Polynatural-Book 1

Chapter 6

"Solvo Omnis..." I softly whisper back. 

My eyes trace the brutality that was used to carve those words into the wall. The walls are made of a substance created by the scientific division of The Society. It's a mixture of the properties of diamond and titanium, and other ingredients that the society keeps a secret. The substance is a matter so hard that it's near impossible to cut; knives, bullets, none of that can make a scratch. It's also immune to corrosion, allowing it to stand up for years. The whole society building is made of this material. Above the material is a thick padding and a decorative cloth above that. I study the incisions. The cloth and thick padding are both cut through. Even the tough substance has a deep incision in it. I notice the cloth and padding aren't brutally marked. In fact, they are carved in with precision, as if it was done with all the time in the world, but it wasn't. The sloppy, quick, anxious handwriting gave it away.

"What could have done this?" I think out loud.

I watch as Parker peers closely at the carved markings.

"I don't know. This metal like material behind the padding, it looks very sturdy."

"It is. It's not supposed to be piercable..."

Suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by a feeble, but painful moan.

Parker and I both shoot looks at each other. Through his eyes, I can tell he's thinking of the same thing. My heart starts skipping beats and pounding harder. Both of our breaths come out in uneven gasps. We look at each other again. I can feel my hands getting clammy as I stand here...in utter stillness. A shiver of fear tickles up my spine. What was that?

Another even more painful moan emerges.

My whole body stiffens, ready to pounce at any sign of danger. The noise is coming from down the hallway. I begin to walk towards it. Parker grabs my arm violently and tugs me back. I feel like my arm sockets are about to be ripped out. He shakes his head, and asks with his eyes if I'm crazy. I throw his arms off, silently telling him to let go.  My feet rise onto tip toes, as I quietly go down the hallway. My sense are on high alert, searching for some sign of that noise and danger. I'm immediately submerged with an overwhelming smell of metal and rotting flesh. My head snaps in all directions, looking for the danger to sneak up on me. The once white painted doors are now splashed a dark red color. The red color tints the ground.

Another moan escapes.

My eyes flicker to the direction it came from. The painful cry came from the room two doors down. I stare at the room cautiously as I walk towards it. I can hear Parker's cautious footsteps behind me.

Wait...

The footsteps are off beat. It's like he has four feet. The second pair of feet are moving at a more brisk and light pace. I turn my head around, seeing Parker's nervous expression.

Then, out from the corner of my eye, a small shadow elongates down the hall. Furiously, my head snaps into that direction. I manage to catch a glimpse of a black cloak stained with tidbits of deep red.

"Did you see that?" I harshly whisper to Parker.

"See what..." His voice cracks as he frantically looks around.

I look around too, searching for what I saw. The blood pumping to my heart fastens as I take in quiet gasps of air. I didn't realize the tense situation made me hold my breath. Slowly and cautiously, my hand rises. My fingers linger on the door knob, terrified to know what is behind that door. As I grip the door knob in my hand a soft rustle passes by. I can feel Parker's body tense behind me. My head faces his way checking to see if he's okay. I watch as he struggles to swallow a thick lump in his throat. His face is a ghostly pale. He looks like he just saw something terrible.

"Parker, are you alright?" I ask him softly.

He shakes his head slowly, afraid to speak.

"What's wrong..."

He shakes his head again.

"Did you see something...?"

His eyes bulge big as he nods at my question.

"What?!" I frantically ask I scan the surrounding area.

"B-b-b-lack cloak," he stumbles out.

My heart begins to race I scrutinize the area into detail. Searching for what Parker and I both saw. The area is eerie silent.

Another moan erupts from the room.

My attention is immediately shifted back to it. I grip the doorknob and turn it. It opens with a malevolent click.

My heart pounds faster and faster.

I wrap my fingers around the edge of door. I can feel them shaking as I turn my head to take a peek inside. 

What I see makes me catch my breath at an alarmingly quick speed.

Lying in the far corner is The Boss. His body splayed out in a disfiguring position. His white shirt is soaked in deep red. That metal and decay smell infiltrates my nostrils He's lying in a puddle of deep red. It's blood. His blood...