Chapter 2:

"Watch out!" a feminine voice screamed and Percy turned around. White clouds surrounded him and he had to wonder where he was till the entire scene shifted and he found himself in a familiar scenario.

A barren field, dark skies, clouds covering the moon leaving behind strands of moonlight – enough that Percy could see the scene. The serenity of the fields was interrupted by the roaring of a car and Percy forced himself to watch the dream that haunted him every night. On a lonesome street, a car rushed leaving behind trails of dust and smoke from the exhaust. The speed, Percy had to admit, was faster than it should've been and he closed his eyes, refusing to continue watching.

Fortunately, a voice broke him out of the nightmare, "Rise and shine Dolos Facility. Time to get up. Volunteers, you have 1 hour to get ready and then follow your designated scientist to the experiment room."

For the first time, he was glad to hear the voice of the CEO of Dolos Facility and also his designated scientist: Atlas. Following the routine, he headed out of his room and to the men's showers followed by grabbing breakfast.

"Good luck today Percy," Artemis cheered from behind him, making him jump slightly at her sudden appearance. Her hair was the same as the day before but her clothing was a bit more comfortable – t-shirt and denim shorts. A crescent moon pendant was barely visible around her neck.

"Thanks."

Finishing the breakfast, he rushed towards the gathering room where multiple people stood wearing white laboratory coats, transparent safety glasses and an earpiece in their ears. Percy looked around till he spotted Atlas. The latter wore the same uniform as others but had large round glasses that seemed to illuminate his light pacific blue eyes. Despite having a carefree grin, the stern look in his eyes spoke of the seriousness.

"Welcome volunteers," Atlas began as the last of the volunteers filed in. Percy counted approximately 30 people, 10 less than the day before but that was no surprise. These experiments were a prisoner's way of reducing their sentence. A few more months and Percy would be able to leave and rejoin society as well.

Atlas, meanwhile, continued, "I am sure you have been informed what drug you will be tested on. Follow your designated supervisor to your room."

Percy waited patiently till Atlas came over towards him. Greeting each other with a smile, Atlas started, "So, you are testing T-7 today. Are you excited?"

"As excited as I can be," Percy replied dryly, a hint of smirk looming over his face. The two began walking towards the usual experimentation room.

"Oh, you wound me with your words. Don't forget," Atlas whispered in his ear, "you get FFC because of this."

Was that a threat? Percy looked at Atlas unsurely but the latter just gave him a cheeky grin and began humming nonchalantly. No way could it be a threat. Atlas was the biggest goofball when it came to talking to people.

Entering the room, the first thing that Percy saw was a singular tawny coloured couch in the middle of the room. Familiar white walls and glass wall that he was sure was one-sided surrounded him. The Codex blinked repeatedly and Atlas spoke, "Well, that's my cue. Good luck Percy. Hope you show us good results."

A door next to the glass wall opened up and Atlas rushed in, tapping his earpiece. Percy sighed and sat on the couch as he waited again. Silence followed. The two cameras opposite him made him self-conscious.

"We are going to pump T-7 inside you, do you agree?" Atlas' voice echoed through a speaker.

It was routine. Without even flinching due to surprise, Percy sighed and responded, "I agree."

That was all the consent they needed and Atlas nodded at a younger man, red hair being his key feature, who grabbed a portable device. The screen displayed levels of each drug being pumped inside Percy with T-7 sitting at 0 while the others were sitting at 77.

"Ok Percy, we are raising T-7 to 10. Try and explain what you are thinking."

Percy simply nodded and the redhead slid the levels of T-7 higher till it was sitting at 10. Percy winced slightly and spoke, "It stings a bit."

"Yes, what else?"

"I feel uncomfortable. I am not sure why."

"I will raise the levels to 20 now."

Percy nodded once more and Atlas motioned the redhead to repeat the motion. The levels of T-7 being injected within Percy was now 20 and he was starting to fidget.

"How do you feel Percy?"

"Anxious. Frustrated."

"Is there something you want to do right now?"

"I want to run."

Atlas grabbed the portable device from the younger man and raised the levels of T-7 to 30. He was getting impatient with the lack of response. He continued till the screen read 50 which is when Percy got off the couch and began walking around, shaking.

"Percy?"

"I feel miserable. I feel like crying. All these thoughts in my head wont stop. What is this?"

"This is T-7 Percy. Calm down."

"Please stop it."

Instead of lowering it, Atlas raised it till it was 70 and Percy began punching the wall repeatedly as tears began flowing down his cheeks.

"I didn't mean it, I swear. Please. It was an accident. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT. PLEASE. I BEG YOU." Percy's tears did not stop as he repeatedly punched the wall, his knuckles starting to bleed. What Percy was imagining under the T-7's influence was something Atlas could not start to guess but it proved the drug was working. If this was the reaction at 70, what would happen at 100?

"Sir," the young redhead interrupted Atlas' inner thoughts, "Do you reckon we should stop it? His hands are looking really bad."

Atlas sighed and lowered the levels back to 0, making Percy stop as he slumped to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Atlas could not help but be curious what Percy was hallucinating but that could wait. Grabbing a bottle of water, he rushed out and entered the room again as he knelt before Percy and helped him up.

"Here," he offered the drink, "thought you could use the drink."

"Thanks."

There was no further conversation as Percy gulped the whole 250ml bottle of water and lay back down on the floor, sweat coating his body as he covered his eyes. Atlas pulled out a phone and typed the results and values down before standing up and pulling Percy with him.

"We are done for today. We got amazing results thanks to you," Atlas consoled Percy who had calmed down, though his expression still seemed miserable.

Percy glared at the CEO and said, icily, "Don't ever make me test it again. That drug–"

Atlas raised his hand to stop Percy and replied, "I wasn't planning on making you take it. This was just a test to see if the drug works."

"What even is it for?"

"Hmm, I wonder," Atlas stroked his chin with his free hand while the other one supported Percy to stay upright, "maybe to test if someone feels true fear or regret for their crime? To test the level of emotions someone has?"

Percy gave him a deadpan look but did not ask any further.

"Will you be okay to walk from here?" Atlas asked as they exited the experimentation room, "You sure you don't want me to take you to the common area?"

"Yes sir. I will be fine."

"Ok then. I will see you here in 2 days. You get tomorrow free."

Percy nodded in gratitude and began slowly walking towards the common area. He had no idea how much time had passed in the white room but his whole body was sore while his bloodied knuckles stung like hell. Maybe he should've asked Atlas for bandages.

A/N: That's chapter 2 for Dolos Facility. Took me a while to write this out. A while is an understatement. It took me a whole year to write this, fuck. Anyways, hope you liked it and follow, favourite and please review. I crave reviews. With that said, I still do not have a schedule of when I upload so just keep an eye out.

Also, check out Manke's account. Man's amazing and totally did not force me to update.