The Hellboy Chronicles: The Elemental Equation

Chapter 1: Someone New Arrives at the BPRD

Evening Liberty News
Earlier this evening, a massive explosion occurred at the New Horizons Research Facility. The compound was completely destroyed and no survivors have been found. New Horizons has had controversy surrounding it in the past for the experiments it has been conducting but, Phillip Waterman, CEO and Founder of the facility, has adamantly stated all research is only for the benefit of humankind though he never stated in any past interviews what was being researched. The FBI's investigation on the explosion has concluded that a gas leak was the cause for the tragedy. -Stacey Fuller, Field Reporter.

Location: Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, Fairfield, CT. Present Day.
Outside holding cell

"I don't understand why she must be locked up like an animal. She is our guest." Professor Trevor Bruttenholm says.

"Until it can proven that she is under control, I can't allow her to to roam freely. She's already incinerated a doctor's clipboard and burned off the bun of Nurse Faye. " Dr. Tom Manning, the current director of the BPRD replies.

The professor, aged somewhere in his late seventies, lets out a small chuckle.
"Nurse Faye was too uptight anyway. I'm sure she just eased the tension on Faye's head."

"This is not a laughing matter, Professor." Dr. Manning asserts. "She could an extreme danger to the...."

Just then a doctor comes screaming out of the holding cell. the tail of his lab coat on fire. He shrugs of the coat while he and an agent guarding the door attempt to stamp out the fire.

Dr. Manning sighs, "Well, there goes another incident. Are you alright, Dr. Whitmore?"

Doctor Whitmore, a tall, dark-skinned, bald man in his late 40s, sighs deeply. "Thankfully her aim is good and she got just my coat. Roxy is under an extreme amount of stress. As soon as someone attempts to touch her to examine her, she becomes frightened and lashes out, most often with the use of fire which she seems to be able to conjure up on her own will. She needs medical attention, but I would advise she calm down before I send any other of my medical team in."

"Great. Just what I need. A pyromaniac." Dr. Manning huffs.

"That may not be her only ability..." Professor Bruttenholm replies. Dr. Manning lets of a deep sigh of exhaustion.

"Only ability or not, I would say she is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. What the New Horizons folk were doing to her, it's obviously not pleasant. She is covered in cuts and bruises and it looks like she hasn't showered in weeks, then again it could be from the explosion, but a lot of trauma on her looks many days or even weeks old. I don't get the impression she is attempting to hurt anyone as the earlier incidents have implied because they were trivial if you really look at it, but she is in extreme defense mode right now."

"What do you suggest, good doctor?" The professor inquires.

"Let her simmer for a bit. She may not realize she's in a safe environment yet."

"I'm sure the holding cell doesn't help." The professor replies as he looks sideways at Manning.

"Probably not, but we have to.."

"Yes, yes, I know...make sure she means no harm." Professor sighs.

Dr. Whitmore nods. "There is nothing more either I or my team can do for now, so I'll take my leave. I promised the wife a nice dinner tonight."

Dr. Manning lets out a small huff. "Letting her simmer in there is just fine with me. I think I'll make do as Dr. Whitmore and call it a night."

Dr. Manning walks off down the hallway. Professor Bruttenholm lets out a sigh and shakes his head. He stares at the heavy metal door where on the other side a scared girl is probably wondering where she is and what may happen to her next. From across the hallway, Hellboy makes himself known.