Ch. 2 The monster in a lab coat
I remembered back when there were more patients and we weren't locked in our cells. There was a legend about the coroner of this place. They said he was a cannibal, he took pleasure from the corpses, and then he devoured them. Man or woman it didn't matter to him. Once he had his play he would consume the softest parts of the body like a lion in the wild. Then work his way to the more meaty varieties. Doctor Cullen was his name. Wonder if he still works here? Most likely he does. But if that's the case then what do I do about him. Most likely I will have to kill him. Not really a bad decision but still. I wish there was another way out of this place.
The trip to lab one was long I had more than enough time to heal from my injuries. All I needed was time to figure things out. My power or manipulation of element 5429 in my body acts upon my will and has some sort of self-preservation of its host. Just a little will was needed to establish a healing factor nothing too drastic. I still don't know how it all works. But enough to have my cells divide faster. I feel a strain on my body now so I must have reached the limit of what I can do with my current supply of the chemical. At least I know where my limits are now. That is something I can work with and now I have goals, I can meet out.
I relaxed in the body bag as I picked the staples from my head and felt the skin slowly knit itself back together. Can you tell me anything about the coroner? "Not really your like the first pawn of mine to survive brain death. Well sort of you don't have a brain anymore, but you do. Well it was a team effort on that one. But anyway I heard he is a humanoid mutation type. Something of a ghoul that eats human flesh for the chemical. He is super strong fast and he loves his mind games like no other. Muhahahahaahahah just kidding, I like the mind games too some times. Anyway I have been giving him subtle psychic suggestions to bring a pair of bolt cutters to work they should be on his operating table good luck." Thanks that was really helpful. "Don't get used to it jerk, humph last time I help you." Oh come on don't be like that I'm sorry it's just lots of gay jokes really don't make me happy. "And taking my help for granted doesn't make me happy good luck bye." Bye sorry.
Why the hell did that feel, so familiar? I decided, that it didn't matter, for now. As they rolled me down the endless hall ways that led to lab one they loaded more bodies on top of me. I closed my eyes and drifted off feeling strangely tired.
A sudden stop awoke me, unlike the others were they dropped more bodies on top, this one took one off. So I have arrived then. Took them long enough. I took ahold of a staple they were thick and sharp. Bending it to a point I stabbed it into the bag poking small holes in it one after the other. My goal was to make the hole big enough for a finger to pass through. I could hear the snapping of my skull as the bones knitted back together stronger than before. With an arm protecting it I was able to keep it intact, as well as, healing correctly.
Scrape! The sound of a saw used to cut through bone shattered the silence, I struggled to work faster and open a wider hole. The stench of dead bodies invaded my nose I decided to murder the feeling it wasn't worth it. Finally I slipped a finger into the hole I made in the bag. And slowly I ripped the seams apart. My strength was greater than it was before thanks to the mutations. Soon the hole was big enough to slip a leg through it. A grin would have plastered my face if not for the stitches. Squirming through the hole wasn't hard but moving between the bodies was. But like a snake I used my small frame to its fullest and moved through the cracks.
With a hand placed on the side of the dolly I raised my head up to look around. I saw the ghoul who wore a lab coat. Unlike most doctors his lab coat had a hood that covered his head. But his smile could easily be seen on his tight gray skinned face. His teeth looked like they were filed into points except for their serrated edges much like a sharks. He was busy prying open a mutant's chest. Tentacles were freely moving around the doctor but the mutant didn't have a head. Strangely there were no assistants. The sound of cracking rips rang through the air.
Strong got it. I thought, then I rolled my eyes another out of character expression that I picked up. What is wrong with me? I stepped up slowly slinking out of the dolly trying not to make a sound. Unfortunately when I stepped a foot out of the dolly a body bag raised up and started to shriek. I moved to the other side of the dolly quickly to take cover.
The loud smack of a punch resounded though the air which cut off the shrieks. The sound of footsteps sounded loud as the ghoul walked back to the operating table. It was then that I saw them a pair of bright red bolt cutters looking ever out of place here. I grabbed them quickly and quietly trying to keep silent. I turned the cutters to my face, I had to time it to the cracks of rips it was my only chance.
Crack, I cut the first metal stitch. With another crack I cut the second. The third cut then the forth. Then a another crack and I got rid of the last stitch and pulled them out. Not paying attention I dropped them on the ground resulting in a loud clang. My eyes widened at the mistake even as a rush of wind sounded to the right side of me. I slowly looked up and say the ghoul of a man looking me dead in the eyes, his a blood red with yellow flecks.
He didn't say a word and sent a kick towards my face. I moved my hands in front of my face just in time to block. There was a loud crack and both my arms broke under the pressure. Pain shot through me. The impact of my back to the wall jostled my arms but managed to reset them my healing went to work burning what little reserves of 5429 I had left. He appeared in front of me. With a fist aimed at my face. "Dodge." I move out of the way a hairs breath from losing my face.
