Saphora vol.1 Retention

by Jaz Johnson

Back in Lupin’s office, the notes of all Saphora’s sessions were slowly turning to ash. The soft sound of the crackling humming in her ears. She watched, as they burned. She hadn’t bothered to look at the notes before she set them on fire, even though she had wanted to prior to coming up with this plan. The book that Lupin had showed Saphora was still sitting on the desk. Now she stared at that, contemplating taking it with her. But then she thought of the possibility of him getting a hold of it again, and what he had planned for the information in the book.

  She grimaced. Whatever it was, she was sure that it was not going to be in favor of whatever species he was examining. Knowing human capacity for cruelty in the act of gaining knowledge, she doubted that it would be anything but dreadful. In an abrupt decision to spare others like herself, she grabbed the book and dropped it into the flames, contained by the metal drawer surrounding them. She dropped another wad of fire into the flames, and took a step back, hearing the crackles of the flame raise an octave.

  Looking around a bit nervously she waited for the flames to settle slightly before closing the drawer and tugging on it to make sure it was locked. She didn’t take the elevator, but instead chose to take the stairs, which would leave her to the opposite side of the lobby, hopefully out of sight from the commotion that Maverick was causing. Jogging down the steps, she could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears from the anxiety of not being able to make it out of the building before Lupin returned to his office. Or before the flames died completely. She rushed down the flights of stairs, and stood behind the door to the lobby, not yet opening it. She leaned gently against the door, listening in on what was happening. She flinched at the sudden, and vibrant voice of Maverick.

  “I know you can do it! I’ve seen them in here! I-I know you can treat me! Liars! Liars!” Maverick screamed, thrashing against Lupin who was trying to contain him. The secretary had retreated behind her desk and was seconds away from calling security.

  “Sir – sir! I’m sorry, but this is not that type of facility! You need to leave,” Lupin urged, trying to push Maverick towards the door.

  “C-Come on, doc! I can get clean! I – you gotta help me, doc! Liars!” he continued, looking around the lobby and scratching against his chest.

  Saphora couldn’t help but giggle at how dedicated he was to his role, and how determined he was to help Saphora complete her task. She smiled, resting her forehead against the door and shaking her head somewhat. She underestimated this guy. He was proving himself to her each day, and she was genuinely grateful that he had decided to stay in her chaotic life. For even then, doing something as stressful as destroying evidence, she was giggling, having a good time, even if only for a moment.

  Slowly, she pushed the door open. Eventually getting it open enough for her to slip through the side of the doorway, out into the hallway. She tilted her head over to look into the lobby, making eye contact with Maverick during his thrashing. She nodded to him, smiling before turning away and heading towards the back entrance of the building.

  “Sir! If you do not leave now, we will be forced to call security!” Lupin urged, putting is hands back up in defense. Maverick shook his head viciously. His work was done.

  “I – I … Okay, man. Okay, doc. I’m sorry, sorry. I’m sorry,” Maverick pleaded, gripping onto Lupin’s jacket. Lupin tensed his body and sighed, looking over at his secretary as he hesitantly put his own hands on Maverick’s arms.

  “…Look, maybe you should seek help at a rehabilitation center. I can give you the number to one.” Maverick shook his head, keeping it hung as he made sobbing noises.

  “Noooo, man, no. Not the machine. I ain’t going to the machine!” he raged, pushing away from Lupin, and storming out of the lobby, shouting about the machine the entire way out of the building. Lupin stumbled back from the shove and blinked in shock, exhaling a breath of relief. His hands dropped and his shoulders slumped as he turned to the secretary with an arched brow.

  “The next time I have a visitor? Tell me who it is first, and what they want,” he advised. The secretary, who was now trembling in her seat, nodded her head immediately, holding back the urge to burst into a whimpering cry. Lupin groaned, running his hand through his short curly brown hair and pushing up his glasses. “I’ve left her up there this whole time,” he groaned, starting his way back to the elevator. “As if she doesn’t already have enough trust issues.”

  Saphora laughed, buckling her seatbelt. Maverick snorted as he closed the door to his side and finally burst into laughter alongside her as he leaned back against the seat, his hand finding his stomach.

  “Oh man!” he laughed. “Did you get a look of that guy’s face? Last time I saw someone that scared was when my Aunt Sally tried to give my cousin a bath with the hoes,” Maverick laughed. Saphora nodded, trying to catch her breath.

  “He deserved a good scare. I bet you’re going to give him nightmares.”

  “I hope so. After all this shit he’s been putting you through, he could go a few nights with some nightmares,” Maverick scoffed. Saphora’s laughter died down after a few more moments, before she stopped, and turned to look at him, still smiling.

  “You know, even though that was one of the most anxiety-riddled things I’ve done in my life, I can’t think of another time I’ve laughed so much,” she admitted, looking over his features until he turned to meet her gaze. He grinned. “Thank you … For doing this with me. It means a lot.” Maverick’s grin burst into a smile as he shook his head, and waved his hand modestly.

  “Nah, don’t worry about it. I was happy to finally help,” he answered, looking forward out of the front window. But Saphora looked on, not even noticing that she was. She stayed silent as she did, too, catching Maverick’s attention once again. Their gaze met once more, and the smile on his face seemed to begin to fade, feeling his body tense as he read her body language. The body language of a woman - alien or not. And naturally, his language changed as well as the atmosphere grew denser between them, almost burning. It was sudden, and it made Maverick’s cheeks flush as Saphora continued to look at him with what seemed like a new pair of eyes. New consideration. But it was all interrupted when Hydra popped her head in between their seats from the back of the car.

  “I think it would be best if we left now. The doctor may be looking for Saphora,” she said rather bluntly. Saphora’s eyes widened and she jerked away from Hydra, and Maverick in the process. She almost screamed at the sudden interjection of her voice, and sudden closeness. Her heart ached in her chest as she fought to keep her composure.

  “Christ!” whined a started Saphora.