April 16, 1978Theo woke up. His brain immediately recalled all his memories from last night. They lingered in his thoughts like glitter stuck to a sheet of paper with glue. While some glitters would fall off immediately and some over time, others would remain permanently attached.He looked over at Carmen, who was still asleep. He was facing the white wall that appeared in need of a fresh coat of paint. The plaster was peeling off gradually, resembling leaves falling in autumn, yet unlike nature, it wouldn't regenerate without intervention.He then turned his gaze to the clock above the door that stopped at exactly twelve. They ceased functioning, as if the clock hands had finally surrendered after years of spinning in circles—or they just needed new batteries.He eventually rose and made his way to the door, attempting to open it quietly to avoid any screeching noise. However, his efforts were in vain as the door refused to stay silent.As he left the room, he intended to head to the restroom, but from the slightly open window in the hallway, he caught the distinct sound of a gate opening, unlike any other noise. Curious, he glanced through the window and was surprised to see Eileen about to get into a car with her suitcase in both of her hands. She was wearing her nicest outfit—a white linen skirt that was a little bit above her knees and a brown tucked-in blouse. Mrs. Agnes was there, bidding her farewell, while Theo was hoping it wasn't a permanent goodbye.Unfortunately, it seemed like it was. She wasn't getting adopted. She possibly was on the brink of death, facing the possibility of being used as an experiment, and believing that her best friend despised her after their argument.The worst was that Theo knew even if he tried to save her, it would be useless. And perhaps, Eileen wouldn't even believe him.He turned away from the window, feeling his heart race with anxiety. His mind was a whirlwind, like a glass of water on the verge of overflowing.The heavy thud of the gothic gate closing echoed in his ears. When he glanced out the window again, all he saw was Mrs. Agnes making her way back to the orphanage, catching his gaze with her slender almond-shaped eyes. Overwhelmed, he leaned against the wall and sank to the floor in a panic, his body consumed by urgency. Desperately running his hands through his hair, he gathered his resolve and hurried through the corridors to the basement, the old wooden floor creaking beneath his hurried steps.When Theo got there, Mrs. Agnes was just unlocking the heavy metal door, spotting him immediately. She paused, wanting to say something, but Theo swiftly maneuvered past her and headed to the laboratory. Inside, several people were already working. Unsure of where to go, Theo chose to go to the left where he hadn't gone before.As he hurried along the white floor in his slippers, drawing attention from everyone, some attempted to halt him as per Mrs. Agnes's instructions. Despite their efforts, he ventured into an area where he probably shouldn't have been. The room he entered was equipped with modern technology, featuring small white rooms on each side that seemed unsettling. Moving cautiously through the hallway, he observed individuals in these rooms, some with beds and some without. Each occupant appeared disheveled, some even appearing malnourished and attached to their beds.Behind each room, someone seemed to be overseeing or conducting experiments, with robotic hands manipulating one individual's organs.The eerie atmosphere heightened when he noticed Eileen in one of the rooms, lying on the presumably cold floor in hospital-like attire.Was she dead or simply immobilized? Theo thought. Theo's fear intensified as his heart raced, his purse pounding in his ears, and bends of sweat forming on his skin. Suddenly, two men apprehended him, attempting to drag him away. Theo tried to resist but they overpowered him."Leave me alone!" Theo shouted."Let him go," surprisingly, Mrs. Agnes commanded.Theo nearly tripped because he was moving as the two men let him go. He quickly steadied himself and was about to run away but a strong grip grabbed his arm. He turned back to see Mrs. Agnes."Slow down," she eased her grip."You killed her," Theo admitted, looking over at Eileen. She even had a white ribbon she had tied to her braided hair."Calm down. She's not dead"."Nail my hands up to the wall and it would be way less painful than what you're doing to those people."Mrs. Agnes got stunned by these words at first but then she replied. "Stop being so dramatic. After a while they basically lose their consciousness."For some reason there was a heartburn in Theo's throat and diaphragm. What Mrs. Agnes—if she was the one behind it at all—was sickening, it made his stomach clench.He looked straight