The Lab: The Power to Survive

By Shelby Miller

Teenagers Ryan and Meagan have just left Texas to follow their father to Maryland where he has landed a job with a pharmaceutical lab. Less than thrilled about their new home, Ryan and Meagan soon discover that life is full of more unexpected surprises when they learn the pharmaceutical company is engaged in questionable practices and the lab is sitting on an old government compound used for radioactive testing.

Meanwhile in Tibet, teens Choden and Dorje are captives of a cruel lab experiment where they are being injected with an unknown substance. After they finally manage to escape, they, along with Meagan and Ryan, begin to realize they have special abilities. While an evil force watches and waits, their two worlds intertwine, brought together by their common bond. When the four teens finally unite in a Tibetan palace, they summon help from monks to help them battle the evil force and hopefully put it to rest. Now only time will tell if they will be able to stop what was started hundreds of years ago, before it is too late for all of them.

In this thought-provoking adventure, four Indigo teens brought together by fate must summon help from Tibetan monks to combat an evil force.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546233695

Shelby Miller

Shelby Maverick earned BA and BBS degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS degree from the Denton Cooley School of Perfusion at Texas Heart Institute. She works as a cardiovascular perfusionist in San Antonio. She is the mother of three daughters who enjoys cooking and donating her time overseas to help children with heart defects. This is her first book.

Book preview

1

Silver Creek, Maryland

A s I kicked through orange and gold leaves the size of my hand—unlike the dry, sparse trees of West Texas—a cool breeze blew, causing more leaves to fall and swirl around me. I closed my eyes as the sun began to drop and could almost hear Samantha whisper Ryan in her sweet Texas drawl. I felt an odd connection to this new home. I loved walking in the mountains among the large trees of the upper East Coast. It had only been a month since I had joined my dad and sister, leaving my mother behind in Texas to tend to our property and manage the deer lease for the winter. I knew being with my dad and sister was what the family needed for the time being.

My new high school was a little lonely for me as a newcomer, but my being one of the stronger athletes and anchoring most of the swimming competitions helped me fit in all right. The pharmaceutical company with which my dad had taken a job had opened a new facility close to some large regulatory compounds in Maryland. He was being paid twice the salary he had made managing a small compounding pharmacy in Texas. So it looked like the plan was for us to stay here for a year or so while I finished high school.

Just about then the wind picked up, and dark clouds started rolling in. Drops of rain on my face felt cold and refreshing, making me long even more to see Sam’s face turned up to smile at me, but I was planning to remedy that soon enough. A jolt of lightning zigzagged across the sky, leaving the odor of electricity in the air. I sprinted toward the house, looking back just in time to see a large tree crack and fall right where I had been a second before. It seemed like a voice deep inside of me challenged me, like stomping on the gas of my old Mustang while blasting down a long empty road. Hang out for a while, it whispered.

I ran across uneven paver stones up the unfinished stairs toward the aromas wafting through the open porch door. I was hungry. Thank God my sister was on the ball and trying to get some food on the table. As I pushed through the kitchen door, the smell of burned roast filled the air, and Meagan spewed every cuss word in the dictionary.

How’s it going? I called out to my sister.

A dish hit the floor and broke. I knew an unpleasant scene might be about to erupt. About that time the front door opened behind me and a cheerful hello rang out. Perfect time for Dad to walk in.

Tim could smell the acrid odor of burned meat and headed for the kitchen, where he found Meagan bent over the sink, her posture stiff and angry, and Ryan looking on helplessly.

Meagan, honey, are you all right? he asked.

Meagan spun around, her red curls and angry green eyes resembling some sort of she-devil. What do you think? she snapped.

Tim slowly approached the sink, which held the smoldering roast.

I was trying out a new recipe, she said, as her eyes shot daggers.

Tim couldn’t help but notice Meagan’s resemblance to her mother. It’s nothing, Meagan, Tim reassured her as he pulled out his cell phone and looked up the number for the local pizzeria. Something else bothering you that you’d care to tell me? he asked, feeling a little unnerved himself.

Meagan had a sour look on her face. What could possibly be the matter? she asked and then shouted, I hate this place!

That’s not fair, Meagan. You’ve barely been here two months.

That’s long enough to know I hate it, Meagan said.

Feeling irritated, Tim replied, We’ll only be here a year.

Meagan rolled her eyes, as if to say that would be an eternity.

I thought you really loved your job, he said.

A little smile flickered across her face as she replied, Yes, I do love the kids. Meagan seemed to calm herself by thinking about the kids she taught.

I had to hand it to her; she had a way with challenging kids who would frustrate even the best teachers, so we had been told.

And I had to hand it to my father. As frustrated as my sister made him with her unpredictable mood swings, he always knew how to turn things around on her.

Well, I think I will go feed Jack—my attempt at a hasty exit.

