Genius of the Generations (A Project: Eden's Garden x OC Story)

Chapter 1: Tomorrow's Another Day...

(Matteo POV)

After we had discovered the hidden metal door, Ingrid left to retrieve everybody from their respective groups so we could discuss it. Before long, she returned with the others in tow.

"Take a look at this!" She directed their attention to the door in question.

In time, all the newcomers laid their eyes on it in its great splendor.

"...Damn." Damon was at a loss for words.

I couldn't blame his reaction. The design of this door was something that would be used in a government-grade security facility. The metal was slightly rusted, but that sold the idea that it must have been extremely thick and durable, as expected for a security door of this caliber. The yellow and black cautionary stripes only further cemented that there seemed to be no opening it; at least, no other unconventional way. Dead center was a bulky electronic lock that was protected with a PIN pad, its LED screen emitting a green glow.

"It was behind one of the cabinets. Cassidy and I noticed a small crevice between the cabinet and the wall, so I pushed it aside to get a better look," Ingrid explained.

"It was quite a marvelous feat, I must say!" Toshiko chirped.

"You're very reliable, Ms. Grimwall," Wolfgang complimented.

"Teehee. It was nothin'," Ingrid giggled.

"Hmm... There are four zeros on the screen... Whatever the code to this PIN pad is...must be four digits long," Ulysses concluded.

"Soooooo, anybody got a clue what to put in?" Cassidy questioned.

...

Nobody seemed to have any ideas, though I already had a hunch about what the PIN pad was tied to. I still thought it was better to stay silent for the time being.

"Fine. I'm just gonna try out the standard ones."

Cassidy then proceeded to type in an extremely childish number into the PIN pad. She wasn't subtle with the huge grin on her face as she finished typing it in. Naturally, the PIN pad made a noise indicating it was incorrect.

"Take this seriously, bro," Jett sighed in exhaustion of her antics.

"Lame! You guys have no sense of humor," Cassidy pouted.

"We do. That's why we didn't laugh," Mark deadpanned.

"Ugh, just break the damn thing!" Grace growled.

"Even if you could, did you seriously not learn anything from last time?" I reminded her.

"Tch..." Grace subconsciously moved a hand to her grazed cheek.

"Also, this might be something important. I think breaking it would be counterproductive," Desmond added.

"Um...maybe the right combination can be found elsewhere?" Eloise proposed, "We should look around more...maybe in our dorms...if you want..."

"I can try and look for some information on a—*yawn*—mysterious code..." Ulysses said.

"It might not even be solvable for us. For all we know, this could just be for the people running this place," Eva suggested.

"That's a good point. Maybe it's just a red herring!" Diana added.

"Didn't Tozu ask us to look around here, though? Why bother if there's no fun puzzle to solve?" Cassidy pushed.

"Maybe he just wanted to confuse us with a meaningless PIN pad. This is his killing game. He doesn't need to tell the truth," Eva said.

"Hngh... I'm still not satisfied. Hey, little man. You have any ideas?"