The Horse That Cried Meltdown. (An SCP Fan Tale)

Chapter 4, Latency period.

The walk down the concrete corridor was dull, and boring.

My work place had no colours, only grey, white and black. Mostly black, but most of my coworkers wore lightweight white uniforms with red ties, at least the ones dealing with the light containment zone.

Some of them wore entire hazmat suits.

Some were armed to the teeth in rifles and combat gear.

Security officers in black uniforms and hats stood guard at every checkpoint and gate, just watching.

I watched as swarms of scientists and researchers like myself scooted past, some of them stopping to glance at my face, before continuing on their way.
Their uniforms lacked colour, like mine.
That was until one woman stood out from the crowd, and my day became a little bit less miserable.

I was greeted by a warm gaze, unlike the judging, fearful gawks of the other scientists. She adjusted her glasses to look up at me.

The short haired woman, who wore a beige sweater and a black skirt wrapped her arms around me in a tight squeeze.

"Molly-!" I couldn't help but grin, no matter how tightly it stretched my scars as we embraced.

"I missed you-" her soft, sweet voice sung like birds in a field of flowers, blanketed by a warm sun, the vibe that she seemed to carry.

We finally let go, although I somewhat wish I hadn't.

"I know- I heard you got 999's file though. Im so glad to hear!" I said, perhaps the most optimistic I had been all week.

"Yeah... Im going to start testing with him tomorrow actually. I could use a bodyguard you know, in case the little stinker gets into more trouble again. You know how he is when he gets those M&Ms" she giggled.

"Awh dont worry- you got Lawrence for that!" I teased.

She blushed a bit at the comment.

"How did you know- inspector gadget?" She cross-examined.

"Im your best friend. C'mon, dont act like I don't see you staring at him whenever he isnt looking back" I snickered.

Our smiles faded slowly as we realized there was but one thing left to discuss.

"So I heard you talked with the doctor a few days ago.... How is your health doing?" I felt her caring gaze wash over me, her heartwarming eyes sparkling like an anime character as her hand held mine ever so softly.

"I-...."

I remembered sitting in the doctor's office, holding a bloody tissue, trying to listen as he spoke.

The doctor threw around phrases like "Aplastic anemia," permanent scarring", "leukemia", "Lung carcinomas", "pancreatic cancer", "type 3C Diabetes". My mind wandered, barely stringing each of the words into a coherent conclusion.

I had left with more questions than I had arrived with.

All I had asked was "will I make it?".

And the doctor simply shrugged, like a middle schooler when you question them on AP physics.
It was like he didnt know what he was doing. So naturally, frustration filled my thoughts, with confusion, guilt... And then fear.

"Helloooo?" Molly asked again, waving her hand in front of my eyes.
I snapped out of my brief train of thought.

"I uhm... Im doing... Good.... Yeah im okay-" was probably the cheapest lie I could have ever come up with, but I couldn't bare to see Molly worry about a lowlife like myself.

"That was a lie." Said a raspy, dry hoarse voice.
I spun around, trying to find the source of the sound.
Nobody was there.

Molly put her hand on my shoulder.

"Hey- you okay? You look like you've been seeing ghosts." She asked.

"Im... Good... Just too much coffee" I lied again.

Before she could even start questioning me, a hand grabbed the clipboard right from my own.

"HEY!!" I turned, and oh boy I wished I kept my god damn mouth shut.

Standing there, ponytail and all, was Dr. Numita, giving his usual bitter side glare.

"Ahem! Uhrm... Sorry sir-" I tried to correct myself before being cut off.

"Dont even try! Youre going to tell me you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed again? you incompetent asshole! I bet you'd work better as 682 bait..." His voice boomed.
He took the entire hallway by fear, everyone around me conveniently worked a bit more efficiently as they passed by him.

"These files were expected in the archives 30 minutes ago!" He shouted in my ear, causing a slight ringing sound to grow with every word he spat.

"I know- I just lost track of time-" I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the growing lump.

"Then what the fuck are you doing here?! MOVE!!"
He shoved the clipboard into my chest, forcing an audible "oomfh!!" To rise from my gut.

"Yes sir-" I wheezed, starting in the direction of the archival rooms.