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Despite my best efforts, time seemed to be moving about as fast as the lab rats running around on their wheels- which was to say despite all the energy I spent, it was going nowhere. I had to mentally remind myself not to keep checking the clock on my computer every two minutes or so. The last thing I wanted to do was cause any sort of suspicion. And yet, the more I worked at being normal, the more abnormal I became until finally Dr. Lark, sounding a bit exasperated at my fidgeting asked me to take an early lunch break. 

The carbonated drink in front of me continued to effervesce as I fiddled with the small portable drive in my pocket. I wondered what I should do with the information I found on it. If it contained what I thought it contained, it involved the general health of most of the population of Restraint. How many thousands of people were using it right now? I couldn’t help my eyes from darting around the crowded lunch cafeteria. Most of the labs on my floor were dedicated to pharmaceutical research. How many other drugs where being created under false pretenses? And where these chemical limited to just drugs? Where any of the toxic chemicals in anything else- regulation hotdogs? Regulation toothpaste? Regulation colas? I dismally pushed my drink aside. I knew I was being paranoid, but I couldn’t help it. Even then, if I managed to use the library’s computer to look through Mildred’s drive, what did I do with the information? Did I try to get the information out to the general public? I couldn’t even imagine the consequences.

[b]”Public Execution.”[/b] I nearly jumped out of my skin as Sally, with a clang, plopped her metal lunch tray down next to me. [b]”Don’t you agree, Assistant Yurigei?”[/b]

I looked from Sally Enright to a man standing beside her. I knew he worked at a lab down the hallway from mine but I didn’t know what his job was exactly and I couldn’t remember his name.

[b]”What were you referring to?”[/b] I asked trying to keep my voice calm as the pair sat down across from me.

[b]”Oh, just the Rebels,”[/b] the man said, his brilliant blue eyes wearing an indifferent air, [b]”Enright thinks they should be publically executed. Do you agree?”[/b]

The image of my brother’s face as it had been almost ten years ago flashed into my face. He had disappeared shortly after my fourteenth birthday. Rumor had it he was working with the Rebels. Our family’s reputation hadn’t been the same since. Nevertheless, it was much better to have ones brother disappear off the face of the Earth then to see him publically shot.

[b]”I think the Duels offer enough public death.”[/b] I offered, trying to feign indifference.

[b]”Oh yes,”[/b] Sally continued, reaching out to pat my right hand, [b]”But people volunteer for that sort of thing. Don’t you think it would make the Rebels think twice if they knew the consequences of their actions?”[/b]

[b]”You don’t think merely disappearing is good enough?”[/b] Her companion asked.

[b]”No I don’t. For one thing, where do they even disappear…”[/b] But Sally stopped herself in time. We refused to meet each other’s eyes, each of us pretending to be busying ourselves with something important. I worked on unwrapping a sandwich I was no longer interested in. 

It was highly frowned upon to ask questions in polite society especially about government practices. Heck, it was frowned upon to ask questions at all. Nevertheless, Sally had brought up a question that had been plaguing me for the past decade. Where did all the people who disappeared go?