She's helping me, I thought then got to me feet quickly I had to fight. I had to live. But what weapon did I have. It hit me the virus. He was suddenly behind me aiming another punch this one at the back of my head. A flash of how to block it entered my mind. " Here use this." A knowledge dump filled up counters entered me. No real martial art behind them just reaction from many others like me. I moved my head out of the way and caught his arm and bit it. Hot blood entered my mouth before a kick to the stomach almost destroyed my spine.
"Huh, you're the first to land a blow on me besides one of the tyrant soldiers. But your already as good as dead. I felt your spine in that last kick. Your motor functions are in disarray, it's doubtful you will be able to continue accept death. Or maybe you would rather be my assistant?" He wasn't wrong, I could feel my spine creak as I struggled to get up. I swallowed what little blood entered my mouth. I felt invigorated. My body was breaking it down and taking the mutated 5429 from it. It wasn't much but it got me back to my feet.
I rushed him invigorated by the small boost. He blurred and kicked me in the chest upward my body rose into the air. A cruel grin flashed across his face. He appeared behind me and grabbed my leg and slung me into column. This time my spine did snap. "Oh poor little number can't seem to get a break can you. Well I would say I'm surprised but I'm not. I have been feeding off those like you for years growing stronger each day. You never stood a chance." I couldn't help it, I started to laugh.
The coroner snorted. "Now what is so funny little ant that you see the need to laugh." He didn't notice it was obvious the virus was working overtime now. I could tell by a small flake of skin that fell off. I licked my teeth the blood that was so rich with 5429 was still invigorating me. Now more than even the pure stuff did.
I continued to laugh as my spine moved back into place at the cost of the last of my reserves. Well it wasn't really moving back as opposed to changing splitting and growing attached to the other broken section. I didn't technically need one now that my muscles were practically commanding themselves.
"You don't get it?" I asked not totally shocked by how scratchy my voice has become. I got up the feeding holes in my body sucking in air taking small molecules of 5429 refilling my reserves slightly to hasten my bodies recovery. Many of my organs were damaged and those that are considered useless are being broken down while the others are expanding. I could sense that it would be a long term change.
"Oh and what don't I get? You seem down out a step from the grave. Soon enough I will open you up like all the others and feast on what makes you tick." The ghoul licked his lips his tongue a deep purple longer than normal and covered in barbs. The skin on his upper lip wasn't damaged in the slightest by the action. "Now then." The ghoul grabbed his arm the one I bit and ripped it off. I nearly puked from the sight. His muscles and bones were a tangled mess the arm itself was now rapidly turning black from decay.
"Don't be so foolish number I knew all about your little virus it isn't the first I have encountered not by a long shot." I took an involuntary step back. And shook this was no man he was a monster a beast. I tightened my fist. I knew I had to get close to that arm once the virus finished its work I should be able to take in some 5429 it was my only hope.
Rope like cords flowed down the coroner's arms reshaping themselves into another arms. They slithered and squirmed fitting together. I dashed forward ignoring the pain of my back as it scraped against itself. "Destroy the head it's the only way." If you say so.
When I was close enough to strike the man turned monster he threw a right hook at me. But it was slower I dodged it and threw a punch of my own into his face. "You lost your humanity number, is that why you fight, to get it back? Do you want to rejoin humanity even as you are? Is that your reasoning why you won't just die." He aimed a swift kick at my side. I caught it, held it, and jammed my elbow into the knee cap with a satisfying crunch. For the first time the ghoul yelled in pain.
"Is it love is that what drives you. Well let me tell you that doesn't exist. I was once a mortal like you and a monster turned me into what I am today. I thought she loved me but in the end she left me for one of her own kind. There is no love only power." I pushed him backwards and rushed in with a haymaker he grabbed my arm with his good hand and head butted me breaking my nose yellow blood splattered his face.
"It didn't matter that I was stronger than the mate she chose I was just a former human. So when I won a duel against him for her hand she attacked me and broke every bone in my body leaving me for dead. It taught me, you can't trust women. Especially when you love them. They will turn on you when you least expect it." I reset my nose. You forgot to mention that he likes to ramble on about his past and lost love. "I sorry but really I don't pay attention to them when they get like this." Whatever, I will handle it.
"Hey I don't care. Your love doesn't matter to me I'm in this to survive. Love isn't in the equation." I sent an elbow to the ghoul's face. He caught it with one hand and kneed me in the stomach. There isn't much air in me left to lose. I cuff his ear with my other fist before I fall back. Landing on my back I quickly rolled back to my knees. His arm was nearly fully back to normal I guessed that he would move faster again. I needed to add some damage to the guy.