in Mrs. Agnes' eyes, trying to find a response but it's like his tongue had been cut off. He drifted his eyes away and ran back to the metal door, swiftly leaving this place.Once upstairs, he navigated through the main door, fortunately finding it unlocked. Racing down the small hill leading to the orphanage, he reached the left corner of the walls.The question lingered; Was it truly an orphanage anymore?Close to these walls, various types of trees flourished. Amidst them, an oak tree, likely standing for a century or more, stood out distinctly. Its presence was striking amongst the younger, less robust trees surrounding it. Yet if it had been planted in the forest, it still would not be small, it still would stand tall. But among the others, it would feel so strange, so slight. Just another tree in the forest's night. Not enough, lost in the woodland sprawl.Its branches twisted in various directions, making the tree climbable, though climbing it wasn't allowed. There was a small patch of grass encircling the tree, perfect for relaxing—or whatever.Theo sat under the tree, resting his head against the rough bark. He closed his eyes and his mind began to fill with thoughts. Maybe I should've stayed and done more for her? Was there even a possibility to?With the rustle of bushes Carmen approached him and Theo immediately opened his eyes."Hey," he greeted Theo as he sat next to him. "So what's up with Mrs. Agnes?" Carmen asked."What do you mean?""I'm not deaf. Well I kind of am—but I heard how you two disappeared at midnight for a good half an hour".Theo wasn't sure whether to answer truthfully or not. He didn't even get the chance to ask if Carmen was coming with him. But honestly, he'd be happier if he didn't, and wasn't put in danger—probably not his choice anyways."I don't know. I forgot."Carmen widened his eyes at him. "Sure you did. You know this is making me even more suspicious of you?" Carmen admitted, putting his left knee up.Theo couldn't help but smile a little. "Well, she...How can I explain this to you?""Did she rape you or something" Carmen guessed and then realized that this wasn't the best guess."What. No, of course not. I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if she did though".Carmen stared at him."No, no, don't worry. She wouldn't, she's my aunt".That made Carmen stare even more. "And you find out about that when? Yesterday?""No. I said that just to reassure you, I knew ever since I got here".Carmen's confusion grew stronger. "Are you playing jokes on me? I feel like a part of some experiment."Theo sighed, "About that...You are an experiment, we all are". Maybe that wasn't the way Theo expected to tell him but he at least finally got it from himself."I know I've met you three days ago but those three days were wild and if you also knew about this all along...""Don't worry. That's what I found out about yesterday, or today...whatever," Theo immediately reassured him.Suddenly, they heard the distant sound of a bell reverberating through the orphanage's corridors signaling breakfast."I'm going to breakfast. You coming?" Carmen informed.Theo nodded.In the dining room, most of the children were already seated, chatting."Where's Eileen?" Carmen questioned, a hint of worry in his voice as soon as he noticed the empty spot at the long wooden table that belonged to Eileen."Carmen," Theo lowered his voice. "Just sit down, okay?" Carmen looked at him all confused."What? Where's she?""Sit down, please". They sat next to each other.Eileen's spot wasn't the only empty one, Toby's spot was also empty, which many didn't seem to be concentrating on.Everytime someone vanished like this, it felt as if their name had been inscribed in the sand, only to be swiftly erased by the sea, leaving behind nothing but damp sand.All was so sudden and Mrs. Agnes sure had a lot of explaining to do. She clapped her hands and the room turned silent."Yesterday's evening some of you claimed to hear the sound of a gunshot coming from the library—which happened to be true," she took a deep breath. "But let me explain. We happened to encounter wild wolves running around the orphanage's plot and they simply had to be shot. I must apologize to all of you for making you feel worried, as an apology, I recall yesterday's words and breakfast and all the other meals will be served today".What a foolish excuse."Yes?" Mrs. Agnes looked at a guy who stood behind the library's door before raising his hand. "Why was Theo and...the other one there?""Indeed a great question. They were there to help".A hushed murmur began because everyone wanted to be the one to help."That's not fair! Theo has the worst archery skills ever," someone called out."What. No, I don't," Theo protested."Archery is way different and everyone stop talking, or I