Your Mind // 001

016 - Light

[WARNINGS: violence and weapons]

Hawkins National Laboratory (one week earlier)

Dr. Sam Owens was an accomplished scientist and doctor who stood by Martin Brenner's side. He had helped him with astounding projects and discoveries which led to the fame of Brenner. And now, he was again going out on a limb to help his old friend.

It had been a few years since Owens had stepped foot in that hospital. Had it not been for his son's car accident would he be still working there as a scientist. And now, here he was, pulling up to the gates of the laboratory. He received an approving nod from the security guard before the gate opened, allowing Sam to drive in.

He started down the halls of the first floor, which was dressed to look like any other government-run laboratory. The walls were of fine wood, and passing-by scientists in lab coats greeted the doctor. He passed the guards by the elevator, who let him in with a firm nod.

The lift was industrial and spacious: a car could fit inside. It closed with a groan and made a lurch upwards. He had been used to all this after working with Brenner for so long, but it was just then he had started to notice how unusual the lab really was.

He made it to the top floor, which required a keycard. It was the floor that most of the employees were not allowed in, the one that held the most classified project in Hawkins. After a comfirming beep, the door opened to reveal the discolored halls lit by industrial tile lights.

The guards standing by the doors walked him down the halls, which seemed to stretch beyond the boundaries of the building. Even after working here for so long, he would have still gotten lost. They reached the door of the conference room, where Brenner and another man stood waiting inside.

"Ah, Sam! How nice to see you again," the tall doctor greeted with a smile and glistening teeth. His hair was whiter than when Sam had last seen him, and he looked more worn than usual.

"Martin, pleasure." Owens turned to the other man who stood in a suit with a fierce stare. His face was almost square, like every muscle and fiber of his body was tense. A scar ran down his brow, which hovered over his cold eyes, casting a shadow. In truth, he was intimidating. Despite this, the doctor smiled and held out his hand.

"You must be the infamous Dr. Montgomery Seil, if I'm correct. Sam Owens, pleasure to meet you."

The man took his hand firmly and shook it with such stiffness that it felt like being hand in hand with a statue. His grip was strong, distorting Owens' hand in his grasp. The doctor winced, but covered it with another smile. When the man finally let go, he let out a relieved breath of air.

"I heard you were a sergeant during Vietnam before becoming a partner of Hawkins Lab," Owens noted, attempting to make friendly small talk as they sat down in the oval table.

"I was."

"Well, thank you for your incredible service, sergeant. You know, I'd actually gone into the army back before my hair turned grey. I was deployed for the world war against the Germans, so I was stationed-"

"Why don't we begin this meeting, shall we?" Brenner interrupted, shooting a superficial smile to Owens, signaling him to end the conversation. Owens nodded, smiling awkwardly. "I've brought some reports on how the subjects are doing, but that isn't the issue I'd like to discuss today. I'm afraid we have a more grave matter in our hands now."

"Subject One, I suppose?" Seil questioned. Brenner nodded, and Owens sighed. Of course it was, he thought. Brenner would never let go of that poor boy.

"His Soteria is malfunctioning," Brenner began. "We've seen signs of disobedience, and it's been harder to read him lately. And I'm afraid he's affecting patient Zero's performance in training."