"This ends here." I ran at the ghoul my charge was faster than before. He met my charge with a blow to the stomach. I grabbed his leg and bit down on his calf. Wracking my head back and forth I ripped a chunk out of it just before he wailed on my head. "Die, you damned number." The mad ghoul hit me with an elbow to the face then a punch in the throat like a jack hammer. He put an hand around my throat and lifted me off the ground. His other arm healed right then and he hit me with a series of body shots. Ribs cracked and my stomach ruptured I would have coughed up blood but he successfully closed my wind pipe.
"Why won't you just die." The ghoul said as he gnashed his teeth and delivered blow after blow to my body. The blows were getting weaker. My bones were shattered but I would heal I knew it. I could see the inky black flesh a symptom of the virus. He was dead even he knew it. "I wanted revenge on the woman who turned me. I needed power so much power. But now I failed." The ghoul gave a bitter smile.
I knew then how I survived the pummel he dealt me. It was his blood or more precisely the blood of the one who turned him. My own physiology clung to it like a man dying of thirst. It revived my cells even as they died and my body was destroyed by his blows. It was then that I knew I was truly no longer a human. But I am still a man.
"Why did you feed me all that crap about you and your love like?" The ghoul dropped me as his arm fell off. I looked into his eyes the light he had and the power he showed was gone. My virus did its job well. Too well I realized. It could become a double edged sword striking me just as it did him.
"I honestly needed someone to rant to." The man turned monster took a deep breath. "Though it doesn't matter now. If you do escape this place they live in Mississippi, I would like it if you killed them for me, make it a last request." He collapsed on the ground flesh flaking off of his body. Slowly I rose from the ground my body broken bones scraped against each other. I was lucky to not suffer organ failure. Red with black slits through them looked up at me. Red veins that moved like tentacles fought the virus to a standstill.
"If I find them I will kill them but it really doesn't matter to me. My only goal is to get out of here." I took a step onto his arm and looked down. It still held a lot of grey. Just a little of his blood contained so much of the chemical I can only imagine what a whole arm could do for me. No I am a man I won't fall and become a beast so easily.
"You are thinking about devouring my arm and then me aren't you." My head snapped to his. He glared at me and smirked. "Go ahead take what power you can from my former limb, it's not like I will get any use out of it now." My body wouldn't move I was frozen in indecisiveness I could consume the arm and take power from it or I could rely on my body's ability to survive as I am now. "You don't know what you will be facing and right now you're in no state to escape."
"Go ahead eat it make his strength yours." My inner voice whispered to me, all the while I felt my rips rise and meld back together changing and stealing what nutrients they can to complete their actions. What 5429 I have left is now gone eaten away as fast as my body and produce it. "What are you waiting for another invitation eat it gain more power!" My voice yelled at me. I reached down and picked up the arm. "Yes, hahahahah yes, go on take a bite grow stronger." I ignored the annoying voice and bit into the arm. It tasted foul the blood had already thickened. The arm was tough so I wrenched my head back and forth to rip out a chunk and quickly swallowed it. Tears fell from my eyes. It felt like I was losing something important, I ripped another piece out after I swallowed the first. Once I reached bone I turned it over and continued till all of the arm was picked clean I even went to the fingers and sucked off the flesh. Left with only a skeletal arm I cracked the bones and sucked in the marrow taking everything I could from the arm. I will take everything or nothing at all. This has done something to me. Something that can't be undone. With the arm spent of all available nutrition I tossed the remains on the ground. When I turned to the doctor my haze of feeding over he was gone. There wasn't even a blood trail to follow.
Suddenly it felt like my entire existence was electrocuted I fell to my knees.
Recovered memory
I was watching a news report there was a new drug on the streets called mist. The drug apparently made the body change grow stronger faster than normal but it was addictive. It was reported that once the drug is in your system you can never stop taking it or you will die. And if someone were to continue to take it they would keep growing stronger but at a cost. They would start to develop cancerous growths around the brain.
Intrigued I went online to learn more. There was some pharmaceutical that was experimenting with stem cells and a type of fungi got mixed in. The result was a fungus that rapidly manufactured lightly mutated stem cells. Dr. Homer the doctor who committed the mistake named them Lucioids. The new stem cells were immediately given clearance for human testing. There was a ten thousand dollar payment for the first thousand that signed on for testing.
Stupidly I signed the form. And being the idiot I was talked my girlfriend into doing the same. After we signed up we received a call. I don't remember much of the conversation other than where we were going. An island deep in the pacific. That is where we were captured separated and put into cells so long ago.
End of memory
My breathing had ran ragged from the effects of the memory. My vision went red for a few moments but a few calming breaths fixed that. I must keep my cool for now. But at least now I know my name was Samuel Markson. Hey are you there I need to introduce myself to you. "Fine but I already know your name." I don't care my name is Samuel. "Like I said I know that Sam I have known for longer than we have been here. But do you remember my name." Not at all. "Well blunt as usual jerk. It's Lucy for your information. And hurry up and get here so we can escape." A crash shook the facility pieces of the wall began to fall down. I'm on the clock now Lucy so talk later. "Fine bye turd."