Of Men and Monsters

One: Evade

19/C/BLACK-WHITE

I ran through the hall, as quickly and quietly as I could. I knew the site better than most, but I had to take a detour because of a close call with 035. I was terrified, like anyone remotely sane.

Sure, I had the comforting weight of my standard issue firearm on my side, and I knew I still had a small pocket knife in my pocket. But knives and bullets can only do so much against the monsters contained here at Site 19.

My run in with 035 was actually just hearing its voice and dipping out. I run as a hobby, and so with the adrenaline and familiarly of the site I got far away, fast. My legs are beginning to ache

But it's a smart idea to keep moving towards the evacuation center at a steady pace.

As a newbie at Site 19 some of the veteran site members would warn you of the dangers of certain parts of the site. And the others just did a lot of hazing. I was fortunate enough to not fall victim to the stupid things most newbies deal with.

My train of thought came to an abrupt stop as I heard a voice in the direction I was going.
I stopped running and took cover in a break room, holding my breath and keeping out of sight.

I know the breach is classified as a code white, meaning an enemy faction has infiltrated the site. I should've been evacuated ASAP, but was thrown out the window when the CODE BLACK bit was announced. Things got messy, as everyone got split up or ended up dead.

I went stiff as I heard the door handle turn. I pulled out my gun and pointed at the door as it opened, but bullets won't save me. The figure stepped into the room and I immediately knew that I was done for. 

SCP 035 stood in the doorway, blocking my only exit. The mask was on a quickly degrading body, and I hoped against hope that it would go away. It began to look around the room, its face contorted in a Glasgow smile. It managed to smile even wider when it saw me, and I madly wished for myself to spontaneously combust.

"So you are the person I heard earlier!" 035 leaned against the doorway, trying to look nonchalant. So much for being sneaky.

I put my gun in its holster and slowly got out of the corner. I straightened out my sweater, as I might as well look okay when I perish.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" SCP 035 sighed(?) if that is even possible, and turned to tragedy. "And I thought I could spare you." The lights began to flicker and 035 glowed purple.

"Can I have my last words?" I spoke without thinking, and it just might end up saving my skin. The lights stopped behaving irregularly and the mask stopped glowing.

"So it can speak!" 035 took a step inside and I took a step back. Maybe I could get him to come further into the room and then run around him and out the door? 

"I don't know how to say this without sounding pathetic, but please don't hurt me." I hate myself, I was stooping so low as to beg for my life.

035 looked confused for a second. Which is apparently possible.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase." I took a deep breath and tried my best to sound unafraid. "If you're gonna off me, at least make it quick."

The mask laughed. It was giving off the purple glow again.

I wasn't sure how to react. As far as I could tell purple=bad. I wanted to flee, but if I was to get out of this one alive I'd have to keep playing its game. What do I know about SCP 035? Well, for starters, it is manipulative and sadistic. It secretes a corrosive substance, and that it changes moods at the drop of a hat.

"So you're the little fox who managed to escape." The mask paused. "Interesting."

I was made even more uncomfortable, as I wondered what he meant when he called me a fox. 

"I'm not that interesting in the slightest." I took a step back and began mentally singing It's Alright by Mother Mother and quietly planning my escape. It probably won't work, but a few seconds less with this abomination would be nice.

"Are you being modest or do you genuinely believe that?"

"Why are you asking questions you already know the answers to?" I immediately regretted my tone. I sounded like I was trying to start an argument.

035's purple glow became a little brighter, and I felt my anxiety spike. I stepped back as it stepped forward. It just had to step a little further and then I could make a break for it. I took three steps back and thought of the possibility of me getting the corrosive substance on myself.

I ran out of the room without warning, sprinting as fast as humanly possible, dreading the footsteps behind me. I know where I am, and I know this site better than most of the veteran site workers. I had the upper hand.

The lights shut off and I could feel the dangerous purple glow an my back as I ran. 035's voice was extremely distorted and it seemed demented. I would've collapsed if it weren't for the adrenaline. I continued, only slightly hindered by the darkness. I wasn't totally blind, and so I continued to run, ignoring the slight burn in my lungs.

I must've been running for around ten minutes when 035's legs gave out. I glanced back for a split second and continued running away.

Inevitably, my own legs gave out eventually. I had ducked into another room as they did, and I blocked the door.

I gasped for air and tried to ignore the pain in my legs. I sat with my back to the wall and tried to take deep breaths. If I believed in god, I'd be praying right now.