/Niko
After my body began cooperating - I made a decision to leave the room. Opening the door and stepping out got me greeted with cold air, cold surroundings. The walls were covered in frost, but to the touch some seemed to have more warmth in them.
That's right - this place is in the mountain region and is known as the frost covered town. So, having an endless cold - is what is normal here.
Walking on and on, with the cold biting at my skin. Still feeling my hazed and discombobulated mind reminded me of the touch and heat through the wall that came from the Rabbit.
Although a bloodthirsty maniac, he's still a living one.
The maze was called so for a good reason - much of it consisted of endless rooms that are square, although different by size variations. And that all is located under the ground level. So, with around ten floors under and around the same amount upwards - it was a cold hell.
The cold and the darkness made me remember the feeling of being crushed mentally - fallen in despair, as I stumbled through these rooms. The downside is that each time I got here - the position of rooms would switch, change. So, even if I knew how it looked - I'd have to re-explore again. And cold. Ah, so cold. I can see my own breath in the dark.
Sadly - there is close to no light. Just a few lamps on the sides of the rooms, that faintly still work, yet keep giving that eerie feel.
The worst part was when I entered the room with a few lifeless mongrels - that's when some memories sparked inside - indeed, these creatures were men once. But due to chemicals in this lab - they just mutated beyond recovery. Grotesque creatures.
A sort of ones that kill. These ones were the light sensitive ones - they react to light and attack it. Many others react to sound and attack anything that disturbs utter silence.
So many in one room. Shit. That's troublesome. I managed to walk on the side of the room, passing them by. The door was straight ahead and happened to be open.
Once I walked in - I felt that this room had broken glass all over. The faint reflections of the light from the room with mongrels gave it away.
Right, few doors more and there should be someone I'm seeking for.
With heart thumping in my ears, as I walk slowly, putting my balance and weight from toe to toe, I felt that the cold walls were biting skin more. I felt my fingers get cut on the ice.
Shit. I grit my teeth, slowly breathing out, as I stop for a moment.
Am I going insane? Returning to this hell to check on Adrians plans. Fucking hell. I'm definitely out of it. And what for? Just to stop the silly man from making mistakes. Eh.
Oh. I looked ahead - the dozen straight passage doors were open, making it a long corridor with some light shining at the end. I see the shadow of that Rabbit pass across this corridor, at the end.
My heart stops for a moment. But what did that Rabbit look like? I can't recall his face.
I managed to get a grip on myself, before my legs tried to walk after him.
It has been a long time since I was here. I do grasp that most of the rest - all the important things - I still can't recollect.
"I wanna grab your hand." - I whisper to that Rabbit that left.
Dammit, that's some screwed up version of 'Alice in Wonderland'. I sigh, put my fingers on the wall and once more follow a few rooms into the small corridor, still in the dark. I manage to touch a wall that is made of metal. The biting cold piercing and burning upon touch.
After gulping down the pain, I pull the door open. Surprisingly - it was not as hard to open as I imagined. It was light inside - I walked in.
Room that reminded me of a prison cell - open window, iron bars, single bed and toilet in the corner.
On top of bed - massive pile of blankets and breath fog coming out.
All the walls in the room are covered in ice, the frost made walls crack in places, the ceiling had icicles, and the floor had a faint snow layer. This room was even colder than the rest of the maze. Yet it had one plus - the window with moonlight pouring in.
As I made a few steps inside - the blanket pile moved. I stopped.
The blankets slipped, staying on the bed, as a person emerged from that blanket fortress. Can't deny - that'd be the only way to keep warm in here, although food and water would be of question.
"So you're back. You sure left me hanging for too long this time around."- The person spoke, as she got to stand in front of the moonlight. I came closer.
"Oh, it's you. That's still so weird to see myself from aside." – I replied.
In front of me was - me. No kidding. It was 'the me' from here. Well, only in this parallel I could come as another self, without having harm done to this other me.This part I did recall. And fast. Although her hair was longer, the chest area was bigger. And I do have a few questions about hygiene here, as she seemed to be well looked after.
I came over to give her a hug. Though it was still feeling odd. Like I suddenly had a twin sister.
Guess that could be some warmth in this forever winter land.
/Kriss
The indicators show stability of the patient, special machine engine keeps on humming. Couple of scientists walk around keeping tabs on all the data they have hands on, observing one body connected to many wires, inside a chemical filled capsule, supplied with needed oxygen and other in-vein vitamins and proteins to keep the body functioning.
I get to stand in the room behind the three inch window. I fix my glasses, so they don't slip from my nose. Then I reach over for the pen in my pocket, still eyeing the person in the capsule, I note down a few things on the paper in front of me.
The pressure is annoying. I let out a sigh and walk out. After I cross into the other hall, I'm stopped by the scholar.
"Sir, it's time to report the progress to the Chef."
I give a nod, take the papers from the scholar and keep going to my office.
There are so many things yet to discover.
/Niko
We sat down on the bed. She was covered up in a blanket. I kindly refused. I still had to regain all of my memories, before I gave my body any comfort. So keeping it in turmoil was a better option.
