Name: Vinscentte Anne Martin

Subject: 21st Literature

Section: QUANTUM

NIGHTMARE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCES AND RESEARCH

“Foxtrot, taking left. Watch each other’s six.” I said to the mouthpiece as I took cautious
steps to the left. I waved my hand to and fro, signaling my comrades to follow me.

I’ve been in this squad for several years. But I have never encountered this kind of
mission before. To be honest, I have been part of the several – how do I put it? – otherworldly
missions. That included an Oregon cow mutilation case last October. You may probably get a
hint of what exactly happened but, I’m afraid I’m not able to disclose any further ideas. You can
try to look it up though. Anyway, as I was saying, this mission was far more peculiar than the
rest of the missions I took account for.

A few days ago, HQ received a report of some strange events that took place in the
Department of Sciences and Research building in Washington. The details mostly consisted of
gruesome imagery, mostly about mutilated human bodies. We received a green light that same
day. We used up the rest of the days to scout the area and investigate further, but having heard
about the disappearance of three of the top scientists in the DSR gave us further motivation to
regroup the strike team.

I carried a modified M249 Squad Automatic Rifle, senses alerted and grip tightened as I
lugged the rifle with me. The butt of the rifle was pressed against my body as I cautiously swung
its barrel into an intersecting hall. The eerie atmosphere of the building made my neck hairs
stand, having the constant feeling of being watched mess up with my nervous system. My night
vision goggles further increased the anxiety in my chest.

The whole team was divided into three. Two of which were to search the wings of the
building while one team was to directly search the central part of the building. My team entered
the left wing of the DSR building. Apart from more than 30 soldiers inside the building, there was
no sign of life, further increasing the eeriness of the darkened building. Upon official orders, it
had been abandoned silently so as not to stir whatever was lurking in the corners of the
building.

“This Foxtrot. Report status.” I said as I appeared from the fourth set of stairs that I have
climbed, trying to contain my increasing anxiety. I received reports of minor disturbances being
detected somewhere in the building. However, they dismissed it as something not worth
worrying about so I felt a bit relieved.

“Copy. Proceed with caution, over and out.” I replied before cautiously stepping into
another dark hall before I held up a hand to signal the others to stop.

“We go by pairs. Smogon, follow me. Spread out. Meet back here.” the others nodded in
reply before the soft clutter of gear signaled their dispersion.
 Smogon – his codename – followed me into the dark hall. Training his BR18 Rifle into
the greenish darkness, he covered from behind. Nervous, I held my M249 tightly as my
paranoia slightly grew with the seemingly strangling claustrophobia from the darkness. Our
boots clanked softly against the tiled floor, every step ensuring that my heart would seemingly
skip a bit.

“Foxtrot, something’s wrong. I can feel it.” Smogon said through my earpiece.

“Just keep calm. Trust your gun.” I said.

We continued going through the series of parallel doors in the hall. I don’t know why but,
I think Smogon is right. Something is wrong.

“This is Foxtrot. Report.” I said as I took more steps into the swallowing darkness.

“This is Morag. D1 hall is clear.”

“Romeo leader to Foxtrot. Entering floor four.”

“Copy. Still dark and silent.” I reminded them again.

A suddenly bang made us flinch. Smogon quickly turned around, his rifle flying up to
shoulder level. Instinctively, I raised my gun after turning around towards the direction of the
noise.

“This is Foxtrot. What the fuck was that?” I said.

“Unable to identify, sir.” said a soldier.

“What is your location?” I asked, warily eyeing the hall.

“Hall C3, sir. Omega and I are at standby. We heard something, too.” said the soldier.

I searched for a signage and found that Smogon and I were at Hall A7.

“Hold your position, we are heading there. Engage fire if necessary.” I said. “Cover me.
We go.” I turned to Smogon.

We immediately fled towards Hall C3. The doors were flying past us as we ran, our gear
cluttering as we took clanking steps that echoed across the walls of the silent building.
Repeated gunshots from automatic rifles echoed across the building. Dread filled me as we
skidded to a halt.

“No, no. THIS IS FOXTROT! WHAT IS HAPPENING!?” I said loudly.

“Lost comms with Omega and Epsilon, as well as Delta.” a soldier said, trying to contain
his panic.

I directed my comms to each and every soldier in the building. “ROMEO AND GAMMA,
REGROUP IMMEDIATELY. LOCATION IS RIGHT WING, HALL B4. I REPEAT. ROM–“

What I heard next made my spine shiver.

 “Fucking shit! They’re fast, sir! This is from ROMEO and we have five bogeys. We–
AAARGH! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GE–“ the audio became white noise.

