Chapter Text
No one knew exactly why the Minerl Laboratories had closed years ago. They were just a small unassuming space station specialised in mineralogical analysis, far from what the largest research centres are capable of. A few rumours had circulated at the time, but the official reasons stated a ”lack of convincing results“ had resulted in the cessation of funds attributing, followed by the shutdown of the place and the evacuation of the scientists working there. It was then left abandoned.
There were many places like those in the galaxy; too small, too far away, too unimportant to interest most people. But not those who knew where to look.
Just because Roger was a grown up studying biology, didn’t mean his spirit for adventure had vanished. Millions of kilometres away from Earth, Halloween was still celebrated; tales about abandoned places fuelled people’s imagination and this one certainly didn’t fall on deaf ears. What better way to celebrate than exploring an abandoned science facility?
The lost secrets, the creepy ambience of deserted hallways, the wonderful discoveries to uncover around the corner!
Roger wasn’t an idiot though. To avoid the gruesome fate of horror stories’ protagonists, he brought the finest exploration team: his friends. Each of them had a backpack with a lamplight, a few tools including a walkie-talkie, water and snacks. Nothing could go wrong!
Some abandoned places still could be tightly locked by a scanner based security system or even a simple digital encryption. But once the entry airlock to the large building passed, the only thing keeping the double metal doors locked were chains, held together with a few large padlocks.
”That’s all?“ He commented, dumbfounded as he approached the doors. ”I was expecting it’d be harder to enter.“
”To be honest, I’m more surprised that apparently no one before us has tried to enter the place.“ His camera in hand, Tim smiled as he walked back to the airlock’s entrance so he could take a better look at the building. ”I kinda like it though. We’ll be first to discover what’s inside those labs!“
”The first, and maybe the last.“ Brian said, an unsure expression on his face as he watched Roger taking care of the chains.
”Stars, Bri, aren’t you dramatic. Where’s your sense of adventure?“
”Yeah, personally I’m curious to see if there’s anything more to the story than just a ‘lack of results’. Maybe the big brains were working on a special project here...“ Dom mused, eyeing the grey walls as if she was trying to see through them.
”Well there’s that old saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’.“ Brian reminded. ”Too many cats here that I care about, and that includes you too Roger.“
”Aww, I knew I had a special spot in your heart too.“
The last padlock gave up under the mighty bite of the pliers, and a triumphant smile grew on Roger's face. Having observed the building along with Tim, Anita walked back the airlock, and more specifically to their concerned friend.
”Brian, you know how that old saying ends, ‘satisfaction brought it back’.“ She laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ”Don’t worry, it’s not like we’re not prepared. Besides, if chains and padlocks are all that keep us from entering, whatever’s inside probably can’t be dangerous.“
Her words seemed to reassure Brian a little. Or maybe it was her presence who made him smile, a beacon of bright and warm friendliness that tugged at his heartstrings everytime he saw her.
Outside the airlock, Tim took a few last photos of their admittedly unimpressive surroundings, and joined the little group who had gathered around the metallic doors.
”Everyone ready?“ Roger asked, a hand on one of the handles. ”Bri, you know you can stay in the ship if you’re too scared.“
”I’m not– I’m not scared , I just don’t like that we’re exploring a place where the danger could be greater than what we expect in the first place,“ Brian said with a frown. “In fact I’m pretty sure it counts as trespassing.“
”Trespassing– Please , these labs have been abandoned for years, and we’re in the middle of bumfuck nowhere! Who’s gonna care if we enter?“
”I don’t know, let’s say those who still own Minerl Laboratories?“
Dominique raised her hands in a calming gesture. ”Guys, how about you keep your energy for exploration? Also Brian, you didn’t seem to care about trespassing when Roger first mentioned us coming here. How come you’re concerned with it now?“
Brian looked away, his lips tight. ”It’s not... I don’t know. Now that we’re facing the real deal, I’m afraid we could be in trouble.“
Anita gave him a gentle smile. ”Well, Roger isn’t wrong, it’s not a big site and we’re far away from any pocket of civilization here. I don’t think we risk facing the authorities.“
”True... but that also means we’d be screwed if we suddenly needed help. Who knows what might happen to us?“
”This is why we told Crystal where we were going, remember?“ Tim said.
