“I didn’t really have anyone left out there except for the professor I worked with. She was my mentor,” Alex gasped, as the others looked at him with empathy.

  “I’m sure she made it out,” said Reshma, reaching out to pat Alex on the shoulder.

  “I.. I am going to go see Emily. See what information she has,” Alex said softly, his mind racing.

  “Yes, of course, and don't feel like you need to rush back here today. Take whatever time you may need,” said Evalyn softly. Both Reshma and Siddiq nodded behind her in agreement.

  “Thanks guys, I am going to go now,” Alex said in a daze as he grabbed his things and headed out of the lab. As he made his way towards the Administration building he noticed a large number of people also heading that way. Guess I wasn't the only one from the west side of the country, he thought to himself.

  As he entered the lobby of the Administration building he was greeted with a cacophony of sound. There were people shouting for information, others were sobbing, and some seemed dazed like Alex. The chaos was almost too much to handle. Suddenly the blare of an air horn shattered the noise of the lobby gaining everyone’s attention.

  “Everyone please!” Shouted Emily in the now quiet room. “I know you are all here for the same information, but shouting and carrying on gets us nowhere!” A few people looked sheepish as they looked down at the floor.

  “Now, the announcement that was made should have given a little more direction, but you are here now so we,” she said as she gestured to the other ladies behind the desk, “will do our best to get all of you the information we have. Please, be patient as we are all in this together,” she finished. A few people in the lobby nodded in agreement and the anxiety of the room eased just a hair.

  “If you would all please take a ticket we will begin to call you back to give you whatever information we have for you,” said Glenda, her auburn hair tied in a bun. Everyone in the room, including Alex, made their way to the ticket dispenser one by one. Emily, Glenda, and the other four ladies that worked in the administration office began to call people back one by one. Everyone waiting in the lobby began to mill around while they waited for their turn.

  “Hey Alex,” said a somber voice.

  Alex turned and was greeted by big green eyes rimmed red with tears. “Hey Thalia. I’m sorry to see you here,” he replied.

  “Yeah , I am sorry to see you here also,” she said softly. “I hope everyone you are here for is safe.”

  “I only have one person, just the professor I worked with before I came here. She was the only person I had left,” he said, his voice cracking. “I hope everyone you are here for is ok as well.”

  “It’s my whole family…” she whispered pain etched in her tone. “But I have to wait for one hundred and twenty nine other people first.” She finished turning her ticket over in her hand.

  Alex took her ticket and gave her his. She looked at him confused. “I only have one person. I can wait,” he said softly, closing her hand on the ticket.

  “Thank you,” she sobbed as she burst into tears and wrapped her arms around him.

  Alex tensed for a moment then returned her embrace. She cried harder when he did and so he held her until she let go.

  “Sorry,” she sniffled when she released him.

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  “No need to be,” he said softly, handing her a tissue. Nothing more was said and the lobby itself had a heavy feeling as people were called back one by one. Some left crying, some left relieved, and others left somber. After about an hour Alex’s number was called. He stood and followed the lady to the back office. A door opened and Emily stepped out with another person who she was consoling.

  “Oh Alex,” said Emily.

  “Hey Emily,”Alex said quietly.

  “Uh, Mina I will take Alex ,” she said as she ushered him into her office. “Be right back.” Mina nodded and went back to the front to call the next person. After a moment Emily entered the office and closed the door behind her. “I am sorry to see you here,” she said softly as she sat behind the desk and began typing.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to know if the Professor I worked with made it out,” he replied.

  “Of course,” she said, continuing to type. “It was Professor Langdon, correct?”

  “Yes,” he answered.

  “As far as the information we have West Cotnion was not majorly affected. The area suffered minor flooding but was not in the main path,” Emily said, smiling at him from behind her screen.

  Relief flooded Alex as he sat back in the chair letting his breath go in a huff. “I was so worried. She did a lot for me.”

  “I am glad I could provide some good-ish news for you,” Emily sighed. “Not everyone has gotten good news and it's hard to have to be the one who delivers it.”

  “I can’t even imagine,” Alex said, meeting her eyes.

  “Uh, there is something I need to discuss with you. I was going to come find you before this announcement came out,” she said awkwardly.

  “What is it?” Alex asked.

  “Well, with all the… let’s call them events that have been happening lately the higher ups want to host a press conference so to speak,” she began.

  “Ok, well that sounds like a good thing? Get some information out there so that people know we are trying to fix things,” Alex said.

  “Yes, that is exactly it. They want it to be held here, and they would like you to be on the stage and perhaps say a few things,” Emily added.

  “ME?!” Alex exclaimed.

  “Well yes, many of the groups are doing experiments based on your work, and you have gone and helped numerous teams with said projects over the last few weeks. So who better than to go over what we are doing here then you?” she finished.

  “I, uh,” Alex stammered.

  “You don't have to say much and you have time to write something up. The conference will be in about a week. I will let you know when as soon as we have that hammered out,” Emily said quickly.

  “Okay, ummm,” he gulped. “I can put something together I guess.”

  “Great! Like I said, as soon as I have all the details I will let you know. And all you need to do is put together some notes on some of what you do as a scientist and some of the projects that are being worked on here,” she smiled clasping her hands together. “Okay well let me not keep you much longer, there are a lot of people still waiting to hear some kind of news,” she said somberly.

  “Yes, of course,” Alex nodded as he stood up to leave.

  “I am glad to give you mostly good news,” Emily said as she stood up and followed Alex out to the lobby.

  “Yes, it is a stress reliever. I am going to head back to the lab and let my team know,” he smiled at her. As he opened the door to leave he heard Emily call the next number. Grabbing his scooter he headed back to the lab. Scanning his badge he opened the door and saw his team at the computers.

  “Oh, you are back. Does that mean everything was ok?” asked Evalyn.

  “Yes, West Cotnion was barely affected, just minor flooding,” he answered with a half smile.

  “That is wonderful dear,” she answered with a smile and turned back to the computer that the others were looking at.

  “What are you all looking at?” Alex said as he walked over. Then he realized where they were. Which computer they were at. Did I not close my report? he thought, as they all looked at him at once. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.