One:
Fuchsia City Medical Center
A cold shiver scurried down the perspiring back of fifteen-year-old Lucas Green as he parked his bicycle in front of the large darkened building before him. The night was crisp and his breath was as visible as smoke, but Lucas was well aware that the chills he felt had no relation to the cold. What in the world was he doing here?
Not bothering to chain up his bike, Lucas forced his legs to lurch forward towards the tall, rusted entrance gates. His heart was already thumping against his chest in protest, but he was a journalist after all. He did not have the luxury of time to feel scared.
Lucas stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets and fished out a scrap of paper. The glow of the moon and distant light from town was barely enough to decipher the writing, but Lucas had already memorized the content. He gave it one final review.
Luke -
Got a tip for your school newspaper. Heard from my friend's mom that she's heard screaming from the old hospital on Hudson the past few nights. That place is supposed to be abandoned isn't it? Police say they checked it out but the lady swears she keeps hearing things. Sounded like something your crazy ass would be interested in.
- Aaron
His friend, Aaron, was right. Lucas lived for the scoop. He had always been nosy by nature. And ever since he had learned in school years ago about the famous Alexa of the Lumiose Press overseas he had dreamed of becoming a famous reporter. There was something about being right in the thick of the action, being the person who relays to everyone what is going on in the world. Seeking the unknown gave him an adrenaline rush unlike anything else. It made him feel alive.
At the moment, however, Lucas was feeling particularly fond of feeling alive as opposed to dead or in pain. He wasn't sure he wanted to risk that feeling just to check on some unfounded claim from some woman he didn't know that something was going on inside the old Fuchsia City Medical Center. Besides, the building represented the dark days of Lucas' past that he had done his best to repress over the years, and the idea of returning was not exactly pleasant.
But something about Aaron's tip made it unignorable. Something about the tone and conviction of the woman's voice on the phone had forced Lucas out here despite everything the cops had said. This, Lucas thought, was the downside to his extreme curiosity. He had to see for himself. He needed proof either way.
Lucas drew in a deep breath and gazed up at the shabby brick building beyond the gates. Any activity inside, let alone nefarious activity would surely be front page news. The old hospital had been abandoned for nearly two years, along with many of the homes and businesses in historic Fuchsia City. Once a flourishing community with an abundance of tourist attractions, the recent poverty and hardship going on all around the region had definitely reared its head in Lucas' hometown.
"Come on, Luke. It's time." he muttered to himself, putting everything else out of his mind.
Lucas took note of the large padlock and chains securing the gates. Perhaps it was adrenaline or the intensity of the moment. Whatever it was, Lucas suddenly felt exhilarated, like he was some sort of secret agent or spy on an intelligence mission. Embracing this feeling, he cooly grabbed hold onto the metal bars and hoisted himself up in hopes of cooly jumping the fence.
All manner of swagger was immediately deflated, however, when Lucas promptly lost his grip and tumbled painfully to the dirt. He swore. Thankful that no one had been around to witness his pathetic attempt, he stood up and brushed himself off.
Despite his urge to relent and return to the safety of his house, Lucas' journalistic instincts would not let him give up. He scanned the perimeter of the gates for another way in. The darkness of the late hour was now a hindrance as he searched for any sort of opening. The fence seemed secure.
Not knowing what else to do, Lucas started walking and followed the fence to see if there were any openings. In the moonlight, he noticed that the hospital's windows were boarded up and untended vegetation had begun to swallow the building's foundation. The entire area looked quite undisturbed.
Then Lucas saw it. As he made his way to the southwest side of the building, there was a small service door at the fence's corner. Another shiver overcame him when he noticed that the padlock on the door had been broken off, leaving the metal gate to sway and squeak gently in the breeze.
Maybe the police broke the lock when they checked the building and forgot to replace it, Lucas thought. That had to be it. Who would even want to break into an empty hospital?
Cursing his own curiosity under his breath, he pushed open the door and circled back around the building towards the hospital's front doors. He walked up the front steps and stopped at the large glass doors, which were now grimy with age. He didn't expect them to be unlocked and he was correct.
"Of course not," he said to himself. "That'd be way too easy."
Had it not been for the sliced up padlock on the gate, Lucas would have given up right then and there. There were no other signs of forced entry and the windows that weren't boarded were all dark. He heard no screaming or sounds of any kind coming from inside, but something in the back of his mind was telling him that he should proceed.
After a considerable amount of searching, Lucas found one of the main level window sills had rotted so badly over the years that he was able to break it away from its latch and slide it open. He took his flashlight out of his pocket and used it to peer inside. When he was satisfied that there was nothing of concern to be found, he climbed through the window.
Once inside, Lucas realized that he had absolutely no idea what he was looking for or what he would do if he found it. He looked around the moonlit room. It was a typical patient sickroom with two empty metal-framed beds separated by a curtain, a couple of small guest chairs and a tiny bathroom. He tried the lights, but predictably, nothing. His flashlight would have to do.
