In the heart of a futuristic laboratory buzzing with technology, the machines emitted intermittent mechanical whispers, as if speaking in a language understood only by their creator. 'Mike' stood in front of a table laden with precise tools, watching the doctor, 'Alexander', who was absorbed in his work as usual. The massive machine occupying the center of the room radiated an energy field that drew attention, but something about it made Mike feel uneasy.
- "Alexander, will I ever understand what you're doing here?" Mike asked lazily, as if not expecting an answer.
- "Maybe not today, Mike. Some things aren't understood by words, but by experience."
Mike smiled sarcastically as he gazed at the machine. He was no stranger to the doctor's mysterious nature, but today, he sensed something was different. The man's movements were more focused, his features more serious than usual.
***
After a few tense minutes of silence, Mike broke the stillness with a quiet voice:
- "Do you know why I've stayed here all this time? Because I'm the only one who can tolerate you."
The doctor raised his head and turned toward Mike with a slight smile:
- "Oh, Mike, your presence here is no accident. You're more important than you think."
Mike chuckled mockingly, but he felt an odd sting in his chest. Something in the doctor's tone made him wonder: "Does he mean what he's saying? Or is this just an attempt to keep me here?"
***
The doctor returned to his work, pressing a few buttons on a control panel connected to the machine. The lights began to dim and brighten in an erratic rhythm, while a low humming sound grew louder. Mike sat in a nearby chair, watching the scene without showing any real interest, but deep down, he was ready to flee at any moment if something went wrong.
- "What is this machine?" Mike finally asked, after a long silence.
- "It's something that will change everything. Something the world has never known before."
The doctor's answer was as vague as usual, but his eyes, gleaming with light reflected from the machine, held promises of something greater than Mike could ever imagine.
***
Hours passed slowly, and with every minute, the machine seemed to be nearing completion. Mike stood in a corner of the room, watching the doctor as he connected wires and adjusted buttons. Suddenly, the doctor turned toward him and said:
- "Mike, I'll need your help now."
- "My help? I don't even understand what you're doing."
- "You don't need to understand. Just do what I ask, and you'll be part of something great."
Mike hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse. He approached the machine cautiously, while the doctor gave him simple instructions.
***
The two of them stood before the machine once the preparations were complete. Mike stared at the metal circles that slowly began to rotate, emitting a sound similar to the hum of a distant engine. Something inside him screamed to flee, but he ignored the feeling.
- "Alexander, if this thing explodes, I'm the first one out of here."
The doctor chuckled lightly and said:
- "Don't worry, Mike. Everything's under control… almost."
The "almost" was enough to stir his anxiety. Mike gave the doctor a long look, but said nothing.
***
The lights surrounding the machine grew brighter, and a brilliant blue light flooded the room. Mike tried to shield his eyes with his hand, but he felt strange vibrations passing through his body. Suddenly, the air around him grew heavy, as if the entire room were shrinking.
- "Alexander! What's happening?!" Mike shouted, trying to retreat.
But before he could move, a mysterious force pulled him toward the machine. His body lifted off the ground, slowly disappearing into the dazzling light.
The doctor stood watching, his eyes wide, as if something had gone wrong. He ran toward the control panel, pressing several buttons in a desperate attempt to stop the process.
- "Mike! Hold on! This wasn't supposed to happen now!"
But Mike's voice vanished completely, and only the echo of his last scream resonated throughout the laboratory. The machine stopped abruptly, and everything returned to silence.
The doctor stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, then wiped his forehead and looked up. A mysterious smile spread across his face, and he whispered barely audibly:
- "Finally... it's begun."