As soon as Emily appeared on the other side of the observation glass, the being that resembled me dissolved into smoke and returned to my body... Seriously, how does this work? Is there something like a "house" inside me or something? I don't even feel anything when it enters, so how does it manage to stay inside?.
Actually, why am I even thinking about this? Trying to find logical explanations for absurdly illogical situations doesn't make much sense. Still, its behavior is telling: the being clearly doesn't feel comfortable around other people. It probably only shows up because my will is somehow involved in it.
Back to the main point, Victor went to talk to Laura some time after she appeared behind the glass. Aside from the scare Victor gave her, it seemed like things were about to start in a few minutes.
Now, the big question was: how exactly would I act from here on out? I had a few ideas, but honestly, they all involved my escape. And let's be real, I doubt Emily and that shady old guy would just continue their conversation peacefully after I escaped my room.
It wasn't like I had no options at all. My gaze slowly shifted toward a specific corner of the room, darker compared to the other areas. It was a place that rarely caught the attention of the scientists who came to visit me. Plus, I made sure to hide it well, carefully stacking all the toys they'd given me so far.
I didn't need to look directly at the corner where my toys were stacked. My vision went beyond human limitations, allowing me to locate the desired spot without effort.
With a subtle move, I opened a portal in the darkness among the dolls. Then, with a simple thought, I instructed the being to cross the portal and observe everything that would happen with Emily in the observation room.
I wasn't sure if the being fully understood my request, but I clearly saw the characteristic smoky shadow it emits detach from my body. It moved silently, maneuvering around dolls and other objects, until it reached the portal. In the next instant, the being jumped into it, slowly taking on my form. Although it was a bit strange to watch myself like that, I was starting to get used to it.
With the being exactly where I wanted it, the tests could finally begin. First off, it became clear that this power emerged after defeating the giant octopus-like anomaly that emerged from the lake.
Although I still don't fully understand the nature of this power, one thing is clear: the black, smoky aura surrounding it is actually a conscious being, separate from me. It acts on its own and seems to have independent thoughts.
However, no matter what this being is doing, it always prioritizes my wishes above all else. As for protection, I'm still not sure if it would act on its own to defend me without being instructed. This would require specific tests, but honestly, I can't think of a method that wouldn't involve putting myself in direct danger.
Returning to the test I can perform at the moment, I focused entirely on the being's presence. Although technically we are distinct entities, I can clearly feel its existence. As I concentrated on this sensation, something curious happened: my field of vision shifted.
I began seeing in third person, observing everything from a slightly higher angle than the being. I'm not sure if it noticed this change, but it remained still, not performing any specific actions.
While I momentarily got distracted by the strange feeling of seeing from a completely different angle, my attention snapped back to Emily as soon as the observation room door opened. Laura entered with her usual indifferent expression, followed by Graham. To be honest, I was surprised by Laura's reaction. I was sure she'd show some sign of anxiety or nervousness, but to my surprise, that wasn't the case.
"Chief Researcher Emily, it's a pleasure to see you again. I heard about what happened at Base 17, and I'm relieved to know everyone made it back safely"
Graham was the first to speak as he entered, and as always, he gave off a strange feeling of distrust. The fact that he was talking about an incident that could've had much worse consequences, but with a calm smile on his face, only fueled my suspicions. I mean, this old guy has nothing about him that doesn't scream "suspicious".
"Director Graham... it's also a pleasure to see you. I can't say my stay at Base 17 was peaceful, but honestly, it could've been much worse. I'm assuming you've already read the report sent, right?"
I watched the interaction closely. Graham nodded at Emily's words, and in the next moment, his gaze shifted toward me. Even though I was at a different angle, I felt a chill running down my spine. For some reason, that old man was staring at me with an intensity that felt way more unsettling than usual.
"It was simply extraordinary. To think that something like that, something that mere humans would never imagine capable of being defeated, was overcome by a being so similar to us... it's truly fascinating"
His words made me uncomfortable too. He sounded like a cult member, worshiping some evil entity or something... and in this case, that evil entity would be me.
"Chief Researcher Emily, since the moment I witnessed this anomaly, I've been extremely interested in it. I'd really like to have it for further studies, so I'm taking it with me. You've done excellent work so far, Chief Researcher Emily. Rest assured that a promotion is on its way"
This old man wasn't even trying to hide his intentions anymore. From the beginning, it was clear that he had some kind of interest in me, for reasons I still didn't understand, ever since the first day we met.
Back then, at least he tried to hide it, but now it seemed almost uncontrollable, as if he were drooling while staring at me. What kind of tests was this guy planning to do on me? Or better yet, why did he think I would just stand still while they performed these tests?.
I knew that this was the impression they had of me: a compassionate anomaly toward humans. But the truth was, it was just because I personally liked Emily and Laura (which, obviously, had nothing to do with the fact that they were always watching me). Besides, I had nowhere else to go. In short, there was no reason for me to follow Graham's words or anything else he said.