”Yeah, but even if his ship is fast, ‘get here if you don’t hear from us by tomorrow’ is useless if we’ve been dead for hours.“
Roger let go of the door’s handle, and looked at Brian in the eyes, his hands then holding his shoulders in a firm grip. ”Bri, it’ll be fine. Nothing awful will happen to us, and we’ll go back home in one piece with a great adventure to tell everyone.“ He finished his declaration with one of his signature smiles. ”Alright?“
Oh, who could resist such easy confidence– and such pretty eyes? No one (and certainly not Tim). Brian sighed, his smile not so reluctant.
”I guess. In any case, I’m not staying alone for who knows how many hours waiting for you inside the ship. And splitting up has never done anyone a favour in horror stories.“
One commemorative group photo later, they stepped inside the building. A rush of excitement went through Roger. This was it!
Anita and Dom had taken out their flashlight, but soon enough the reception was illuminated by a somewhat warm, orange-rosy light coming from the ceiling.
”Hey, how come there’s light?“ Tim asked.
”What, you’d have preferred exploring in the darkness for more creepy vibes?“ Dom replied with a teasing smile. ”Since gravity is still active, I’m not surprised electricity is still running too.“
Brian thought for a moment. ”Mmh, they might be running on gems as an independent energy source. I’ve noticed it gives that distinct tint to the light, and I think that stuff can hold its own for a good dozen of years before it needs to be changed.“
The walls were devoid of any decorative items, aside from what seemed to be a floor plan next to the empty cream coloured desk. The room didn’t bear any ominous traces of blood or a mess synonymous with precipitated departure, although on closer inspection, some papers and clippers were scattered on the floor behind the desk. A comfortable waiting zone had been set up on the right side, with two blue couches and a coffee table, an empty water tank and a large dried up succulent.
As welcoming as the room looked, the silence they were facing was getting heavy. It would probably be their only companion throughout their whole trip here.
”Y’know, I’m happy we don’t have to explore that place in the dark.“ Anita said, looking around her. “It’s already a little freaky not to hear anything.“
”Nature hates the void.“ Brian commented, before eyeing the potted plant with a frown. ”They could’ve taken it with them instead of leaving it to dry.“
Anita looked more closely at the dried plant, before approaching and crouching. ”...Hey, that’s weird.“
A collective ”What?“ replied.
She pointed at one of the large crooked leaves, ripped at the base. ”I don’t know, the plant is intact except for this specific leaf.“ She tugged at another leaf, which held little resistance in her hand. ”Why would someone rip out this leaf in particular and then leave it here?“
”...Maybe someone tried to eat it?“ Tim suggested, before he got closer to the plant. ”Or... something .“
Brian tried to compose himself, but he started regretting not staying at home today.
”Well, whatever it was, it didn’t like its greens. Just like me,“ Roger said, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.
”Oh I know that plant, it’s a zebrizis,“ Dom said, ”my mum had one at home, if you let it grow it can be as tall as your ceiling. It’s not toxic for humans, but I think some animals can’t digest it.“
The silence came back in the room. They had to get used to it, as an absence of silence would mean a presence that might be desired…
”...I’m not sure it’s wise to be here.“
”Bri, c’mon,“ Roger grumbled, ”you’d just started to lighten up!“
Brian turned to him, another frown on his face as he pointed to the plant. ”Well, what’s your theory for this then?“
”I don’t know, maybe the big brains had a pet or something, that for some reason they didn’t take with them before leaving, and it tried to eat the plants to survive but didn’t like it!“
As he thought, Brian’s face changed to a saddened expression. ”...It’s been years since someone came here. That poor animal must’ve died of hunger or thirst by now.“
”...Yeah, I guess that’s one potential danger less.“
”But if they had a pet, why leave it here?“ Dom asked, crossing her arms. ”Unless it was... too frail to survive the trip back, maybe?“
She was doubtful of this theory, and Brian couldn’t fathom why the scientists would have left an animal to die here alone. No one could, actually.
”Unless...“ Roger started, before grimacing and shaking his head. ”Maybe it wasn’t a pet, but something else, an unknown animal they’d found during one of their researches, but couldn’t keep for some reason.“
”But they analysed minerals here, nothing was related to animals so why would they have one here?“ Tim scratched his head, before shrugging. ”Well, if they left it here, I guess it couldn’t have been something dangerous. And like you said Bri, it’s probably dead by now.“
The group left it at that, although an uncomfortable uncertainty was lingering. Assuming the ”animal“ hadn’t broken out and was indeed dead, and that nothing had broken in the building since the scientists’ departure...