I went into the living room to light a fire and finish a school project. The fire crackled and popped and memories came pouring in. I missed my buddies and our nightly cruises in our old pickup trucks in search of beer and women. We usually failed miserably.

The pizza man arrived. Pizza’s here.

Dad paid the pizza guy, who lingered a little too long when he saw Meagan walk through the living room. Anything else, son?

N-no, sir, the boy stammered as he craned his neck to catch a glance at Meagan. He took the tip from my dad’s extended hand, but seeing Dad’s stern look, he quickly made off across the dry planks of the front porch.

I grabbed slice of pizza and headed to my room to take a shower and relax. Old Jack ambled along after me, as always.

I crawled into bed and tried to find the right position. Jack’s snores echoed from under the bed, making sleep impossible. I lay in bed, picturing Samantha’s eyes smiling at me with satisfaction. Damn, I knew I was a long way from the dreams I longed for. Quietly sliding out of bed, I reached out in the darkness for my jeans and pullover.

The old screen door squeaked as I slipped out into the darkness. A short walk should bring me my desired sleep. Out in the woods, the moon was full and bright, and the air was pungent and fresh. Every twig and leaf cracked under my feet, making me sound like a large animal. Well, I guess I was. Smiling to myself, I turned to go back home and hit the hay.

I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye that stopped me in my tracks. Something dark in the distance sent a tingling up my spine. I squinted to get a better look as fear spread through my body, causing my heart to thump loudly in my chest. The moonlight shone on a darkness—a massive being huddling over another. Bile rose up into my mouth as an evil odor filled my nostrils. I couldn’t see the shape well enough to determine what it was, but it bent down over its prey and struck out. A shrill sound of death permeated the night.

My legs began moving as if they had a will of their own, and I ran up the unfinished stairs of the house and bolted through the door in what seemed like an eternity. Time seemed to have slowed to a standstill. I checked the windows and grabbed my dad’s .38 revolver before I slipped back into my bed. I lay there as my breathing slowed down.

Jack’s head had popped up as he let out a slow, deep growl. He crawled back under the bed, and soon the snoring resumed. I wondered what I had just seen. The picture rolled over in my head as my body finally relaxed and gave in to some much-needed sleep.

Sleep had always been an adventure for me—literally.

When I was younger, I thought my dreams were nothing but dreams. I am not sure at what point I came to realize there was more. As my breaths evened out and I drifted off, the fun began. As I soared through the air, I loved seeing the rooftops from above. Looking down at the shape of our house and property and knowing my family was asleep was surreal. I could see wisps of smoke rise from our chimney into the night air from the lingering fire I had built earlier. A sense of freedom filled my being as I soared past many places. Time did not exist.

I slowed my pace as I spotted the rooftop of our ranch house in Texas. I hovered there when I saw my mother. She was leaning against the barn with cigarette smoke curling upward from her mouth. Tears traveled down her weathered face. She still was beautiful, but my heart sank as I saw how sad and alone she looked in her favorite old nightgown.

I felt the pull—it was time to go. I had no control of when I was drawn back to bed; I gave in and just let it happen. Soaring back over the property where Dad and Meagan slept, I saw the dark shadow—black as any blackness I had ever seen—moving in a fast, almost serpentine manner across the landscape. The fear came pouring out of my skin as I thought I saw the thing briefly glance up at me.

And then I was back to the safety of my bed and the comfort of Jack’s even breaths. Sleep quickly enveloped me, as thoughts of my mother swirled through my head, and my snores blended in with Jack’s.

When I woke up and realized I was late for class, I grabbed a power bar, ran out, and jumped into my old black Mustang to haul ass to school. Dad’s Jeep was already gone.

As I drove out the gate and down the dusty road to the highway, I saw two cop cars parked, their lights blazing. The farmer that owns the land next to ours was standing with the officers as they all looked down at an object in the road.

Crap! There in the road was a mutilated cow, burned to a crisp. I felt my stomach knot up as I realized the cow had been decapitated.

I needed to call Mom.

The sun was warm on my arms. I needed to hit the gym. My thoughts were all over the place. My insides were screaming to call Mom. I pulled off the rural road. I loved the sound of my mother’s voice. Although she had sounded tired and stressed lately, her voice was touched with a hint of sweet honey, the core of her personality.

Talking to her made me feel like I was coming home, which was exactly what I yearned for. Her warmth and understanding was a place only my mom could take me.

How’s the best-looking guy from Texas doin’?

Hey, Mom, how’s the ranch? Things been okay? I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. I miss you!

I heard a faint sigh. "Yeah, sure. baby. Aside from missing y’all and being pretty tired, I am surviving. Been thinking about you too. I’ve had some pretty crazy dreams about you lately, especially a couple of nights ago. It seemed so real!"

