The Transcended: They call him Lucius

Part 1: Memories ~ Chapter 2

Amy walked through the hallway with Lucius by her side, their footsteps echoing off the reinforced walls. Her heart was racing—she was unsure if she heard muffled screams in the distance, or if it was just some machinery.

I hope they won't act yet. She thought of the backup waiting outside, of how Tom would be getting anxious with the bug being dead. They probably heard him say EMP just before it went off. Now if they'd just trust me...

Lucius stopped at a door. He unlocked the deadbolt and opened it. Before walking inside, he grinned slyly at Amy. Cautious, she followed him.

For a moment she forgot how to breathe. There was a small group of children sitting in a corner. They looked scared, despite their eyes appearing empty. Their clothes were dirty, tattered, and a little on the big side, making their tiny bodies seem even smaller than they already were. The room was about six meters high, with curtains shielding the windows near the ceiling. Improvised beds lay scattered across the floor, together with old toys and ragged plushies.

"K-kids?" Amy cursed herself for her failing voice.

"I call them lab rats." Lucius scanned the group. "Where's Timmy?"

Amy watched the children move away to reveal a small boy who had been lying in their midst. Shit, we didn't expect this! If this mission doesn't yield any more leads, we can at least arrest this guy for kidnapping. I need to find a way to inform the squad, get these poor kids back to their parents!

"Children are a lot easier to keep than adults, and they're much more tender too."

Amy's stomach turned. "I-I suppose..." She feared she was falling out of her role.

Lucius walked up to the boy. "Timmy..."

He stirred and groaned—he was looking awfully pale.

With a sigh, Lucius returned to Amy. "Anaemia. I'll have to make sure he gets some extra attention later."

The colour drained from Amy's face. Dear lord, the poor souls. What has he been doing to them?

Lucius grinned. "I see kids are not your thing, but I already expected that. Come."

A shiver ran up Amy's spine. Just hang on for a little bit more! I'll be sure to save you all!

They left the room, but Amy felt like she had lost something in there.

Lucius walked across the hallway and stopped in front of a metal door. The advanced lock that was on it opened after verifying his fingerprint. "I hope you feel honoured. You're going to be the first person to willingly set foot inside." He smiled coyly as he pushed the door open.

Shocked, Amy realised that the sound she had heard earlier was the soft wailing of a woman. Where is she? What's happening to her? She glanced around. There were weird metallic constructions against the walls—some looking like modern-day versions of the iron maiden—and empty tables in the middle. Where the hell is she?

Lucius had gone from her sight while she had been scanning the room for the woman and his sudden presence behind her made her jump.

"Now, now... Perhaps you weren't ready after all?" He looked deep into her eyes, his head slightly tilted.

Amy shook her head. "No, it's okay. I am, I assure you. It's just... Well... It's a little confronting, you know...?"

He grinned. "Then I got something for you. I prepared it just before you arrived." He revealed a plate that he had been hiding behind his back, presenting her with the large chunk of meat that lay on it.