samxwrites_
|• some people were born leaders •|

He tugged at his navy tie, loosening the knot around his neck so he could breathe better. His sweat wetting the back of his neck. The words of the letter haunted his every step. It was a short letter, yet one that held so much power over his heart.

Dear Mr. Lincoln Solo,

I write to you to acknowledge the results of the MRI scan of Emma Solo which have come through.

You, Mr. Solo, have been appointed as the legal guardian of Emma Solo in the absence of your parents, John Solo and Ambeline Solo, hence, this letter was addressed to you.

We had taken these tests during her leisure activities, to ascertain whether they would have remained the same or would have changed.

We've discovered some unique changes and would like to call you for a meeting. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Candace Specimen

"Which floor, sir?" The lift master questioned.

"Thirty first please, mister lift master." He smiled politely at the lift master before glancing at his watch, the nervousness was gone. The lift master stood there baffled by his kindness, most lift users were snobby and prideful; they looked at him like he was dirt at the bottom of their shoe. Their sneer cold commands, they'd forget he was a human.

"Umm... lift master?" He waved his hand in front of the lift master's nose.

"Sorry, sir." The lift master pushed in the digits, thirty-one, on his wrist, and unlocked the lift access. They reached the thirty-first floor within a matter of four seconds. "Here, sir." The lift master handed him a token to grant him access to the first door. "Ms. Specimen should already know of your presence."

"Thank you," He replied, taking the slim blue token from the lift master's hands before leaving through the steel doors.

"And sir, thank you for your kindness."

He nodded at the lift master. "You are the master of the lift after all."

The lift master bowed. "Good day, sir."

"Same to you," He said as the steel doors closed.

"You must be Mr. Solo."

He abruptly turned around at the sound of a voice, his eyes meeting warm blue ones to which he believed belonged to, Ms. Candace Specimen.

"And you, the great Ms. Candace Specimen, I believe."

She raised her brows and uttered, "A charmer, I see. Oh, look at my manners, come on in, Mr. Solo."

"Please, call me Lincoln."

She gestured for him to enter through a few sets of doors. "Lincoln," Candace repeated.

The cool breeze danced on his damp skin. He shivered in the presence of the cold air, whilst it nibbled at his warm, red cheeks.

"I like things cold." Candace rubbed her hands together and sat on her sleek, black armchair. "Please, take a seat Lincoln."

He obeyed, and listened as she carried on speaking. "I'm not going to waste much of your time. Your sister, Emma, has extraordinary brain function, better than average, and way different from sixth months ago." She brought her cup to her lips and sipped her coffee, made from an ancient recipe passed down the Specimen family. "We have this program, the Elite Programme, for kids of the future and I've chosen your sister. Just sign this document." She passed a piece of thick, white parchment to him, as well as a pen. "And then I'll accompany you to the manager of the programme."

Lincoln glanced at the parchment and quickly skimmed through. "It says she'll reside here for a whole year, I'd rather have her to me." He smiled to lighten his statement. "Also." He pushed the paper towards her. "I'm not interested."

Lincoln unbuttoned his blazer and stood up. "Thank you anyways, Ms. Specimen." He turned around and walked towards the exit, relief flooding his heart.

"Wait." Lincoln turned at the sound of her cold command in confusion, "I never said you had a choice."

He furrowed his brows and questioned her statement. "Surely I do. Or else my signature wouldn't be required."

"Formalities, Mr. Solo, haven't you heard of them?" Candace stood up and walked towards him. "I don't need anyone's consent, just their cooperation, and if that's not available, I know exactly how to make it."

Lincoln folded his arms across his chest. "How so?"

"Do not test me, Mr. Solo, you know exactly what I know." She snarled.

"I don't."

She tilted her head to the left, like she was inspecting a new kind of discovery. "Tell me, Mr. Solo, Do you still see her blood on your hands? Or do you still see the blood on her bedroom floor." He heard the ghastly screams of ghosts in his ear, the screams of his fears.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Lincoln said blankly as his left eye twitched.

"You don't have to. Just know, if you cooperate with me, nothing leaves my sealed lips."

He felt his legs betray him as he walked towards her and took a seat.

"Okay, I'll sign it, not because of whatever cold threats you're using against me, but because I feel like this is for a good cause." Lincoln grabbed the pen and signed the document with his trembling hand.

"I assure you it is a good cause, Mr. Solo." She snatched the papers out of his hands, reading through it again. "Now, let's go and meet my manager."

—

"Please have a seat, Mr Solo, my name is Lyra and I'm the manager of the Elite program. I create all the cool simulations." Lincoln was stunned by the beauty her mesmerising green eyes held. His mouth hung agape as he locked his eyes with her.

"How old are you, may I ask?" He inquired.

"Sixteen." They shared the same age, he wondered what else they shared.

"Any other questions?" She asked. He shook his head, allowing her to carry on speaking with her enchanted voice. "So, I'm going to explain everything that you need to know about the project—" a knock interjected her words. "Come in," she said.

"Hey Lyra, I just wanted to say that the panda wants you. Again. Why does it get more of you than me?" Said Jude. He saw Lincoln sitting opposite to Lyra and stopped talking. "Sorry, I'll come back later." Jude quickly added. Lyra giggled as he left.

She's cute. Wait, what are you thinking, Lincoln?

"That's my best friend, Jude." Lyra spoke. Lincoln nodded in response to her.

"Now, to carry on, the Elite program is for the future. I'm the designated designer of a series of simulations that fifty children will go through, I might be young, but I know what I'm doing." Lyra took out a folder and started racking through it. "I've created two programs so far, there's a total of three to create. These will enhance their brains. I'm a candidate myself."

She carried on explaining, whilst Lincoln lost himself in her words, he just wasn't aware of his competitor, he wasn't aware of Jude just outside the door, the Jude who was waiting for Lyra.

"I want to be a candidate in the program," Lincoln blurted out before he thought it through.

"Really?"

"Yes."

—

Sometimes I feel like Candace has hidden eyes within the back of everyone's head. She knows a lot, more than I know. I admire her, then again, she scares me, what do you think of Candace?

Thoughts?

What do you think of this new but old love between Lincoln and Lyra, also Jude.