As we passed through the gates of the mansion, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and fear. The densely grown trees on both sides of our path and the dim surroundings allowed only slivers of sunlight to filter through. "It'll get even darker as we move further," added Liam, who had been assigned to pick us up at the mansion. Today marked the first day of our mission, and we were scheduled for medical tests that Liam said would accompany us through the entire process.
The jeep Liam brought was comfy, but the bumpy road left my muscles cramping. Initially, the track ran parallel to the mansion, with a serene sea on one side and dense forest on the other. The gentle sound of waves provided a soothing contrast to the rustling trees. However, when the jeep took a sharp right turn, the road grew even bumpier, leading us deeper into the forest and away from the sea. The sound of the waves gradually faded, replaced by the rustling of trees swaying in the gusts of wind. Our vehicle stirred up dry leaves, which rustled and rose in its wake.
The path became denser, with no sunlight able to penetrate the thick canopy above. The air grew cooler, and the smell of damp earth filled my senses. The darkness enveloped us as we ventured further. "Here we are," Liam pointed out as we reached a clearing where the trees were less dense. Sunlight finally streamed through, revealing huge buildings ahead. It felt like we had stumbled upon a hidden city in the woods.
Getting down from the vehicle, I stretched, trying to shake off the stiffness from the ride. We stood before a massive glass building with a sign that read 'RESEARCH CENTRE - NexGen Technologies.' "Wow, this is huge," I exclaimed, looking around in awe.
Damian and Astrid were already there, waiting for us. "Took you long enough," Astrid teased, a smirk playing on her lips.
"We got the scenic route," I replied with a grin. Despite the daunting task ahead, the camaraderie with my new friends gave me a sense of reassurance.
I said, "What a route it was…! No matter how much I tried, I couldn't remember the way out."
Astrid replied, "Oh, don't worry, we won't let you go out," in a spooky manner. I laughed, but it sent chills down my spine. Astrid noticed and quickly added, "Oh, I didn't mean to worry you. Everything's going to be fine. We'll send you back in the evening once we finish this."
Her words didn't completely relieve my anxiety, but I appreciated the support. We walked through a long corridor that seemed almost unending, the walls lined with a cool, sterile white that added to the eerie atmosphere. Our footsteps echoed as we moved deeper into the complex.
Finally, we found ourselves in a huge open hall bustling with activity. People in long white coats moved between different sections divided by glass walls. The sleek, transparent partitions allowed us to see into various specialized labs, each filled with advanced equipment and monitors displaying complex data. Small bots zipped around, assisting the professors by transporting equipment and samples with precise efficiency.
Liam led us to one of the sections and nodded to our escorts, who then guided us into an adjacent area connected to Liam's lab. This new section was where we were supposed to undergo our tests, but for now, we were instructed to wait until everything was ready. The waiting area itself was lined with high-tech diagnostic machines, and the air was filled with a faint hum of electronic devices at work.
Looking around, the lab felt more like a hospital, though it was designed for treatments rather than experiments. The smell of medicine hit my nose, triggering an involuntary reaction. There were IV stands and medical equipment everywhere, making me sweat. The dull-colored walls, reminiscent of hospital labs, triggered my phobia. No matter how much I tried to suppress it, my breathing grew heavy and hard. Anxiety took over completely, and I started to pant.
Karun, who had been keeping an eye on me, quickly realized I was hyperventilating. Since childhood, I've had a phobia of hospitals. I rarely went to hospitals for treatment; most of our check-ups were done at home by Uncle Travian, my father's friend.
It's been a long time since I last went to a hospital. Everyone, including myself, thought my phobia was gone as I have grown up, but the current atmosphere brought it back in full force. The smell of antiseptic, the sterile walls, and the medical equipment all around me made it feel like I couldn't breathe. I quickly grabbed Karun's shoulder as dizziness took over.
I could faintly hear Karun's voice. "Come on, Kathy. Breathe In and out slowly."
Kaile was there too. "Slowly, Kathy," she urged, her voice trembling with worry. She must have been really concerned.
So was Liam, but I couldn't see his face clearly as darkness began to cloud my vision. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't fight it off. The darkness overwhelmed me, pulling me into unconsciousness and flashing a childhood memory that I had hoped would stay hidden.