Chapter 58: CH 058: Leaving the lab? (MR 12)

Chapter 58: CH 058: Leaving the lab? (MR 12)White stood at the edge of his office, his gaze fixed on the rows of empty cages that once housed his prized hybrids. The sterile scent of antiseptic and metal filled the air, but it did little to mask the underlying stench of loss that seemed to permeate the room. His fingers drummed absently on the cold surface of his desk as he mentally tallied the numbers. He had called them in, every last one of them, but the faces that had gathered before him were fewer than he had hoped. His eyes scanned the room, noting the absence of many familiar faces. The attack had taken its toll, and the cost was evident in the diminished numbers before him. Fifty! Fifty hybrids had bedn lost to the savage jaws of the beasts. Fifty successful experiments, fifty lives, extinguished in a single, brutal onslaught. White clenched his jaw, the weight of the loss settling heavily on his shoulders. If anyone had told him this would happen today, he would have dismissed it as paranoia. Yet here he stood, facing the harsh reality of their vulnerability. His fingers hovered over the console, inputting the final count. Thirty. Thirty hybrids remained. The number was a stark contrast to what he had before the beast attack. Now, it felt like a fragile thread holding together a fractured dream. A sigh escaped his lips, a sound that seemed to carry the burden of unspoken regrets. He turned away from the console, pacing the length of the room as he mulled over his next steps. The silence around him was oppressive, broken only by the soft hum of machinery and the occasional shuffle of footsteps from his men. "I guess I’m going to be really busy in the next few weeks," he muttered to himself, the words carrying a hint of resignation. His mind raced through the logistics, the experiments, the preparations. There was no time to waste; the work had to continue. His thoughts shifted to the other labs, to the leaders scattered across the country. "I should also call the others in the other labs to start with the experiment," he mused aloud. The urgency was palpable in his voice. "It seems I won’t be able to head to the city anytime soon." He paused, his gaze drifting to the window before turning back to the console. "That being said," White continued, his voice softening as he speak, "I should start preparing those kids for the experiment. Sorry, kids, but the experiment will be happening today." His words hung in the air, a promise and a warning wrapped into one. Turning his attention back to the monitors, White observed the security feeds. The footage from the previous attack replayed in his mind, the chaos, the destruction, the relentless assault of the beasts. Yet, as he scanned the live feeds, he noted a peculiar absence. Even after thirty minutes had passed, none of the beasts had returned. The area remained eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the facility’s operations filling the void left by their absence. "Such strange beasts," White remarked, his brow furrowing in thought. The behavior was unlike anything he had anticipated. The beasts were unpredictable, but this... this was different. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. He stood motionless for a moment, contemplating his next move. The city was still a priority, but the current situation demanded his attention. He needed to understand what had transpired, to ensure the safety ofthe laboratory and his remaining hybrids. "I should move to the city after this last experiment," he decided, his voice firm with resolve. He turned to one of his aides, who had been standing silently by the door. "Take down the lockdown," White instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Let’s go see how those kids are faring." The aide nodded and moved swiftly to carry out the order. White then moved, his mind already racing through the steps of the upcoming experiment. There was no time to waste. The future of his work, and perhaps the future of the hybrids themselves, depended on the success of what was to come. **** The lockdown has been cancelled, and to the group, this had signalled the end of their confinement. As the heavy door creaked open, a collective breath seemed to escape the group. One by one, they rose from their seats. Eager footsteps shuffled toward the exit, each person driven by the singular desire to escape the oppressive confines of the lab. Thirty-five minutes had ticked by since the last rampage of the beasts’ assault had subsided, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake. Dave’s mind raced, calculating the dwindling window of safety. With only twenty-five minutes remaining before the next anticipated attack, urgency clawed at him. Yet, amidst the ticking clock, a plan began to coalesce,... a plan that, if executed flawlessly, might not only see them to safety but also deliver a decisive blow to their tormentors. Gripping the straps of the backpack given to him by the group, Dave had slung it over his shoulder. He motioned for the group to follow, leading them through the labyrinthine corridors with a practiced eye. Their footsteps were muffled against the cold, metallic floor, a symphony of hushed determination. The proximity of the back exit offered a sliver of hope; its unguarded presence a testament to their fleeting advantage. Arriving at the rear door, Dave tested the handle, a smooth turn, a gentle push, and it yielded without resistance. The group exhaled collectively, the weight of their escape settling in. One by one, they filtered through the doorway, emerging into the dimly lit alley beyond. Dave’s eyes scanned the shadows, ever vigilant, before he stepped aside to allow the others passage. As the last of the group stepped into freedom, Dave’s gaze swept over their ranks. He was going to let them leave while he go back to take care of thing. But at that moment, a frown had tugged at his features as he counted heads and discovered that something was amiss. His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned one him. "Where’s Chris?" Dave’s voice was low, tinged with concern. His eyes met those of his companions, each of them mirroring his unease. In their haste, none had noticed the absence of one among them. "You guys should leave, I’ll go find him." Dave’s tone brooked no argument, a silent command that the group understood. Reluctantly, Ella stepped forward, her hand brushing against Dave’s arm. "Be careful," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Dave offered a tight-lipped smile, his eyes conveying gratitude and resolve. He turned on his heel, retracing their steps back into the lab. The corridors, once a maze of uncertainty, now felt like a gauntlet he was determined to navigate. As he rounded the corner, the scene unfolded before him; a tableau of tension and impending violence. Chris stood defiantly, sword drawn, its blade catching the dim light. His stance was firm, but the encroaching circle of ten hybrids painted a grim picture. Dave’s heart pounded in his chest as he assessed the situation, weighing his options. Every instinct screamed to rush in, to fight, but strategy tempered his actions. He needed to think, to plan, to ensure that Chris wouldn’t be injured or attacked in the process. "Okay, let’s do this!" **** Thursday mass release completed! Already working on Friday, then lastly Saturday mass release Chapters will be uploaded. Thanks for reading.