You woke up to the buzzing of the alarm next to you. After you had accepted the offer things had happened so fast that you struggled to keep up. You had been required to sign a mountain of paperwork promising that you wouldn't talk about anything you'd seen or would see here. You'd than been given a basic run down of what you'd be doing. It was quite vague but from what you gathered you'd be acting as an assistant to the Doctors.  You'd than been rushed out of the main facility and into a small complex where you'd been shown to your apartment. To your surprise the place had been well furnished and resembled a holiday home. It was welcoming and cosy. Apparently the apartments were meant for the use of temporary staff that sometimes visited from other facilities when they were needed. Currently you were the sole occupant of the complex so there would be no disturbances or awkward questions. Despite the fact that you were now technically an employee, there were still very strict rules you had to follow. You weren't allowed to leave the facility grounds until your loyalty was established and you weren't to enter the main complex without a gaurd escort. Not that you would want to anyway. To be honest if you never went in there again it would be too soon but of course it was unavoidable. Apparently the facility kept a stash of casual clothes by for their temporary staff and had been gracious enough to provide you with some. Luckily most of the clothes were your style and you were very relieved that you weren't required to wear a uniform. The thought of bearing their logo after what they put you through made your stomach churn. You had been ordered to get a good night sleep and be up and ready by eight for your first day. A part of you wanted to be rebellious but you knew they could easily put you back to class-D status if you didn't comply. Instead you decided to bide your time, play along and gain their trust before seeking a way out.

You had just finished your breakfast when a firm knock disturbed the silence. You weren't surprised to see an armed gaurd waiting at your door and it gave you momentary flashback of your cell that caused your breath to catch in your throat. For the first time the gun wasn't pointed at you, instead it lay resting in a casual hold. As usual you couldn't see the gaurds face but his whole aura seemed so...less hostile. It didn't do a thing to ease your anxious mind though. You still didn't trust or like the gaurds and the memories were still far too raw to push aside. The gaurd gave you a polite nod before stepping back. "Miss (Y/N) (L/N) I'm here to escort you. I'm ready when you are but don't take too long, Dr Itkin is already waiting." "Doctor Itkin?" You asked curiously. The gaurd shrugged. "Don't ask me anything, my job is to make sure you make it to your first assignment, nothing more." Instead of continuing a conversation you slammed the door behind you and made your way towards the exit.  

No more than three minutes later you were making your way down one of the countless hallways. The gaurd had since taken the lead and you tried you upmost not to appear nervous. You were sure that on the outside you looked calm but on the inside you were trembling with anxiety. However, your  facade was shattered when you saw a plague indicating what SCP's area you were entering. Your eyes only caught a glimpse of it for a moment but it was enough for your blood to freeze in your vains. SCP-049. Dread filled you as your mind repeated it again and again. Why were they taking you back to him? Why did it have to be that SCP. You never wanted to be near him again. He terrified you to the bone but you knew all too well that the situation was out of your control. As you waited for the lift to reach its stop, your mind retraced your last encounter with 049. You had watched him mutilate and defy the laws of nature by reanimating the dead. The memory of the discarded organs still made you shudder and you wondered if you would've been next had the gaurds not shut the experiment down. Your mind wandered back to your last seconds before the gaurds entered. You remembered how he had brushed your tears from your cheek. It had been a very human gesture but you hadn't given its intent much thought at the time. You had been so afraid and sure that you were going to die because he had touched you. The fear and confusion that surrounded this entity made feel physically sick and you really didn't want to add to the experience. Unfortunately your fate was beyond your control just as it had been when you first arrived here. You may no longer be a D-class but you were still a prisoner to the foundation. The preps and privileges did nothing to deny the fact that a bird in a golden cage, was still a bird in a cage. 

The elevator doors opened and the gaurd waited for you to step out. It was nice not to be prodded in the back for once and you indulge in the right to take your sweet time. As you approached the containment cell Dr Itkin stepped out of the observation room to greet you. His demeanour was completely opposite to what it had been when you first met. As soon as his eyes met yours he offered you a warm smile. "Miss (L/N), your very punctual. I like that." He adjusted his white lab coat before glancing down at his clip board. "Has anyone told you why you are here?" He asked. You shook your head. "No, I didn't even know this was where I was coming until just now." He eyed you for a moment. "I see. Well in that case I'll give you minute to read through SCP-049's case file before we begin. The last thing you want is to go in to that cell blind." Your heart thumbed in your chest when he mentioned going in there. Were they going to send you back in with that creature? "Wh-what do you mean by...go in?" You asked, worry evident in your voice. Dr Itkin looked up at you. "Oh don't worry...unlike last time you won't be a test subject. You will be conducting an interview with It. You'll be quite safe, 049 nine will be in full restraints." "Why me?" You suddenly asked. Dr Itkin paused for a moment before answering your question. "SCP-049 requested it, which is peculiar as its never shown much interest in specific people before. Over the last few years the foundation has hit a brick wall with SCP-049's case. We haven't been able to get any more information from it but perhaps it'll be more responsive to someone it chooses to communicate with." He leaned in to you and his voice dropped slightly. "I'm not so posed to tell you this but the only reason you weren't terminated after they found you innocent is because of SCP-049's request to speak with you." He stepped back and gave you a sympathetic look. "The foundation doesn't like to make mistakes." He concluded quietly. You weren't sure how to respond so you simply nodded in agreement. You were more distracted to here that SCP-049 had specifically asked for you. If it had never showed interest in anyone before what made you any different. What did it want from you?

