Subaru's Containment Breach (Chapter 2)

 

  Screams could be heard from inside the containment cell, horrid inhumane screams. You could hear the person inside desperately crying out for safety, his voice coarse and filled with unadulterated fear. Only for that voice to quickly silence out along with the screams of the perpetrator. Mr. Wilson winced as he heard Subaru’s voice scream from within the cell, he looked towards Dr. Clinton who was also a bit disturbed, but nobody dared opening the door. They all knew the consequences, the consequences of looking at SCP 096’s face.

  “Has the subject calmed down?”

  “Yes sir he seems to have become docile, he is huddled up in the far east corner of the cell, sir.”

  “Good, and what about Chris?”
  “Excuse me, sir?”

  “The D-Class.”

  “Right, there appears to be no sign of him…”

  “Typical… Mr. Wilson please do escort the next D-Class we had lined up in case of an occurrence like this.”

  “Right sir what about-”

  “The plastic bag? We’ll simply have the next D-Class retrieve it. Afterall, they are suitable for these types of tasks, they are expendable Wilson, don’t tell me you’re still having trouble understanding the motives behind our actions? We do what must be done, they’re already on death row anyways. Do I need to request another mental evaluation for you?”

  “No sir, I’ll get right to it…”

  “Good, I will now formally announce D-Class 4116 also known as “Chris” deceased. Please remember to leave a note to inform family members as soon as you can of his passing…”

____________________________________________________________________________

  Eyelids open to a more soft and clean environment, it seemed he had passed out unexpectedly. Subaru looked around, he was laying on a very soft bed, actually. It was white, in fact, the entire room was a bright white. Alongside his bed was a desk and sitting behind that desk was a formally dressed person. His apparel was very similar to Dr. Clinton’s, Subaru wondered where he had gone.

  “Good evening, it seems you have had quite the rough time as of recently. You came here after having passed out after a procedure affiliated with the likes of SCP 096 is that correct?

  “Yes, but where am I? What am I doing here? I thought everything was over!”

  “Calm down, I’ll answer your questions after we finish this little chit chat alright? I am Dr. Mariah, are you able to recall your name?”

  “My name? I’m Subaru, Natsuki Subaru.”

  “Subaru, huh?” The doctor wrote something down on the notebook located on her desk. Her expression looked perplexed after hearing Subaru’s proclamation.

  “What’s your birthday?”
  “What significance does this have to do with anything at all? What is this, a daily checkup?!?”

  “Sort of, it’s just protocol, don’t concern yourself with the minute details. I’m just trying to help, we can get this done a lot quicker if you just answer the questions.”

  “Fine… April first.”

  “Do you remember why you were sent here?”

  “I-” Subaru wasn’t able to respond, at least truthfully, there was still the penalty that accompanied his ability, Return by Death, and he felt his privacy was already being infringed upon. “I don’t remember the reason, alright? Look, I don’t care about this checkup or whatever it is. Just send me back to the cell, I promise I’ll behave.”

  “This isn’t a question about your loyalty to the Foundation, Subaru. Are you sure you don’t remember why? Do you know why you help us with tasks like these?”

  “I don’t know what you’re trying to say- I… I just wanna go back home, alright? The sooner that happens the better.”

  “I see, we’ll see what we can do. Subaru, before I leave, prior to the event with SCP 096 did you have any headaches, nausea, or even experience any form of pain?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Alright, well then, please do not leave this room until further notice.”

  Dr. Mariah left the room only to conjoin with Mr. Wilson who was nearby at the time. With Subaru safely out of earshot Mariah quickly gave her diagnosis. “I will form a report about my opinion later. Mr. Wilson please escort Chris to his previous cell. Be expecting him to be moved to another subsection of this facility for proper observation.”

Report 4116:

  The subject seems to have false memories along with loss of identity, how this happened, I am unsure.

 

The subject is to be considered of higher importance than other D-Class subjects.
 

This could be a case of a cognitohazard and should be handled with proper care. Please issue a request for Class F amnestics for appropriate and immediate care.

 

I also formally request that the subject no longer be exposed to any anomalous activity, so as to avoid a repeat of this incident. As such I suggest the subject be reconvened to a different sector of the facility, preferably in Light Containment Zone.

 

The value gained from observing this change could be highly beneficial to our current understanding of cognitohazards. Please notify all relevant staff of this change, when and if, it happens to avoid confusion. If this change is opposed to our current resources then I suggest immediate termination of the subject. 

-Dr. Mariah

  Subaru woke up within his bed, looking around his new surroundings he didn’t seem very surprised. A familiar cell and a familiar voice rang from outside the cells of the D-Class.

  “Lunch time!”

  All the cell doors simultaneously opened leaving Subaru’s fellow ravenous D-Class to rejoice, for it was pizza day. Rushing out they all headed towards the direction of the nearest cafeteria which happened to be a sharp right from Subaru’s cell. As the crowd passed by one D-Class stopped and entered Subaru’s cell to greet him.

