The next day, I walk into work with my head held high and my comfortable shoes on. With my decision made, I feel lifted, like I can take on the world. I wonder if this is what heroes feel like. Although, I don’t think rescuing a single rabbit is saving the world, but a girl can dream. It certainly feels that way. I’d love to wear a spandex suit and save lives. That’s why I went into the science field, after all. For the saving lives bit, not the spandex suits.

I’m looking at Star Corp in a different light now. As I walk through the lobby and throw my coffee away from the mom and pop shop–I’m learning how to chug it on my way to work–I meet the eyes of the security guards and smile. In fact, I seem to be smiling more since I made the decision. It only solidifies it for me, that I’m doing the right thing. I can probably go to jail, but what vigilante doesn’t have the threat of prison hanging over them? Saving lives always comes with a risk.

I step from the elevator and immediately take a seat at my desk, ignoring Dylan who’s ogling me like a creep as usual. Seriously, I really want to add ‘Punch Dylan in the face’ to my list before I slip into the night like a ninja. If anyone deserves it, it’s that guy.

I shove my backpack into the largest drawer and pick up the paperwork sitting on my desk. Before I can open the new folder, however, Josh appears out of nowhere. The man moves as silently as a mouse, I swear. I even jump when he speaks, that’s how much I never hear him approach me.

“Hey, Jupiter.” He rubs the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at me. His face turns red when I look up, kind of like the color of . . . my mind jumps to every possible geek thing that’s the color red and I mentally chastise myself. Comparing the poor man to Sauron’s eye probably isn’t that nice. The color doesn’t flatter him at all.

“Hey, what’s up?”

He shifts on his feet, his shoes making this weird squeaking noise that makes me want to stab something. Yes, it’s that bad. No, I don’t have a knife on me. But a scalpel. . . .

“I just wanted to apologize,” he mumbles. “For yesterday, I mean. I realize that we should have warned you how the tests go.”

“Yes, it doesn’t seem to be written in the files,” I remark, raising a brow.

“We were instructed not to go into detail.” His face flames even worse. I wonder if he’ll faint from awkwardness.

“I understand. Really, don’t worry about it.”

I’m about to open the file again when Dylan saunters up. I drop the manila envelope with an internal groan.

“I like your shirt today,” Josh says, almost in an effort to pretend Dylan isn’t there. I glance down at the image across my chest today and smile. Yeah, I like this shirt, too. It has a picture of the solar system and says “Back in my day, we had nine planets”. I’ll never forget the betrayal when Pluto was deemed a dwarf planet. It cut deep.

“Thanks,” I tell Josh before turning my eyes on Dylan. “What’s up?” His eyes aren’t focused on mine at all. In fact, his gaze is riveted to my chest. I grimace internally, barely keeping it from spreading across my face. I clear my throat, and he finally looks up, completely unapologetic.

“You. Me. Drinks. This weekend.”

Gross. No, thanks. Where did this guy get off on asking a woman out that way? Seriously, that was the best he could do?

“I can’t. I’m busy.”

“Then get unbusy. I want to treat our newest biochemist to a drink and a lap dance.”

The way he says ‘lap dance’ and then licks his lips really does it for me. Inject sarcasm here. He obviously expects me to be doing the dancing. How has this perv never been brought up on sexual harassment charges? Certainly HR has gotten a lot of complaints on him.

What can I say that would get him to leave me alone? My eyes drift over to Josh, and an idea crosses my mind. Josh seems sweet, albeit a bit awkward, but anything is better than this douchebag. If Josh holds me to this, it won’t be nearly as bad.

“I can’t because I already have plans with Josh.”

Josh’s eyes light up, and he stands a little taller at the declaration.

“What?” Dylan sputters, glaring over at Josh. “You’d go out with this dweeb rather than me?”

“Sorry, Dylan. Looks like you’re a little late to the game. Thanks for thinking of me, though.”

