I took out my keycard and swiped it on the keypad, the door's lights turned green and a small chamber door opened. The chamber was unlike any other dangerous specimen's, the room was split into two main different colors, one black and the other white. It was like a living room filled with shelved books and lights also fully covered in either white or black. I haven't been here for a while, but I still could feel half of my skull stinging from the white part of the chamber room, which glowed the brightest. The black part of the chamber room remained dark and plain.
"Looking for someone?"
That voice...
I whipped my head around to see a humanoid figure, wearing a waiter's suit with a black bow tie attached to it, their skin light blue and nearly translucent, they wore a headgear equipment that covered their head and eyes.
"Specimen 045, good to see you here."
I greeted it in the calmest tone, no one knew what specimen 045 was really up to, so I'll have to try to not let it take advantage of me. Specimen 045 sighed and slowly shook their head.
"You people still refuse to call me by my preferred name? How rude."
Specimen 045 replied, not even hiding its irritated tone.
"However, you must've come here for a purpose have you not?"
I slowly nodded and distanced myself from Specimen 045.
"Specimen 096 is missing, and we need to find the remainder of it."
I announced as briefly as possible.
"Oh?"
Specimen 045's head perked up.
"You're not satisfied with what you have? After all, you're treating poorly of your own kind."
I flinched. How does it know?
"I...I don't know what you're talking about."
I stammered without realizing. Specimen 045 shook its head and smiled.
"You know what I'm talking about, I heard."
My body stiffed but showed no emotion, it's not like Specimen 045 can see me anyways.
"Oh who am I kidding? I'm forgetting my manners! Come, come, sit over the couch over there."
Specimen 045 tried to point at the couch but instead pointed at a black bookshelf. I didn't correct Specimen 045 though, the less I talked, the better I'll be. I walked towards the couch and sat at the black half of the couch while Specimen 045 found its way to sit on the other half of the couch.
"Would you care to please continue on with what you were saying earlier?"
Specimen crossed its legs and put its hands on their lap.
"I need your help to find Specimen 096 before it causes more havoc. You're unfortunately the only Specimen who is able to perform this task, Specimen 096 has covered their tracks well this time."
I explained briefly, shoving my hands into my coat pocket, a habit of mine when I talk to other individuals. Specimen 045 laid back and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I'm the only Specimen to perform this task eh? Not even the intelligent 048 can find it? How much 096 has became to be..."
I heard Specimen 045 whisper under its breath, spacing out for a second. After a moment, Specimen 045 stood up and replied,
"Sure, I'll assist you if,"
Specimen 045 put a finger up in the air.
"If you grant permission from your leaders to permanently take this device off of my head,"
Specimen 045 tapped the headgear that was attached to its head.
"That's all I ask. You could always force it back on my head if I were ever to do anything dangerous."
Specimen 045's deal sounded fair and harmless. But there has to be a trick to this is there? Specimen 045 must've noticed my troubled look and he swatted his hands and said,
"Just think about it, bright researcher, you may discuss it with your leaders and come back here after the decision is final."
Specimen 045 then tried its best to lead me out of their chamber. Honestly, it was funny watching Specimen 045 gently bumping into random walls instead of finding the entrance of the chamber.
"I hope to see you very soon!"
Specimen 045 waved goodbye as it gave me a warm smile before I left the chamber. I locked the chamber door behind me and shuddered out a breath. I didn't really expect it to be so short, but I still had matters to discuss with. I couldn't really tell what Specimen 045 was going with this, usually I heard from other researchers that Specimen 045 usually prefers company. But why did it dismiss me so quickly? It was less than ten minutes! I let those questions ponder in my busy mind as I walked down in the halls to meet the council.

Can Specimen 045 really be trusted once again?

