Overtime

one ✧ || entrance

"I think you'll be impressed with our work here, Mr. Glendhall."

The wisp of metal doors prying themselves open resonated through the basement stairwell, the gentle clacking of shoes against concrete filling the new waft of newly chilled air.

The guest wrinkled his nose, his disdain for the smell of metal and the hum of medical equipment made clear. His host ignored the hint as the pride swelling beneath his lab coat was so overwhelming he didn't wish to acknowledge anything that may dismiss it.

"Just lead me to them." The sigh of exhaustion tainting Glendhall's words came off as dismissive but his companion, ignoring said social cues, whisked himself through the double doors, his chin upturned in pride. With a flick of a wrist, the doors sealed, and the male returned his hand to its previous stuffed position in his coat.

"How has their training been?"

"Substantial." The male claimed, slowing his excited pace to allow his guest to catch up. "Their progress is quite astounding."

Glendhall scoffed, scratching the dirty-blonde stubble painting his jaw. The hand retreated to his hairline, demolishing its sleek appearance. "Good. I'd like to get this underway as soon as possible."

"I assure you, you won't be disappointed."

"You know," Glendhall cleared his throat. "You're going to need to explain to me exactly how your tech works."

"I will," his pace halted, lab coat swaying in surprise. "Don't you worry." His hand jetted out before his guest, causing Glendhall to clamber into his awaiting palm. He pivoted, wearing a look of irritation.

His hand, removing itself from its position of power, gestured before them. "Mr. Glendhall," he began, his voice dripping with dignity. "Welcome to Project Overtime."

Slowly, as if hesitant to finally lay eyes on the project he helped bring to life, Glendhall focused his attention on the linings of the walls suddenly and brilliantly illuminated by lights scattering the ceiling. In delighted surprise his eyes stretched, lips parting in admiration at the display.

Reinforced glass cages lined either side of narrowed hallway at the back of the laboratory, within them sat the creatures he had dreamt of viewing since the project became a reality.

On the left, three men. On the right, two men and one woman.

In total, six perfect lab rats.

Glendhall smirked, his scruffy hair swaying before his grey hues. "Bring them out."

The Professor lifted a hand from his coat, his fingers momentarily dancing over a button on the wall before pressing it with his palm.

Instantly, the small cages were flooded with red, the lights hanging in all the cells screaming for their undivided attention.

The brunette rolled her eyes, slapping her book down onto her mattress with a stifled groan. She pushed herself to her feet with precision, her boots clicking against the concrete floor. Her desire to slouch was overwhelming, but she snapped herself upright. If The Professor caught wind of her lazy demeanour, he wouldn't be happy. Especially if they had a visitor.

Her ocean blue eyes studied the view: the same landscape she surveyed for what felt like decades. Her glass prison offered little to intrigue the eye.

The blonde one across from her had been fiddling with a pen, twirling it on the tip of his finger in soothingly quick circles before their alarm went off. Glancing up, he made eye contact with her, offering a tender — albeit forced — smile.