Dragoln's and KZ's Short Stories

Your life, or your freedom?

She went to the toilet and on her way back, opened the wrong door. The endless monotone hallways of white were always confusing to navigate. It was not her fault that she had found herself so easily lost in this scientific laboratory; today was supposed to be a 'fun' science school trip, checking out an authentic science working environment in the lab. They wouldn't let students like her wander off, this time the staff made the exception.

Unfortunately, the instructions weren't too clear. Fowler had to spend some time locating the toilet; she didn't mind anyway. At least she didn't have to suffer through the long talks and lectures grinding on her ears.

Now, however, she was regretting her mistake big time. Her hands clasped the handle, opening it to reveal one of the 'forbidden' rooms. Fowler's class had been heavily lectured by one of the scientists in a stern voice to never enter one of these rooms. Whenever the students questioned them about it, they expertly dodged around the topic - switching it to another.

Tubes: small, vast, coiled or stretched were wrapped around the 'test subject'. Sheer horror drew her eyes to the limp being suspended in one of those cold, metallic water tanks. Bubbles came out of its nose, and thin, bony fingers twitched every few seconds.

The thing inside seemed barely human at all.

It only got worse from there.

What Fowler hadn't noticed were the three scientists, wearing the type of headgear similar to beekeepers. Through the plastic helmet window, Fowler could barely glean their stern and severe expressions. With a gulp, she tried to calm her nerves the best she could: the panic and anxiety overflooded her systems. There was no way this had to be legal. Taking a deep breath, Fowler did what her panicked mind thought best at that moment: run.

She tensed her legs. She took off. Without a thought in mind, Fowler rushed towards the door. It was her only chance of escape. That was until it shut right in front of her face before she planted into it.

Moments after it shut, the ringing of alarm bells pierced through her ears: a rubbery gloved hand was clamped over her mouth and a sharp pain shot through her neck. The world stuttered...

—

Her head pounded intensely as the first thing she felt were the metal cuffs digging into her skin. Blaring white lights scalded her vision as she winced at the sight. After a few moments, they readjusted, leaving her in a metallic room and sitting on an uncomfortable plastic chair. Fowler could see a smooth, glossy desk in front of her and a smiling man, wearing a lab coat.

"Fowler... Lorez, is it?" His strict tone of voice snapped her mind into focus.

"Y-yes," Fowler answered her name, stuttering over her words. All sorts of emotions ransacked her brain, which didn't help her worsening headache.

The man pushed a single document of paper toward her. "If you sign this, we can send you home." He got straight to the point, not wasting a single moment. Fowler couldn't catch up with the recent events. She spotted a pen right next to the piece of paper.

Gulping, she managed to make eye contact with the man. Although he had a smile on his face, his eyes were like an abyss - deep and unnerving.

"What happens if I don't? You can't keep me here legally..." Fowler tried to act a little more confident. In truth, she was shaking and had to clench her fists until they turned red to calm the tremble.

His smile relaxed into a smirk as he titled his glasses. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. Unfortunately, this is the only path we can take to avoid consequences. Fortunately, our company is looking for some more volunteers," the man hinted.

Fowler felt something cold wash over her, a pit sink deep into her stomach.

"Now, Fowler Lorez, which do you value more? Your life, or your freedom?"

Author's Note

Apologies for the late update it slipped my mind. We will be updating more soon after the break.

Thanks for reading and enjoy!