Four: Hope

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It's been three days since my last run in with SCP 035. We moved base again yesterday, and also found two more people and let them come with us.

Today was one of the days where I slept in a bit, and I am surprised to know that we haven't had to deal with anything dangerous.

I was busy planning where we'd go next, as I somehow know the site better than the others. I was in the middle of planning our route when the PA system activated.

"Mobile Task Force Eplison-11 has entered the building."

I felt relieved. There had been other task forces, but they seemed to go silent after their arrival. And then we'd hear screams echo in the halls.

I wanted to lower my guard, but due to the scale of the containment breaches it could take them days to recover SCPs.

From what little information we have, 173 did not escape, nor did 096. If they did things would much worse than they are. Granted, 035, 049, and 106 are probably out there.

Ten and Farrow had returned, and they both seemed okay. With them back everyone was accounted for.

I finished the route we'd take with more information, as one of the hallways was blocked.

We gathered and reviewed my plan. Raine was being difficult again, but everyone ignored her.

We were in the process of discussing a backup plan when things went south.

We all went silent as the lights began to flicker. I watched as a figure literally came out of the floor.

I calmly told them to run, all the while backing away from the corrosive spot on the floor. The being was halfway out now. I followed the group, not wanting to die.

Martha was extremely fit, easily making her way to the front of the group. I could've taken the lead, but I decided to keep towards the back of the group.  I glanced back to see 106 walk through a wall. And then one of the newer staff members was grabbed through a said wall.

We kept going for a couple minutes later, losing a total of three people. I didn't know them well, and to be honest, I didn't really care. Less to deal with.

We stopped when we reached an elevator. Ten and I sent the others up first, and if trouble came there was Farrow.

Ten and I called the elevator after a few minutes, and we walked inside. Ten pressed the only button there was and I felt the elevator begin to move. When the doors opened and we stepped out I did a head count. We were down one.

"Does anyone know what happened to the other guy?" I  began to lead the group to the next safe room.

"He disappeared. He was just there, and now he's not." Jayde shrugged.

I nodded, attributing to a freak accident of some sort.

We got very close to the intended destination when we heard the sound of a task force talking via whatever device they use. There was a question and an answer.

Ten and I decided to check it out using the buddy system. Ten readied their weapon and I had a hand on my satchel. We followed the source of the sound turning a corner to see a single man dressed in MTF gear. We called out to him, and Ten lowered their weapon. They looked at us and walked towards us, glancing back several times.

"Why haven't you been evacuated?" The guy looked at us like we were the enemy.

"Most of my group didn't make it, and we got lost. I ended up finding other people." I looked at Ten, finally understanding why he was with the others.

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