With a knot of nervousness twisting in my stomach, I made my way to Walden's office. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of my words bearing down on me like a suffocating blanket.

As I reached the door, my hand hovered uncertainly over the handle, hesitating before finally pushing it open. Walden sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on some paperwork in front of him. The room felt suffocatingly tense, the air thick with unspoken words and hidden anxieties.

"Walden..." I started, my voice trembling slightly. "We... we're out of subjects."

His head snapped up, crimson eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "Out of subjects?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "Yes... we've exhausted our resources. There's no one left to... to experiment on."

For a moment, Walden's expression remained unreadable, his eyes boring into mine as if searching for some hidden truth. Then, with a heavy sigh, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple

"We'll have to find more," he said finally, his voice resigned. "We can't stop now. Not when we're so close."

I felt a chill run down my spine at his words, the weight of his determination pressing down on me like a lead weight. With a silent nod, I turned to leave.

Later on, In Walden's dimly lit office, I sat nervously at the table, my eyes flickering between the faces of my higher-standing colleagues. The air was heavy with tension, and Walden's crimson gaze seemed to pierce through me as he addressed the room.

"We're facing a dilemma," Walden began, his voice resonating with the weight of the situation. "We've exhausted our current resources, and we need to find more subjects for our experiments."

A murmur of concern rippled through the room, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. The idea of seeking out more test subjects made me uneasy, it was wrong, I knew it in my heart, yet I couldn't just leave

"We can't just go out and snatch people off the streets," someone spoke up, voicing the thoughts that were undoubtedly on all our minds.

Walden nodded in agreement, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I agree. We need a more discreet approach."

It was then that Solaria, known for his confidence, leaned forward, his hands clasped together like a bridge. His singular dark eye seemed to darken even more in a lifeless manner, yet it glowed a blood crimson in the shadows of his hair. A chill ran down my spine as I observed his serious expression.

"What about a mental facility?" he suggested, his voice steady but filled with an unsettling gravity. "There are plenty of patients there who wouldn't be missed."

His words hung in the air, casting a shadow over the room. The idea was unsettling, but desperation clouded their judgment. We needed subjects, and we needed them quickly.

This is wrong

After a moment of tense silence, Walden finally spoke. "It's a start," he conceded, his voice heavy with resignation. "But we need to proceed with caution. We can't afford any mistakes."

With a heavy heart, I nodded along with the others, the weight of our decisions pressing down on me. As we began to formulate a plan, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. But there was no turning back now.

Walden was in the phone with someone, leaning on the table, hand on his hip when he then hung up, snapping his fingers at me

"You're coming with me" he said with no room for argument

Not like I would want to anyway

As I prepared to accompany Walden on the trip to select new test subjects, a sense of unease gnawed at me. As we made our way to the car, Walden took his place behind the wheel, his expression unreadable. However, before I could join him, a sense of urgency compelled me to intervene.

"Walden, wait," I called out, my voice tinged with urgency.

He paused, turning to look at me with a questioning expression. "What is it?"

"I need to talk to Solaria first," I explained, my tone resolute. "I'll be back fast"

Walden regarded me for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, go ahead. But make it quick."

With a nod of gratitude, I hurried off to find Solaria, my heart heavy with the weight of the conversation to come. Eventually, I found him standing alone, the daylight casting a stark contrast against the shadows that seemed to cling to him.

"Solaria," I began, my voice wavering slightly with uncertainty. "Let's... Talk, about what you just suggested"

Solaria turned to face me, his expression inscrutable as always. Despite the daylight bathing us in its harsh glow, there was a darkness in his gaze that sent a chill down my spine.

"I understand that we're in a difficult situation," I continued, choosing my words carefully. "But we can't ignore the moral implications of our actions. Using patients from a mental facility as test subjects... it just doesn't sit right with me."

There was a moment of silence as Solaria regarded me, his dark eye seeming to pierce through to my very soul. For a moment, I feared that I had overstepped, that my words had offended him in some way. But then, to my surprise, he nodded slowly.

"I understand your concerns," he said, his voice soft yet resolute. "But sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding wash over me. But before I could respond, Walden's voice broke through the silence, calling for me to join him in the car.

With a heavy heart, I blinked away tears that wanted to prick my eyes as my breathe shuddered,

I was slowly losing him too...

With a sinking feeling, I bid Solaria farewell and made my way to the waiting vehicle, the weight of our impending mission pressing down on me like a leaden cloak. As we drove off into the day, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were treading on dangerous ground, and that our actions would have far-reaching consequences.

