2

Heist

Descending the narrow, dimly lit staircase. I couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation coursing through me. The lab, buried deep beneath the facility, always had an aura of mystery, but today it seemed particularly charged with promise. Each step echoed off the cold, concrete walls, amplifying the silence and my excitement.

I clutched my note book tighter, my fingers brushing against the cool metal of the rail. The new creature they found was unlike anything we’d ever encountered-a true enigma, defying classification. Though it was dead, the prospect of studying it’s remains sent a thrill through me. What secrets lay waiting in the depths below ?

As I reached the bottom, the heavy door loomed ahead, a gateway to revelation. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open, and the sterile smell of antiseptic and faint hum of machinery greeted me. The lab was a contrast to the eerie staircase- a pristine world of white coats, bright lights, and advanced technology. My company had a bit of every thing. It had an archeology department, of I was the head of, a science laboratory department – The place where we ran tests on all the things we found, a machinery department-the place where we created our tech and things like that. My company was one of a kind. I don’t actually own the company, I’m just the head of archeology department, the heartbeat of the company, so I was pretty much in charge.

I approached the containment area, my heart racing with excitement. The creature’s enclosure, shrouded in shadows, hinted at its unusual form. This was it– the moment of discovery, the chance to unravel the mysteries of a new life form. With a final steadying breath, I stepped forward, eager to begin the tests and unlock the secrets hidden within the lifeless body before me

“I don’t know why have to wait for Miss Stacie. She has no business in the lab.” A Similar voice spoke. Even if I was in a coma, I’d always recognize that voice. It was none other than Mr. Matthews. Renowned in the scientific Community, he was a legend- a man whose name synonymous with ground breaking research and unparalleled expertise. Mr. Matthews had knack for uncovering the extraordinary, his keen eye and relentless curiosity pushing the boundaries of what we knew to be possible. His work had earned his accolades and respect nationwide. So basically, he was good at what he does.

“Because Miss the body Stacie’s team discovered the body”.

“Speak of the devil. So my lord, can start examining the body now?” Mr. Matthew said this sentence with so much sarcasm that it annoyed me but was I going to show my annoyance and accept defeat? Absolutely not!

“Sure”, I started “But I must be informed of everything going on. I hate being left in the dark”.

“Sure, whatever.” Mr. Matthews then opened the door and proceeded into the containment facility, his casual demeanor belying the significance of our task.

The containment facility was a marvel of modern science. The walls, reinforced with layers of steel and tempered glass, ensured that even the most dangerous specimens could be studied safely. The air was cool and sterile, kept at a constant temperature to preserve the integrity of the specimens.

Rows of containment units lined the walls, each housing a different subject of study. The units were equipped with advanced monitoring Systems, providing real-time data on everything from temperature and humidity to the slightest movements. In the center of the room stood a large examination table, surrounded by an array of high tech instruments and equipment. Microscopes, scanners, and a plethora of other devices were neatly arranged, ready to be employed in the analysis of the creature.

Mr. Matthews moved with practiced ease, his hands deftly activating various machines and preparing the workspace. He glanced back at me, a glint of excitement in his eyes that mirrored my own feelings. “Let’s get started,” he said, his voice filled with the same anticipation that thrummed through my veins.

Mr. Matthew was a tall and imposing figure, around 6 feet and 4 inches, with broad shoulders that hinted at a lifetime of hard work. His Salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, contrasting with his piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through you. Deep laugh lines etched his weathered face, suggesting a man who had seen much of the world and wasn’t smile through it’s hardships. His strong jaw and slightly crooked nose gave him a rugged, yet approachable appearance. Dressed in a tailored suit, he carried himself with an air of quick confidence, making him both respected and admired by those who knew him. Well, all except me. He was too proud and full of himself. So that basically turned me off and this was pretty much what started our rivalry. It isn’t really much of rivalry as he’s miles ahead of me but who cares?

Mr. Matthew was running tests, Checking the machine’s for abnormality. Or whatever. I’m not too conversant with lab science so I have no idea about what he’s doing. He took out a piece of the creature and looked at it through a microscope. I saw him assemble his team. They were conversing just a few steps from where my ears could eavesdrop. After the discussion with his team, he immediately said that we should all leave. He felt that the creature was dangerous so he locked up his lab and put his security agents all over the place.

“Can he really do that?” I asked Elijah “It is our finding actually?” “Yeah he can,” Elijah started “Our job is to find the things while his is to examine and find out the useful applications. We were not even supposed to be there. I guess he was just being generous.”

“So much security for a dead creature.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty suspicious.” Elijah started “Don’t you want to know why he Locked the place up?”

“Hell yeah!”

