Continued from February 21, 2018
There was a sudden increase in activity on the floor as people scrambled to get ready for their mission. Claire felt a certain level of pride directing the group to better defend themselves, but there was also the sense of longing. She wanted desperately to find and talk to Goldman, but knew that the others would drive her away if she took them with her.
Claire ate some food quickly and stole away down the hall, checking to see if anyone was following her. When she determined that no one was, she entered the stairwell at the end of the hall and began the long descent.
“I don’t know that it’s a good idea for you to go out alone.” A voice said as she entered the lobby.
“Holy hell!” She screamed in response, turning to see the man who had come into her room earlier. “I’m a grown woman, I can go out if I want. Who are you to be telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing.”
“I’m not saying that you should, or shouldn’t, go out there. Just simply remarking on the danger to your personal well-being by doing so alone.” He replied sipping on a cup of coffee.
“Who are you, anyway?” She asked.
“I’m Justin.” He replied.
“Are you the Oracle?” Claire asked scrutinizing him.
“Maybe, or maybe I’m just a wise old man who knows when to keep his mouth shut.” He said.
“You are the Oracle. Are you the one that showed me those visions?” She asked.
“No. I didn’t show them to you, but I saw them as well.” He said, setting his cup on a table. “It can be a bit disorienting at times.”
“So do you know what’s going to happen if I leave here right now?”
“No.” He replied as he stood. “But I’m willing to come with you. We can find Goldman together. The last I saw him he was wandering the city.”
“You’ve seen him?”
“Only in visions. He is still trying to figure out what is going on. The side he was chosen for isn’t as supportive as us.” Justin replied.
“Alright.” Claire said. “Show me where you saw him.”
“Put these on.” He replied, producing a bag of clothing from beside a chair and tossing it to her. “There’s bathrooms over there.”
“You knew I’d be leaving?”
“Just a guess.” He said with a smile.
Without another word, Claire went into the ladies’ room, pulled the clothes from the bag, and changed. The clothes were all torn and looked dirty, despite smelling as though they were freshly laundered.
“Is this really necessary?” She called from inside the bathroom.
“If you don’t want to get shot again.” She heard him call back through the door.
From inside the bathroom, she heard a cacophony of noise in the lobby. They must be leaving now, she thought. She stayed in the bathroom until the noise died down before going out again.
“That should work.” Justin said.
Jonathan M. Leighton, Jr. 
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