I'm just evil aren't I? Build you up to continue the flash-forward, but now it's back to the present.
Chapter 6
Something Soft
"Hmmm." Tessa rubbed her chin. "What should I call you? Harold," she began. "What should I call this new baby?" She examined the small cluster of cells that had already formed in the small plate.
"I do not believe I am qualified to name children," Harold responded in its cool computerized voice.
"Of course not," Tessa said, her voice weighted with frustration. "How about… Damon?"
"That is a satisfactory name."
"Satisfactory. This is important. I can't go around giving these children wishy washy names. I think we need to rewrite your programming to include naming software."
"Tampering with my systems is a bad idea. If I may ask, how long has it been since you slept?"
"Now you're my bloody doctor too." Tessa paused. "You're right. It has been a while hasn't it. Make sure you watch this thing. Don't let it leave," she said, pointing to the creature in the corner. "Oh if any of the others survived, don't let them in the genetics lab if they show up."
Julian found himself lying in a black room. At least he thought it was a room. Strange noises filled it, but they seemed to be coming from outside. He could make out several distinct noises. One was a consistent pulsing noise. That one didn't seem to bother Julian too much. But then there was the scraping, the pounding, and the banging. It sounded as though something was trying to break into the black room. He found a wall of the room. Reaching out and touching it, he discovered that it was wet and slimy. Out of instinct, he put his ear up to the wall. Through it, he could hear raspy breathing.
"You can't hide from us for long. Your mind is feeble and easily manipulated. It won't be much longer before you are compliant," a shrill voice said. Julian stumbled backwards in terror.
Michael ran, tears brimming in his eyes. He could barely see. All of the trees and shrubs blended together in a misty blur. His foot hit something soft, and he tripped. Dirt and leaves filled his mouth. The damp smell of a cave filled his nostrils. He wiped the dirt and tears off his face. Crouching and turning around, he saw what he tripped on. It was Julian's body.
"Not another one!" He was seriously reconsidering his decision to join this expedition. It started off great. Everyone was alive and not stuck under piles of metal. He couldn't think about Sammi now. Julian was the only one who mattered in this moment. Michael checked for a pulse and breathing. Both there, but faint. "Wake up buddy. Please." He examined Michael's shoulder where he found an oozing flesh-wound. It looked like a bite mark.
The smoldering remains of Brian's escape pod lit a small patch of dried grass on fire. The wind quickly fanned the flames, and black columns of smoke began to rise. Brian coughed as the think acrid stench of burning flesh filled his nostrils. He was on fire, and by the looks of it, paralyzed from the waist down…