The Anomaly

House Rules

"Doctor Paul?" A scientist says carefully stepping into an office.

"Speak." Doctor Paul says typing on his computer.

"The press are requesting an update." The scientist says cautiously. 

"Tell them they'll get an update when I have one."

"Sir it's been nearly four months since you spoke last, they grow restless with the dark spirit still on the loose." 

"I'm aware why they want me to speak. Tell them I'll speak when I have something to speak about." Doctor Paul's eyes are shaky and tired as he turns his full attention to the scientist. 

"Yes sir." The scientist quickly takes his leave. Doctor Paul leans back in his seat and pinches the bridge of his nose. 

"Damn, that girl." Doctor Paul says going back to his computer. He has three tabs open at once. One that shows a live feed of every move Samantha makes. One that is titled notes and has information about her classes, who's in them, and who Samantha has made direct contact with thus far. Another slide is the team's Doctor Paul has at his disposal, many of them have been crossed out. Some very recently. 

"I let one go and look at the hell it creates."

Samantha walks into the house, her father will still be at work for another or so. Her mother on the other hand is currently watering plants in the living. She grows a bright smile when she sees Samantha.

"Hey, my little ray of sunshine. How was school?" The two share a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"It was interesting, to say the least," Samantha responds slowly searching for the right words.

"I imagine. I still remember my days in school. Lots of ups and downs." Samantha can only imagine right now.

"Oh, they gave me some papers for you and Dad to look at," Samantha says going for her bag and her mother to her plants.

"Okay, just set them on the table, we'll look over them together." 

"Yes Amy," Samantha says setting the papers on the table and retreating upstairs to her room.

"That's not my name."

"Yes, Mom." 

As Samantha climbs the stairs the first door right at the top of the stairs always gives her shivers. It's her father's office. She's heard him working from there, answering phone calls, playing piano music from his computer, but she's never been inside the room. She was never allowed to. It was one of the only few rules he had set down when she first started living here. Every time she passes it she feels as though something draws her to that room, something that whispers for her to explore it. She knows it isn't Rava whispering to her to stir up trouble, so she assumed it was her curiosity of the unknown. Yet she never dared step a foot in that office, even when the door was cracked open like it is now. 

Doctor Paul leans heavily on his cane when he walks through the facility. He would have another handful of soldiers to try and reign in the dark spirit Rava. He had been trying to keep the matter under the radar, both for his reputation and to keep people calm. For a year no matter who he sent to recover her they were brutally killed. He doubted getting the police would matter, they were less trained, and would likely meet the same fate. Samantha could also go into hiding and searching for her could prove even more difficult. 

The new group is currently offloading all of their bags from the back of a truck. Doctor Paul had tried being inspiring to his newest arrivals, yet as time chips away from him he finds his tasks more laborious. He's considered going after Samantha himself, yet he knew it would take every ounce of his strength now to bring Samantha in. However, with her arrival at school, such a matter likely wouldn't be necessary. He needed one slip-up, one act of nature to strike, and he'd have whatever tools he needed to bring her in without force.