Lost

Chapter 79: "Ambushed"

Guys, I'm terribly sorry! I just hope the length of the chapter will make up for me being so late!

I know I said Friday, but *shrugs* :P. Comment as you read and Vote!

(You'll notice mistakes. The punctuation around dialogue tags is wrong. I was meant to edit it but then I was already running late and I wanted to update without further delay.)

Anyways, enjoy!

Salma was in the lab by herself when she heard a sharp rap on glass door. She looked up from her notes to see Professor R.K standing in the main lab with his hands stuffed in his pant pockets. He gave a curt nod, asking to see her. Salma sighed and pushed her notes away with her elbow. After putting the samples in the PCR machine in the side room separated for molecular analysis, she was preparing for her next test while she waited. Taking off a glove, she glanced at the timer on the machine before walking towards the door.

Professor?" she asked.

"Ah, yes, Miss Rahman, how are things?" The professor smiled, looking past her at the apparatus set in the room.

"I've analyzed half of the samples," Salma replied, "I was going to send you the pictures but if you want to take a look at the gel yourself . . ."

"No, it's alright, pictures will do," He replied pleasantly, "Can't be bothered to put on the gear,"

"Right sir," Salma smiled, pushing her goggles up as she looked down at her lab coat, gloves and a mask that the lab attendant made her wear atop her niqaab. Salma did not see the point, really. Her niqaab was already doing the honors.

"I believe you're busy?" The asked, quirking a brow.

"I'm . . .well, sort of," Salma finished. The PCR still had half an hour left, but she was preparing for her last exam, "You need something, professor?"

"Not I per se, but Zayn dropped by to meet Miss Tills,"

Salma froze, feeling numb upon hearing his name. Her alarmed gaze swept the area of the main hall in search of the dark haired boy.

"Mrs. Coles refused to let him in unless I was the one to authorize him with the guarantee that he would not damage anything on her fragile lab property," Professor R.K. said sounding rather amused. He turned around looking towards the Lab assistant's office.

Salma followed his eyes and her gut twisted uncomfortably to see Zayn standing by her table. She was too unsettled to notice, but Zayn seemed rather annoyed. Mrs. Coles lectures could continue for hours, by the end of which the students turns bald as a result of pulling all of their hair out in frustration.

"She'll teach him normal, human behavior," Salma heard the professor chuckle to himself, "Such a pest,"

Salma said nothing as she backed into the door, pushing it open. She was not sure who the professor was referring to when he said 'a pest' but Salma could not be bothered. She wanted to crawl back into the safety of molecular side room as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, before she could excuse herself, the lab attendant poked her head into the main lab.

"Professor, another nuisance is here," She informed, looking massively irritated.

Salma's eyes snapped to her in surprise. What?

"Sorry, Mrs. Coles? I believe I misheard you?" Professor R.K. replied, acting like he was not paying attention.

Mrs. Coles grunted her annoyance.

"Another student is here, Professor. Some Miss Tills," She said, looking like she would explode any minute.