Tape #4 - The Warning

Dr. Walsh could hardly wait for morning to call Ava and share her latest experiment.

-"It was enormous, Ava!"- she exclaimed, tossing a pen in the air and catching it. -"And so white... Its fur was like fresh snow!"-

-"Doc..."- Ava hesitantly interrupted, -"You know wild reindeer can be aggressive, right?"-

-"But it didn't attack me! It just ran off!"-

-"With all due respect,"- Ava worried, -"Did you think about the dangers? You could've been hurt, or..."- she sighed. -"Just... Please be careful, okay? I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you."-

Dr. Walsh fell silent, contemplating Ava's words. -"I appreciate your concern,"- she finally admitted. -"But there's so much potential in this crystal! Imagine the possibilities!"-

-"That's exactly what worries me!"- Ava exclaimed. -"Maybe you should stop messing with things you don't understand."-

-"Enough!"- Dr. Walsh snapped. -"I won't stop my research just because you can't see the revolutionary potential!"-

A heavy silence descended. Unbeknownst to Dr. Walsh, Ava fought back a knot in her throat on the other end. -"Fine."- she choked out. -"Do whatever you want. But don't expect me to help you pick up the pieces if... No, when it all goes wrong."-

She hung up. A pang of guilt struck Dr. Walsh, and she tried her best to brush it aside. Collapsing onto her bed, she clutched her pillow close to her chest and let sleep claim her like a thick, heavy mantle.