”I think we should be fine.“ Roger stated, nearly adding “probably” before he decided against it. Now wasn’t the time to install doubts about their safety here, especially when the answer had to be something they couldn’t explain yet, but harmless.
They took a closer look at the floor map. A couple of offices, a break room, a small cafeteria, and most notably, an interior garden at the centre of the building. Plenty of exploration and making discoveries that would make for lasting memories (or death, if they were really unlucky).
”What do you say, we split up to explore?“ Roger asked.
Brian looked at him with wide eyes. ”Are you mad? This is the best way for something horrible to happen!“
”Chicken,“ Roger mumbled before pouting. ”C’mon, we’re not in a horror movie! I’m sure there’s nothing here but us and maybe the skeleton of the thing that tried to eat the plant. Besides, we all got walkie talkies if we need to get an update on each other, or if we need help.“
”Yes, but what if we can’t get to you for one reason or another?“ Brian argued, raising his voice.“ What if you lose the walkie-talkie? This isn’t smart at all!“
Roger was about to reply, when Dom intervened. ”Look, on this one... I kinda agree with Brian. How ‘bout for now at least, we all stay together? It's better to be careful.“
Roger grumbled some more, but decided to be reasonable and agreed to this decision. At least, for now.
**-***-**
Boring. This exploration was bo-ring.
It was cool at first, to walk through the deserted hallways, and unlike the rest of the group he enjoyed the eerie silence that accompanied them. He wanted the thrills! The problem was, those offices had the interesting stuff taken away. The sweet classified data on computers or paper files (a physical backup was never to be underestimated), none left! Only blank sheets, pens, the usual desk clutter and some more dried up plants of all kinds and sizes.
At least one of them had found something worthwhile: Tim now held a nice collection of pencils and empty notebooks of varying sizes. ”You never have enough surfaces to draw“, he said. Especially to draw Roger’s beautiful figure (that he didn’t say).
Eager for discoveries, Roger rummaged through every drawer, every garbage bin. Most of them hadn’t been emptied for some reasons, though unfortunately, they only contained candy bars wrappers, and rough drafts that might’ve told an interesting story, had they been not full of crossing-outs or so badly written even Brian couldn’t read them.
The break room hadn’t much better to offer, with its rounded couches that turned out less comfortable than he would’ve thought (not that they’d come here to sit on their bum anyway). On top of that, the vending machine was completely empty! His mind wandered to the cafeteria, but again when they got there, it was a disappointment.
A plain room with a bunch of rectangular tables and curvy chairs, with even more dried up large plants and empty aquarium tanks as decorations. The walls couldn’t have been empty, could they? Anything decorative had to have been taken. Almost immediately, Roger’s attention was drawn to the fridges. For once, not for what was inside (fortunately they were empty and unplugged), but for the few papers still pinned on the front by magnets. Motivational citations of scientists he didn’t know, a few jokes that got a smile out of him.
”Hey look, someone left some drawings.“ He pointed. One of them was a crude representation of a little blob creature, with big eyes and a mischievous expression.
”It’s cute, ‘could be from a cartoon.“ Anita smiled as she noticed it, before turning to Tim who had gotten closer after taking a few photos of the room. ”Not exactly competition for you though.“
”Please, no one draws like Tim!“ Roger assured with unwavering confidence, which got a flustered smile out of the young man.
…No one would miss those magnets if he took one, right? In the absence of secrets, that red spaceship firing lasers would be his own little treasure. It looked way too cool.
The tables and chairs seemed untouched, but the cupboards against the walls containing the tableware seemed to have been rummaged through, with plates and metallic cutlery lying here and there.
”Maybe the animal tried to look for food there,“ Dom commented, crouching to have a better view of the cupboards' insides.
Brian frowned again as he was busy doing the same thing. ”I guess. Still, I don’t get it... why wouldn’t they take it before they left? That doesn’t add up.“
Dom grimaced. ”I agree, it’s shady.“
For better or for worse, they hadn’t found a skeleton yet. And no bowl, no litter box, nothing that would indicate a pet had been once present and cared for here either. On one hand, Brian was glad for it, but on the other hand it wasn’t exactly reassuring. Although...
