Chapter 1562 Test Chamber No. 8
After mapping the ventilation access points and their approximate locations, Raymond returned to his quarters. He showered in the bathroom and, upon opening the cabinet, discovered several sets of pristine hazmat suits hanging inside.
His brow furrowed as he instinctively scanned the room. He hadn't checked the cabinet when he first arrived, leaving him uncertain whether the suits had been there all along or if Calla had entered while he was gone. The door had been locked from the inside, but she must have a key, right?
He lay on the bed, eyes closed, trying to rest.
Early the next morning, Raymond donned one of the hazmat suits, secured his goggles, and headed out.
Calla was already standing at the research station, arranging various reagents. She placed a tray in front of him, her voice flat and emotionless. "Take these to the personnel near Test Chamber Eight," she instructed.
Raymond nodded, picking up the tray laden with colorful test tubes, each containing different liquids.
The core research lab was separated from the outer facility by a heavy door—one that could be opened from the inside but required Calla's approval via video intercom for anyone wanting to enter.
Raymond opened the door and walked several hundred feet until he reached the central hall he'd observed the night before. Each glass chamber was clearly numbered. He located Chamber Eight and set down the tray.
Looking up, he realized the boy from last night was confined inside. The youth lay motionless in the same position Raymond had seen him before, though from the ventilation shaft, he hadn't been able to see the chamber's designation.
A nearby researcher sighed with relief upon seeing the vials. "Dr. Griffin finally sent the sedatives. Let's aerosolize them and release them into the chamber."
"Hurry up," another urged. "If he goes into a frenzy, we'll all pay the price."
Raymond stood by as someone loaded a vial into a machine. Almost immediately, the boy in the glass enclosure opened his eyes.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Raymond felt the boy's gaze lock with his for a moment. Just like the previous night, there was no emotion in those eyes—as if he were looking at something inanimate.
Raymond frowned as he overheard the researchers' confused exchange.
"Strange... he should be having an episode by now. He's been unusually calm since last night," one remarked.
"I know. I was prepared for the worst, but his calmness is unnerving."
The two researchers exchanged glances before cautiously approaching the glass wall.
The boy, who had been lying down, suddenly stood up, causing both researchers to leap backward in terror.
Despite the bulletproof glass between them, their fear was palpable.
Raymond understood why—they had witnessed this boy literally tear someone apart. In their eyes, he wasn't human but a monster beyond normal comprehension.
Yet the boy merely stretched and then lay back down.
As Raymond observed this scene, someone tapped his shoulder. "Which section are you from? Why don't you have an ID number?" All researchers in the central hall wore numbered badges, constantly monitored by security.
Raymond gestured toward the core research lab. "I'm with Dr. Griffin."
Just as he spoke, he spotted Zaid approaching with a woman. Zaid's demeanor toward her was respectful, though she appeared to be berating him.
Zaid kept his head slightly bowed, his usual warmth fading. He had asked Atlas last night if he'd visited Isolde, and Atlas had denied it, claiming Isolde was upset because he'd refused her. Now, Isolde was clearly causing trouble.
Zaid couldn't quite identify his own feelings—a mixture of humiliation and bitter amusement. Had Isolde's previous respect for him stemmed from her interest in Atlas? But Atlas had been just a child then. The thought made his stomach turn, and his hand clenched at his side.
Isolde's expression was equally sour. Atlas had rejected her advances last night. She had always preferred pretty young boys; Zaid was too shrewd to manipulate, but Atlas had always been compliant—until now, when he'd learned to resist.
She narrowed her eyes at the man before her, her words laden with implication. "Just focus on the Chairman position. Even though Calla rejected you, I've resubmitted your name. The higher-ups will reconsider this time." Her voice lowered. "Isn't that what you've always wanted, Zaid?"
The Chairman position of the research facility was notoriously difficult to secure. If Zaid succeeded, he would be the youngest Chairman in history.
Isolde didn't spell it out explicitly, but her message was clear: don't interfere with her affairs.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
