The Final Exam

Chapter 16

Las pérdidas de uno no definen quién eres.

My father used to say that.  It basically means your failures don't define you. I used to live by it, but now I start to doubt if it's true. My failures are a result of who I am. I let down everybody I care about. But maybe, just maybe, there's a chance for me to fix it.

Or at least scramble for some mismatched patches, a needle, and a thread.

I immediately think: Why?
Yeni did this, but Why? When? It's pointless to wonder, a waste of the little energy I have.

We stand there, frozen. Not in shock, but at a loss of words, not a shred of thought in our minds. What do we do? Where do we go?

It feels like haven't heard her voice in decades. The fact that it's music to my ears disgusts me.

A telephone rings. It's eerie song emanating through the entire room. As I reluctantly pick up the phone, I can't help but feel I've done this before. Music. "Hello Margaret." She says it in such a way that it becomes clear to you she's smiling on the other line. "I see you've been looking for something interesting. You've come to the right place." The dial tone follows immediately before I could say anything.

A wave of awe envelopes me. "What did you hear?" June desperately asks.

I don't know why, I don't know where, I don't know how I did, but I bolted. Bolted with certainty that I would get somewhere in this labyrinth. I ran all the way to the room where the woman "killed" me. She lies in a pool of blood and water, mutilated, revealing all the meticulous clockwork inside.

I wonder if some of the blood is mine.

The small, elevator-sized room we forced open still sits there, quarter-full of water. I stare at it for a while, my mind suspended in empty, dark space. "Andrew! What's gotten into you?" Michael catches up with me. June soon follows. "I-I don't know," I stumble over my words. "It's the only way to go..."

"Back. Back in time. I'm retracing my steps."

My mind is so frustrated that it wants nothing but action. I feel like its something we all experience at times. You worry and stress about something so much for so long, you feel at mercy until you one day can't take it anymore. You want to yell out. Or run out.

I could be wrong, though. Maybe I'm the only one.

I suddenly find myself punching a wall so hard its cracks widen with every blow. Why don't I feel my knuckles tearing, I don't know. Must be the adrenaline.

Another room. Of course. This one is quite different, though. It has a mattress in the corner, turned over to the wall. It has two writing desks, beautifully crafted and polished with dark wood. However, one is dusty and empty while the other is more worn and covered with paper. I dare to widen the cavity and step in. "Whoa..." June climbs in behind me. She slides a finger through the thick dust. It leaves a clean streak of elegant mahogany, revealing its forgotten glory.

Curiosity leads us to the worn desk. Its surface littered with crushed up notes and indecipherable encryptions. Several reports titled in boldfaced lettering catch my eye.

Lab Report 4.17.95

"Tests Anara and Silvia have resulted quite remarkably. Anara's entity has successfully transferred, the only goal left now would be maintaining possession. Silvia, however, hasn't transferred and caused some unexpected difficulties after clearing phase 1. But there's still hope in seizing her back."

Lab Report 5.26.95

"Anara has successfully maintained possession and is developing beautifully! Thanks to my new partner, things have been moving in the right direction. At least morale has. Silvia has also possessed, but this test has been moving slower than usual. Turns out my extraction apparatus had some physical issues, and that will be completely troubleshooted by next Tuesday."

Lab Report 9.3.95

"Disappointing news. Expected, but not anticipated, Silvia seemed to overpower the system and self-terminate last afternoon. My error. I must have miscarried the neutralization protocol. That, or my protocol is faulty. I might have to go out and obtain supplies tomorrow morning. They are dwindling anyway."

There is no use in wondering at this rate anymore. My sister is a lost case.

The drawers are filled with jars. Upon further observation, the jars appear to be filled with preservation fluid with some shrews  and humanoid parts. Michael gags when he gets a closer look. June catches our attention. "Guys, look at this," she holds a necklace up to the dim lighting. It is quite simple; a thin and dark strand of leather with a small bronze key suspended in the middle. If there is a key, then there is a lock. "June, do you know what this means?" I am suddenly full of hope.

I can just imagine finding a way out, getting to the police, and getting reunited with everyone outside. They must be wondering where we might be. According to my mediocre watch, we've been gone for... four... four days. Past three days. They are looking for our corpses. My mother has such bad luck. First, my father leaves without explanation. Then, her first born daughter dies in an accident. And now this.

"Where did you find the necklace?" Michael inquires. June stutters and points to the left drawer of the dusty escritoire. " O-over there. It's the only thing in it."

Michael inspects the drawer, eyes focused. He reaches far into the drawer, as if there is something behind it. "Another note... from the last name Keller". He reads the letter aloud.

Dear Reader,

If you are reading this, you are in Her dwelling. Do not trust Her. She is mentally insane and highly intelligent. If you are trying to fool her, She will deceive you. If you are trying to hide from Her, She will find you. If you believe you are friends with her, you must not talk to her about this. Flee the city. You Are Not Safe. If she is torturing you, prepare to die. If you find my key, however, you have hope. I will not the disclose the location, for reasons beyond my control. Don't worry, it won't be tricky, you probably already have found it. The lock belonging to my key is next to a metal lid, a trapdoor, in a room filled with old things. Once you have found the lid , the lock will show itself. But be wary of her tricks.

M. Keller

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