”Wait, if there’s an interior garden, maybe the animal ended up taking refuge there.“
Dom smiled. ”Yeah! If the irrigation system is still operating, the little critter might be alive.“
“Exactly!” That perspective was enough to bring some hope back on Brian's face. ”Even if it didn’t like the potted plants, the garden might have a fruit tree, some bushes with berries or anything really. Roger, what do you think?“
He received no answer from his friend. He straightened up and turned around, but found no traces of a blond unruly mane anywhere in the room.
”Roger?“ He called, hoping to be loud enough.
Only the deep silence responded. He grumbled, and brought out his walkie-talkie. ”Roger, where are you? Please tell me you’re alive.“
”Uh, no, this is my ghost you’re hearing. Ueeeergh ... ‘Course I’m alive, what do you think? I’m just in the interior garden. It’s kinda stuffy in there, but it’s nice.”
”Man, you scared me for a second–“ Tim quipped before Brian could answer back, ”don’t move, I’m coming.“
Then he'd left the room. Brian, Anita and Dom exchanged a look.
”I’ll join them, just in case.“ Dom said, already walking towards the door. ”You’ll be okay?“
Anita assured her they would be, and just like that, it was only Brian and her left. The large windows giving a view of the distant stars outside was stunning, but it couldn’t distract from the emptiness of the room. From that ever present silence, eerie, glaring.
Brian grumbled. ”So much for not splitting...“
Anita smiled, and laid a reassuring hand on his arm. ”I’m sure they’ll be fine.“
Brian looked back at her. He wanted to believe her, but… ”I don’t know, just because things are okay for now doesn’t mean it can’t get worse later. In any case, I don’t think there's anything left to see in this room.“
Good thing he’d taken a shot of the floor plan earlier. He brought up the picture on his Multigear (that little mass of technology, so practical) and tried to picture where they hadn’t been. Hmm… there might still be a few rooms unexplored on this floor. And of course, they hadn’t checked the first floor yet. Although, could it be they missed a clue in one of those offices? Something that’d give them an indication about a bigger thing that went on here? Without tapping into secret experiments like Roger seemed to hope to find, the traces of that unknown animal alone was enough to keep his curiosity awoken. Maybe…
The hand on his shoulder startled him.
”Brian. Don’t you hear?“
Anita was on the lookout, and he focused. In the silence, a sound from outside the room resonated. Something like... a wet suction. They turned to the direction of the door, tensing without even realising. The rhythm was somewhat clumsy yet regular, like it was...
It was coming closer.
Dread creeping up their necks, Brian and Anita dashed and crouched behind one of the rectangular supports which held the empty aquarium tanks near the walls. Not the best hideout, but better this than none.
It was getting more distinct. A sound they’d never heard any animal make.
Blast! The door, why didn't they close the door?! Brian was getting up, but Anita’s grip on his sleeve kept him on the spot. He turned back to her, but she shook her head, her eyes a bit restless. It was too late for that.
He laid a hand on her arm, trying to reassure her and maybe ground himself too. His heart had gone from quiet to banging like a drum in a flash.
He quickly opened his backpack. The crowbar he’d brought would make a honourable weapon if they needed to defend themselves. He hoped so, at least, and he really hoped he wouldn’t have to use it. Anita did just the same.
The wet suction noise had stopped.
The borderline panic in Anita’s eyes twisted Brian's heart and it didn’t help keeping his own in check. The crowbar in his hand felt very light to protect themselves with, all a sudden. He didn’t dare moving, nor breathing.
”It“ sounded really close, probably just outside the room.
Brian breathed in, and out. It’d be okay, he repeated in his head and through his eyes as he rubbed Anita’s arm one more time.
It’d be okay.
The wet suction started again, unmissable in its proximity. His heart knocking against his ribcage, Brian gripped the crowbar tighter and dared to raise his head from their hideout.
His eyes widened. A small critter was on the floor right next to the door. Its body a purplish tone, shaped like a pear but rounder, and no bigger than a soccer ball. It had no limbs at all, with just two short antennas sporting large blue eyes.
Puzzled by Brian’s lack of reaction, Anita looked up from their hiding spot too, just as the critter looked in their direction.
Its large mouth opened, and it almost seemed to smile, emitting what could only be described as a high-pitched gurgle.