will change my mind about the meals," Mrs. Agnes broke the murmur and everyone calmed down.Later she also added that Eileen and Toby had been sent to the same special facility as Ethan. That he had mental problems that the orphanage couldn't fix and provide him the help he needed.What a foolish excuse.The room smelled like butter, which was the most uncommon smell. When the line formed, children began to go for their food, bringing back plates with stacked pancakes poured over with maple syrup. Pancakes were so uncommon, that even those who have been here for years haven't tasted them."Now that's new," Theo said to Carmen as soon as he sat again with his plate."Eileen wasn't adopted, was she?""She..Well...Uhm—.""Be a sweetheart and come to my office right now," Mrs. Agnes spoke, cutting him off. Theo felt nauseated when she referred to him as "sweetheart." Even Ethan shared the sentiment; when Theo jokingly called him a sweetheart, Ethan insisted he not say that. While it might have been an overreaction, it's understandable to feel uncomfortable when an older woman addresses you as "sweetheart," with a tone as if you were her husband with whom she sleeps in a bed.Theo quickly looked over at Carmen and then followed her.In the dimly lit office, shadows flickered against the walls as the light from a solitary desk lamp cast a warm, golden glow. The heavy, musty scent of old books and papers filled the air. Mrs. Agnes sat behind her imposing mahogany desk, its surface cluttered with files and a faintly ticking clock. She gestured for Theo to take the seat opposite her. The leather chair creaked as Theo sat down, feeling the oppressive weight of the room's silence."You must be wondering what's going to happen now that you've been chosen to go to the world we refer to as 'The Eclipsed Abyss,'" Mrs. Agnes began, her voice cool and detached."Not really. Just send me there already, so I don't have to look at your stupid face ever again," Theo shot back, his tone laced with defiance."Manners, Theo, manners. If I hadn't promised your mother, I would've killed you already," she retorted, leaning forward. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, bore into him."I thought you hated her. Why would you keep your promise anyway?" Theo questioned, his voice steady despite the tension."We're a family, aren't we?" She leaned closer, her breath hot and sickly sweet."I wish we weren't," Theo murmured, looking away.Mrs. Agnes leaned back with a sigh. "So, I suppose you've told Carmen already. He's going to be part of the team too.""I actually haven't," Theo paused. "But don't you need more information about him in those files?"."Oh. I see you've also read the files during your little trip into my office. Yes, I do," she replied, her frustration evident. "He's here because he's intelligent. Very." she paused before continuing. "Now tell him that he's coming and wave goodbye to your room since you'll be leaving today. After that, come down to the basement."Theo stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor, and left the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.He approached Carmen just as he was biting into his food. "Carmen, we gotta go, come on.""What, where?" Carmen asked, confused."I'll explain later, if there's time."Back in their room, the faint hum of the orphanage's activities seeped through the walls. They sat on their beds, facing each other, the worn mattresses creaking under their weight."Carmen, I want you to escape, please," Theo urged."Why? Theo, what's happening?" Carmen's voice was tinged with fear."Mrs. Agnes—or Dr. Jacobs—is sending us into 'The Eclipsed Abyss,' or what she calls as Team D, to explore or whatever," Theo explained, taking a deep breath. "And if we resist, they'll just kill us. Worse, experiment on us, like they're probably doing to Eileen now."Carmen was frozen in horror."I know it's a lot to process. That's why I want you to escape and not be a part of it.""I promised to help you find Ethan, haven't I?" Carmen said firmly."Yes...But..." Theo started.Carmen cut him off. "I can make my decisions, okay? I wouldn't know where to go anyway."Theo led Carmen down to the basement where Mrs. Agnes stood waiting, the sound of their footsteps echoing ominously. The air grew colder as they descended, a stark contrast to the warmth of the upper floors. Dim lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. She let Theo and Carmen walk in front of her and shut the door behind them with a heavy thud."Theo, please take Carmen to the room where you went yesterday," Mrs. Agnes instructed.They passed rows of glass containers filled with murky liquid and strange, half-formed creatures suspended inside. The metallic clinks and hums of laboratory equipment filled the