“Then let’s go in”.

“No we can’t.”

“Come on. You Can’t tell me you don’t want to touch it.”

“I do but since he locked it up it must be really dangerous.”

“Or maybe he wants to keep the discovery to himself.”

“We can’t be sure.”

“We can’t be sure because we haven’t gone in”.

“Even if I’m on board, how do we even get in.”

“I’m glad you asked.” Elijah grinned from ear to ear. “So there’s an air vent in your office that cut across the lab. I can use the blue prints as a compass. We’ll get in and out without anyone noticing. Even the guards are not allowed in the lab.”

“What if we get caught?” I asked. “He’ll expect someone to try to get in.”

“He won’t.” Elijah started. “There’s only one vent that cut across the lab in this whole company and it’s yours. Believe it or not, the only person that can get in is you and he won’t expect you to try to break in ‘cos you’re a bit of a nerd, Too upright to attempt a heist like that”.

“I find that very offensive”

“Sorry boss.”

“But you have a point though.”

“You’re down?”

“I’m down. We just have to see this creature up close.” I started “We’ll meet again in my office by 8.”

The night was a tapestry of silence. Its stillness only broken by the occasional whisper of the wind through the trees. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft, silver glow over the landscape, while stars dotted the heavens like scattered diamonds. Shadows stretched long and deep, painting the world in shades of midnight blue and black. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and distant pine. In the quiet, the subtle sounds of nocturnal life could be heard- a rustling in the underbrush, the distant call of an owl, the short ripple of a stream. It was a night that felt timeless, wrapped in a serene and mysterious calm.

I entered the office through the back door and saw Elijah waiting at the door of my office. Elijah Stood tall at 6’2, his presence marked by a shock of vivid red hair that seemed to glow in the moonlight. His brown eyes, always twinkling with mischief, hinted at his jovial nature. Known for his sharp wit and infectious laughter, Elijah’s humor was a constant source of delight for those around him, making every moment in his company feel brighter.

“Sup boss.”

“Don’t call me that.” I proceeded to open the door and before I knew it, we were in.

My office was a blend of modern design and personal touches. The large window behind my desk flooded the with natural light, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. Sleek, minimalist furniture in muted tones gave the space a professional look, while the bookshelves lined with an eclectic mix of novels and trinkets added sense of warmth and personality. A cozy reading nook with a plush armchair in the corner invited moments of quiet reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of the workday. The subtle hum of the air conditioning and the faint scent of fresh coffee completed the ambiance, making it a perfect blend of productivity and Comfort.

Elijah climbed my table and gestured to me to use his hand as a boost to get to the vent on the ceiling directly above my table. He cupped his hands together and I put my feet on them he lifted me up until my hands could reach the vent cover. I opened it and went inside. He jumped and was able to get inside himself. He was taller than me with a good amount of inches. I was just 5’6 and considering that I was already 27 years old, it was clear that I had reached my final height.

Elijah turned on his phone’s flashlight and started using the air vents’ blue prints as a guide to the lab. After crawling for some time, Elijah stopped and I immediately knew we were finally directly above the lab. He removed the grille and jumped down with it to minimize noise. He dropped the grille and spread his arms wide, reassuring me that he’ll Catch me if I jumped. I had second thoughts but was not planning to remain in the vents and watch him uncover my discovery so I jumped. He caught me and held me in the way those men in Indian movies held their girlfriends after singing and dancing. I stared into his mesmerizing brown eyes which complemented his soft silky red hair. My hands were on his shoulder sizing his enormous biceps. I knew he went to gym but had never felt him this close. Damn, he was hot but am I going to tell him that or view him as anything other than my younger brother? Absolutely not.

It felt like he was holding me for same time but in reality it was just roughly 10 seconds. He dropped me and I proceeded to locate the creature’s pod. I found it in less than a minute. We took the bones out and started examining it.

“Yo, it’s that arrow I wanted to exam Elijah said with excitement would you do the honor of taking it art?” “Sure.” I said, then held the arrow with

Both hand’s before talking it out. Elijah to the arrow and started going on and on about the arrow being ancient and full of unknown technology or something, I wasn’t really paying attention. I was just staring at the bones which weren’t just bones anymore. Flesh was growing and covering the bones. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was as if that arrow was the only thing that was stopping this creature from regenerating.

“Elijah! Elijah look!”

“What is… Oh my God!” Elijah was shocked. “That thing is coming back to life!”

“I can see that!” I shouted back. “What should we do?!”

“You’re asking me?!” Elijah shouted. “You’re the boss! I should be asking you.”

Please don’t hurt me.” The creature, now fully regenerated, whimpered in fear, speaking out for the first time.