- - - - -
"Hey Nad, I don't think we're supposed to be here..."
I told my best friend, not feeling good about what we were doing.
"Shhh, I'm making sure if Laff 's in the base."
He shushed me and turned back to peek into the window of Laff's house. I fumbled with my fingers, I kept telling myself that everything is okay: We're not going to get in trouble. We're not going to get in trouble. But it didn't ease my anxiety at all, I already knew how many wrong ways would happen if someone were to catch Nadwe and I.
"I don't see anyone, I think we're good to go."
Nadwe turned back to me and gave me a thumbs up.
"I'm not sure about this Nadwe... this doesn't seem right."
I said hesitantly.
"Oh come on Muffin, we won't get in trouble if we don't get caught right?"
Nadwe smiled as he tried to reassure me. It didn't help a bunch, but I could tell that he was really eager to go in. And wherever Nadwe goes, I follow.
"Okay, I guess we can go inside."
I gulped, knowing I just agreed to steal from Laff's house with Nadwe.
"Yeah right! Let's go! If we do get caught, all the blame will be on me!"
Nadwe pumped his fist up in the air and dragged me into Laff's house. Lucky for us, Laff didn't build a lock door for his base (For some reason) So there wasn't any trouble breaking in.
"Now here we enter the base of the most myesteriousss person."
Nadwe introduced dramatically with a silly-spooky tone, the type of tone you'll make when you're telling scary campfire stories in the dark.
"Seems quiet here."
I observed, looking at the neatly placed large chests and furniture.The lights were dim inside, the warm orange glow of sunlight shone through the windows, showing picks of white and gray dust in the air.
"That's good, now we know hundred percent that no one's in here but us."
Nadwe spoke as he started to ram into the large stacks of chests and shutting them back closed, looking disappointed. I surveyed around the first floor and spotted a ladder that was attached to the end of the room.
"I'll go look downstairs."
I told Nadwe as I made my way towards the ladder, hoping I'll be able to find some junk that I won't be able to steal in a different room.
"Tell me if you find something cool."
I heard Nadwe reply before I climbed down the ladder and entered the basement. I set my foot down onto the floor and felt the floorboards faintly creak. There was a sudden chill that hit my face and back, as if someone left the air conditioner on for hours. I shivered as I started to explore the basement. The basement was just one room with a floor of birch wooden planks and smooth stone walls. At the very end of the room, there were two large shelves each looming beside a desk that were placed between it. No chests were found here, it was mostly empty besides the two shelves and the desk.
I traced my fingers against the smooth wall, feeling its cold touch that felt like marble floor as I slowly walked towards to the desk. On the desk, there were a lot of random small objects: Metal parts, primary colored wires, scraps of worn wrinkled paper, and miniature cork bottles being spread everywhere on the desk. It was messy, which is not something Laff would leave in a place like his own house. I picked up a random cork bottle and a metal piece before putting them back down where they belonged.
Nothing interesting to see here.
I was really tempted to uncap the cork and see what would happen if I were to mix the liquids together that were inside of each bottles. But resisted the urge to. If it was poisonous or some sort of chemical that eats my skin, I'd rather be careful and not open any at all. I turned my head back towards the ladder as I was about to climb back up.
I mean, I would've climbed back up if I hadn't heard the sound. It sounded more like a rodent's squeak, I thought I misheard it for a second until it came again. I could hear that rapid squeaking chittering sound, coming from somewhere underneath the desk. Could it be a mouse? I love mice! That's the first thing that I thought as I bent down and looked underneath the desk. It was barely visible but I could see some sort of bird cage covered by a black blanket over it. The sound became clearer now, I could hear it clicking and chitter squeaking. I reached for the corner of the blanket and pulled it down.
Two small black beady eyes stared right back at me and lunged at the cage. I jumped back in shock and pulled my hand away. My head bumped under the desk, I soon felt the sharp pain beating in my head. And at that same time, I heard a cork bottle smash to the ground into smithereens. I must've accidentally knocked it over when I hit my head. I glanced back at the cage and realized that there was a small creature inside of the cage; Its spike-like wings spread wide, its black fur ruffled, two big pointy ears perked straight up, its mouth gaped open to reveal two small sharp pointy teeth gnawing at the cage's tiny metal bars. There was no doubt that this was a vampire bat. I scrambled back as I pushed the desk chair aside. Oh crud- oh crud- why is there a bat- did it bite me!? I looked down at my hands and sighed in relief to find that there were no bite marks.
"Muffin, was that you? Is everything good down there!?"
I heard Nadwe's muffled voice call out to me from above. I wiped my hand across my forehead, even though I wasn't even sweating.
"Yeah, yeah, everything's good down here, a.. a bat just jumpscared me, that's all."
I replied in relief.
"Did you say a bat? That's so cool!! I'm coming down to ya!"
Nadwe announced as he quickly climbed down the ladder. I got up and dusted myself off.
"That's where the bat is."
I pointed towards the cage under the desk. The cage was rattling like crazy, the bat clinged its small claws on each side of the bars as it tried to get out. Nadwe peered down at the bat.
"Hey there little furball."
I heard him say as he looked for the cage's padlock. Nadwe pulled out a lock picking tool and started to tinker with the lock.
'What are you doing!?"
I hissed at him, grabbing his arms.
"Uh, freeing it."
Nadwe pulled his arms free and continued tinkering with the padlock with his lockpicking tool.
"Laff wouldn't be happy if he realizes that his bat's gone, and plus,"
I made sure Nadwe faced towards me.
"What if this bat gives us rabies, bites, and since we're in the SMP now, turns us into vampires!?"
Nadwe rolled his eyes and replied,
"Muffin, Muffin, you're always worrying aren't you? Just chill bro, I know how to handle a bat like this little one."
Nadwe waved towards the bat, who stopped rattling the cage, probably picking up on that someone is trying to free it.
"You mean you've handled a bat before?"
I asked in disbelief to make sure if he wasn't kidding.
"Psshht, you have no idea how many bats there were in Meme's attic when I first moved in with him."
Nadwe answered as he fiddled more with the lock. Soon enough, the lock clicked open and was dropped to the ground. Nadwe put his hands into his suit pocket and pulled out two pairs of white gloves and put them on.
"Hey Muffin, I think you should probably back away in case this bat bites. Which it'll most likely will."
I shook my head and replied no. Nadwe shrugged and responded back,
"Ok, suit yourself."
Nadwe opened his inventory and took out a chest and opened it. He took out a diamond ax and used it to cut small holes and lines in the chest. Flinging the cut wood to the side, he then tilted the cage's door into the opened chest until he heard a small thump and quickly closed the chest and flinging the cage to the side.
"And we got this little fella right in the box!"
Nadwe presented the chest towards me. Small squeaks and clicking noises can be heard from the bat inside.
"So we're just going to steal Laff's bat!?"
I crossed my arms and hmphed. Like one of those grumpy characters that I read in stories, you get what I mean?
"I thought the whole point of coming to Laff's house was to steal something. And plus, I'm pretty sure Laff was going to dissect the bat anyway, you know how Laff is with bats."
Nadwe reasoned as he put the chest in his inventory. Well, he's not wrong. I agreed silently. Laff always mentions how bats carry so many diseases that cause harm to humanity or whatsoever. But what I don't get is there are so many things that can kill off humanity other than disease from bats. I'm even more confused why Laff is targeting so much hate on bats.
"Muffin, do you... hear that?"
Nadwe stood silent for a moment and listened. I arched my brows down and frowned.
"Hear what?"
I asked, tilting my head.
"Be quiet for a second."
Nadwe put a finger against his lips to indicate the shh sign. We both listened in silence till there was some faint quivering sounding coming somewhere around the room.
"The sound is coming from the table."
Nadwe whispered, though I wasn't sure why he was whispering. We both glanced at the desk to see about ten or fifthteen cork bottles quivering. Then the quivering soon changed into a heavy shake. The bottles were shaking so hard that nearly all of them fell off the desk and were smashed to the ground. Spilling black liquid to the ground.
"Uhm- what's happening?"
I exclaimed, feeling scared. I really hope this wasn't from a ghost or some demon.
"I don't know! Come on, help me grab the bottles left on the table!"
Nadwe spoke as he dashed towards the desk and grabbed two cork bottles. The cork bottles were shaking rapidly in Nadwe's palm as his hands vibrated. He looked at me with a fearful expression that made me panic. Something was clearly wrong with these bottles.
"Muffin! What are you doing? Help me get the bottles, I have no freaking idea what's going on with these!"
Nadwe held up his curled vibrating fists as he tried to not let go of the cork bottles. I was about to reach my hand towards the desk until the bottles in Nadwe's hand suddenly shattered and exploded into small pieces. I froze. Nadwe with a horrified expression, both his fists clenched, shards of glass sticking all over and inside of his hands, fresh blood pooled down his palms as it slowly bled and bled, the red liquid soaking the floor. Along with that, some sort of black liquid poured out of his hands where the two bottles were containing it, the strange black liquid being mixed up with his own blood as it sank into the floorboards and disappeared.
"N...N..."
I couldn't manage to form a word. My legs felt paralyzed, like something just covered my legs with ice. The blood, the cuts, and the pain on Nadwe's face- no-no-no- I couldn't take it- I don't want to see it again. Not again- not again-

