The following day, Elena and her remaining research team were quarantined within Site-44 as they awaited further instructions from Director Richter. They had managed to escape the Backrooms with their lives, but at a terrible cost—the loss of Drs. Hernandez and their other security guard to SCP-4038's infection, leaving only Elena and her security personnel companion to continue the fight against this unknown horror.

"We need a plan," Elena said firmly as she paced the sterile confines of their quarantine area, her eyes darting from one researcher to another in search of ideas or solutions. "We can't just sit here and wait for SCP-4038 to spread through our ranks." Her security personnel companion nodded solemnly before speaking up:

"We could try isolating the infected individuals and containing their tongues for further study," he suggested, his voice trembling slightly as he fought back the fear that threatened to consume him. "Perhaps we can find a way to reverse the effects of SCP-4038 or at least slow its spread."

Elena considered his words carefully before responding: "It's worth a try, but we need more information about how SCP-4038 works on a molecular level. We also need to find out if there are any other Backrooms levels where the infection is more contained or less dangerous." She turned to face Director Richter, who had been listening in silence from the corner of the room.

"We'll provide you with all available data on SCP-4038 and its connection to the Backrooms," he said solemnly, his voice heavy with regret as he handed Elena a thick folder filled with research notes and diagrams. "As for finding less dangerous levels of the Backrooms, that will require further exploration—and we can't risk sending you back in without proper containment measures."

Elena nodded solemnly as she accepted the folder from Director Richter, her eyes scanning the contents for any clues or insights that might help them in their fight against SCP-4038. She knew that time was running out—the infection continued to spread through her research team like a deadly wildfire, and they were running out of options for stopping it.

Over the next several days, Elena and her remaining teammates poured over the data provided by Director Richter, searching for any patterns or connections that might help them understand SCP-4038's behavior within the Backrooms. They discovered that while SCP-4038's tongue elongation was triggered by sleep, it was also influenced by certain environmental factors—including temperature and humidity levels—within the Backrooms.

"Perhaps we can use this information to our advantage," Elena said thoughtfully as she shared her findings with her team. "If we can create an environment that inhibits SCP-4038's tongue elongation, we might be able to contain the infection and find a cure." Her security personnel companion nodded in agreement before adding:

"We could set up a makeshift lab within Site-44 and begin testing various environmental conditions to see which ones have the greatest effect on SCP-4038's behavior." Elena smiled grimly as she considered his words. "It's worth a try—we owe it to our fallen colleagues and everyone else who might be infected out there in the Backrooms."

Over the course of several weeks, Elena and her team worked tirelessly to create an environment within Site-44 that would inhibit SCP-4038's tongue elongation. They monitored temperature, humidity levels, and other factors known to affect the infection while studying isolated samples of infected tissue from their fallen colleagues.

As they continued their research, Elena couldn't help but think about the countless lives that had been lost or irrevocably changed by SCP-4038's insidious spread through the Backrooms. She knew that time was running out—the infection would continue to claim more victims unless they could find a way to stop it.

One day, as Elena reviewed the latest data from their experiments, she noticed an unusual pattern in the results: when humidity levels were maintained at 65% and temperature remained between 20-23 degrees Celsius, SCP-4038's tongue elongation was significantly inhibited.

"We might have found something," Elena said excitedly as she shared her findings with her team. "If we can replicate these conditions, we may be able to contain the infection and find a cure for SCP-4038." Her security personnel companion smiled in relief as he embraced her warmly:

"We'll get through this together," he said reassuringly. "No matter what it takes." Elena nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with determination as she turned back to the data before them. They had come too far to give up now—the Infinite Descent would not claim another victim without a fight.