The Search for Artemis - By P. D. Griffith Page 0,16
scientist stepped out from the line. “Would you please come this way?” He bowed slightly and stood there motionless, awkwardly staring at Landon.
“Sure.”
It wasn’t until Landon took his first step that Dr. Longfellow rose out of his shallow bow and began to walk up the gravel path toward the building; his fellow scientists followed close behind. As they approached the steps, the carving above the columns came into focus. It depicted a set of armored soldiers, each clad with a sword and shield, triumphing over a band of savage warriors. Etched into the shields of the victorious was a symbol. It looked like an eagle with wings outstretched and head cocked, carrying an arrow clutched in it talons. The carving was magnificent and terrifying. Landon stared at it in wonder as he mindlessly ascended the front steps of the building, not looking down to see where he was going until the carving fell out of his line of sight.
“Please try and keep up,” Dr. Longfellow said. The other five members of the group waited at the doorway, staring at Landon as he meandered down the portico. “Once we get inside, we have to head straight to the examination room, so please stay close. I know this is a lot to take in, but you’ll have time later. Shall we?”
With that, Dr. Longfellow forcefully pushed open the entrance that led into the Gymnasium. The large doors looked as if they were composed of pure gold, with intricate carvings etched into their individual panels. And the inside was massive. Landon could see straight back to the Atrium and beyond. He had no idea how far back it went. The light from the evening sun reflected off a series of mirrors ahead, bathing the entire space in warm golden light. The floors were a dark wood and the walls stretched high into the air. The ceilings reached so high, Landon couldn’t even distinguish what was up there.
Upon entering, the scientists immediately turned right. Dr. Longfellow swiped his identification card through a scanner and ushered everyone in while he held open the door. What was on the other side was much less grandiose. There were no high ceilings, beautiful flooring, golden doors, or detailed carvings. It looked as if they had entered a hospital. The walls were a strange yellowish-white. Florescent bulbs lined the ceiling, the floor was covered in nondescript tiles, and the walls were lined with doors.
“This is our medical wing,” Dr. Longfellow said. “Now if you will please follow Dr. Márquez. He’ll perform all of the required initial tests and then escort you to one of our main examination rooms.”
“I believe #132 is available,” Dr. Márquez interjected.
“That’ll do splendidly,” Dr. Longfellow replied.
Dr. Márquez turned to Landon and beckoned him to follow.
“Landon, I am very glad you have come to us,” Dr. Márquez said over his shoulder while the two of them walked down the hallway. “Now, first things first, we need you to take a shower and change into a set of sterile clothes. It’s just a pair of pants and a shirt that have been meticulously sterilized. We believe that all medical tests need to be conducted in an absolutely sterile environment. Therefore, the clothes you will be putting on have been put through quite a series of treatments to make them completely null in the examination process.”
“You know, you could have just told me to put on the pants and shirt. I would’ve understood.”
“Oh yes, of course. I sometimes get a bit carried away in the details. It’s just one of those scientist things.” The doctor opened a door and ushered Landon inside. As Landon passed Dr. Márquez, he noticed on his lab coat, just above the pocket, stitched in gold thread, an eagle holding an arrow. It was identical to those on the shields on the carving outside.
He walked into the room slowly, taking in the sight of the first clean bathroom he’d seen since he ran away. But this was more like a one-man locker room. A single metal locker hung on the wall and a small bench stretched along the sidewall. Resting on the bench was a clean towel and a set of pure white clothes and on the floor was a pair of white slippers. Everything was perfectly set out, waiting for his arrival.
He heard the door shut behind him, and when he turned, he saw someone he didn’t recognize. He starred into a mirror, gazing at a shadow of himself. The weeks on the