Seoyong couldn’t move his body as his senses began to return one by one. He slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the bright white light on his face. Murmured words could be heard, “Incredible. His brain…activates…8-33 is involved.”

  Seoyong wide eyed as he began to aggressively tug the straps on his body but with no luck. Dr 8 noticed he was awake and commented, “You’re awake. Dinner has passed but thankfully you’re awake for your punishment.”

  Dr 8 ripped off the leather binds on his mouth, only for him to aggressively ask, “Where is she?” Seoyong gritted his teeth before softening his tone, not wanting to provoke Dr 8, “Where… is my sister?”

  “In another room… Don’t worry, 8-33 is safe and unharmed. But whether or not she stays unharmed is all up to you.” Dr 8 tilted her head curiously, noticing something off about him as she turned his head away.

  She noticed some dark green scales like snakes forming behind his neck as she ordered, “Get some blood samples. Now!”

  Dr 8 then added excitedly thinking this might be what Dr Oh might have wanted, “Make sure he isn’t harmed tonight.”

  ***

  In room 38, Seohwa was sitting in a chair as she silently watched Mr Alpha standing in front of her.

  “A quiet one, aren’t you?” Mr Alpha hummed as he got a lighter and a cig from his pocket before he began to smoke.

  “I must admit, there must be something special about you two. Both of you excel in academics as far as I heard, but I’m not one to trust words unless I see it with my own two eyes.” He puffed some smoke towards her as she coughed.

  He then continued, “But, I did see you two excelling in your physical training.” He walked around her slowly, he lifted his boot on the chair as he leaned forward looking down on her, “How do I put it? Every time you two train, you’re always diligent…always learning…until you don’t need it anymore… like snakes silently watching their prey before they devour them…” Seohwa stayed stoically still as she didn’t return his observing stare. A wrong move here could mean their plan to escape will be hindered.

  However, Mr Alpha wasn’t in the best of moods as he grabbed her chin towards him, “…It’s just a small hunch, but tell me, are you two planning to escape?” Seohwa stayed silently still, glaring at him as she replied, “How can we? When all exits are blocked and you’re stronger than us?”

  Mr Alpha noted her determined stare and smirked before releasing her, "That's right, how can you? Maybe I should have my men celebrate with some drinks since they’re doing good. Perhaps on Fridays.” He chuckled as he pulled back, feeling the presence of Dr 8 opening the door. Seohwa froze pondering his words as she observed him crossing his fingers behind his back acting as if he was scratching himself.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  “Was she sensible?”

  “Too much for my taste.” Mr Alpha shrugged his shoulders, “She’s all yours.”

  As he passed by her, Dr 8 whiffed the scent of him smoking as she frowned, “I believe I have informed you of no smoking within the facilities.” Mr Alpha paused, “Deduct my pay then.” He left with a brief wave out of the room.

  For the first time, Seohwa heard some incomprehensible curses under Dr 8’s masks as she sighed and faced Seohwa. She came close to Seohwa and computed some code into the computer next to her.

  “To be frank, I am quite lucky…” Dr 8 began, “To think I would have twins in my supervision, much more, twins considered high value subjects.” She cackled creepily, jarring Seohwa’s ears.

  She paused before continuing, “I can do quite a comparison. As a scientist, nothing pleases me more. That’s why, 8-33, trust that I won’t kill you. At most, it will hurt and you feel like dying, but it's better than dying.”

  Seohwa saw robotic arms with large needles as she panicked before shouting, “Wait!” Dr 8 frowned upon the interruption as she reluctantly paused the robotic arms.

  “Where is my brother?”

  Dr 8 chuckled as she pulled back her bangs dangling on her mask, “Why is it that you two asked the same thing? You don’t have time to worry about him, my dear. Worry about yourself first.”

  She pressed enter in the computer as the robotic arms began to move once more. Their large, chilling needles pierced through Seohwa’s delicate skin. It stung but it didn’t hurt as much as she thought. But then…

  “It’s just begun.”

  High voltage electricity passed through Seohwa’s body as her hair frizzled out, “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

  Blood trickled down from her nose as Dr 8 turned on and off the voltage, while sipping her coffee.

  “This is a quicker way to speed up the amplification process. It will only take 10 minutes.” Dr 8 explained as she watched the bright voltage electrocuting Seohwa.

  Seohwa bit her lips to offset the pain as she thought of her brother.

  It was a long 10 minutes.

  ***

  In room 37, Seoyong asked the assistant researcher, still feeling the effects of the sedative, “Where is Dr 8?”

  The assistant researcher stopped typing and plainly responded, “She is attending to 8-33.”

  “Attending?” Seoyong perked his ears up as he felt his stomach sink, “…Will she be ok?”

  The assistant researcher paused, “She won’t die.”

  “What? What do you mean by that?” Seoyong urgently asked, but the researcher looked at his watch and got up, “You got lucky tonight. Go to bed and sleep it off.”

  Seoyong was released from his binds as Black Mask guards held him out of the room. Seoyong stayed quiet as he obediently followed to his room.

  When he arrived, he looked around frantically hoping to see Seohwa among the many subjects like him. He then heard the door slide open as Seohwa was carried by Mr Alpha. Seoyong ran towards her in hurriedly, “Seohwa!”

  Mr Alpha placed her gently on her bed before he stretched his back, “God, I’m getting old. Well then, sleep tight.”

  He was about to pat Seoyong’s head when his hand was swatted away like a fly by Seoyong.

  Seoyong glared at him before turning back to check the pale Seohwa.

  Seoyong sat on the edge of the bed as he pulled the blanket on her, “I’m… so sorry, Seohwa.” He whispered softly as he closed his eyes shut, almost hoping it was just a nightmare.

  He stayed by her side the whole night until he fell asleep beside her.