It started to hop towards the duo, each hop the source of the wet suction noise, leaving a round humid trace behind. Transfixed, Brian and Anita watched it get closer, until it was two steps away from them. They faced each other for a short moment in complete silence, their gaze unblinking.
The critter bounced a few times, another “happy” gurgle escaping its mouth before it went to rub itself against Brian’s leg.
Two seconds. That’s all it took for Brian to melt under the wet but friendly contact. His initial panic a mere memory now, he slowly put the crowbar away, and after a short-lived hesitation, approached one of his hands. The critter’s skin was warm and humid under his touch, slightly viscous.
A blissful smile grew on Brian’s face. ”Don’t you think it’s cute?“
Still bewildered by what just came to them, Anita, seeing her friend petting the critter without restraint, relaxed in turn. She moved from her spot behind Brian, and extended her hand to touch the critter. It sniffed her fingers through an invisible nose, before giving them a good lick like an overjoyed puppy. A puppy that had a long blue tongue.
”I think it likes you too.“
Half-smiling half-grimacing, Anita retrieved her sticky hand and wiped it on her pants. ”Yes, it looks like it. Do you know what kind of… animal is this?“
Brian shook his head. ”No, I don’t recognise it. I’ve never seen anything like that...“
What a strangely endearing little thing.
A thought then came to Anita. ”Brian- this little critter, I think that's the one someone had drawn on a note on the fridge.“
“Really?” Brian didn't get a close look as he was searching the cupboards with Dom earlier. “Well that's good news then,” he smiled at the little blob, “at least we’re certain someone here knew you.”
And considering how quickly he came to greet them although they were total strangers, there had to have been at least one person who regularly took care of it. This realisation sparked again that question: why had it been abandoned?
Well, it didn't matter now, because the little thing wouldn't be alone anymore.
”Anita, what do you think of ‘Mimi’?“
She looked back at him, puzzled. ”What?“
”Or…How about ‘Bobby’? ‘Lulu’?“
Her eyes widened. ”Brian– okay, this little critter seems friendly but it’s not a lost kitty or puppy. We can't… adopt it like that.“
Brian looked already heartbroken. ”But it must be so lonely here...“ He brought the critter to its face, and rubbed its cheek. The little thing closed its eyes in contentement and made a low sound akin to purring. ”Maybe this poor little guy was a subject or the result of an experiment.“
”...Somehow I doubt it.“ Considering scientists were analysing minerals here, how did a biological animal like this little blob end up in this place? ”Look, Brian, I don’t think keeping an unknown animal for a pet is a good idea. We know nothing about it. What if it grows to be much larger? What does it even eat? And I don’t know how Squeaky and Scratchy would react to its presence either.“
So engrossed he was in the little critter already, Brian hadn’t considered their own cats might not take in a new sibling easily. Somehow, the little blob also seemed to understand the problem, as it shrank on itself and let out a sad gurgle.
”...You’re right.“ Brian sighed, unable to leave his eyes off their new friendly encounter. ”Still, I don’t like the idea of leaving it here all alone.“
”Well, maybe it’s not alone? Maybe there are others like it.“ Anita said, though she hoped there wasn't. Brian would be capable of adopting the whole family.
”I don’t know, I don’t think it would’ve come to us that easily if it lived with others. I bet it’s lonely. And even if it eats plants from the interior garden, eventually the systems maintaining irrigation and electricity will fail, it won't have any chance.“
Anita's heart tightened. Oh stars, she could never resist Brian’s sad puppy eyes. ”Look– Okay, let’s say the little blob can tag along, until we leave this place. Then we... we’ll see.“
The hope sparkling into Brian's new smile and beautiful hazel gaze was worth any previous uncertainty. The blob emitted a few high pitched gurgles more, before licking the sides of both their faces.
”Hey, do you think it can... understand our speech?“ Brian’s eyes grew in excitement, not caring about the otherworldly saliva on his skin. ”I think this little blob is a clever one. Goobie, can you jump down my hand?“
‘Goobie’ bounced two times, but stayed in his hand.
”Mmh, I guess it recognises some words.“ Anita smiled, petting the little critter's cheek. ”I can't believe it already has a name. You’re lucky I like you.“
A fleeting blush passed on Brian’s face. ”Why not? It’s a cute name, and this little critter is cute.“ Goobie bounced again, squeaking. ”Man, if Roger knew what he’d missed, he’d be green with jealousy.“