Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen, dressed in black athletic gear with beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, appeared calm and collected.

His breathing was steady, betraying no signs of the vigorous workout he had just completed.

"Good evening, Mr. Reynolds."

"Why are you just getting back now?" Owen asked.

Roseanne replied, "I was at the library for a bit."

As they reached the seventh floor, she continued, "Oh, I've already cleaned the lunch box for you, just give me a moment..."

Roseanne quickly entered her apartment and returned with the lunch box in hand, passing it to Owen.

Suddenly, he asked, "Has Ms. Payne been leading your project group lately?"

"Yeah, but the progress is..."

"I've discussed it with her before; her approach is flawed. But you know how stubborn she can be. She won't change her mind until she's exhausted all other possibilities." Roseanne had noticed this too.

She even mentioned it to Madeleine, but was told there wasn't enough data to justify a change in direction, risking the past two years' efforts being in vain.

"How about we catch up over dinner this Saturday? We could brainstorm some ideas on how to persuade her."

"This Saturday?" Roseanne hesitated, "I'm sorry, I already have plans."

Owen paused, "No worries, we'll make it some other time when you're free."

"Sure."

...

Roseanne met up with Mamie at

give them the apartment number

had sent

apartment building, Roseanne felt a sense of

whistled, "Scales must be

apartment was owned, not rented, and the property deed bore Scales'

in, I've got

Scales greeted them and casually asked, "What

eyes lit up.

"Regular or diet?"

for sure. What's the point of soda if

then turned

water for me,

wasn't picky

around the apartment. The decor was as minimalist as Scales himself, dominated by

white, and grey.

of a closet, pointing at something that looked both like a specimen and a

"Decoration," Scales replied nonchalantly.

really unique. Where can I buy one? Could you

"You can't buy it."

"Why not?"

"It's a human bone."

Mamie jumped back, startled.

uses human bones