Code: Error (discontinued)

* ~ Chapter 16 ~ *

I waved my hand. "Wrong person there, buddy."

Another man raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

The fuck do you mean? Of course I am!

Well... maybe not. But this lie is for a good cause.

"I'm sure." I walked away, not wanting to deal with any more bullcrap. I was SO FUCKING DONE. But I knew it wouldn't end there. Not yet. I heard the footsteps following me, but I ignored them. Until they started running so I climbed up a tree and hid at the top. They ran past my spot. Idiots. I climbed down and walked away.

.........

Later, I got home and flopped onto my parents' bed. I loved sleeping with them when I was little. But I eventually got too big and started taking up space and I had to sleep in my own room, which I'm okay with now. I decided to go onto my iPad and play some Roblox. This iPad used to be my mom's before she got a newer one and gave this 6 gen one to me. My sister wasn't here as she had wanted to help out people during swimming. I was alone for the time being. But suddenly, I felt weird.

But then I knew.

It's that time of the month.

Not wanting it to leak, I went Usain Bolt mode to change into a pad. Luckily, I was okay. Then the doorbell rang, so I checked the Ring camera. It was just someone delivering groceries, since Ate ordered some prior. I went down and loaded them, despite my stupid cramps. Then I went back upstairs and chilled in my parents' room. I put a towel underneath just to be sure it doesn't leak and cover their sheets in straight up biohazards. Which is blood.

While I was playing Roblox, I got hungry. I put it down and snacked on an apple and then I went back to playing. But I got a message. How are people getting my number? Why is this happening? I opened it up to see what it was.

: if you are going to the lab, be careful of the monsters.

I've never believed in monsters. But the only TRUE monsters on this planet look just like you and me. They're not legends at all. But... what monsters? Are the truly real or is this some goofy ass prank being pulled off?
I'll never know.

I might have to ask about this. But I need my friends. Dai knows A LOT about the lab, so maybe he'll tell us. If he wants to, that is.

............

The next day, I called everyone over to my house. They all came over 20 minutes late but I didn't care. I showed Dai my phone and he perked up instantly.

"Okay, as a person at the lab, I'll confirm those monsters are real. There are robots, mutated people, shapeshifters, alive shadows, skinwalkers, oozelings, lankies..."

"What the fuck are lankies?" asked Keiko. "It sounds like Lankybox—"

Charlie's mouth went agape. "DON'T YOU DARE BRING LANKYBOX INTO THIS. THEY ARE WEIRD AS HELL." We all agreed to that statement.

Dai snapped his fingers and continued. "Alright, about the monsters. They were people who escaped or attempted to do so. Some were killed and just left behind, while others got turned into either of these monsters or mutants. Like I said, I had to watch someone die. Me and Dexter were there. They were tortured to death. Beaten, tased, made their skin peel off due to high temperatures, and then EUTHANIZED LIKE A FUCKING ANIMAL." I was terrified.

"I thought I would forget..." said Dexter. It was obvious they had trauma from that experience.

"I'll tell you how to survive these monsters. For the shadows, it's simple. Just pray. The mutated people, ignore them. Don't provoke them. Robots, I forgot. Shapeshifters, kill them. Oozelings, don't let it touch you or near ANY KIND OF LIQUID or it will grow and will become more powerful."

"Not even orange juice?" I asked, trying to sound whiny but failing. Dai sighed. "Not even orange juice."

Keiko was beginning to look shocked but admirably pleased. "You know a lot, Dai. Keep going."

"For the skinwalkers, you have to kill them but DO NOT GET FOOLED. They're like shapeshifters but worse." Dai took a breath before going on. "As for the lankies, they're blind and have an acute sense of hearing and can sense your heartbeat, so consider that. Go as far away from them as possible. Lankies look like people but are mutated to be thinner, taller, and have long arms and sharp teeth. They're disturbing to say the least."

All of this had me terrified. Here I was, learning that these monsters were real. I hate to admit, but now I'm dumber than I originally thought. "Thanks for telling me. Thanks for telling everyone." Dai gave a thumbs up. "It's not a problem." Everyone decided to go home after that. I went out to the backyard to climb the tree.

The sun was setting. I absolutely adored sunsets.

"Beats being inside," I whispered.

The sun looked orange now, the sky a mix of red, orange, yellow, and pink. It was absolutely mesmerizing. It took my mind off of everything we talked about.

Now, I could only just happily stare into the sky. There was also a steady breeze making my hair flow and fly.

I'll find out more soon.

But I think I deserve a little break.