Crossing Dimensions: Remedy (Part 1)

CHAPTER 1: The White Light

The abandoned state way stretched far into the pitch-black horizon. As one drives farther down the road, the glimmering skyscrapers at the center of La Capital gradually shortens into decayed concrete apartments, before turning into nothing but fields of sand and dry grass, stretching miles into the distance. The tiny spots of light from road lamps littered around the empty grasslands, with collapsed concrete structures lying here and there.

The arid summer breeze was abruptly interrupted by a squad of police vehicles rushing down the lane, bringing with them shrieking sirens and blinding strobe lights. Following right behind them were armored trucks, their diesel engines roaring with rage.

Inside the leading police car, officer Jose leaned against the black leather passenger's seat.

"Haven't got this much action in a while," he exclaimed, fidgeting with the brown strand of hair sticking out of his forehead. Although he was past thirty, the built body and the creaseless, clean face revealed a young and vibrant individual.

"'Potential terrorist assault on the Energy Institute Laboratory' is outrageous for any crime organizations...what do you expect to be there, Dan?"

"A hot dog stand and a carousel set," the driving officer answered sarcastically, eyes locked on the approaching building. His left hand rubbed the ragged beard that covered the entire outline of his rough face, which lit up in an quick laugh. "Don't ask the obvious, buddy. You know what we'll be up against...after all, it's a government institution we are talking about...only terrorists armed to the teeth have the balls and power to deal with that level of security."

"Are you suggesting..." officer Jose replied, clearly hinting at the terrifying possibility.

He peeked at the rolled newspaper next to the seat. The headlines of "Supernatural Attack" stood out.

Dan frowned lightly as a quick shiver ran through him. Nobody was ignorant of the terrors those 'freaks' could bring...not after the war a decade ago.

"Esper-this, esper-that...they are what everyone cares about nowadays." Jose let out a frustrated sigh.

"We all saw what they could did in the war, buddy," said Dan, "as soon as the Liberta government gave orders to unleash those beasts, even recovering complete corpses became impossible!"

"Man, I know they are deadly," replied Jose, "but the government did listen to the public – any projects related to them were officially shut down. If you are ever lucky enough to meet one, feel free to buy some lottery tickets!"

"Sure...but one can never be too careful. Rumors has it that some of them are responsible for the recent chaos," said Dan as he turned the last corner that leads to the laboratory building, "Just so you know...the strongest powers turn the nicest folks into blood-thirsty demons. So, if you ever see one of them, send them straight to hell."

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Upon approach, the entirety of the laboratory came into view: an old, flat concrete building of three floors in height occupied an area of a football field surrounded by an artificial forest. A row of flags on the roof faced the gates, with the national flag of La Angosta in the middle.

As soon as the police cars and armored trucks came to a stop outside the gate, all personnel rushed out of the vehicles and went into position. The lights in the flat concrete building remained on, but the collapsed bodies of guards and the deadly silence suggested the abnormality of the situation. Some men moved farther behind the trucks and positioned themselves with the rifles, while most of the armed policemen stormed into the gate, heading directly for the buildings under the guide of their headlights. Dan and Jose took out their pistols and stationed behind the opened doors of their car, eyes focused on the entrance.