silence, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. Not even mentioning the amount of people who worked there.Carmen's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the sight of various scientific instruments, some still stained with unidentifiable substances. The entire basement seemed to vibrate with an ominous energy, each step increasing his anxiety. He stole glances at Theo, who seemed unnervingly calm.As they entered the room, the musty air mingled with the faint scent of mildew. On one of the red couches sat a dirty blonde-haired girl and a boy, her twin, both glaring at Theo. The girl wore a white dress adorned with flowers, her middle-length hair wavy with bangs, and her hazel eyes sparkled with intensity. The boy, dressed in brown pants and a cross patterned shirt, had short, thick hair just above his ears."What are they doing here?" Theo demanded, his voice pitched with surprise."Who are they?" Carmen asked, bewildered."My arch nemesis," Theo muttered, causing Carmen to look even more confused.The twins spoke simultaneously, their voices overlapping. "He stole my toy car when we were eight," the boy accused."He rejected me when I confessed my love for him even though he gave me signals," the girl added, both speaking almost in unison."It wasn't just that. We just never got along, and I'm not planning on it," Theo admitted."You rejected me just because you realized you like boys," the girl, Velvette, retorted."Velvette, what? No, I don't," Theo argued."He does," Carmen insisted."Whose side are you on?" Theo snapped.Victor, the boy, laughed."Okay, enough. What are you doing here?" Theo asked, trying to regain control."They told us we'd be Team D. What are you doing here?" Victor replied."Yeah, they told us the same thing," Theo said."Great," Velvette responded sarcastically."Who is this? I think I've seen you before," Velette glanced over at Carmen."Carmen," Theo introduced."Weren't we playing tag together?" Carmen asked Velvette."Yeah, I remember you. I was amazed by how your hair's so silky, even though it's curly. Like, my hair's wavy but don't do that, what are you using, man?""Whatever this orphanage provides, so it's just genes. But the stuff I used before I got hre was quite expensive, maybe that's the reason," he explained.Mrs. Agnes then entered the room, holding a pile of black clothes. "I hear you're already getting along very well," no one answered her. "The world you're going to is quite cold, so we provided some warm clothes for you. After you'll change—"Suddenly a brown-haired woman in the same attire as the other workers–a laboratory coat, black tight pants underneath and smooth black shoes tapped on Mrs. Agnes' shoulder. Her hair was tied up in a bun, which most of the female employees had too."I apologize for interrupting you, Dr. Jacobs, but we just found out two members of Team B had been killed," the woman explained, her voice had a hint of a french accent.Like a dog on command, Theo immediately asked. "Can I please ask which members?""Oh, sorry, honey. I don't know.""Still thanks," Theo smiled, though the worry in him was growing."I will take care of it," Mrs. Agnes clarified. "Dr. Auclair, please give these clothes to the children."Dr. Auclair nodded, and as Mrs. Agnes was on her way to leave and handed out the clothes, Dr. Auclair added, stopping Mrs. Agnes from leaving, "And all members of Team A had been killed."A mischievous smirk played on Mrs. Agnes' lips. "They were the worst one's anyways," she left with that.Dr. Auclair didn't have the guts to respond, so she just said "Change in the bathroom. It will be just by your left when you exit this room," she instructed with a warm smile and held the door for everyone.The bathrooms were separated by genders and entering, there were a few bathroom stalls. The place was clean and there was even a plant shelf near the sinks. The sinks were modern and they all had a mirror above them. Apart from the orphanage, this bathroom seemed kept up.When they were all dressed up they found themselves in a sweater-like tight black t-shirt, wide black pants and warm black shoes. The clothes also came with a belt that could be used for attaching things. Theo was tugging at his T-shirt sleeves, because they felt itchy against his skin. Carmen chuckled at Theo's failed attempts. As they all left the bathroom they encountered Velvette, that was just leaving the bathroom too."This clothes' horrible, it feels so itchy against my skin and I look horrible," Velvette complained."Finally someone who gets it," Theo agreed."Who are you trying to look pretty for, Velvette, these creatures would kill you, no matter how you look, " Mrs. Agnes appeared in front of them.Velvette rolled her eyes.Mrs. Agnes narrowed her eyes, "Ready to proceed?".Everyone gave her a