- - - - - -

The knife covered in deep red scarlet blood, the liquid dripping from its sharp fine tip

The corpse being dragged into a wooden box.

My mother's saddened expression, filled with so much regret overpowering the hatred.

No. Stop it. I don't want to remember, I want to forget-

My memory's background still fuzzy and blurry, but can almost remember the tombstone engraved-

STOP...

- -

"MUFFINJUICE."
My thoughts were interrupted by Nadwe, his voice surprisingly steady, and I was snapped back to the present. Nadwe was trying not to flinch as he faced me, his lips curled into an unsteady reassuring confident smile to show that he was fine.
"Call Joocie now and get him here as fast as you can... If you have any spare medkits, please try to use it on me."
Nadwe steadied his breath and slowly sat down and uncurled his fists, but stopped in the middle of doing it and winced painstakingly. I nodded and frantically turned on my glowing brown watch that was attached to my wrist and called Joocie.
"Hey Joocie you need to come to Laff's house as quick as you can with the medical supplies."
- -

I came back to Specimen 045's chamber room two days after my recent interaction with it. I have announced the final decision of approval from the council to Specimen 045. I have told Specimen 045 how the council has agreed to the terms of the Specimen's deal. I have to admit, Specimen 045 looked really joyful when I told it the news, it couldn't help to form a small smile without having to fake cough to hide its glee.
"I am glad to hear that your leaders have made the right decision, I can promise you that I won't let any of you people down."
Specimen 045 said, trying its best to hide its booming excitement.
"We'll only be giving you one chance, and one chance is all you're going to get."
I rolled my eyes and warned the Specimen for the fifth time while leaning on the couch.
"I'll find Specimen 096 as soon as possible once you have removed this metal piece off my head. I am very excited about our team work for the present and future."
Specimen 045 shook their cold cyan hands with me to show our partnership.
"You better not make me regret this."
I adjusted my glasses from the tenseness of the hand shake.
"I'll be sure to try my best not to,"
Specimen 045 chuckled and stopped shaking my hand then stood up from the couch.
"To celebrate our official or temporary partnership..."
Specimen 045 put their hands behind their back and bowed to salute.
"Please call me Lucian."

- - - - -
And thus, the story is slowly unraveling....
Unexpected motivation has led me to finish this chapter, hopefully I have entertained some of you awesome readers :D

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