- Chase Meredith:
Fifteen minutes after the guide left, our suitcases arrived.
The first thing we all did was unpack. Clothes were neatly folded and stuffed into wardrobes, personal items were tucked into drawers.
The room quickly transformed into a reflection of its new occupants, each corner marked by someone's subtle personality. Once that was done, we naturally gathered in my space, too excited to sit still, even for a second.
We couldn't explore the lab on our own—rules were rules—but we couldn't stop talking about what might be out there. Hypotheses flew around like we were already part of some grand experiment, and before we knew it, two hours had disappeared.
At precisely 9:00 AM, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the faint beep of a keycard. The guide from earlier stepped in, his monotone voice cutting through our chatter. "If you're finished organizing, please follow me. I will be your tour guide for today."
I shot out of my seat before he'd even finished speaking. My excitement bubbled over, and I didn't bother hiding it. I heard the others laugh softly behind me as they followed, each of them filing out of the room.
As we stepped into the hallway, I noticed the other groups heading in different directions, each led by their own guide.
Oliver's eyes darted around, quietly taking in the surroundings. He still looked unsettled, but I was too distracted by the spotless, blindingly white walls, floors, and ceilings to press him on it. Everything was too clean, like it was designed to repel even the concept of dust.
We walked out of the A-400 living quarters, the guide leading us toward an elevator. My eyes caught a glimpse of something down a dark hallway—a single door with {PROJECT 15} emblazoned on it.
"Excuse me," I asked, unable to stop myself. "What's Project 15?"
The guide turned, his blank expression giving nothing away. "You and the other new doctors are not allowed near Project 15, nor are you permitted to know what it is. You are still new."
His voice was clipped, final. He led us into the elevator without further explanation, pressing the button for our destination.
I frowned, but before I could push further, the elevator doors opened, and we stepped into another pristine hallway. The guide continued, his tone as emotionless as ever. "When you've proven yourselves trustworthy, you will be given access to more information about the lab's major projects. Until then, you must respect your limits and follow the rules. Punishments are in place for any violations."
The word "punishments" left a bad taste in my mouth. A knot tightened in my stomach, and judging by the uneasy glances my friends exchanged, I wasn't alone.
Why did they need to make sure we were trustworthy? We weren't here to guard national secrets—we were here to conduct experiments. And punishments? For being curious? It didn't sit right with me, but I kept my mouth shut and followed the guide.
He began explaining each floor, hallway, and room we passed.
Along the way, he handed each of us a device that looked like a sleek, futuristic watch. "These devices display the time and function as a navigation tool within the lab," he explained. "However, they only guide you to areas you are permitted to access."
I slid it onto my wrist and tapped at the screen, marveling as a virtual display appeared in front of me. It was impressive, sure, but it also served as a reminder of just how much we were being monitored.
"So, what kind of animals will we be using for experiments?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
As the guide led us through a lobby, Mia nudged me and pointed to one of the glass-walled rooms.
Inside, doctors in protective gear were mixing chemicals, watching reactions unfold. It was fascinating, but the guide's response pulled my attention away.
"At SSL, we do not use animals for testing or experimentation," he said flatly.
I blinked. "What? Why not?"
"The superiors are animal lovers," he replied, as if that explained everything.
It didn't.
Confusion settled over me, and I glanced at my friends. They looked just as puzzled. This lab was the heart of medical innovation in the country. It had produced cures, medications, breakthroughs—how could they achieve all that without animal testing?
The tour continued. The guide showed us the rooms where "mini experiments" were conducted, the gym, a garden-like space for fresh air, and even recreational areas: a cinema, a gaming room, and a massive library.
It was… nice, I supposed, considering we weren't allowed to leave the lab until we earned their trust—a process that could take years, if not longer.
But I couldn't shake the question lingering in my mind.
Finally, I spoke up again. "So… how do we test the medicines? If you don't use animals, what do you test on?"
The guide stopped, turning to face me. His answer hit like a punch to the gut.
"Here at SSL, we don't just make medicines and cures. We challenge the laws of nature. What's impossible, we strive to make possible. As for your question, we test directly on humans and… some very special, interesting creatures."
My heart dropped.
My friends froze beside me, their faces pale. The air felt heavier, harder to breathe. My pulse pounded in my ears as the guide's words echoed in my head. Humans? Special creatures?
No one said a word. We couldn't. We just stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to process what we'd just heard.