Despite the irritation that the old man's words caused me, my focus shifted to Emily, who was just behind him. Her gaze was indifferent, almost as if she didn't care about what Graham was saying. However, it was clear that this didn't reflect what she was feeling inside. The tension in her hands, clenched tightly, made it obvious that Emily was holding back from reacting.
"Director Graham, excuse me if I seem impudent, but no matter how hard I try, I can't help but find the events at the lake... strange"
I watched the situation unfold carefully as Emily spoke in a soft tone, walking alongside Graham with her gaze fixed firmly on me. I won't lie, what started as a genuine concern for Emily had now turned into pure entertainment. Too bad I didn't have popcorn on hand to complete the experience.
"... What exactly are you insinuating, Chief Researcher Emily?"
The moment Graham asked the question, Emily shot him a cold, serious look. I was mildly surprised; who was this woman confronting Graham now? Where was the usual Emily? It seemed Graham had truly managed to irritate her.
"Insinuating? I think you misunderstood me. I'm not insinuating anything, I'm stating that you knew exactly what would happen at Base 17 and deliberately placed us there"
Although I thought I'd finally see that old man show an expression other than his usual monotony, it didn't happen. His gaze remained fixed on me, and his expression was as unchanged as always. Honestly, if someone told me he was just a puppet, I'd believe it without hesitation. In fact, doesn't that seem like the more likely scenario? I mean, he has no color, so he clearly couldn't be the original.
"Hmmm... you're aware that making an accusation without evidence could have drastic consequences, like losing your position, aren't you, Chief Researcher Emily?"
Graham seemed as calm as ever, or rather, totally indifferent from my point of view. I couldn't understand what this guy was thinking. I momentarily felt uneasy about what he might do, but I quickly noticed Emily pressing a button below the table where she was sitting. Probably the movement she made earlier, getting closer to Graham, was for this.
In the next moment, the door opened, and Victor, accompanied by a group of guards, entered the room, all armed, their guns pointed at Graham. Laura watched from the background with a look of apprehension on her face... let's forget for a moment that I had completely forgotten she was even there.
"You can say whatever you want, former Director Graham Vickers, but the evidence is already with the council, and they've decided to sever your ties. You should have been more careful with the items in your office, especially when one of those items is an anomaly in the form of an object, which has been missing until now"
Although I didn't know exactly what they were saying, it seemed like Graham understood perfectly. His gaze, as he stared at me, shifted completely. The indifferent expression was replaced by a smile that definitely shouldn't be coming from someone his age. In fact, I didn't even know a smile that disturbing was even possible.
"Hehehe, you're right, leaving that in my office was a mistake on my part... but, you know, my dear Emily Parker, even a rabbit, when cornered, will do anything, even its last breath, to survive"
The moment Graham said those words, the situation erupted explosively. He moved quickly behind Emily and suddenly pulled a gun from his lab coat. With the gun now aimed at Emily's head, Graham, with a psychotic smile on his face, stared at Victor and the other guards.
"I suggest you stay exactly where you are, unless, of course, you want to clean up the pieces of Chief Researcher Emily Parker's brain afterward"
With a good vantage point, I immediately realized that Victor and the guards were in a clearly disadvantageous position. Even if they tried to shoot, they'd likely miss the target, and if that happened, Emily would certainly die. Of course, I wouldn't allow that to happen. Besides, I thought this would be the perfect time to see just how far this strange shadow could go.
With that thought, I broke off my shared vision with the shadow and stood up. I turned my body toward the glass and walked calmly toward it. As I got closer, I looked around. Although it was obvious, given everything happening on the other side, no one noticed my approach. Well, since I was here, I might as well make sure everyone noticed me.
With that thought, I tapped three times on the glass. At that exact moment, everyone in the room seemed to finally notice my presence. Their gazes turned toward me, but no one showed fear. Well, of course, I was on the other side of the glass, in the room that was theoretically supposed to keep me confined. But it wasn't like I needed to leave. Silently, I looked up at the ceiling.
Everyone followed my gaze, but there was nothing on the ceiling that looked out of the ordinary, it seemed as normal as could be. At least, for a few seconds. Then, a black portal opened in the ceiling, and something snake-like emerged, but with a much more demonic face, possessing two horns. The creature, resembling a snake, bit Graham's arm, immobilizing him. In the next moment, another appeared, biting Graham's other hand.
Everyone watched the scene, confused and scared, when another being, resembling me but with a different color, descended. More of these snake-like creatures braced themselves on the floor while the being descended slowly, its gaze completely fixed on Graham. However, no expression could be seen on its face.
With a simple thought, wishing to cross to the other side, the being launched one of the snake-like creatures, with horns, whose bodies were emitting dense black smoke, at the glass. The impact created a small hole, but still large enough for me to pass through.
One of the creatures approached me and crouched down. I blinked, confused, but realizing the glass was a little higher compared to my position, it became clear the creature wanted me to climb onto it. So, I placed my feet on its body, and it began to rise, taking me toward the being that resembled me.
The scene, strange even for me, was observed by everyone present, except Emily, Laura, and Victor, who seemed more surprised than frightened. Everyone, except Graham, looked at me with fear and terror in their eyes, as if I were an incomprehensible entity... Well, now this really sucks.