The following is a recount based on the testimony of Dr Winston.
Winston knocked on the front door of Angela's home 3 times. It had been 4 weeks since anyone had heard from her, and while her burying herself in her work was normal, it had never gone on this long. After a minute, the door creaked open, revealing Angela's cyborg butler, Genji. Angela had saved his life once, after his brother tried to kill him. In gratitude, and also out of a desire to avoid combat, he volunteered to look after her as a butler.
"Ah, Good evening Dr Winston. I am glad you are here." Genji greeted Winston with a bow as he opened the door.
"After your urgent message I came as quickly as I could." Winston replied as he followed Genji inside, who lead him to the lounge room. He took a seat as Genji offered him a cup of tea, which he politely declined.
"So what is going on with Angela, where is she?" Winston asked as Genji sat down.
"That's just it. She hasn't left the lab in almost 3 weeks now. She asked me to leave her meals outside the door for her and not let anyone in." He took off his mask, his eyes filled with anxiety. "Frankly, I'm really worried for her. After everything she did for me, I feel like I must keep her safe. Yet how can I go against what she asks me to do?"
Winston nodded, a grim expression on his face. "So she's been completely alone down there?" he asked.
Genji frowned. " Now that you mention it, not exactly. I once saw another scientist heading to her lab. She had short red hair, arranged kinda messily, and was a similar height to Angela. I asked her who she was, and she said she was a friend of hers who was assisting her. Angela said for me to ignore her, but I know she's come in and out several times throughout the last few weeks. It's suspicious. Not to mention the strange noises coming from the lab, which sometimes sound like screams. You have to help her, Winston. She trusts you, so she might listen to you."
Before Winston could reply, Angela burst through the basement door in a huff, shaking with a mix of anger and something else. The skin under her eyes was blackened, her hair a frizzy mess. Genji jumped up and bowed quickly. "GENJI! I HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A QUARTER OF AN HOUR!" Angela yelled, shoving a piece of paper into his chest. "S-So sorry, Miss Angela!" Genji stammered. "Order this list of chemicals for me ASAP" Angela commanded, before turning and seeing Winston.
"ANGELA! What's gotten into you?" Winston asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Winston, it's good to see you, but I'm really busy with my work. Genji can show you out." She replied dismissively, turning away.
"NO!" Winston cried as he grabbed her with both hands and turned her to face him. "What is WRONG with you? You have your work, and nothing more! You are possessed, what is your demon? You've never been this way before! You've shut out those whom you cared for. It's something strange, something wrong, I see a change, it's like when love dies. I who have known you for so long, I see the pain in your eyes!"
Angela finally stopped, his words clearly hitting their mark. She mumbled "I'm fine, really" before Winston interrupted her. "There was a time you lived your life, and no one lived the way that you did. You had a plan, you found a wife! You saw the world for what it could be. You had it all, all you could ever desire. You knew what to live for, but now it seems you don't at all! You have your work, nothing more!"
Angela gently brushes his hands off her shoulders, looking down in shame. "I'm afraid I can't tell you, this is my burden to bear. It hurts, but I'm too big a risk to be out in the open. I know it sounds bad but I'm so close! I just need a bit more time!"
"Can't you see what this has done to you? How long do you plan on hiding down here? Isolating yourself like this, there's no good that can come from it!"
"Don't condemn what you don't understand! You don't know what I've been through, the sacrifices I've made! It works Winston! The formula works! I just need to learn how to control it properly, and we can save so many lives!"
"Angela I'm not questioning your motives here, but is what you're seeking worth the price?
You've turned your back on everything you once held dear! You're losing who you are. What would Fareeha think?"
She paused in her tracks. "My dear Fareeha… mein gott. I abandoned her." She walked up to a desk, and picked up a photo of the pair.
Angela put the photo down, tears filling her eyes. "I'm so sorry my love, but I must finish this."
She turned to Winston. "I have to finish this, otherwise this will have all been for naught. But in case something goes wrong, I will prepare a letter detailing everything that is happened. However, you must not open it unless something happens to me. It's too personal and private and I can't let any of the details get out til it is done. Understood?"
Winston, against his better judgement, agreed. "As you wish. Just don't let it come to that, ok?" He headed to leave. "I'll try my best", she mumbled to herself.
