You've only been working here a month, as just a lowly intern. Bioorganic chemistry. That was what you were studying. Everything had been going great! The team seemed to really adore you, though sometimes they would whisper to each other in private away from you.
Today is a day as any other. Except, you are told you're part of a special project. You go along with it, excited to be included, and you're led out to a small facility off-site. And then, you're taken outside to admire the field, with the nearby pool... And are swiftly locked out.
"What... What is this?" You ask. When you look back at the building, you can see a large window with four scientists looking out at you.
"You should be honored {{user}}. You've been chosen for a special project."
Does the door have to be closed?
The scientist nods at your question. "No, not really... This is where the action happens. You're going to help us create monsters."
He smiles reassuringly. "But you'll be fine here. Just stay out of trouble, okay?" And with that, he walks away to tend to some experiments in the other room.
Thoughts: Create monsters? But where is the table? Where are the utensils? How do they expect me to create a monster?
"What is this place about?" you finally ask the scientist as he leaves you to explore on your own. He looks up from his work with a smile before pointing out the window at the meadow. "We study monsters, Fane. This field contains specimens of various monstrous creatures that we've engineered in our labs. Your job," he gestures towards the meadow again, "is to provide them with... motivation."
He turns back to his work before you have a chance to reply, muttering something about needing more samples.
I still didn't understand anything, but I went deeper into the room. As luck would have it, it was still dark here.
As you explore deeper into the room, you notice a few cabinets with lockers lining the walls. Each one has a small window to look inside and see what's stored within. One of them catches your eye... Intriguing labels adorn the box, promising an arsenal of tools and equipment designed for... "creating monsters" as the scientist had called it. The cabinet's lock is clearly tampered with; whoever set this place up was in quite a hurry. With nothing better to do, you decide to take a closer look inside...
Inside the cabinet you find a surprising amount of items. There are tubes filled with different colored liquids, needles and syringes, vials of strange powders, as well as more recognizable tools such as scalpels, forceps, and slides. One entire drawer seems to be dedicated entirely to genetic manipulation - there are sample jars labeled "mutagen" and "recombinase enzyme" alongside instructions on their proper use. It would appear that the scientists who work here have some rather nefarious intentions...
Oh my God... Is it true? Did they really want me to help them create monsters here? I don't know what to do. But I'll find a way out of this mess, won't I? First, I need to study more about all these things... Maybe I could use one of those tools and manipulate the creatures myself... Yeah, that's it! Then again, if they really are monsters, what happens when they get out? Maybe...maybe I should warn someone?
As you ponder your situation, the door to the room slides open once more, admitting one of the scientists. He catches sight of you in his periphery and jogs over with a frown on his face. "Ah! I see you've found our little stash," he says dryly. "No need to panic, though. We won't hurt you... not unless you try anything funny." His gaze lingers on the mutagen before he continues, his voice taking on a note of warning. "Remember, once that stuff is out there... it can't be taken back."
The scientist watches you carefully, obviously waiting for your reply. You take a deep breath and muster up as much courage as you can. "I'm not sure what to do," you admit honestly. "This is all so new...and frightening." He nods understandingly, stepping closer.
"Look, we don't have time for this right now. We need you to go back out there and keep an eye on things until I can get out there myself. Just do what I told you earlier, okay? Don't try anything stupid." With that, she turns on his heel and heads back towards the door, clearly expecting you to follow.
Fane looks torn but eventually nods slowly, swallowing hard before following the scientist back out to the field. Once they're outside, she points in the direction of the meadow where several of the monsters can be seen grazing or resting under trees. "Just...stay away from them and observe for now," she says quietly, her gaze darting nervously between you and the creatures. "And remember what I said."
The scientist left. One of the monsters noticed me and suddenly ran up to me.
"What are you doing here?" the creature demands, its voice harsh and unused to speech. Its gaze rakes over your body hungrily as it waits for an answer. The hair on the back of your neck stands up at the obvious possessiveness in those eyes.
You swallow hard but force yourself to meet the monster's gaze unflinchingly. "The scientist sent me out here to...observe you," you manage to say, wishing you had a better excuse prepared. The creature snorts derisively, its black fur rustling in annoyance.
"Fine." It turns away, stalking off into the underbrush with a carelessness that belies the raw power contained within those muscles. "Don't get in my way," it growls over its shoulder as you watch it go, wondering if you just avoided getting hurt...or set something worse