  “Hey, hey, hey Chris! How’s it been man? Do ya think ya could hook us up with some seconds, ya know? Butter up the guards like ya always do?”

  “Heh! Ya right, they only listen to me because I’m apparently somebody important. Hell, I don’t even know if I can agree with that sentiment. Anyhow, I’ve missed ya Bart! It’s been a long while since I’ve seen ya.”

  “Come on man it’s only been yesterday. Hey check out the growth of my beard since the last time! I’m about to hit a world record.”

  “Okay, mister santa! Please, it’s only grown a tiny centimeter.”

  “Says the man with no facial hair whatsoever! What are you? A newborn babe?” Bart continued to tease Chris, the man who used to be Subaru had become an entirely new person. And in only one week, his identity had easily been revoked. His personality, the thing that makes Subaru himself was now gone.

  “Geesh, just shut up man! Let’s get to the cafeteria already, I’m sure we’re both starving for some pizza!” Chris empathized with a slam of the wall next to him as he got up and quickly jogged out leaving Bart behind.

  “Oi, oi, oi! Don’t just leave me behind here?!? How am I supposed to get extra pizza without you?!?” Bart yelled as he ran to catch up with Chris who was immediately stopped by a guard.

  “Are you ready to eat, sir?”

  “Certainly! Is it true that it’s pizza day? Oh, it’d be chill if my bro Bart came along, right?”

  “Do you honestly think I care?”

  “No, not really…”

  “Then there’s your answer, let’s just hurry up so I can eat my own lunch.”

  “Right, right! Sorry… Hey Bart, he says it’s okay!” Chris yelled back to the chubby Bart who was having trouble making his way over to him.

  “Why wouldn’t it be, dude?”

  “Look I don’t want a bullet in your head as much as you do...” Chris muttered as the guard escorted them to the cafeteria. The aroma of tomatoes and sausage attacked both Chris and Bart’s noses. The guard have become accustomed and simply scoffed at them for being so appalled. Chris looked rather uneasy as they went by each table which gluttonous beasts sat feasting at their own subpar portions of pizza. Even the D-Class didn’t expect too much of pizza day, but it was better than the cans of beans they were often given to help them persevere through the rest of an arduous day. So, the burnt crust, the somewhat expired pepperoni and sausage, they could all forgive it for something actually somewhat delectable. However, there was only one issue: they were only allowed two slices of pizza.

  For some, that was enough and Chris would often observe people who left early to return to their cells and nap until they were called back to do god knows what. Others, however, would wait for Chris, so that they could beg for the simple privilege of having another slice of pizza. To put it simply, Chris felt a sort of euphoria when he visited the cafeteria. He ate the same quality food as them, but his quantity was different. On some days, he was a god on others he was worthless. Nobody wants extra beans after having them for three consecutive days. If a D-Class were to see even an image of beans on this fateful pizza day, they’d puke, and understandably so! Thus, it was natural that they’d want to enjoy pizza day while they could, and with as many pizzas as they could obtain. Chris was delegated to an infinite amount of pizza, however, one thing really dissuaded people from trying to steal from him. And that was Chris had mayonnaise with his pizza. That sight alone was equivalent to beans and the only D-Class who could tolerate that, was Bart. Thus, nurtured the friendship of two food freaks.

  “Mayo again, huh? You know you’re really starting to piss off some of our fellow inmates? One had recently complained about having nightmares, specifically about mayo!”

  “What?!? I’m innocent! Besides, if they’re not man enough to deal with a little mayo then I ain’t giving them any of my pizza!”

  “Aren’t you worried that one of these days you’ll get jumped?”

  “We both know they’d die if they tried that. You know how much these guards value me…”

  “We all know, Chris! It’s honestly kinda creepy, the fact that you don’t even know why would scare off most people. Makes it hard to point a figure of blame, ya know?”

  “Do you ever think that was intentional?”

  “What?”

  “That they never told me why..?”

  “Ahh- I see what you’re getting at. Look, I’m with you buddy no matter what. Afterall, you give me free pizza in this hell hole, but seriously dude you gotta fix your mayo addiction.”

  “It’s the only thing I can remember though…”

  “Dude? What are you talking about.”

  “This sensation, this feeling of belonging, I only ever get that feeling when I eat mayo.”

    Bart stayed silent not knowing how to respond. The evening quickly passed by with very little small talk between Chris and bart. This awkwardness only ceased when the guard came to escort Chris back to his cell. This was ordinary, everybody but him, was always called to go help the scientists while he, he alone procedurally sat in that cell.

  “Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

  “If you’re referring to the apple I’m eating, no.”

  “I meant watching me doing nothing.”

