Amoeba (The Experiments) Read Online Free PDF

white. Snow blew into a room through an open window. His eyes stayed fixed on the long, roundish object on the floor. It was blurry, but Aldo watched it.
    A knock at his office door caused him to immediately turn off the television set.
    “Come in,” Aldo called out, turning his chair around.
    Hayward Nelson walked in. Tall, thin, and GQ handsome. Not the expected look for an accountant , which is what he was. “I came as soon as I got your message.”
    “Sit down.” Aldo pointed to the chair across from his desk.
    “Good to have you back. You look exhausted.” Hayward laid his briefcase on the floor. “And might I say congratulations.”
    “You may.” Aldo slid the check Hayward’s way and leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead and send the initial deposit to the next experiment. We’ll have that off our mind at least.”
    “I thought we agreed to send the entire investment to . . .” Hayward’s eyes moved from the check to Aldo. “Sir this is only . . .”
    “I know.”
    “Shouldn’t it have been eight million?”
    “It should have been. But when that arrived by special messenger today, it also arrived with a tape.”
    “A tape?”
    “A visual aid in their explanation of the shortage ,” Aldo stated.
    “A third participant lived?”
    “We think.” Aldo nodded. “I still don’t understand it fully. In fact, I’m at a loss.” Aldo tossed up his hands. “But, if my mind is guessing right, it’s not that bad of a thing. However, I’m glad I won’t have to guess too long, because they’re supposed to call me about this tomorrow.”
    “I hope it’s what you want to hear.” Hayward grabbed the check and placed it into his briefcase. “I’ll take care of the money.”
    “Thank you.”
    “And again.” Hayward smiled as he stood up. “Congratulations Mr. Connilucci.”
    Aldo nodded in appreciation , watching Hayward leave. When he was alone again, Aldo grabbed the remote control and swiveled his chair to return to watching that tape.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina
March 6 th - 11:45 p.m.
     
    The emptiness of the bed made Jake awaken. His hand moved over to the cold vacant spot next to him that an hour earlier contained Cal. He lifted up, rubbed his face, and readied to call out, but stopped when he heard Cal’s voice.
    “No, no. Over here ,” she said, almost with a laugh.
    Jake wondered who she was talking to , and he slid out of bed.
    “Stop that.” Cal laughed.
    After looking at the time, Jake proceeded from the bedroom even more curious. But as he got to the stairs, he knew who Cal was talking to when he heard the second voice. A girl’s voice, not too young, but definitely still a child. Jessie’s voice, Cal’s thirteen-year-old daughter.
    “No, Mommy.” Jessie giggled.
    When Jake heard this, his heart stopped. He wondered if going any further down those steps would be an intrusion of Cal’s privacy. She obviously was watching a video. He could see the blue hue of the television set creeping up the stairwell. Outdoor noises and laughter sounds grew louder the more Jake walked down those steps. With his arms folded, he stepped into the living room, and his eyes went immediately to the set. He smiled.
    Cal and Jessie were in what looked like a backyard. A swing set was in the background, a driveway containing a car. Even a picnic table was all set up. But more so than the backdrop was the center of the video. Cal and her daughter. They looked alike so much, both with their blonde hair, sitting at the picnic table side by side, Cal with her arm around Jessie.
    “Mommy, one more time ,” Jessie said. “I want to show my friends.”
    “My eyes are killing me Jess.”
    “Come on.”
    “One more time. I can see this being shown when I’m old. Let’s do it.” Cal removed her arm from around Jessie and brought her hand to her eyes. At the same time, Jessie and Cal flipped up their eyelids.
    Cal paused the tape when she heard Jake snicker. “I’m sorry. I woke you, didn’t