arlow turned on the car radio while she rode down the vacant Main Street leading into downtown Graves City. She had taken this road before, but never so late at night, so she opted for some company.  

The music played calmly alongside the evening sounds of the city. Everything seemed to work together to make the best evening lullaby song and Harlow was definitely being lulled into it. Then the music stopped.

“Folks, be aware that even the loveliest night can still bring hidden unknown horrors. There still haven’t been any answers on the whereabouts of the missing Heroes. Notable Supers such as JetLag, The Whisper, Henry Atoms—“

Harlow’s expression soured. It had really brought down the mood. What was once a nice, even beating pulse within the sleeping city became a long, uneasy drive with anxiety hiding behind every corner. Harlow had tried to ignore the broadcast about current events, and even when it mentioned things like Superhero Day coming up soon, the mood never really recovered. 

Harlow contemplated even just switching the radio off and continuing her drive in silence. She couldn’t, because now she needed the background noise to keep her from getting paranoid. But she still thought about it. She didn’t even notice that her back and forth conversation with her brain allowed her to easily drive the last 10-15 minutes of her drive down the main road without even paying attention to the radio. Passing by building after building while her main goal was easing into sight.

Eventually, she turned the radio off entirely as she inched closer and closer to headquarters. The largest building in all of Graves City: The Citadel. Home to the brightest and best superheroes known to man. It stood there, glass and iron and stone, watching eagerly over the rest of the city. It loomed over the the rest of city as a reminder to everyone. When she had first become a Superhero, she used to be so intimidated by it. But now, it was like a part of everyday life for her, a fact that couldn’t be refuted. 

The sky was blue. An atom can only change, never be created nor destroyed. The Citadel is home to humanity’s first and last line of defense.

Or course right now, the sky was actually some glorious shades of black and purple. Because it was almost 12AM as Harlow rode of the main road and into a side road that lead into a dead end, but turned out to lead to a secret underground tunnel. Driving through the tunnel only added to the overall darkness because there were no windows.  And when she left the tunnel, she was met with a large and unnaturally lit parking garage. 

It was very bright here, but not anymore populated than the sleepy town that Harlow had drove through. Where would normally be dozens if not hundreds of cars with even more people inside the building, was now looking very desolate and sanitized. Almost like a new toy that hadn’t even been opened yet. She got out of her car, grabbing several bags, some filled with dioramas and books, that she had brought with her. She was glad to be getting this done. Finally.

She made her way to an opening of the building, with two large arched doors made of glass. She couldn’t really see through the doors, the glass was frosted, but she wondered why even have the glass doors to begin with. When she stopped to stand in front of them, they sprang to life. An digital interface and camera appeared, scanned her, then chimed pleasantly at her. 

A small display appeared, while a robotic voice rang out into the parking lot.

Greetings 0076 ie. TECHNOMANCER. To what pleasure are we doing business with you today? 

Harlow considered just using her powers. Morally, it would be illegal and the higher ups would be really mad that she bypassed security measures just because she wasn’t feeling it today. “Hello D00r-bots, I’m here on request of Dr. Gizzard. She wanted to go over some of the materials for the upcoming Superhero Day lecture-“

Harlow was immediately interrupted by a loud buzzer noise. She looked at the doors which now had a redo on screen. “What?” She asked, shoulders relaxing. 

Harlow rolled her eyes. At first she considered just walking through. She was one of the few heroes who could, given her abilities. She knew that was incredible irresponsible though, so shed just have to play along. She made a mental note to bring up this system later on. When it was daylight.

Dr. Gizzard is currently in a meeting. Would you like to come back sometime tomorrow?

Harlow squinted at the A.I. does in front of her. “Well, no? Just because she’s not available to meet with me in person doesn’t mean that i have to go back home. S-She called me here?!” She said, folding her arms. “Why don’t you just let me drop of these materials so i can drive back home? It’d probably be easier. And more efficient.” 

The D00r-bots ran through their numerous files and options on the screens, too fast really for any normal person to see, but it was a pretty educated guess on Harlow’s part. 

How about meeting with Dr. Beauregard today instead. Dr. Gizzard is in a very important meeting right now, we’re afraid.

Doubtful. Harlow dropped her arms to her sides. “No? That is an objectively awful idea. just let her know I’m here. Then she can decide for you instead.” Harlow began picking up her bags. She knew that since she’d been asked to meet with Dr. Gizzard (who admittedly has an awful schedule, if we’re being honest), then she’d obviously be allowed in. 

