The Chaos Insurgency

Family Ties

My feet dangled off the edge of the bed, just touching the ground. Stiffness had invaded my limbs, the aftermath of lying still in a medical centre for weeks. My caretaker, Dr Wilma Severin, pottered around the small room, eyes sweeping over my records. Finally a gentle smile played on her lips and her eyes met mine.

"Your results are promising," Dr Severin informed me calmly. "I can finally give you the all-clear."

"Oh, that's good to hear," I breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought I was done for when that bullet found me."

"You're very lucky to be alive," Dr Severin agreed. "To be honest, we were unsure of whether you would wake up or not."

I shuddered at the thought of being locked in my own body, unable to reach consciousness. Sliding off the clean white sheets of the bed, I shook Dr Severin's hand.

"Well, I thank you for all your efforts," I said, gratefully. "I can get back to work soon."

"Not too soon," Dr Severin reminded me. "Take care."

"I will," I promised, exiting the room.

Out in the hallway, I found Larry waiting for me. His wicked smile appeared and he unfolded his arms. Ever since Dr Ash, the SCP Foundation's new head, had allowed the SCP periods of freedom from his prison for his heroic efforts during the invasion, he seemed a lot more chipper than usual. However, that did not guarantee his lust for taking human life had dissipated. Larry still enjoyed inflicting torture on us mere mortals as much as he did before. The only thing barring him from ripping out the throat of the nearest person was the hanging threat of having his freedom revoked. Despite measures, steely eyes watched him closely with doctors and Class D personnel alike making a conscious effort to avoid the SCP whenever possible. Not that it bothered Larry in the slightest. On the contrary, it gave him a sense of power to be a constant source of fear to humans.

"So, are you going to die of lead poisoning," Larry quipped, "or am I stuck with you for life?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the smile, "I'm afraid you're not so lucky. I'm here to stay."

"Pity," Larry feigned a sad expression. "So should I expect having to participate in experiments with you?"

"Yes," I said brightly. "So maybe you should change your attitude or they'll be even more boring than usual."

"Point taken," Larry gave in.

I was about to say something when a familiar man strode toward us, confidence evident in his walk. Dr Porter. There was no mistaking the doctor who had fallen from grace, no longer in hiding but out in the open.

"Dr Erikson," the doctor greeted me reverently. "SCP 106. I was unsure whether I would see the pair of you alive again."

"How did we do?" Larry asked for an appraisal of our efforts. "I mean, the Chaos Insurgency has been flushed out."

"Hmmmmm yes," Dr Porter regarded us both thoughtfully. "You have both fought bravely and your performance was spectacular if reports are to be believed. Therefore I stand corrected. You were more than capable of carrying out such a delicate and dangerous operation. However, I still stand by my thoughts regarding the stupidity of the plan. It was a stupid thing to do but I have to admit.......brave."

"I think we can take that," I agreed happily with a nod from Larry. "But we can't just credit ourselves. We received help."

Dr Porter took interest in the floor as a faint blush painted his cheeks before sighing.

"Yes, I may have played a small part," he admitted, humbly. "I am glad to see you standing strong, 106."

"You should know me by this point," Larry said. "I always triumph over human pestilence."