"So remind me, what happened?" - I solemnly let out.
My Doppelganger eyed me, then shrugged. She was curious where I was. Not that I was in dire need to cover it up.
"Well, you left me here a long while ago. I got some help from "Forces" supplying me food and water through the window. But each time someone was sent - it was killed right after making delivery to me, well, only a few managed to get back out." - She looked out the window. - "Cat sometimes comes to keep me company. But he is under suspicion, and almost gave away my whereabouts in here, so he is not as often as I'd like it to be. All the rest - just days passing by and the sun barely shining through this thick darkness."
As she told the story, she walked around the room. Not a single sound was made - special sourced boot soles that were provided by "forces", she explained.
"So… With the door open, were you unwilling to open it on your own?" – I looked at Doppel, brows furrowed.
"Waiting for you." - She said, as she seemed annoyed. Well, reasonably. - "You said it yourself before you disappeared - that I should stay and wait for you. You said that there was something else you had to take care of, before we could get out. Did you lose your memory again?" – Doppel took a good look at me, her eyebrows raised.
Oh right, she was more of an annoying talker. The only thing that is shared between us - similar looks. When it comes to character - two absolutely different people. I let out a sigh. I looked at my hands, fingers on the left hand scratched, blood cold.
I needed to remember it all - and it required effort this time. A lot of effort.
My mind wandered to the shadow of Rabbit. That bloodthirsty maniac now felt more reassuring than staying with my own Doppel that questions me, pressuring me to recall things I did get scattered in my head.
I closed my eyes, my right eye hurting. I twist my neck, trying to remember.
"I was cornered by Red. I was bleeding from my punctured left side, blood on hands, scratches all over my body." - I push myself, feeling like this last memory of being here before 'return' was splitting my head open. - "Red was overjoyed by circumstances, as she got me in the room downstairs, while I was shaking with terror, although I was absolutely exhausted. That's all what I can recall."
Doppel listened to me, then she came close.
"We should go, right? Before you become like one of them 'lifeless'." – Doppel smiled at me, but her words implemented that I'm one of those who lost all will to life.
Well, if you do get cornered by a maniac such as Red and don't have the least feel to fight, as you barely gasp air, with blood in mouth, pain across the body… Oh yeah, I was ready to die.
Doppel took my hands and pulled me up. I was still recollecting that feeling of broken despair when I was cornered by Red.
A sudden slap across the cheek brought me back to now in the cell. I looked at Doppel. This brat still didn't know how the dives work, nor did she ever experience one. She wouldn't get me explaining to her the strain that it has on a person.
After tightly pressing own hands in a fist, feeling the blood smearing across my hand, as I'm doing best to subdue anger and not smashing this prisoner in the face. I turn to see where this trouble went.
She looked at me, as she opened the door and gestured with "The heck you waiting for? Come on, let's go!".
Deep sigh. Sure, let's do this. Let's sort this thing out. Let's reach the exit from this hell of a science idea going bad.
/Kriss
I crossed the corridor, ending up in my office with a fake fancy name on the door. I sat down in my chair, as I felt the heavy part on my shoulders - to keep on the work. I took off my glasses and put them on the table, whilst I leaned back in the chair.
Now what we have to do is wait.
I give a tired look around this office, where I live for a couple of good years now. Shelves stacked with books, research and more. The space behind the row of shelves - a full on studio flat. The dresser, bed, kitchenette, bathroom… What a life. What a life.
But have to admit - this room hosts so much data that it is protected by the highest level of security, pretty much the same as AIO HQ.
The personal fortress.
The person I'm waiting to call is the one that began the project. I'm really eager to share the new found data.
I checked on my screen - statistics, live feed and data of the subject in the research process. The person that is valuable to this research falls right under my jurisdiction, but I'm still to answer to someone higher up. What a troublesome way of keeping it going.
Ehh, must clean up the system of everyone working this shift, so that the AIO won't be notified or affected once they leave premises. Though, as they return to work - they have their personal neurolink back with all the information needed for the day of work.
Though, besides me, it's great to have the higher up available at all times to have a conversation about this project. So intriguing how he keeps the system from finding out about his knowledge. How meticulous play is going - for that all not to affect or trigger the system.
What an admirable person that man is.
/Niko
And here we are - walking slowly through the endless rooms of the labyrinth. As we try to find the hell way out, I deeply wish to just stumble across that Rabbit and kick the information out of him on how to get out. Hope he does know that. Otherwise that would be a waste of time.
Doppel somehow is fine at avoiding the scattered items that are from broken tech and pieces of whatever was bombed out. Still, the only thing that does not give me peace of mind were the intricate walls - how the heck did they come to existence.
I get that this was a scientific research lab made by a really twisted man. And I'm still in the process of recalling the details and memories, which, by the way, is painstakingly hard and my headache is very annoying. The lack of light and visuals add up to my aching head - the level of concentration I have to maintain is very troublesome.
