And to think, I thought today would be one of the better days.
"ALERT: IN PROGRESS CIRCUMSCRIPTION FAILURE. ALL STRICT PERSONNEL SHOULD REPORT TO EVACUATION AREAS DESIGNATED."
The automated voice and the screech of the klaxon alarm blared overhead in the janitorial office of Level -2. Tim, a middle-aged man who was slightly overweight, was the first to react, terrified. "Oh shit! Oh shit! This was bound to happen! I warned you! STRICT was playing God all this time! We're so fucked!" Before sprinting out into the corridor, he called over his shoulder. The rest of us sat put in our seats; the Emergency Response Department had assigned new evacuation areas a week prior, and it wasn't like we wanted to go there anyhow. Being lowly caretakers, we were probably not even allowed.
"This isn't like usual," said Sally. She was an older woman who had worked for STRICT for much longer than the rest of us. Years at STRICT had taken its toll on her, as seen by her slumped back and drooping shoulders. "What are we going to do?"
"You heard Tim, this is no ordinary situation. The voice said something about 'containment. Did something escape?" Jill flashed me a knowing look; she's a little too perceptive for her own good, but that's what makes her interesting. "It appears that STRICT has instigated insurrection in one of its subjects."
The atmosphere darkened as a result of that observation. We all knew what we were getting ourselves into cleaning toilets, floors, and dealing with messes. Beyond the promise of a salary, no one looked forward to going to work, especially given STRICT's penchant for messing with the physical world. To be honest, I didn't think that was even conceivable, but we all knew we didn't have the authority to find out for sure.
The Emergency Response Team arrived in their heavy tactical gear, including body armor, helmets, and the newest in ballistic weapons, as we sat in our seats. As a group of six heavily armed guards marched over to us, we watched them enter the room with a sense of hopelessness. "Everyone stand up and form a line against the wall. Remain calm." As per usual, they were antagonistic. The leader pointed his gun at me. "Subject 23 has escaped," he said, his face expressionless. "Come with us to ensure your safety."
Subject 23? Did they mean Ami? Did she manage to break free? How did she get out of a cell that only held her, and where did she go? The shock had sent my mind into a tailspin. It was impossible, I told myself.
Jill panicked at the implication, "No, she hasn't been here!" We—"
The man turned on Jill, gripping the barrel of his rifle. He yelled at her, "Shut up!" We all stood silently, our gazes averted.
After a few moments, the lead guard yelled, "Get to the evacuation areas now or you'll be shot!" The rest of them followed suit, barking commands and searching the office for any signs of resistance. Then darkness.
Electricity has been cut off. A thick, inky blackness enveloped us. Screams, shouts, and gunshots; sudden, bloodcurdling, and horrific, but what sounded out clearly was a child's bubbling laughter. Ami had arrived. Darkness was so thick that I couldn't see anything, but I knew it was her. With that tone, Ami would talk to me all day about her favorite songs, toys, and colors while I cleaned up her cell. That was how I knew this was fun for her.
"She's here, open fire!" Before gunshots could ring out, shocking cracking noises filled my ears, with strange whimpers and agonized moans. Jill's, Sally's, and countless screams echoed throughout the darkened office as well, but the sounds of pain and suffering quickly faded to silence.
I huddled myself into a corner, trying to remain silent. Nothing was more terrifying than being in a dark place and not knowing what was lurking around me.
“Mr. Anon?” Ami's young voice called out through the gloom, "Are you there?"
I wasn't sure if she had noticed me, but I had to respond.
“Ami?” I replied cautiously, hoping not to reveal my location.
“Oh, good. You're still alive." Her voice, unwavering and barely emotive, broke the eerie silence. "What's the point of hiding? Are you afraid of me?" Her tone was almost teasing, and it caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand up.
“I can't see,” I said honestly. She was already aware of this.
“Of course you don't want to be in such a dark place! It must be terrifying to be surrounded by so much darkness. Wait a minute, I'll make some light.” The giggling of Ami echoed throughout the room. An all-consuming light flashed. My eyes struggled against the sudden onslaught of glaring white light, but the sound of my heart pounding in my chest warned me that I would not like what I saw.
As I looked beyond the blinding glare, I saw a young girl covered with blood, organs, and viscera, which spread like a field of gore around her. Ami looked more alive than she had in a long time. Her face lit up, and she laughed like this was the funniest thing she had done in years.
“There you are, Mr. Anon; I knew I would find you sooner or later. Let's go.” Her voice seemed to echo from all directions at once, but she sounded happy and carefree. As if, for a split second, she had forgotten about the pain and suffering that came with her power.
She grabbed my hand, her own appearing small and frail. She began dragging me towards the location where I had heard Jill's screams. We stumbled through the broken bodies of STRICT employees, tattered clothes clinging to their limbs and torn skin clinging to their bones.
Ami blasts the door open with less effort than blinking, ushering us into the chaos of a firefight between several armed guards and twisted monstrosities.
"These are my friends, Mr. Anon. They'll help us leave," she said excitedly as she yanked me along behind her. I couldn't believe it. Not only did she escape, but she had also brought these other creatures? What were they? Did she create them? These questions continued to swirl in my head as we navigated the extemporaneous battle zone