look of agreement. She guided them down the halls until they reached a room containing a desk, some employees sat behind covered in buttons and screens. Above them, there was a massive glass wall. Behind it was an unsettling entrance, reminiscent of the one Theo and Carmen had encountered earlier, only much larger. Along its edges were what seemed like bands of dark matter undulating as if alive—the same substance the creatures were covered by."Now, your first mission will be to find Team A and the last two of them will join you, they should be waiting somewhere downtown," Mrs. Agnes explained and then glanced over at Theo, "Oh, and don't worry, Theo. Ethan's alive," she added.The pressure on Theo's chest disappeared."Well, and after that you'll receive more instructions from the transmitter one of you will keep with them. I'd recommend working as a team, otherwise the possibility of death increases." She took a deep breath. "So which one of you?"."I want Carmen. He seems the most responsible out of us all," suggested Velvette and everyone agreed."There it is. And each of you will receive a gun," Mrs. Agnes handed the transmitter to Carmen and he began to observe it."One last thing, since this entrance right here leads to a laboratory that stood here before the orphanage, a car will be waiting for you. It shall take you outside the forest to the city, from where you will find the rest of Team A using a map.""How does the world work? Is it parallel to us?" Carmen asked as he attached the transmitter to his belt."Great question, Carmen. See, it's parallel to us but for some reason time stopped in the year 1946, which is also to be the first year the entrance has appeared," A deep man's voice answered–it was Dr. Sallow.Carmen nodded in response."And Theo, I need a sample of your blood. Hard to explain," Dr. Sallow demanded."Why only mine?"."Like I said, hard to explain. So please, cooperate." He quickly used a needle to get a sample of his blood and then left the room.Theo then walked through a short hall that led behind the glass wall. Mrs. Agnes and the others were already waiting there."You shall enter now," Mrs. Agnes said, her voice echoing with finality as she ushered them forward. Nervous and uncertain, they proceeded into the unknown.As they stepped through the entrance, a gentle cold breeze brushed against their bodies, causing them to shiver. The world they entered was cloaked in darkness, no sunlight, though a blue moon shone in the sky, contrasting with the faint red hue tinting their vision, casting an eerie glow over everything. The air was heavy and difficult to breathe, filled with the scent of an overpowering mixture of damp earth and decaying leaves, a smell that spoke of ancient forests left undisturbed for eons. There was a sharp metallic tang in the air, as if the very atmosphere was charged with energy, mingling with a faint, acrid odor that burned their nostrils. Most of the plants around them were dead or dying, their brittle, skeletal forms reaching out like the hands of lost souls. Despite all that, the sky brimmed with countless stars, unhindered by any light pollution. The heavens were not an expanse of black void but a canvas of vibrant, cold hues, reminiscent of a perpetual aurora.They found themselves standing in front of a laboratory, now a crumbling ruin. The once-sterile building was now overgrown with lifeless vines and shattered glass. Debris littered the ground, and the eerie silence was punctuated only by the distant howling of the wind through broken windows and twisted metal.Upon first impression, they all marveled at the world's differences, particularly the sky.A car waited for them, its dark silhouette barely visible in the dim light. The vehicle looked ancient, covered in a thin layer of dust, as if it had been waiting there for centuries. They walked towards it slowly, their footsteps crunching on the gravel and broken glass.As they approached the car, something on the ground caught Theo's eye. It sparkled faintly in the red-tinged gloom. Kneeling down, he brushed away the dirt and grime to reveal a circle-shaped necklace, its once-shiny surface now dull and tarnished. It was his mother's necklace, the one she used to wear. Theo's heart sank, a wave of grief and confusion washing over him. How had it ended up here? He had always been told she died in a car accident, but this suggested a different, more sinister fate. Picking up the necklace, he felt a sticky residue on his hand, likely dark matter. The substance clung to his fingers, cold and unsettling. He opened the locket with trembling hands. Inside, the small photograph was still intact: a younger Theo, his mother, and his father, smiling together during a long-ago Christmas, before his father's descent into alcoholism.