We’re very sorry, but Dr. Gizzard is busy right now so-

Harlow put one hand on the screen, blue veins extending from her hand and spreading across the screen. On top of all the absolutely convoluted and annoying things she was dealing with right now, she was getting seriously paranoid with all this open space behind her. She couldn’t understand why the building would be closed to her anyways. She was literally asked to come in? At 12AM??? Her eyes resembled the same blue that was now spreading across the screen. The files that were still on screen began to rapidly run through the screen.

“Okay, buddy. Let’s try this again. I need you to let me into the building to give Dr. Gizzard her documents and assisted learning material. Hell, I’m sure there’s another Doctor who is already working right now that I could drop my stuff with and then they’d give it back for me.” 

Bzzt~! Greetings 0076 ie TECHNOMANCER, Dr. Gizzard will be informed of your wish to meet with her.

She repositioned the bags in her hands. “Thank you D00r-bots. Be seeing you.” She need as the glass doors opened and pushed away from her. The glow from her eyes slowly faded into their regular hazel. She was probably going to get into trouble for doing that. Technically it was illegal, regardless of her personal annoyance or discomfort. She couldn’t find herself caring however. No one was harmed, and she was sure she wouldn’t need to do it again in the near future.  

“I’d rather be in here than out there anyways.” She said, her footsteps now echoing through the main hall of the Citadel.  

The main hall of the Citadel was just as impressive as the outside. It was a large, expansive corridor with white crystalline stairwells leading into the upper floor. Then from there, you could see the upper hallways leading all the way up to the roof, where you could see the clear, starry night sky overhead. A pretty good way to make anyone feel small. Even Harlow.

The building was dark in some areas, due to being closed for the evening. The only lit  areas being the very top floor—the observation deck. That was where the Citadel patrolled for crimes throughout the city…and everywhere else around the globe. Harlow didn’t really need to go all the way up there. 

Further down the hall, the only other lit area was Harlow’s destination: The labs. This was where the science department made gadgets, observed heroes for their powers, tracked changes in the heroes that needed it, etc. It was where Dr. Gizzard should be, or at least her lab should be nice she was in a meeting. Harlow made a quick pace towards the labs.  

Usually the labs are pretty active at night, even more so depending on the upcoming deadlines. But Harlow didn’t really see any scientist or doctor while she walked through the halls. She paused for a moment. Considered what the D00r-bots had said before, that Dr. Gizzard was in a meeting. Was everyone supposed to be in that meeting? That would be very different than what she thought was happening. “Oh, I’m gonna be in so much trouble aren’t I?” She muttered, biting her lip. “Oh…” 

She just shook her head and kept waking, counting the numerous open and active labs she passed on the way. Each lab seemed to still have their project continue without their respective scientist. They each looked like they had left in a hurry, but without any struggle. Like they all had to get up and go urgently.

“This isn’t good…” Harlow said. 

She walked a bit faster through the hallway, eyeing every single lab for any signs that a person used to be there was there currently. Finding nothing useful, she just full out sprinted to Dr. Gizzard’s lab, which was near the very back of the building at the end of the hall.

She dropped her bags near the door that opened graciously for her. Walking in, Gizzard’s lab was just the same as everyone else.  

A scientists’ lab is never neat or orderly, at least not to the regular person. They all had their own unique and varied ways to sort their lives’ works. Dr. Gizzard was no different. Her labs had papers strewn about the desk, the floor, the chair. She had half-finished diagrams and dioramas which featured what was supposed to be the average super-humans’ body.  Some diagrams showed the whole body, while some only showed parts like the brain, muscular system, the nervous system, what have you. 

Harlow walked carefully around the lab, and even put some papers back on the desk where they belonged. She noticed that the desk seemed more irreverent than the room. 

She had sticky notes everywhere.

Multi-colored, possibly to keep track of what was important. Though Harlow couldn’t make out which things were supposed to be more important than others. Sh had notes that reminded her of projects she needed to check on, collaboration with other doctors, board meetings, grant meetings, remember loved ones birthdays! They were all sprawled about her notes and desk, making their way up her wall like an advanced kudzu plant. Harlow reached into her pocket for her phone, where Gizzard had called her earlier that night. 

It read 12:57AM. Nearly 40 minutes since she last spoke to Dr. Gizzard. She tried calling the number, only to spook herself when a stack of papers began buzzing to her left. 

“So, she was here?” Harlow said, grabbing her phone and putting it on the desk. “Where’d she go, then? No meeting is that important.” Harlow looked around the lab one last time for any clues. Maybe her rainbow colored kudzu reminders would know? She scanned them for any relevant or recent information. 

She found, in a myriad of pinks and purples, a light-orange witch note with today (or tomorrow)’s date. She snatched it from the wall. 

Major presentation with Dr. Beauregard! Don’t be late! Set alarms!!!

It was barely legible to Harlow, but after several moments of reading it over she realized what it said.