I could hear the old screen door open and close in the background and knew she’d gone outside into the barnyard. I wondered what she was doing right at that moment. Closing my eyes, I could almost picture Mom lighting up a cigarette while trying to avoid getting teary-eyed. I had been missing the harsh yet beautiful landscape that only our ranch provided, along with the night sounds and Mom’s awesome cooking that was just for me … Whatever I did, I never received condemnation, only understanding. That was my mom.

It was hard to tell her everything I felt, especially the recent headaches and sounds I felt pushing through, like a special message.

I spoke up. Say, Mom, we need to talk about something I saw a couple nights ago. I heard the faint intake of air; my fears were right.

Mom sighed., Go on. What is it?

I hesitated for a moment and then said, Well, I had gone to bed, and Jack had just wiggled under the bed, and next thing I knew I was doing the flying thing.

You mean you were having a dream?

If you say so, Mom. Anyway, I saw you outside the house in the barnyard, and you looked so sad. You were crying. It was real, Mom. I was close enough to smell that lotion you wear and to see tears rolling off your cheeks.

I could almost hear her rolling her eyes. God, Ryan, come on, honey. You were just dreaming!

Trying to keep my temper down, I let a few seconds pass. Then how come I know what you were wearing and what you were doing?

Mom responded in the tone only she used, like talking to a child. "So, genius, explain what I was up to that you saw."

Mom, you are smoking again, and you were wearing that old funny nightgown that we tease you about. You have some explaining to do! I continued, even though I knew she would really be upset. You know you have been warned that you have emphysema. Smoking is going to kill you.

I’d caught her red-handed, and I could tell my mother’s mind was racing.

She had always known both her children were special—me, with my dreams of flying in my sleep, and Meagan, talking to her without ever speaking aloud. She needed to face this head-on now. She needed her husband; she really wanted him close by, and she needed to get her act together, at least for her family.

In a small voice, she asked, What else did you see?

I had already pushed my mother pretty hard, probably shocked her, but the door was open, so I kept going. Well … has anything been going on at the ranch? It was hard to bring this up without sounding crazy.

She replied, A ewe was killed yesterday but not by a bobcat or another animal.

I felt my throat tighten, remembering the odor of the dark thing I had seen in Maryland. How, Mom?

Well, it was burned, as was the ground around it, like it exploded or something. The game warden is doing an investigation, and honey, it looked scary as hell.

I had to figure all of this out, no matter what. I felt that protecting my mother and getting home was a priority now. The black shadow was capable of being in different places—and quickly. My mind was racing. Or maybe there were two of them. I had to know—and soon.

I was quiet as I sat in my old Mustang, thinking. Spontaneous combustion? I needed some air; it was getting warm and hard to breathe. Just then a blast of wind blew through my open windows, hitting my face. Mom, anything else?

She hesitated for a moment and then reluctantly responded, Yes, Ryan, the ewe was decapitated.

I tried not to overreact and alarm my mother, so on that note we said our good-byes. I was really late for school now. I had my work cut out for me.

First question: Should I tell Dad or work some of this out on my own first?

2

Mobile International Lab

T he demands of the new company Tim worked for were taxing, and now a new study at the compound was launched with his name all over it. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in longer than he could remember.

During the night, lightning and thunder seemed to envelop the little house in Maryland, and Tim dreamed of his wife, Jocelyn. He longed to snuggle up to her back for warmth and comfort. It was a harsh awakening to find that he was alone and realize he had a meeting in an hour in the old facility where he was assigned to conduct his study. After downing a banana and heating up an old cup of coffee, he was off to his meeting.

Tim jumped into his favorite toy, his off-road Jeep with an awesome sound system. He took off toward work with the windows down and Linkin Park blaring.

Tim approached his work compound with its barbed wire and security guards and thought how nice it would be when his assignment was finished at these bleak surroundings. He flashed his badge to a security guard holding a German shepherd on a leash as he made his way to a remote parking spot near his office. Tim quickly walked through a vast maze of hallways to his lab and makeshift office, where he found his assistant, Kelsey, flirting with one of the interns. She was in her regular garb—a short, tight, low-cut dress and very high heels. When Kelsey saw her boss approach, she flashed a big smile.

Dr. Banks, good morning, right on time.

Tim genuinely liked her. He smiled, and lines appeared around his eyes. He took the hot cup of espresso Kelsey handed him. Good morning, Kelsey. Thanks. Are we ready for this?

Yes, sir, I have all the equipment you requested except for the platelet separator, which shows having been delivered but is temporarily unaccounted for.

He couldn’t really complain when she had everything else ready for their meeting. All right, let’s get rolling. Tim smiled, took a sip of his strong brew, and headed in the direction of their conference room.