Dr Itkin sat you down in quiet room where he offered you all the files on SCP-049. You were surprised to receive audio logs on previous interviews with the SCP but were grateful for a change from reading. Dr Itkin assured you that you could take all the time you needed to look over the information. You scanned every file diligently. The more you learned about him the more you got an eerie feeling. His constant talk of some unknown pestilence sounded almost like the ramblings of a crazy man but that didn't quite sit right with you. You recalled the unbounded intelligence in his eyes the impossible knowledge. Those weren't the eyes of a lunatic and you found yourself wondering if he knew something humanity didn't.

After two hours of looking over the files, you decided that it was time to face the music. You stood up and stretched before walking over to Dr Itkin. He craned his neck to look up at you from his desk. "You ready?" He asked and you let out a heavy sigh. "As I'll ever be." You said simply. Dr Itkin gave you an apprehensive smile before hopping to his feet. "I'll tell the gaurds to get SCP-049 ready for interviewing." 

Half an hour later you were stood outside of SCP-049's interview room. Your  hands balled into fist in an attempt to stop yourself from shaking. You stared at the metal door that separated you from the object of your unease. You jumped as a hand gripped your shoulder lightly. You looks to see Dr Itkin giving you, what you assumed to be a reassuring smile. It didn't work. He handed you a clip board which you accepted tentatively. "These are a set of questions for you to ask. Because this interview is kinda unconventional you are permitted to ask any questions you deem relevant. Unfortunately you only have half an hour so Try to stay away from trivial small talk, OK?" You gave him an odd look. Why on earth would you want to make small talk? You didn't even want to go in there in the first place. Before you were able to make a sarcastic remark about it Dr Itkin opened the door and gave you a small pat on the back.  "Don't worry, I'll be just on the other side of the window." You huffed internally. Where was the reassurance of having someone watching you form the safety of the observation room? It's not like he would be able to help if something went wrong. You took a deep breath before stepping inside the room.

049 was sitting at a sturdy metal table in the centre of the room. His hands were bound in heavy shackles as well as another restraint around his neck.  You briefly thought how uncomfortable the restraints looked but reminded yourself that they were for your benefit. No one knew why he wanted to see you and for all you knew his sole intention may only be to finish what he had started in that containment cell. His gaze followed you as you cautiously approached the interview table. His presence filled the room and pressed down on you like a thick fog. He didn't speak until you were about three feet from your chair and when he did it made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. "It's a pleasure to see you again m,lady. You look well, despite your injury." Your hand instinctively flew up to touch the gash on your head which was covered by a large bandaid. You had to ask for stronger pain killers for the constant headache you'd been suffering ever since. You were starting to wonder if the headache would ever go away. You had heard stories of people suffering a constant headache after a head injury and you really hoped that wasn't going to be the case for you. You hadn't realised that you were just standing there until 049 spoke again. "I sense fear in you. Am I correct in assuming that I am the cause of this fear?" His eyes bore into yours as you tried to respond. "Uh.. I..it's,uh.." You struggled to find a reasonable way of explaining your hesitation but stopped when you heard him give a light chuckle. "It's quite alright dear, I understand. Please take a seat, I assure you that you are quite safe." His shackles  rattled slightly as he gestured toward the empty chair opposite him. 

Slowly, you closed the space and tentatively pulled the chair out. 049 waited until you had sat down before addressing you once more. "I realise that we haven't been formally introduced. May I know your name?" You froze for a second. The question caught you off guard not because you hadn't expected it but because it was such a human question. "it's (Y/N).." You said softly. "(Y/N)." He said before looking down at his hands. He appeared to be contiplating something . "(Y/N)... Hmm, yes that suits you quite well." His eyes flickered back up to meet yours again. You were baffled. Had he just been deciding weather or not you had been appropriately named? For a second the most briefest shadow of a smile tugged at your lips as your fear was temporarily forgotten. You wondered what alternative name this being might have saddled you with had he found yours ill fitting. 049 seemed to regard your reaction with interest as he tilted his head to the side. "Thank you.." You muttered timidly. 049 gave a slow nod of acknowledgement. Than something occurred to you. "What about you, do you have a name?" You asked with genuine curiosity. "I have many names in many languages but you may call me 049, or doctor if you prefer." You gave him a confused look. "But neither of those are real names." Stated simply. 049 didn't answere and you decided it was time to move on. 