I glanced at Smogon. I can’t see it but I know his face is filled with fear. I heard more
gunshots. But this time they are much louder. Without warning, one of my men came bursting
out of the darkness, his pistol drawn. We quickly helped him up.

“Shit! Shit! They’re huge, sir! They’re huge!” he said, his voice breaking because of
panic.

“Calm down, soldier! Calm the fuck down!” I said to him, pulling him by the collar.

“Foxtrot.” I heard Smogon call.

“Not now, Smogon.” I said. I turned to the soldier and spoke again. “What did you see?
What in the name of America did you see?”

“FOXTROT!” Smogon called out. Distress was audible in his voice.

“What!?” I answered angrily.

But when I saw it, my anxiety suddenly skyrocketed.

It was creeping. No. Crawling. I don’t know if I’m accurate with a description but it
approached with movement similar to an alligator’s gait.

We didn’t move.

It had a head shaped like a spoon’s head. Through my goggles, I can see around ten
glistening beads on its head. I believe it was the creature’s eyes. It was snaggle-toothed – its
teeth that were the size of large bananas were stuck out in odd angles from its head. I can even
see its saliva dripping onto the floor as it crept. I also notice a spine-chilling detail on its head: it
was smiling.

As its body continued to move forward, I saw that it resembled a human’s body, though
a bit larger and bulkier. It had human-like limbs that were unbelievably thin compared to the rest
of its body.

I can see a human hand at the end of its arms and human feet at the end of its hind legs.
One question came to my mind: What the hell is this thing? However, three words took the
place of the answer: Run and shoot.

The creature let out an ear-splitting shriek, or whatever it was, after several bullets made
contact with its ugly head. The three of us frantically ran, shooting madly at the creature as it
horrifyingly crept after us, kind of like that monster from the The Thing movie but only, it was
much faster.

“THIS IS FOXTROT! WE NEED REINFORCEMENTS RIGHT NOW! IF ANYONE IS

STILL HERE, WE ARE IN HALL–“ I managed to catch a glimpse of a sign. “–HALL E5! I
REPEAT WE ARE IN HALL E5!”
 We kept hearing a mix of gunfire, shrieking, and distant human screams. The three of us
were cursing as we ran. I heard Smogon curse in Russian as the creature scaled the wall as if it
was Spiderman.

“We need to get out of here!” Smogon bellowed as his rifle spat bullets at the creature.

“We need to regroup! We cannot survive this if there’s only 3 of us!” I said.

Before we could act, another one of the creature came galloping at us from nowhere.
We were taken aback as its ugly head split open like a Demogorgon head, revealing
nightmarish rows of teeth.

Fortunately, my reflexes became too fast that I managed to swing the rifle before the
head managed to touch my flesh. The creature was collided with a wall, making a sickening
crack.

“Go! Go!” Smogon said, motioning us to flee as he fired another round at the creature.

I looked back and knew why.

Around five more of them appeared from around a dark corner, some galloping like a
primitive reptile, while some crept like an alien lizard. My anxiety began to increase again as
adrenaline began to surge into my body while we ran.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE THINGS!?” screamed Smogon as we ran.

“I DON’T KNOW!” I screamed back.

As we dove into an intersecting hall, I found an unlocked door. I pulled the two into the
room and locked ourselves in, catching our breaths. I heard the nightmarish shrieks become
louder, so I signaled them to shut up as I listened, my ear pressed against the door. After what
seemed to be a few minutes, I gave the two a look of relief. The three of us were still catching
our breaths. The mixture of fright, nyctophobia, and fatigue became unbearable as of this
moment.

“I don’t know what the hell those things are.” I hissed. “But one thing is certain: we need
to take them out before they take us out.”

Smogon turned to the soldier. “Do you know anything about this?” he hissed.

The soldier looked stunned, as if he was looking at one of those creatures.

“Speak! Or I will rip your tongue!” Smogon hissed menacingly.

“Smogon! You idiot! Calm down!” I hissed back, glancing at the door,

Smogon eventually kept his composure. The soldier must’ve felt relieved that a towering
Russian guy calmed down. I saw the soldier take deep breaths. I also noticed that his fumbling
with his hands.

“Are you okay?” I hissed as I clasped his shoulder.

 He nodded, apparently still shaken by the traumatizing events. However, he took
another deep breath and spoke.

Smogon and I exchanged looks.

I heard soft thuds approaching our location. Smogon and I were alerted. I raised my
hand and motioned towards the door. Smogon understood my signal and he crept towards the
door, his rifle gripped tightly. Something was sniffing the door. Could it be the creature? How
many are they out there? I don’t know. All I know is I have to shoot whatever breaks into this
room.

