Read Online Changes by Michael D. Lampman - Free Book Online Page A

He ran for what seemed like an eternity. He kept going until he found a set of double doors and flew through them, and before he knew it, he was back in the hallway of the office side of the building. Again, before he really knew it, he was back on his tour. He reached the lobby after a good half-an-hour of trying to find his way back. Just as he made it to the counter, two tall men wearing dark blue uniforms with badges covering their left pockets seemed to be waiting for him by the front doors. Seeing them standing there instantly made him wince. They found me out. They’re waiting for me, because I’m late.
    “Where the fuck have you been?” The larger of the two men, the one with blonde hair and a mustache, came up to the counter, and stopped. He placed his right arm to the top of it, and stared at him with haunting eyes. The other man, the younger one, stayed at the front doors by the glass.
    Jimmy held his breath. “I got a little lost.” He bowed his head, removed the radio from his belt, and placed it to the top of the counter before taking his chair. He didn’t know who this man was, but knew that it had to be one of the other security guards employed at the labs. The ones that he knew were armed, and the fact they were, scared him to his very core.
    “Figures.” The big one stared down at him from the other side of the counter, and puffed.
    “I’m sorry.” Jimmy swallowed a now dry mouth. He had to think of something to say. He had to think of a good reason to be in the labs. He wasn’t allowed in there, he knew that, so he had to come up with something that made sense. “I’m still trying to get used to this place.” That sounded good. He only hoped it would work.
    “You do know that the labs are off limits to you rent-a-cops don’t you? There’s classified shit back there that we can’t let some cheaply paid shit like you see.”
    The big man’s eyes showed none of the anger that his voice showed and that made Jimmy feel nervous. It also made him feel surprised. He looked more than just pleased; he also looked like he was enjoying himself. “Like I said, I just got a little lost. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.” He nodded and winced.
    “It better not.” The large officer walked around the counter to his left side and there he stopped, looking down at him. Standing right next to him, he looked like a tree. “If I see you back there again, I’ll have your ass out of here so fast that you won’t know what bit you?”
    Again, Jimmy nodded, and again he winced.
    The large officer smiled and brushed his neatly combed blonde hair from his forehead with the back of his overly large hand. “Good. I think we understand each other then?” He said nothing else, turned, and went to the stairs and quickly made his way up them.
    The other uniformed officer came to the counter and stopped directly in front of him.
    The young man watched Gary reach the top of the stairs, and when he was sure that he wouldn‘t hear him, he looked down to the counter. “Don’t mind him. He hates everyone.” He smiled down to the new guy. “In fact, I think he hates himself more than others.” He laughed.
    Jimmy smiled. It took everything he had to do just that.
    “I’m Mattie.” He held out his right hand over the top of the counter for him to take.
    Jimmy leaned forward, shook the man’s hand, but stayed seated. “Jimmy—or James Walls.” He tried to smile again, but still couldn’t bring himself to do it. He still had no idea what he was supposed to do, so he stayed with what always worked for him best—he said nothing at all.
    “Nice to meet you Jimmy.” The man let go of his hand. “I’m rather new here too, so I know how hard it is to find your way around this place.” He smiled. He looked pleased. He looked like he meant everything he said.
    It made Jimmy relax some. It made him feel better.
    “See you around.” The young officer turned and headed to the stairs, and like Gary before