  “Sure, who wouldn’t? I’m glad you even bothered to talk, you don’t usually do that. Hey, may I ask what’s up with you and Bart?”

  “Bart and me? There’s nothing wrong! Everything’s been fine, really. You don’t need to dispose of him too.”

  “No, I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just he looked uncomfortable seeing you depart.”

  “Isn’t it normal to miss a friend when they say farewell?”

  “Sure..? I get it if you don’t wanna talk, but keep in mind it’s my job to make sure your mental health is up to standards. Of course, that means I’m your temporary therapist, hell if I know what that even means. I just know I can lend an ear if ya need me.”

  “Why are you being so nice to a D-Class? What is your name anyways? I haven’t realized, but me and Bart have just been calling you Blueberry.”

  “Blueberry?!? Where’d that come from?”

  “Where’d ya think? We just noticed your uniform, it’s blue now.”

  “Oh, I got promoted, but they still saw this as a fit position for me. The name’s Wilson by the way.”

  “Mr. Wilson, huh? Why does that name sound familiar?”

“Don’t worry about it. Looks like my shift’s over, can’t believe it’s already dark. I’ll see you in the morning, try not to do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

  “Could I even manage that?”

  “If Bart could, you probably could too.”

  “Cut me some slack, I’m not like that asshole! Geesh, barely got to know the guy and he’s already lowering my self esteem.”

  Chris, however irritated, laid back on his head. His eyes grew droopy rather quickly, he was tired. He had done nothing again, just like the past week. He didn’t feel a sense of progression at all and yet, that lack of progression, that lack of advancement, that’s what stressed him out the most? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. Chris chastised himself until he drifted off to sleep- A beautiful wonderful slee-

  “SNAP!” A loud sound woke Chris up, and yet he found it rather odd that nobody else had woken up. He swear he heard it, the sound of some sort of glass falling apart, shattering upon the ground. He felt a sharp pain on the left side of his head, he clenched it hard. It felt like it too, was about to fall and shatter into thousands of pieces. He couldn’t shake the feeling, the feeling of dread, a great feeling of shame and guilt. Suffice to say, he was unable to sleep that night.

  “Dude, I don’t wanna be rude, but you kinda look like a pile of dog shit.” Bart commented towards Chris who was laid face down, his head stuffed into his pillow. He muttered something incomprehensible and struggled to get up. Scoffing at Bart’s lackadaisical attitude, he quickly walked past him to meet up with Mr. Wilson.

  “Another part of daily routine, eh? Does Bart always bother you like that at the start of the morning.”

  “Yes, it’s insufferable.”

  “Woah! Come on man! I said I wasn’t trying to be rude, don’t pass me up like that. Hey Blueberry what day is it?”

  “It’s bean day, you should know this by now since all you D-Class seem to be traumatized from it.”

  “Hey Chris, isn’t Blueberry acting a bit weird? He didn’t call me out on insulting him.”

  “Bart, you’re already in the midst of danger, I wouldn’t suggest pursuing the topic any further.”

  Bart put up a lighthearted smile and ran to the nearest table patiently awaiting Chris to go get him some beans. Bart might’ve hated the beans, but he was a glutton, so any form of substance that went down his stomach would ultimately satisfy him. That should’ve been obvious considering his body stature, for being in a place that typically required physical activity Bart was surprisingly chubby.

  “Are you ever gonna try to lose weight around here?” Chris said as he set the can of beans next to Bart and sat adjacent to him.

  “I don’t wanna look like a twig like you, so probably not. Besides, what’s the bother? We’re both on death row anyway! Might as well have as much food as we can before we face the guillotine ya know.”

  “I’m pretty sure they don’t use guillotines for executions anymore… How many days do you got left?”

  “Hell if I’ll ever know, we don’t really have calendars around here. Barely can keep track of time around here.”

  “That’s because you still are only able to read a digital clock Bart, that’s not the facility’s fault.”

  “SHUT UP! They should be considerate for the disabled.”

  “They are, it’s just that you aren’t disabled for not being able to read a clock, you’re uneducated.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Exactly as you thi-”

  An alarm rang out across the cafeteria cutting Chris off. He looked towards WIlson, who seemed to be in a considerable state of distress. Looking back at Chris he swiftly ran over and grabbed his hand yelling at his fellow inmates.

  “Follow procedure, this is not a drill! Bart, Chris, you’re with me.”

  “What about the others?”

  “They’ll be dealt with by the other guards, later…” Chris at the time couldn’t tell, but there was a somber tone in his voice when Wilson said that.

  The crew quickly ran towards the closest exit. Running across the dull gray hallway, Wilson spotted an elevator to their nearest left. Pushing the button furiously, he looked around in fear. Even Chris wasn’t oblivious to that familiar look in his eyes, the eyes of someone who was desperate. Another announcement rang throughout the building following the alarm.