Chapter 004: The Missing Researcher
Research Log Archive Date: March 20, 2024 - 2:15 AM
The sound of Experiment No. 7's footsteps echoed through the lab, each step a heavy drumbeat on my nerves. Her gaze, no longer hollow, burned with an intense, otherworldly light. It was as if an unknown power simmered within her, ready to unleash at any moment.
"Step back," Zhang Lin whispered urgently, her voice nearly drowned out by the ominous footsteps.
We retreated slowly, scanning the room for cover. But the lab was stark and minimal, offering no refuge except the cold, metallic tables and the cruel machinery of confinement.
"You cannot escape the grasp of the 'Butterfly Project,'" the man in the white coat declared, his voice teetering on the edge of madness. "No. 7, demonstrate your power."
No. 7 halted, raising her hand with a deliberate grace. Her palm faced upward, and with a sudden, terrifying force, the nearest lab table was hurled across the room. Equipment and wires flew in every direction as a powerful gust nearly knocked me to the ground.
"What… what is this power?" I stammered, barely able to process what I was seeing.
"She can manipulate energy," Zhang Lin replied, her gaze locked on No. 7. "It's what the 'Butterfly Project' has turned her into."
"We need to stop her," I said, my voice resolute despite my fear.
Zhang Lin nodded, her eyes darting around the room before settling on a large, humming device in the corner.
"That," she said, pointing, "might be able to disrupt her energy field if we can control it."
We edged toward the device, but No. 7 seemed to sense our intention. With a sweep of her hand, another wave of force surged toward us. We dove out of the way, but Zhang Lin was grazed, a deep gash opening on her arm. Blood quickly seeped through her sleeve.
"Go!" she urged through gritted teeth, refusing to let the injury slow her down.
Finally, we reached the machine. Zhang Lin worked furiously, her fingers flying over the control panel as streams of data cascaded across the screen.
No. 7 grew increasingly agitated, her movements erratic as she summoned more destructive bursts of energy. The lab was descending into chaos, but just as I thought we wouldn't make it, Zhang Lin activated the device.
A piercing beam of light erupted from the machine, enveloping No. 7. She froze mid-motion, her body trembling violently as if caught in a fierce internal struggle.
The man in the lab coat panicked, slamming his fist onto an emergency button. Alarms blared, and red lights flashed as chaos erupted throughout the facility.
"Run!" Zhang Lin grabbed my arm, and we bolted for the door amid the confusion.
The corridor outside was pandemonium. Guards and researchers scrambled in every direction, their shouts blending with the blaring sirens. We seized the opportunity, weaving through the chaos toward the emergency exit.
But as we neared the door, Director Li appeared, blocking our path. His expression was a mask of fury.
"Did you really think you could escape?" he snarled.
"We just want the truth!" I shouted, my voice rising above the din.
"Truth?" He let out a harsh laugh. "The truth will cost you everything."
At his signal, guards encircled us, forcing us back against the wall. The situation was grim—no way forward, no way back.
"Drop the jammer," Li ordered, his tone deadly calm.
Before we could react, an ear-splitting scream echoed through the corridor, louder and more harrowing than anything we'd heard before. Everyone froze. The guards, Li, even Zhang Lin and I turned toward the source of the sound.
"What is that?" one of the guards whispered, his voice trembling.
Li's face turned ashen. "It's… impossible…"
Before he could finish, the floor beneath us quaked violently, as if a massive force was stirring beneath B4 Level. Lights flickered, and debris began to rain from the ceiling. The guards scattered in panic, and even Li seemed momentarily paralyzed.
"Now!" Zhang Lin pulled me forward, and we pushed through the chaos, breaking free into the night.
Outside, the cold air hit us like a slap, but it was a relief to finally breathe freely. We didn't stop running until the shadow of Bureau 756 was far behind us.
Though we were free, my heart was heavy with unease. The Butterfly Project's dark secrets remained buried deep within the facility, and what we had seen was only the beginning.
As we caught our breath, Zhang Lin looked at me, her eyes filled with determination.
"This isn't over," she said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion.
I nodded. The truth about the missing researchers, my sister, and Experiment No. 7 wasn't just our burden anymore—it was a story the world needed to know.