Chapter 14 - I Guess I'm SCP Now
After the chaotic event at the mall, Secret Service agents in white hazmat suits arrived and cleared out all civilians from the area, except for Han, Carn, and the police officers.
A dozen police cars and vans filled the parking lot, bringing in more specialists, researchers, and agents. They quarantined the entire building, forcing all stores to close for the day.
Most of the agents arrived with cameras and test kits. Without uttering a word, they began collecting evidence, such as the suitcase, bloodstained tools, and dirt from under Carn and Han's fingernails.
The officers who had initially responded to the crime scene were also taken to a lab van, where investigators tested their blood and scanned their bodies for anomalies.
While the investigators gathered samples and evidence, one of the hazmat-suited agents approached Han and Carn.
Han glanced at the name tag. Noticing the name of his superior officer, he straightened his back and saluted.
The agent was Ferdinand, 52, the Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) of rift monster and Xeno-related investigations. Standing 6'7", Ferdinand's imposing presence made everyone around him feel small.
Ferdinand towered over Han, shifting his gaze to Carn for a moment before speaking muffled, "Was it you who took down that doppelganger?"
"No, sir. My son did."
"Your son? Him?" Ferdinand sized up Carn and continued questioning Han. "A civilian defeating a doppelganger? Have you run an MC scan on him yet?"
Han offered a wry smile as he recalled the previous day's mishap. "Yes, sir. We did it today. His body has already started accumulating mana."
"Good. Make sure to submit the D-Class report and take him to the ECD."
"Yes, sir. I'll bring him there tomorrow."
"Good. You're dismissed. Get some rest today." Ferdinand was satisfied. He turned to Carn and patted on the youth's shoulder. "Work hard like your father. You're still young and full of potential. One day, you'll become a great explorer or hunter and achieve that American dream!"
"..."
Carn suppressed the urge to cringe. He nodded and followed his father, leaving the shopping mall. Getting in Han's car, they returned home.
…
Home
Following his father's instructions, Carn packed his belongings as soon as he got home. Clothes, toiletries, dried food, medicines, a water canteen, and survival kits, he stuffed everything into a giant backpack as if he were preparing for a long-term trip abroad.
Upon finishing his preparation, Carn stood up and shifted his attention to his father, who had been watching him at the door.
"Won't the prison confiscate these?" Carn asked his father. He was confused as to why he would need these when he would end up in prison. "Why am I going to prison anyway? What did I do wrong?"
Han shrugged, "It's dumb, I know. But this is how our government is operating now. The good old freedom and liberty days are in the past. We're living in a 'managed' democratic government. Those who accidentally or intentionally accumulate mana in their bodies are sent to prison first, and they will investigate later if we are 'manageable'."
Carn was taken aback. He half-heartedly joked, "Isn't this pretty much dictatorship?"
"Don't sweat it. You'll get used to it. Overthinking will only increase your prison term."
"…"
"Anyway, you'll need those after they release you. Remember my word. When they bring you there, listen to them and cooperate with them. Do not resist or complain. Got it? Act like an obedient robot."
"…Yeah, this is not very democratic." Carn inwardly complained, giving up on asking his father for any useful information. He changed the subject to the purpose of this prison adventure, "What are you planning to do with me? Seriously, I'm lost."
Han sighed and gave Carn a hint before he left, "They will do exactly what I did to you in the military base, and they will ask you a few questions or test your abilities. As I said, COOPERATE with them."
"…Okay? And after that?"
"Have fun."
"Have fun?"
"I mean it. Have fun." Han smirked, eager to see Carn's reactions.
"???"
Carn tilted his head, still couldn't understand the underlying meanings behind those words. Changing the topic once more, Carn pondered about this mysterious "ECD" place.
"What is the place? I heard something about… ECD? What's that abbreviation for?"
Han chuckled and clarified the term, "Eldritch Containment Division, aka the prison you're gonna be taken to. Think of it as the second Area 51. It's gonna be fun!"
"…WHAAAAT?!"
Carn stood up, wanting to ask more questions. However, his father laughed and ended the conversation, "Get some rest when you can. Sleep at least 12 hours tonight because you might not get another wink of sleep for the next 24 hours. Also, drink a lot of water. I'll go get you dinner and stop your mother from killing you in your sleep."
"W-Wait."
"I'm busy. I need to submit the documents to my headquarters before midnight. No more Q&A!"
Han closed the door and left Carn alone. Carn rushed out of his room to ask for more hints and clues. But as soon as Carn got out of the room, he found his mother, leaning on the wall in front of his room.
Wong crossed her arms and smirked. She had returned home early and she still wore her working uniform—a researcher lab coat and formal clothes. She gestured with her fingers, pointing at Carn's room. Calmly, she pulled out a plastic cloth hanger and an elastic one-meter-long leather belt from her lab coat.
Without a word, Carn smiled wryly and returned to his room. After all, provoking an armed Asian parent was a fast track to meeting Jesus. Meanwhile, Wong snorted and followed Han, planning to have a proper chat about Carn's future.
…
Since he was grounded, Carn decided to research the so-called ECD, Eldritch Containment Division, from the Internet. He input the keyword on a search engine and press the magnifying glass button.
A website with the exact name was ranked at the top of the list. Aside from that website, only irrelevant social media and a general community web board 'R*dd*t' monopolized the other search results.
Carn pressed on the first name, which seemed to be the government's official website as it ended with the .gov suffix.
*CLICK*
Entering the website, an old-fashioned text-based page popped up. At the header, a vague image of Mr. Gray Alien behind a prison cell caught his eyes.
Below, the page described what this site was for.
.
Welcome to the Eldritch Containment Division
We protect Earth from otherworldly entities, one dimension at a time.
Mysteries of dimensional rifts, dimensional cracks, aliens, and monsters are beyond ordinary understanding. We, ECD, Eldritch Containment Division, exist to protect the world from extraterrestrial threats, supernatural anomalies, and hazardous otherworldly artifacts.
Through our dedicated research, operations, and strict protocols, we ensure that supernatural and otherworldly threats remain contained and neutralized.
Reporting anomalies, supernatural events, aliens, or monster sightings, please call 555-777-7777. For emergency reports, press 666 after dialing.
Reporting online, press click below and follow the instructions. Our best agents will visit you within 30 minutes, regardless of where you are in this world.
.
Carn's expression turned dark. He felt like he had been transmigrated or reincarnated into a creepy-pasta world, where SCP entities existed. He couldn't help but chuckle.
'Come to think of it, at the baptism ceremony when Father granted me life, didn't I take inspiration from SCPs? Is this karma?'