Looking down at the question sheet, your eyes scanned the first question. It just so happened to be a question you were itching to ask. "Why did you request to see me?" There was a long pause and you started to think he wasn't going to answere you. Suddenly he drummed his fingers on the table before giving you your answer. "You............intrigue me." Suddenly there was a crackling noise and Dr Itkin's voice came over the intercom. "(Y/N) could you ask 049 to elaborate?" You gave a quick nod and looked back at 049. You didn't bother to repeat the question as 049 had heard Dr Itkin's request. "Curiosity." He said simply. "Yes but what's so interesting about me?" You pushed. Again, 049 took a minute to respond. "There is interest to be found everywhere providing one is eager enough to learn." The answer didn't give you any more information and you got the distinct feeling that he was intentionally being vague. You decided not to push the matter any further. You had read in his file that he could be unpredictable and pron to mood swings. The last thing you wanted to do was agitate him. 

You glanced down at the second question provided for you. "Would you say that you've made progress with your work during your incarnation at the foundation?" You couldn't understand why they put that question down. It seemed to you that none of the doctors on 049's case believed that this pestilence was a real thing. "It is true that the foundations' refusal to allow me to treat human patients has hindered my work. However, there is always progress to be found even in the simple review of records. Upon reading my old journals, I was able to identify some unseen errors. I have since made the appropriate adjustments and thanks to Dr Itkin's generosity, was able to put it to use on a human patient just recently. The results were quite pleasing." Your mind went back to the D-class that hadn't been nearly as lucky as you when in 049's cell. "You'll talking about the other D-class aren't you; the one that was sent into your cell with me." "Indeed." He confirmed. "You "cured" him?" You asked curiously. "Yes, my cure was most effective on him." "B-but his body-" You paused as you tried to find words that wouldn't offend him. "Why did you need to operate on him?" You were glad to see he didn't appear upset by your question at all. "The cure is traumatic for the body. Such alterations are necessary for it to be able to function." You nodded, not knowing how else to respond. "Why didn't you cure me?" The second the words left your lips you instantly regretted them. "I needn't cure a disease that isn't present." You thought you herd amusement in his voice as he said that. You were a little shocked. That's a good thing I so pose, you thought to yourself. Maybe you could turn this in your favour in order to get information. You bit your lip for a moment before speaking. "Well, maybe if I knew a bit more about this disease I'd be able to avoid getting infected?" You saw a look of what appeared to be suprise flicker in 049's eyes before it vanished just as quickly. What replaced it was a strange glint of something you couldn't quite identify. Whatever it was,  it made your skin prickle with nerves and you got the distinct feeling that you had just fallen down the rabbit hole. 

He was analysing you again. You could feel his eyes burning into you as he tilted his head as if inspecting you in earnest. Unsure of what to do, you stared back at him in silence. He seemed to find whatever it was he was looking for as he straightened his head again. There was a distinct look of gladness in his eyes as he began to speak. "You are quite right, dear. It is important to protect oneself against this most abhorrent affliction. And what better way to arm oneself against the great pestilence than with knowledge?" He leaned towards you. It was the slightest of movements and you wouldn't have even noticed it had you not been watching him so carfully. But you had noticed it and it made you shrink back in your chair like a mouse in a trap. Your eyes flickered to the window for the briefest second. Dr Itkin was staring over with a fascination written all over his face. No help there, you thought as your eyes moved back to lock with the SCP's once more. The glee was gone. Instead his piecing eyes now reflected a deadly seriousness that froze the blood in your very vains. "Prahaps I could teach you." Your eyes widened and you found yourself doubting what you just heard. "Um t-teach me?" You asked, internally cursed yourself for stuttering. He leaned back into his previous position but it did nothing to soothe the tension pressing down on you. The sheer stress what causeing your headache to come back full force. "I invite you to work alongside me as my assistant. There is much I can teach you about the pestilence...and of course, the cure. That is, providing you are willing to learn." He paused and you sat there practically gawking as dread rushed through you. "Are you serious!" You blurted accidentally. 049 gave you a stern looked as he replied. "Of course, I do not jest on such matters and I advise you to consider my proposal very seriously." His head turned to look at Dr Itkin. "I do not extend such an invitation to just anyone." The last sentence was directed solely towards Dr Itkin and you watched as the doctor seemed to shift uncomfortably under 049's scrutiny. 

Dr Itkin tugged at his shirt collar before pressing the button on the intercom. "(Y/N) please exit the room, this interview is over." Relief flooded you as you practically jumped up from the chair. You knew that the interview was ending early but you didn't care. You were happy to be over with this but before you could make your way out 049 spoke up one last time. "I'll eagerly await your decision miss (Y/N)." He looked up into your eyes again and you could see that same undetectable emotion in those burning orbs. "Although I'm sure you won't have much of a say in the matter." You knew what he meant. There ware forces working above you and whatever came next would be dictated by some higher up in a neat suit and comfortable chair. You didn't reply. You couldn't. You had slipped into a kind of trance as you slowly made your way out of the room. You felt like you were walking through thick liquid as you made your way towards Dr Itkin. You were aware of him saying something but couldn't focus on the words. You just nodded in agreement. You were numb. Your thoughts were a muddle of nonsense. Your headache was back. 

You'd need to request some more pain killers, you thought as you followed the gaurd down the hallway.