The Anomaly

Test And Control

The scientists of the facility and Doctor Paul gather around a large table for a discussion. When everyone has entered and found a seat or a corner to stand in Doctor Paul stands and clears his throat.

"I know many of you are not happy with my decision to allow Subject six-three-six to escape. However, I made my decision and I have my reasons." Doctor Paul says.

"Would you mind filling us in? This is the first time we've had a breach in twenty years, and we allowed the red tag to escape." A scientist speaks up and a few nod in agreement.

"Subject..." Doctor Paul sighs, "Samantha Barns has a unique behavior for the spirit she has. If our objective here is to prove dark spirits can live in a society like the rest of us then I say she is an ampule subject for an examination of how one behaves in said society." 

"You do realize that when people find out she's a dark spirit, she will be rejected. At worst she'll be hunted, and eventually the nature of the spirit in her will defend her at all costs." 

"While this is true this is because society still doesn't trust dark spirits. If we can prove that one can behave normally when they see her as just a girl like any other girl then hopefully one day dark spirits can be accepted and not hunted like you speak of." 

"We're a long way away from a generation like that Doctor Paul."

"True. Yet is it any different than when foreigners flooded the country? People from all different walks of life? Different looks and Ideals? We can grow to accept them as we have grown to accept others in the past." The room is silent in consideration. 

"How will we monitor her position and actions outside of the base?" A scientist brings up and everyone looks to Doctor Paul.

"She's been picked up by CPS, they have camera's all over their building to monitor the different children and actions. We'll get to see how she responds to other kids her age and adults older than her. How she learns, how she thinks, so long as she's in the building. As for otherwise, we've been permitted to utilize city cameras for 'research' purposes. If there are other locations she frequents we'll plant additional camera's if there aren't any there already."

"I guess in that sense it's not overly different from the sorts of tests we run here. However, I still don't like having a recovery team nearby to catch her in the event of a crisis."

"Which is why I've deployed recovery team four to stay close by but not engage the subject." Doctor Paul smiles as he wins over the room.

"I assure all of you, the situation is under control despite this anomaly."

The room disperses to their regular duties as Doctor Paul goes to the parking lot and finds his car. He sits inside and takes a breath before turning the car on and leaving the base.

"Samantha? Where'd you go?" Tamie says as she walks into Samantha's room with a plate of food. The sun has not fully risen, and only a small ray of orange light creeps in through the window of the room. Tamie looks around and finds Samantha hiding in the corner of the room again, using the dark to her advantage. 

"I brought you something to eat," Tamie says as she sets the plate down at the small table. Tamie takes a few steps back and Samantha creeps towards the table. She recognizes the silver of a fork, the yellow of eggs, and the brown smoky smell of sausages. However, a brownish round and soft pastry-like substance with squares baked into it is unfamiliar. Also, the dark-colored substance that coats it is sticky, yet sweet. One hesitant bite turns into a larger bite with wide eyes and bewilderment.