Story 55/1001

• ear
• gradient
• drug

Clement watched the old professor pour three liquids into the small bowl. The color of the liquid was now gradient, ranging from dark purple to pale blue. He smiled, trying to touch the bowl, but a wrinkly hand slapped his.

“It is your target that should die, not you.”

“Sorry, professor Stevens.” Clement fidgeted in his seat. The professor put a lid on the see-through bowl, and removed her gloves.

“Call me Patricia, Clement. We are colleagues.” She got up from her chair and went to a glass cabinet.

“Yes, Patricia. Sorry.”

“There are two types of people today. Those who constantly apologize, and those who never do, even when they should. One would think someone with a job like yours would be in the latter group.” Professor said, picking a vial from the cabinet. “Weight of the target is two-fifty?”

“Yes.”

“This is a very potent drug.” She said, looking at Clement. “A few drops will get the job done.”

Clement looked back at the liquid. It lost all color. The professor put new gloves and mask on. Then she put on her white safety glasses. She signaled to Clement to move away and put on a mask. He listened, and she carefully removed the lid and put some of the drug into a vial she chose moments ago.

When she was done closing the vial, she removed the gloves, the mask and the safety glasses. She turned to Clement.

“You just finished college, right?” She asked, handing him the vial.

“Yes, prof- Patricia.” He nodded, taking the vial.

“How did you end up here, Clement?”

“My father dragged me by the ear.” Clement frowned.

“Your fa-” Professor’s eyes widened. “You’re Christopher’s boy?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Now that I know, you have his jawline. But, not much else.”

“Not anything, he would say.” Clement shrugged.

“That’s not so bad, if you ask me.” She said, surprising him.

“I thought everyone here adored my father.”

“He’s the kind that never apologizes.”

Clement put the vial in his pocket and went towards the door.

“You didn’t ask for this, but let me give you an advice, Clement.” He turned around. She was cleaning her glasses. “You can’t escape your father, or what he wants from you, but you can choose your victims. Not all deserve my poisons. Leave those to the unapologetic ones. That way, you might not become like your father.”

Clement closed the door on his way out, clenching the vial in his hands.