It was 8:50 a.m., and they had a labyrinth of buildings to navigate to get to their conference room. Kelsey clip-clopped behind him as fast as she could, chattering away the whole time. By the time they arrived at their destination, Tim was sufficiently annoyed by her incessant talking to not need another drop of coffee—or maybe some laced with brandy.

Sara, the CEO and facility manager of the pharmaceutical company, Mobile Ordinance Pharmaceuticals Lab, waited as they made their way in.

As he sat down, Tim noticed how pale they all seemed were. Jeez, don’t these people ever get outside?

It was time to get down to the business of his first assignment. Tim was intrigued by the cloak-and-dagger presentation that was unfolding. The plan was to conduct a blood drive targeted at a group of young adults. The collected blood would be used in area hospitals.

The CEO, Sara, paused … maybe a little too long. The protocol for the study calls for saving a small sample of blood to separate the DNA. We will then study isotopes thought to differentiate locals from surrounding areas.

Hmm, he thought, that seems easy enough. But questions started to pop up in his mind about disclaimers, legalities, and DNA. What sort of disclaimers are we having the donors sign for legal protection, Sara? Tim reclined in his chair as he waited for an answer while locking eyes with his boss.

Sara fidgeted, looking through her folders while whispering to her assistant.

Tim tapped the table with a pencil, causing Sara to be noticeably uncomfortable.

Well, Dr. Banks, we had a standard medical disclaimer form here. Seems to be missing … Sara looked at the facility manager, who was writing on a steno pad, and then brushed off Tim and continued rambling on about schedules and insignificant details.

Tim made his own mental note: Contact an attorney. Then he rose. Excuse us, he said, nodding at Kelsey that they were done with the meeting.

As they walked into the hall, Tim said in a quiet tone, Kelsey, find me a civil rights attorney, ASAP

Yes, sir, I know just the man.

Everything had been put into place. The lab was set up with the equipment and computers that Tim and his assistants would need to complete the task. His target group was young adults because their bone marrow growth was rampant, and the study needed healthy participants.

Tim’s heels echoed down the halls of the enormous old complex. He was searching for his equipment when he came to a dead end. His only exit was a door to the outside.

Tim was in a wooded area now at the back of the building. He looked for an entrance that would lead him back to a main working area. He came to a boarded-up area that had a space where he could squeeze through. As Tim worked his way between the boards, he found himself in a heavily weeded yard. Once inside, Tim noticed a rusty piece of machinery. His curiosity got the best of him. He searched for something to scrape away the rust on the lettering of a faded sign by the building entrance. The sign read ENERGETIC MATERIAL COMPLEX. He looked at the machinery decomposing in the yard. It seemed these old pieces of equipment were some sort of magnetic and radioactive ion testing machines. What the hell is this place?

A noise behind Tim startled him. He turned around to find a security guard with a Taser in his hand. Tim raised his hands in the air.

When the guard saw Tim’s badge, he relaxed. Dr. Banks, sir, you shouldn’t be back here. What are you doing here? This is a restricted area.

Oh, I-I-I’m searching for a piece … a piece of equipment I ordered, Tim stammered, feigning ignorance. It’s missing. Tim read the security guard’s badge. Bill, is it?

Yes, Dr. Banks, and I would be happy to help you find your lost item, but let’s leave this area.

Bill lead Tim out through a gate on the side of the building, and the two men were soon back inside the complex.

The security guard, radio in hand, led Tim down multiple hallways as he spoke to a man on the other end. Tim lagged behind, looking for signs of anything related to the outside courtyard and its contents. He saw an off-limits area down a dark corridor just as Bill called out, Sir, good news! Your package is in shipping. Catch up, please

Great, Bill, thanks.

Bill started to rapidly walk toward shipping. We can just go on over there, Dr. Banks, and get it.

Ughhhh. Tim wanted to do some searching around the complex, so he paged himself, a lifesaver when trying to avoid a situation or person. He stopped in his tracks as Bill stood by. Damn it. My daughter is having car trouble. I’m going to have to head out, Bill.

Bill looked unsure of what to do.

Hey, it’s all right, Tim reassured him. I know where I am, not too far from my Jeep. I can make it if you want to go to shipping.

Bill stood there looking like a deer in headlights. Tim finally just started to walk away as he gave Bill an it’s okay smile. The security guard turned and started walking in the opposite direction, as Tim slowed his pace until it was silent. Turning around, Tim headed back down to the hall where he saw the off-limits area. When he found a hallway with Radioactive Material Warning signs, Tim knew he was on to something. He followed the signs to a set of double doors that led to a lab. Across the doors was yellow tape that read WARNING! DO NOT ENTER. Tim carefully removed part of the tape and finagled the rusty lock enough to open one of the doors and squeeze in.

Shining his penlight, he saw lots of lab equipment—a hood, sinks, and