It was only a few encroaching minutes past mid-day, as the glaring gold shun upon the vibrant city. Wave after waves of people hit to the streets as various noises consumed their ears. All the while, remaining blissfully ignorant of the simmering terror underneath their feet.

“Well? Am I to bear witness to any feeble excuse?” 

The Director’s voice pierced through the tense atmosphere like a dagger to the heart, each word wrenching and vicious yet masked under a calm veneer. A facade to which they acknowledged its limits…that now laid shattered. 

Her violet eyes now pinpricks as they scanned the assembled group of shuffling scientists. Few murmurs responded yet at a jerk of her head they were silenced. 

The Director smiled at the group as if they were meager mice at a hawk’s mercy. Her straw hair whipped as she turned to the hologram illuminating the lab. The neon blues forming the epitome of grotesque.  Despite having a vague human figure, it could be considered none; twisted, broken hands that meshed metal and beige skin as red and blue wires snared around the wrist, its face was obscured by strands of raven hair, only its fierce snarl and emerald eyes visible. Beside the creature, a tattered sheet was displayed, the text almost faded. 

SUBJECT X0V: 

Date Procured:  CLASSIFIED

Age:  Presumably 27

Relations: CLASSIFIED

ABILITIES (KNOWN): 

• Voice Mimicking

• Can alter its appearance 

• Can infiltrate any software or algorithm present within a 6km radius

• Shown signs to disrupt neurological patterns and memory

• Strength: Moderate as any average individual

• Mental Strength: HIGH

• Known weakness: CLASSIFIED

DANGER LEVEL: EXTREME

Scientist in Charge: REDACTED

However, the reason for this estranged meeting alongside their terror were the vivid red words stamped across projection: ESCAPED. 

No one dared to speak. The Director smiled at their meekness; it’s obvious which imbecile caused this. 

“Chief Renzaz, care to explain?” 

At her call, the swarm parted to reveal a defiant old man, behind his facade though he was sweating bullets. Renzaz murmured,

“I…It was unprecedented at the time-” 

She fiddled with the scalpel in her hand as she approached the chief, her smile growing as the distance closed. 

“-I-mean how could it have been accountable? It was just created!” 

Step. 

“We knew nothing of its capability!” 

Step. 

“I-How could-DAMN IT, HOW COULD ANYONE HAVE KNOWN-!!” 

He held his tongue as the Director now loomed over him. She raised an eyebrow, running her scalpel under his chin, coercing him to lock eyes. Violet clashed against copper. The Director’s eyes flashed with dark promise, an abyss that guaranteed no return should his actions continue.

“I recount leaving X0V specifically under your jurisdiction, Chief. Correct?” 

A jerk of the weapon made him flinch.

“Yes, Director.” 

“So how could this not be your responsibility? How could you have just. Let. It. Run? Furthermore-” She burst into laughter suddenly deviating from her chilling tone and spun to face the surrounding sea of terror that crumpled being in her sights. 

“You have the audacity to even SAY that garbage of an excuse right in my face. HA!”  The Director doubled over in hysteria, her shrill laughter resounding across the domed metal walls as tears of mirth nearly fell down her face.

Much to the confusion of the Chief and everyone else who desperately begged to merge with the shadows. It was soon interrupted however, as a quiet voice echoed from the crowd.

“Even if it was Chief Renzaz’s fault, why the audience?” 

Everyone’s head snapped to the lone girl approaching; nothing of her features stood out, a dull hazel bob, almost below average height for a seventeen year-old and pale, freckled skin…that is until she opened her eyes, only for them to find grey seas devoid of life, with only a hint of copper at the edges. The group shared looks of sympathy and winces, there was no telling how the Director would react to suggestions on an ‘ideal’ schedule let alone interruptions. Moreover, today was anything but ideal. Yet, the girl never faltered.

Chief Renzaz’s jaw clenched while he seethed. 

“Get away you wretch!”

A glare from both women was all it took for his words to die off. Composing herself, the Director faced the girl again, regarding her intervention curiously, finding it borderline humorous. Bold, little puppet…or maybe rather shortsighted?  Certainly outspoken though. 

“Covering for your teacher’s error, Clara?” She jeered, her face almost twisting into a snarl, which most would never notice, given the subtlety but Clara was not ‘most’ people.  

Clara scoffed at the sarcasm. Her figure projected an act of neutrality and disinterest.

“His list of errors extends far more than this- existing is one of the most notable. No, what I’m asking is why the gathering?” 

She queried, gesturing to scientists around them with a tilt of her head. Clara’s eyes narrowed slightly as she returned her focus once more to the Director, her irritation rising at the tilt of her lips. What do you have planned? Went unvoiced. 

The Director laughed airly, tutting and looking at Clara as if she was a naive child with no grasp of the environment around her, all- the- more just a step away from being thrown to the wolves. Well that would be true. Clara thought. If I wasn’t already living with them. She snapped to reality after hearing the Director sigh. 

“Shortsighted it is then.” Her face morphed into a pout with violet gems glinting in amusement. “Although a brave and valid question I admit. So!” She clapped.  “Why this gathering you say? Well, all of you here allegedly are Raschul’s pristine collection of up and coming brilliance and innovation. The pinnacle of technological advancement for our nation, set to lead us into victory against Neora…..if not for the utter idiocy present.” 

The last words were accompanied with a pointed stare at Renzaz, whose face burned with shame, before the gaze turned to everyone around her. 

She let her eyes rest on Clara who matched her ice. 

“Even one mushroom is all it takes to bring upon the death of an entire tree, the same analogy goes with negligence and foolhardiness. Yes, you’re right Clara dear, none of these people except you and the Chief are involved with this precarious issue but shouldn’t there be a demonstration of consequence?” 

Her eyes flicked to the scalpel and back to Clara.

“Because if your duty ceases to propel your results, I gladly present a new solution.” 

None could even register the Director’s next move after those words, only a flash of iron and a thud. Clara flinched at the shine as ice went up her spine. 

Did she-? A wet choke cut her train of thought as red silently made its way on her boots. She watched, paralysed amongst the screams around her, trailing its origin to the slash on Chief Renzaz’s throat, regretting her decision instantly as his brown eyes were rapidly losing sheen with tears gently flowing. Through all the distorted gasps, Renzaz only managed to make one word. 

“C-Clara.” 

And then silence cemented itself once more. Through it, blood rushed through her ears in primal panic and horror.

It’s not me. He didn't mean me. It's NOT ME. 

Clara knew she would never feel the warmth of life, but watching this accelerated numerous layers of frost to swell within whilst wet beads begun to fall from her eyes.

Get ahold of yourself Clara! 

She forced her eyes to meet the culprit’s sadistic grin. Any sembalance of calm was thrown to the wind as she witnessed the inner nature of Raschul’s renowned scientific prodigy. Yet, that insanity was gone in a second, with the porcelain mask presenting itself once more.

"Terror. That's the only solution."