Suddenly, it became silent again. Doubtful of the silence, I crouched down to peek at the
gap between the door and the floor. I saw nothing. I turned to Smogon and mouthed that it is
clear. Making up our minds, we decided to find our way out of the building, never anymore
thinking of the others but only ourselves. We cautiously stepped out of the room and fled into
the darkness, our night vision goggles guiding us.

“Holy mother of–“ I cursed when we entered another hall.

Though it was green and black all over, there was no mistake. The scene was a
complete massacre. Bodies scattered. Dismembered limbs lay with teeth marks and large
chunks of flesh missing from each discernable portion of a human body. Blood was splattered
everywhere, as well as guns, gear, and more body parts.

“We have to get out of here. Now.” I said.

I checked my round if there’s still enough ammo. Smogon and the other one did the
same.

“Okay, men. We have to get out of here. No turning back. If we see a comrade, pick him
up and take him. If he can’t walk, leave him. We’re not risking it. Understand?” I said, full of
conviction. I turned to the soldier who stood beside Smogon.

“What’s your name, kid?” I asked.

“Zeta, sir.” he replied.

“You hang in there, kid. We’re gonna make it.” I assured him, even though deep inside, I
am completely full of despair.

We found ourselves running like cowards. The darkness made everything look the
same, further increasing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the abandoned building. Then it
occurred to me as a desperate option.

“This is Foxtrot. If anyone can here me, move now. We are exiting the area ASAP.” I
said to my mouthpiece, hoping that someone other than us would hear.

Apparently, someone did. Something, to be exact.

One of the creatures appeared from a dark corner and landed right in front of us, making
us skid to a halt. Frantically, we immediately kicked off the floor and sped away, slipping and
sliding as we went. The creature pursued even though Smogon was firing a round at its ugly
head.

“We have to find an escape, and quick!” I yelled.

“Go! Go! I’ll cover you!” Smogon yelled as he slapped a new clip onto his rifle.

The nightmarish shriek echoed across the halls again. As I have expected, more came
flooding out of who knows where. Odd figures of the creatures came crawling out of the gaping
darkness as we fled, as those horrifying, snaggle-toothed smiles appeared one by one like
Cheshire cats multiplying like bacteria. The nightmarish smiles began to appear through walls
and doors. Or do they? Are my eyes playing tricks on me?

“What is happening!?” Zeta screamed. I heard his pistol go off several times.

“MOVE BOY!” Smogon yelled, his rifle still spitting bullets.

Is this the end? Will I be consumed here by these creatures? All these thoughts rang
inside my head. But when I saw a glimmer of light, I felt hope.

“Light! One o’ clock!” I yelled as I pulled out my rifle. “Now why didn’t I use this!?” I
exclaimed as I began to pepper the nightmarish smiles with bullets.

Gunfire flooded the hall as we ran, our legs straining to keep us alive. I told the two to
follow the light, which was our only hope for survival because the despair is impairing our
thinking. Still firing, we burst out a few doors as we approached the source of the light. Was it
some panic room? A floodlight? No. It was far brighter. Unusually bright. But I wasn’t thinking
straight. All I was thinking of was surviving.

We continued to fire rounds at the creatures but they remain unfazed by the bullets.
Legs strained, we still continued to run. Unfortunately, we DID NOT notice where we have been
running. All of our military and special ops training have been reduced to instinct. Years of
training wasted. Everything became a blur. I don’t know how we got here, but at least, the
creatures aren’t chasing us right now. Our adrenaline rush ended. Now we are feeling all the
fatigue. Panting, the three of us found ourselves sitting on the cold floor.

“What place is this?” Smogon asked, panting as he removed his goggles.

“I don’t know.” I gasped. “But at least, we’re safe.” I coughed as I remove my headgear.

“This is a weird room.” said Zeta, as he removed his goggles

I glanced around. The room was purely white. It was as if something in the dead center
of the room was keeping it lit that way. I continued to observe the room like a curious child. I
pulled myself up and walked around. I realized that the whole room was almost as big as a
classroom.

Then I remembered.

I tapped my earpiece and spoke.

 “THIS IS FOXTROT, IF ANYONE CAN HEAR, PLEASE RESPOND. I REPEAT,
PLEASE RESP–“ Suddenly, everything went dark.

Curses from Smogon and Zeta were audible, as well as the whir of the night vision
goggles. Without warning, the room became white again. But what puzzled me most was the
horrified expression on Smogon and Zeta’s faces.

I looked back and realized one thing: the creatures just need a moment of darkness to
reach wherever they want.