The deformed mongrels roam freely. Though right now they look like grotesque deformed statues you're able to see, sort of, from around the middle of their bodies. As most lights are still working on the level of a meter or so from the ground.
After a few rooms of these not so pretty things, we got to the hall with a staircase upwards. It gave the feeling of a broken down well. The moonlight poured from the top. The sight of piles of snow in the middle, torn by explosions, with half stairs left to walk up. With a challenge of broken glass frozen in ice on top of those bits of stairs.
We came closer, viewing the challenge before us. Sudden realisation of a shadow flashing aside, then around us and away - that can mean two things and one of them is not a good one.
I stand in place waiting for the reaction from the shadows.
They're either the scouts of Red, or the pieces of Cat.
One was sort of an adequate person, quietly helping from aside; another was a bloodthirsty maniac having strangest affection to me - craving madly to cut me in bits, enjoying blood bath along the way. Yet these shadows could never be distinguished between which belongs to whom.
The shadow dashed away. Maybe the Cat? Maybe all is well?
A few seconds later mongrel crushing sound and evil laughter of Red was audible from depths of rooms.
"Shit, we better make a run for it." – Doppel jolted.
"Upstairs!" – I rushed up.
Maddening hell! The boots are scraped by the glass, the torment of shoes slightly getting stuck, then pulled up and on and on, trying not to fall inside the cold pit of broken glass from these icy stairs. I barely manage to get a few floors up, when I see a familiar sign covered in frost.
"Floor 7" it read - one of few floors with windows and different sort of walls in the entire labyrinth. I pull Doppel along inside the hallway of "Floor 7".
The chilling sound of chainsaw, the crushing sound of walls broken, glass being chipped to bits by footsteps. Then - crying of the lifeless bastards dying, as they most likely got in the way, and the voice of Red: "Oh you're back! Let's play! Let's play!".
Once I hear that voice - I stop in my tracks. The familiar fear creeps up and that feeling of letting go - as I feel my head spinning, standing lost in the corridor.
Light was coming from the windows on the right side. Floor was creaking, in some parts it had holes to the floors below - where Red was lurking and scouting like a maniac for me. Shouting out about her so-called 'love'.
"Come out and play with me! I want my dear chainsaw to love you lots! Oh come on! I want that view of your heart in my hands! I'd love to hug your weak bloodied heart and feed the rest to mongrels!" - Red kept shouting.
Suddenly one of the doors on the left opened - Cat was standing there. With the gist of his hand he showed to enter the room. The crushing sounds of Red being on her way up echoed across the hall.
Doppel pulled me in by the hand, as I was still in this daze or recollection.
Bare moments later the glass windows shattered in the hallway. Red yelled "I'll find you!" as she walked. Her chainsaw scraped the walls, floor, her heels echoed in the darkness. That voice made mongrels cry in fear. "Come on out, you bone pillow! I wanna pla-ay!"- Red groaned in madness.
Cat was holding Doppels mouth, so that the latter would not scream from fear. I was just staring at the door. Knowing that behind was - Her.
Just as the sounds died down, with Red and her minions walking away - somewhere further into the depths of Lab - searching for the prey - Cat released the grip. Doppel breathed out in relief. She really appreciated the gesture and was happy to see Cat.
This person, Cat, was the lookalike of Erick. Cat had white hair, fit body, green eyes, but he was in his black-framed glasses and strange suit. Looking somewhat like a butler, but with less officiallity - with his shirt always undone - showing his pale skin. One big thing of visual reminder - Cat had cat ears and a tail. Also being the victim of chemical experimentation at some point in his life. There's no other way some augmented trials from this lab were ever released further than lock up in the Forbidden City.
"Oh, good to see you outside." - Cat, smilingly, looked at Doppel, then turned to me, becoming more official. - "And good to see You back."
Happily, Doppel hugged Cat tight. I gave it a look, then turned around to examine the room. The dazed feeling was still lingering, so I felt like my movements are slower.
It was one of the many classrooms that this lab had. The lessons, the teachings of the ways of the new research. The gore that was slowly becoming the new norm. It was all covered in frozen ash and ice, the frost clung to tables, to papers, there were scrapings of nails across some ice tables - the runaway fails. The old curtains hung down, whatever was left - was frosty, forever to remain in this time capsule of endless torture.
I took a look outside the window – study-maze city, broken and burned, with these bastard creatures walking around aimlessly. Further out is a massive wall, with lights beyond and thick smog, hovering above it – it's refuge of the "Force", as far as it were. Behind it should be The Forbidden City of Lights.
That is the place where Doppel and Cat have to be returned. They are both from there. Well, actually Red is also from that same place, but she had the worst of it by agreeing to become a pet to a scientist that made her this way, then threw her out here.
I remembered the mission I was told to carry out here. A sad sort of mission requested by the Emperor.
Kill the monsters, erase Red from existence.
And oh, I did feel sorry for her - that's the reason I smiled last time we parted. I was ready to be killed after all the torture "Force" inflicted on me prior to that. Damn traitors.
Oh, the heavy work yet to be done…