Lucas knew this place well. Aside from the tangle of cobwebs hanging along the ceiling and the sediment of dust caking every surface, it looked identical to the room he had spent so much time in as a young boy. Under the narrow beam of his flashlight, he saw that the beds where still made with the same scratchy white sheets, the floors still made up of the same speckled blue tiles.
It felt like just yesterday. Even without the bustling nurses and bright white lights Lucas remembered, the painful memories of this place flooded his mind like a dam had burst.
Feeling suddenly nauseous, Lucas hastily made his way out into the hallway and eventually found the main lobby. More pangs of queasiness quickly set in when his flashlight found the large waiting room flanking the front desk. The same grey chairs lined the walls. He could still see in his mind's eye the pretty pink-haired nurse who had sat Lucas down in the chair closest to the water cooler and delivered the worst news of his life.
Seeing the hospital like this felt strange. The nurse's piercing words felt like they had been uttered only days ago, but the dust and cobwebs proved that years had passed.
The dilapidated state of the familiar hospital was just another reminder of how far Fuchsia City had fallen over that time. The fond memories from Lucas' childhood were just distant dreams by now, the numbness of tragedy making it difficult to believe that such memories had ever taken place.
The arcade where Lucas' mother had taken him for his eighth birthday party had been demolished in favor of housing projects. His old elementary school had been left to rot after enrollment had dropped. His entire world was crumbling around him.
Perhaps this was why Lucas' aspirations to become a famous reporter were so strong. It wasn't just that he wanted to escape Fuchsia City to search for a better life. He wanted to escape the past. He wanted to make his mother proud, and to do that, he had to get out.
Suddenly emboldened by the excitement of the journey he would begin in the morning, Lucas took one last look at the waiting room before quickening his pace around the hospital. By now, he was convinced that the tip he had received was false. There were no clues to indicate anyone had set foot in the building since its closure, but he had already come this far. He might as well make absolute sure that there was no news story to be found here.
After wandering the halls and checking out different rooms at random for a while, Lucas eventually made his way to the stairwell to quickly check out the basement. He had never ventured down there and was curious as to what the hospital had been like behind the scenes. His footsteps clacked and echoed down the concrete steps until they stopped at a metal door. He opened it, revealing a long, narrow hallway.
Lucas' flashlight began to flicker. He swore. He shook it pleadingly, and the strength of the light stabilized itself. Not wanting to get trapped in the pitch black basement with no light, Lucas picked up his pace even more. As far as he could tell, the basement was just a series of winding hallways with a network of pipes and wires running along the ceiling. Nothing too interesting.
As Lucas turned a corner, his flashlight beam stopped on a wooden door with a shiny brass knob. Feeling anxious to wrap up his exploration and return home before his light died, Lucas started to pass the door. But he stopped.
A soft horizontal sliver of white light was peeking through the bottom of the door. Lucas switched off the flashlight to make sure it wasn't just a reflection, but it was not. There was indeed some source of light inside. He took a deep breath and tiptoed up to the door. He carefully placed his ear against the wood and listened for any sign of life.
Silence.
Against his better judgement, Lucas slowly grasped the door knob and turned it. Easing the door open ever so slightly, he peered into the room.
Inside, Lucas found that the light was coming from an open laptop computer sitting on a small table in the corner of what looked like a utility room or janitor's closet. Lucas shined the flashlight into the shadows but saw no one, only the computer.
Lucas was suddenly very aware that his breathing had grown heavy. His heart's pace had once again quickened. Someone was here. A sudden urge to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible came over Lucas. Combating that, however, was an equally strong feeling of curiosity as Lucas gazed at the computer screen.
The latter eventually won as it normally did. Lucas took one more look behind him before creeping towards the desk. He sat down and scooted the laptop closer to himself. There were two windows open on the screen. Lucas enlarged the closest one and read:
FROM: Dr. O. Tanaka
TO: Higher Management
SUBJECT: Status Report A92 - Operation Special Soldier, Day 84
PATIENTS: "Xena" (19), "Yosef" (21)
PHYSICAL STATUS:
As of Day 91, Xena and Yosef are the only two subjects to survive the cell mutation process. All other perished before Phase 2. Currently, both patients appear to be relatively healthy. Vitals are good; Yosef's heart rate is slightly above average.
PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS:
Hypnosis and shock therapy seem to be most effective as both subjects are obedient to simple commands. Phase 3 will include commands that could clash with patients' moral standards to test the bounds of their obedience.
NOTES:
Both subjects are adjusting well to the mutation. Both displayed incredible power, although not great accuracy. Still volatile and unstable, but further adjustments and training should improve precision. Test results against human prey were satisfactory. Results versus adult Arcanine and adult Arbok were mixed, however. Recommend further stimulation procedures, possible hormonal adjustment as well to speed growth.
Lucas read the message again, then once more. He couldn't make much sense of it. He wondered if he was reading something from a movie. Not knowing what to think, Lucas moved onto the other window and read.
