaden closed it. “I’ve finished, thank you.”
Harris pushed to his feet and came round his desk. “You asked ridiculous questions.”
“I didn’t. They weren’t.”
“You made me look a fool.”
“A fool to be going out with me?” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
“I wonder why I do.”
Say it.“Then don’t.” Kaden stared straight at him.
He wanted to keep talking, to tell him they were over, but he was suddenly scared. He felt the blob squeezing his arm.If I’m brave enough to take the blob out of here, I’m brave enough to tell Harris I’ve had enough.