As Walden and I arrived at the mental health wards, we were greeted by a receptionist unlike any I had seen before. Their appearance was striking, with features that seemed almost animal-like, yet there was a sense of intelligence and awareness in their eyes.

"Welcome," the receptionist greeted us, their voice calm and composed despite their unusual appearance. "How may I assist you today?"

Walden stepped forward, his demeanor businesslike yet polite. "I have an appointment, under the name Walden Darling. We're here to speak with Dr. Flowera," he replied. "We're interested in touring the facility and discussing potential candidates for a research project."

The receptionist nodded, their gaze flickering between us before gesturing for us to follow. We were led through the corridors of the facility, passing by rooms filled with patients engaged in various activities.

And then, we we're led to an office, and as we entered, I immediately saw someone with their back facing us, like in some films, they turned to face us with an office chair

She had blonde hair that cascaded down to her upper back, with some strands brushed to the side, framing her face in a soft glow. Her round glasses perched on her nose, accentuating the piercing green of her eyes that seemed to hold a world of knowledge within them. Her skin had a warm ivory hue, and her lips were naturally pink, giving her an air of approachability.

Despite her slender frame, she seems to exude confidence and authority, her posture tall and commanding.

There was a sense of order and routine to the proceedings, yet an underlying atmosphere of tension hung in the air.

we were introduced to the woman as Dr. Flowera, a human with a kind yet authoritative presence. She greeted us warmly and wasted no time in guiding us on a tour of the facility.

"As you can see, we have a diverse range of patients here," Dr. Flowera explained as she led us through the corridors. Her shoes clicking against the tiled floors "Each with their own unique challenges and needs."

We followed her closely, observing the patients as we passed by. Some seemed lost in their own world, while others engaged in activities under the watchful eye of the staff.

Dr. Flowera stopped in front of a group of patients gathered in a communal area, discussing their treatment plans and progress with a sense of compassion and professionalism.

"These individuals may be suitable candidates for your research project," she suggested, her tone hopeful yet cautious. "But it's important to remember that they are people first and foremost, deserving of dignity and respect." Her voice sharp
"Well.... Only to those who deserve it I guess" she added

Walden nodded, his expression thoughtful as he considered Dr. Flowera's words. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease again.

"These patients here," Dr. Flowera began, gesturing towards a group gathered in a nearby room, "are undergoing treatment for various psychiatric disorders. Take Mr. Johnson, for example." She pointed to a middle-aged man sitting quietly in a corner, his gaze fixed on the floor. "He suffers from schizophrenia and experiences auditory hallucinations."

I noticed the bandages wrapped around her arm as she pointed

Moving to another area, she continued, "And over here, we have Mrs. Carter. She struggles with severe anxiety and depression, which often manifests in panic attacks and feelings of hopelessness."

As we walked, Dr. Flowera provided insights into each patient's condition and treatment plan, emphasizing the importance of individualized care and support.

"These are just a few examples of the individuals under our care," Dr. Flowera concluded, her voice tinged with compassion. "Each one deserving of understanding and compassion as they work towards healing and recovery."

It all seemed hopeful until she said.

"But I guess I'm too biased since I talk about the bright side more"

Flowera's words sent a chill down my spine as we followed her down the hallway, her footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor. As she stopped in front of the blue door labeled "A-117," I couldn't shake the feeling of unease settling over me.

"Like the dark and cold," she remarked cryptically before disappearing behind the door. I exchanged a nervous glance with Walden before reluctantly slipping on the coat, the heavy fabric adding to the sense of foreboding that hung in the air.

As Flowera clicked the code on the door lock, my heart raced with anticipation and apprehension. What awaited us behind that door? I couldn't shake the feeling of dread as she pushed it open, revealing the figure within.

"He's odd, yet in other words," Flowera paused, her voice taking on a sinister edge as she stepped aside to reveal the occupant of the room. "He's perfect."

The figure sitting on the bed remained still, their long colorless hair cascading down their back, almost blending into the shadows of the room. As I stepped closer, my eyes couldn't help but fixate on the noticeable bunny ears atop their head, an unusual feature that added to the sense of otherworldliness.

Before I could utter a word, the person shifted slightly, their head turning just enough to cast a piercing side glance in my direction. My breath caught in my throat as their aquamarine eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the room, locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

Author notes,

This was supposed to have a fan art but my app crashed