The Reddit Trials

Prologue

"Today, on Commentary News.."

"The population has gone down a total of 38.7%, as of lately."

"A general lack of children in homes, and schools, and a high miscarriage and abortion rate."

"President Warren blames abortion, and overactive teenagers!"

"We wonder what could have caused this general lack of children, scientists for president Warren are working hard to find out. Until then we encourage families to Get to it and do it!"

"Next up.."

• • • •

"Hello? Is this thing on? Ah, perfect."
A screen flickers to life, blurred by static and age.
A woman in a pristine, white lab coat stand in front of a desk littered with different papers and science equipment. Her hair is tied messily in a bun, she stands just a few feet from the camera.
"I am Colleen ▪▪▪▪▪▪▪," She states, gesturing to herself, "and I am tasked with documenting our newest project, The Reddit Trials."
She smiles.
"The Reddit Trials are a series of experiments on DNA, and how the human form, and understanding can be altered, or made animalistic."
She pauses,
"Our test subjects are a large number of children, ranging to about 1,103 - 2,109 most are infants, or 1-2 year olds. We plan to change humankind for good, and these children will help us to do that."

The screen cuts to black and another video plays.

"Hello, this is Colleen with update number #2469."
It is the same woman from before, skin pale, hair messily strewn around, and lab coat dirtied with supposedly blood and others substances.
"A majority of the children have yet to survive any testing. It has been only a matter of months. We have had little progress, and children who did show development would die shortly after experimentation. All experiments have been temporarily paused. We await further orders."

The screen abruptly cuts to black, as Colleen reaches out to supposedly turn off the camera.
A third video plays.
"This is Colleen, with update number #357912.
The children are growing well. We are beginning small experiments. Some scientists are currently being kept out of work, as they do not function well with the children. President Warren says that the children need a healthy environment, and so we cannot risk it. We have yet to have a severe breakthrough."

The screen cuts to black, this time no videos play.

• • • • •

A man skims through a file of papers, neatly staples together.
"So," he starts, voice gruff and dark, "These are the kids you've had the most luck with?"
Colleen nods. "They've gone through experimentation extremely well. Excluding a few days out of commission here are there, they're in near excellent health."
The man scoffs, setting the file aside. "They're all practically useless," he turns to face Colleen.
"There are only two of them worth anything. How are we supposed to further development with bees and ivy? Do tell, Miss ▪▪▪▪▪▪▪."
Colleen looked offended. "I beg to differ, mister Warren. This is good, very, very good. With their health, we can continue research, and perform things typically considered too dangerous." She explained, scrambling for a defense.
"Further research on The bird boy, the electric one, and do whatever you please with the rest." Mister Warren turned on heel, and left the room.

Once the door shut, signifying he was gone, Colleen sighed, putting her hands on her face.
"I'm going to push those kids to their limit."