-
FROM: Higher Management
TO: Dr. O. Tanaka
SUBJECT: Security Breach Protocol
Dr. Tanaka,
After convening with the board, we have agreed to let you proceed with the memory adjustment of Officer Jennifer Bryant. We agree that simply disposing of her would create more problems than we need.
We do advise that you and your subordinates conduct yourselves with more caution. Our intelligence suggests that the security breach occurred when police received a complaint after a resident heard screaming coming from your location.
Please proceed immediately and get Officer Bryant back to her post as soon as possible before the department starts getting suspicious.
Keep us updated.
The Lieutenant
Lucas felt the sweat on his brow grow cold at the mention of the police officer and reference to the complaints of screaming. But what really tantalized Lucas was the "memory adjustment." What in the world was going on?
Lucas didn't have long to ponder because the distant sound of footsteps from outside the small utility room made him freeze. He quickly tiptoed to the door and peeked his head out.
Down the long hall hidden behind the corner, Lucas noticed a flashlight beam or two from afar along with soft voices in the distance. Not wanting to find out who was holding those flashlights, Lucas walked briskly and as silently as he could in the opposite direction. He didn't dare turn his own flashlight on, so he used his outstretched hands to guide himself down the hall.
Ignoring the pleadingly loud beats of his heart and his yearning bladder, Lucas stopped at the first door he felt. He took a deep breath and took a moment to collect himself mentally.
Lucas' journalistic gears inside his head began to turn at breakneck speed. Whoever this Dr. Tanaka was, he was certainly up to something. And whatever it was that he was up to, Tanaka and whoever he was working for definitely didn't want anyone to know about it. Surprisingly, Lucas felt excitement once again rush over him.
Still, the voices from down the hall were gaining volume. And despite how badly Lucas wanted to know what was going on, he didn't figure simply walking up to these people and introducing himself would be the best plan of action.
Just before the distant beams of light turned the corner and shone down the hall towards Lucas, he swiftly opened the door and slipped inside. Another dark room. It smelled terrible. Careful to breath through his mouth, Lucas closed the door softly behind him, flipped on his flashlight and turned around to assess the area.
The moment his light found the mangled looking body suspended before him, Lucas nearly wet his pants. A sudden explosion of fear shocked him like an Electabuzz jolt. He would have screamed bloody murder had his voice worked. His brain implored him to run away, but his trembling knees wouldn't budge.
The circle of light quivered under the guidance of Lucas' shaking grasp. A man, probably middle aged, hung from a large hook on the wall like a towel on a rack. Dark blood covered the man's battered face and matted his once-blonde hair. His head drooped towards his heaving chest and his limbs hung lifelessly at his sides.
"Wh-what are you doing here, kid?!" a raspy, exhausted voice suddenly spilled out of the man.
Lucas didn't respond. Terror was dominating his curiosity at this point.
"You must... must get out of here while you still can," the man continued.
"What happened?! What's going on?" Lucas stammered, finally coming to his senses and running over to the man.
Lucas tried to hoist the man's body up and off the metal hook, but he almost lost his dinner when he realized the hook was plunged deep into the man's spine. A faint stream of blood was still oozing from his back, but the majority of it was pooled on the floor beneath him.
Lucas stopped and shined the flashlight all around the room. His nausea exploded once again when he was a half dozen other human bodies strewn around the floor like dirty laundry. Some of the carcasses were missing limbs, others were completely mutilated to the point that they were completely unrecognizable as humans. Lucas could have swum laps in the amount of blood on the floor.
"Leave... me," the man whispered. "Save... yourself. Those... things... monsters."
"M-Monsters?! What do you mean?! What's going on here?"
"Tanaka... made those things... too strong... you-you must get out..."
"Please! Just tell me what Tanaka is up to!"
The man's eyes were glazed over and were beginning to droop closed as Lucas watched his mouth labor to move. But before the man could utter any more words, his body went limp. The man was dead, left to hang like a rag doll.
It was weird feeling to witness the exact moment of someone's death. Lucas felt badly about just leaving the man's body hanging like meat at the butcher shop without so much as a funeral or flowers, but the man's chilling words were enough to make Lucas forget his mission. He had to get out.
Turning on his heels, Lucas again peeked his head out of the door he had entered. Complete darkness. Complete silence. Still breathing heavily, he took off on a dead sprint down the hall back towards the stairwell with only his memory to guide him through the darkness.
Lucas had turned around the second corner when he saw the merciful moonlight from the window in the stairwell ahead. He quickly glanced behind him, but no signs of life. A slight wave of relief came over him. Whoever he had seen walking must be preoccupied. All Lucas had to do was get upstairs and out the nearest window.
Eager to escape, Lucas turned and opened the door to the stairwell.
THWACK!
Something hard suddenly struck Lucas in the temple as soon as he opened the door. A light shined in his eyes, but his vision immediately started to blacken, his consciousness leaving him like he was falling asleep.
As his legs began to fail and he collapsed to the floor, the last thing Lucas saw was a shadowy figure standing over him in the doorway. There was nothing Lucas could do, though. He blacked out.
