Chapter 4

Hidden beneath the skin of Beacon Hills in their makeshift laboratory the Dread Doctors work tirelessly towards their goal, there is no sense of urgency, no frustration or excitement in the way that they move, just a calm and measured inevitability that adds a weighted chill to the damp room.

Two figures stand engrossed at a cluttered workstation awash in a sickly green light that gives the scene an otherworldly feel, a feeling which is only enhanced by the slight blur that seems to surround these mechanical doctors as they vibrate on their own unique frequency. Lost in their work The Geneticist and The Pathologist pore over their latest batch of samples surrounded by evidence of many tests and experiments already run, from their copious notes and the rapt attention these new samples are receiving it would seem that there is much they are learning. Their attention never wavers from their task despite the violent sounds of struggle coming from a large cage sitting off to the side of their concrete workspace. Standing studiously in front of the cage The Surgeon is almost motionless contemplating the large beast thrashing around in an attempt to break free from captivity. The creature stills slightly as The Pathologist nears the cage and although it bows its head in submission allowing a long needle to pierce its neck and slowly fill a syringe with its blood, a low growl rumbles in its chest throughout suggesting this submission is not a reaction it is choosing or happy with. Once the vial is filled with thick red liquid The Pathologist removes the needle and takes the fresh sample back to the workstation to rejoin The Geneticist and continue their experimentations.

Just as the Doctor rests the syringe on the work surface a wave of sound washes through the room followed by the faint echo of a banshee's scream. The rolling wave of sound and energy causes the beast to let out a high pitched whine and hunch its large body down in the cage, the Dread Doctors all pause in their work, heads raising they feel the sound pass over them as though it were a physical thing; for a moment they aren't blurry … for a moment they are clear and sharply in focus … for a moment they don't vibrate.

The Doctors brief discomfort passes as the sound fades away and as quickly as they notice this change they push it aside and enjoy their pleasure at the Banshee's obviously growing abilities. The Surgeon turns to its fellow doctors, "The connection continues to grow, how is the subject?"

The Geneticist and The Pathologist share a glance and consult their notes before The Geneticist breathes out a reply, "Further stabalising is required, we shall proceed with continued exposure, another test run would be advantageous."

The Surgeons gaze returns to the beast, "The banshees connection to the hound grows with her power, the plan proceeds on schedule."