Containment

Amy Cross. A talented young chemist who has landed her dream role at the Wiltech Sealed Research Laboratory. Her new teammates are as psychologically flawed as she is, all in their unique ways. As for her creepy boss, perhaps he is a little more than creepy.



This is chapter 1 and I will update as I write more of the story. Thanks for taking the time to check out my writing.





Chapter 1





Wiltech Sealed Research Department.

All visitors to use intercom to contact reception, stating name and business.



A cold finger with nails painted a deep purple pressed against the single button of the intercom. This was fixed to a solid grey metal gate with no openings to see through to the other side. A shrill high pitched voice, nasal and too happy for the weather, called out.

"Wiltech Reception, can I take you name and company details?"

"Um..Hello," adjusting her volume over the heavy wind, " my name is Amy Cross, I'm here as part of the Ameebus project."

"Oh hello Amy, yes you're on my list, please look just above the intercom and smile." The last word rang out in that annoyingly cheerful voice just as a bright red beam of LED light travelled across Amy's face. Dazzled for a second, she heard a clink, and the gate skated inwards.

As it did so, she took her first glance at Wiltech's sealed research building, the same grey tone as the intercom and gate, only this time large stone blocks. Minimalist striking blue glass panels broke up the stone, and were used in place of windows throughout the exterior of the building.

It was much smaller than Amy had anticipated, with the reputation and standing of the company in the scientific world she had imagined a vast research centre with laboratories surrounded by greenery and possibly a lake in the grounds. Instead, she stood in the large circular courtyard in drizzle, the sky as grey as her new home.

An unfamiliar feeling from within her gut began to stir as she entered the clean, spacious reception area. Nerves were something Amy never had to contend with, confident in any new experience. However in this building, a slight unease wandered through her thoughts.

As for experiences, this was something entirely new and very different for Amy. Joining the Ameebus project had been a gruelling selection process consisting of interviews, examinations, group interactions. As well as invasive medicals at regular intervals. The entire application had taken the best part of a year and culminated in this grey day, and the first sense of nervousness in Amy's adult life.

"Hi! Here is your welcome pack." A face to match the voice, the receptionist sat behind her desk, perched high on a stool. Bleached yellow hair in dropped ringlets reminded Amy somewhat of a canary. "You don't have to read it now though, you just need your swipe card. Mr Botham will be along shortly," a sharp intake of breath, "So, are you excited? I'm only a temp, but hopefully they will need a full time receptionist." Amy flicked through the bundle of folders handed to her and nodded politely as the canary warbled on. She took no enjoyment from small talk, and had grown practised at polite laughs and an engaged nod. The collection of papers included maps of the site and important personnel contact numbers, the usual induction materials handed out on the first day of a new job, never to be looked at again. As well as these, Amy saw her own eyes looking up at her from her new identification card. She looked serious, no professional, and was glad she didn't smile when the photograph was taken.

"So I told him that we just might have to move if it does become permanent."

"Yes, you have to keep your options open." Amy replied, hoping that the snippets she had heard had led her down the right track.

"Exactly! A big grin with bright red lipstick confirmed that this was the case. "Ah, here's Mr Botham now." She glanced over to a frosted glass turnstile, where a loud buzz accompanied a green light above the entrance to the Wiltech site. A relatively short man in a beige suit operated the turnstile, and he strode towards Amy. An arm shot out from his side much to early and he moved with it outstretched. Amy shuffled the papers under her arm and met the mans hand with her own. He accepted it gently and raised it to his mouth, and Amy felt the bristle of his moustache against her skin. She grew instantly cold, as the he had inhaled the warmth from her body, and a surge of awkwardness rushed her cheeks. Their eyes met, his small and dark with a penetrating effect, Amy could not hold his gaze.

"Hello, my name is Amy Cross. Pleased to meet you." Pulling her hand away, she reshuffled her papers to return them closer to her own body.

"Amy! Ah brilliant, bloody excellent! I hope you travelled well? I think you've come in the furthest. Everybody else is already on site." A rather upper class twang to his voice, he was a bundle of energy.

"Oh I hope I haven't kept anybody waiting, the letter did say ten?" Amy hated tardiness, and was disappointed that she was the last member of the team to arrive.

"But it's only half past nine Amy dear. No worries, no worries at all. Thank you Jemma, that should be the final arrival today." The receptionist looked up from her nails and smiled at Amy, a knowing smile that signified Mr Bothams exited demeanour must be the norm.

He led her forward through the turnstile, and Amy felt that kick of adrenaline that was so familiar this morning. "A lovely girl that one, but never stops bloody talking. Still, a shame she's only here until the end of the day. Temporary staff you see. Not like you though Amy, hopefully this is the start of a long stretch in Wiltech for you!" His words we're an icicle that formed suddenly in her heart.