His face turns red, his hands clenching hard at his waist. I watch him, waiting to see if he will explode. After a moment, he seems to calm himself down. He claps Josh on the shoulder, making him stumble into my desk.

“Good man. I’ll have to keep my eye on you. Can’t have you getting all the ladies.”

He’s being a smartass. Poor Josh frowns at his retreating back.

“Thanks,” I whisper to him when I’m sure Dylan is far enough away. “I owe you one. If you really want to go out for drinks, let me know.”

I’m not attracted to Josh, but I won’t be an asshole. My mom raised me better than that.

Josh nods his head enthusiastically.

“Anytime,” he says, before turning towards his own desk.

I stand from my seat, intending to go check on the rabbit. I don’t trust anyone in the building to really feed the poor thing, let alone make sure he’s okay.

“Oh,” Dylan calls from behind me, and I stiffen before looking over my shoulder. He’s leaning against his desk, in a way I’m sure he practices in an attempt to look cool. It doesn’t work. He still looks like an asshole. “The board gave the go-ahead to dissect the rabbit. It’s scheduled for Friday. It seems after that last test, they want to see what makes the rodent tick. One of the members will also be sitting in on it, which means bank for us. We get bonuses when they do that.”

“Why so soon?” I glance at the file on my desk, which no doubt contains the dissection orders.

“Who cares? It just means we get paid quicker.”

I clench my jaw tight when he grins at me. He’s figured out that it bothers me, that I’m not onboard with the dissection, not that I’ve been hiding my displeasure. I don’t respond to his comment, instead continuing towards the containment room. This time, I close the door behind me, the sign that an experiment is in progress. I’m not planning on running any tests, but I need some time away from the bozo outside. Star Corp is slowly turning into more and more of a monster in my mind. It’s clear I didn’t do enough research on the company itself, the cursory search not digging up all the problems within this building.

Immediately, my eyes focus on the cage where the rabbit is already watching me, those silver eyes practically shining and begging me to come closer. I let out the breath I’d been holding, moving towards the container. I open the door and pull him out, setting him on the table in the center of the room before I take my own seat. At the very least, I can check his vitals to make sure he’s okay after the toxin test from yesterday. Who knows how many other tests they want to run on him before the dissection. I want to make sure he’s as healthy as possible.

I glance towards the closed door and lean back in the chair, bringing the rabbit with me. I cuddle him close, absentmindedly running my fingers through his fur. He closes his eyes and nestles deeper against me. I don’t blame him. Being trapped in this lab probably has him starving for affection.

“This isn’t the job I was expecting,” I tell him, caressing his ears. His silver eyes open and meet mine. I smile gently; he’s a really great rabbit. “I thought I would come out here and find an adventure. Instead, it turns out I’m working for people who have no sense of decency. They plan on dissecting you in a few days.” The rabbit grunts at me, and I nod. “I know, right? Terrible people.” I bite my lip. “I can’t do it. I can’t be that person. This isn’t my adventure.” I glance at the door again, making sure I’m still alone, before I lean closer and lower my voice. “I’m gonna get you out of here, W. I won’t let them kill you.”

The rabbit stands against my chest, rising tall enough to look into my eyes, before touching his nose to mine. His whiskers tickle my face, and I chuckle under my breath. Those damn silver eyes are so intelligent, and I have no doubt he understands what I’m saying. I swear I hear a ticking clock for a moment, and I glance around, confused. There are no clocks in this room; they aren’t allowed. When I look back at the rabbit, he winks at me. I frown.

No, certainly not. Rabbit’s can’t wink. And they certainly can’t understand me. I must be losing my mind. I shake my head and stand to put him back in his cage. I can’t have the others coming in to see me cuddling the specimen.

I have to act tomorrow. There is no other choice. I have to get him out, and I have to leave this place behind.

I really wish I had a spandex super suit to get the job done. What’s a girl gotta do to find one?