The Researcher, Scene v1

Looks like a posting drought is coming. Haven't really felt like working on my writing lately with school stuff and midterms coming up.

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As they approached the mouth of the cave, they spotted a brown-haired woman fully adorned in plated-leather armor, fit only for the Royal Guard. Despite always being completely covered from the shoulder down, it wasn’t enough to hide the figure that many desired.

“Isn’t that—…?”

Raze eyed Kismet’s leg as they approached. “I’m rather impressed with how well you dealt with that bear. Maybe you should rest here for now.”

Kismet was taken aback. She hadn’t noticed anyone watching her. “Th—Thank you, but I’m fine.”

“Alright, follow me.” Raze stepped into the mouth of the cave, which was little more than a small wedge hidden along the cliff side.

“Wait…a bear? You were attacked by a bear?” exclaimed Lucas.

Kismet, irritable from the pain, followed Raze in silence. A faint blue glow, from the lanterns that dangled above, lit the wide, dampened path. The air was moist from the bits of morning condensation on the rocky walls, but oddly warm. Lucas’ eyes trailed Kismet’s footsteps, staring at the small bloody paw prints with worry. “Kismet, it’s only going to get worse if you keep walking on it like that. If you want, I –“

“Ignore it, it’ll heal on its own,” interrupted Kismet, gently caressing the rabbit, in attempt to distract herself from the pain.

Their destination was deep inside the gloomy cave, hidden to the side of the lantern-lit path. The mouth of the cave was long out of view and faint sounds carried through the rocky walls. A warm breeze whispered from deep within, carrying with it an unusual scent that burned Kismet’s nose.

Raze knocked on steel-reinforced, wooden door. “Hoffman, we’re here with the delivery.”

A small bang came from inside the door, along with a faint exclamation of pain. “Wh-who’s there?”

“It’s Raze.”

“Ohh, ah… just a minute.”

The sound of shuffling papers and clattering metal made Sara frown impatiently. Rahnt cracked open the door, peering out at unfamiliar faces from behind a thick steel chain lock. Behind his large glasses were deep-set, baggy eyes with dark circles that looked like bruises. The sound of hisses and rattling cages stirred from behind the researcher, causing him to jump in surprise. He pushed up the bridge of his glasses and cleared his throat. He looked at Kismet with a bit of disbelief. “O-Oh. It’s the Catheran. It must’ve been at least five years since I last saw you.”

Kismet eyed him in confusion. She couldn’t recall his thinning grey hair and long tired face. The animals in Rahnt’s residence started becoming restless. He whirled his head around, cowering away from their sudden actions. Rahnt looked at Kismet again, noticing the bloody bandages wrapped around her leg. Raze eyed him suspiciously, following his gaze to the Catheran’s leg. Rahnt snapped out of his trance, turning his attention to the General. “R-Right. Let me see the rabbit.”

Kismet stepped forward with the rabbit nuzzled calmly in her arms.

“No! Not you. Stay back,” exclaimed Rahnt.

Kismet stepped back with a sigh. The rabbit squirmed and thrashed when Sara tried to take it from her. After a moment of difficulty, Sara managed to get a firm hold of it and tried to slip it through the door. The rabbit kicked and squirmed. Watching the poor helpless animal struggle in fear sunk Kismet’s spirit.

“Geez, what’s wrong with this thing?” complained Sara.

Rahnt quickly pulled it through the door and examined it. Kismet averted her eyes as he poked and prodded the rabbit with his finger and stared into its face. He slipped the animal into a small cage. “Yes…Yes, this will do.”

Kismet peered through the crack of the door at the several animals staring straight at her unblinking. She was unable to see the animals clearly through the mess of the room, but something about them was unsettling. The room reeked of animal feces, and blood. Rahnt noticed her looking through the crack of the door and quickly began to close it. “Ah, thank you. Now if you’d please leave.”

Sara quickly stopped the door. “Hey, uh…what are you researching anyway?”

“S-Sorry, but I can’t release that information.” Rahnt forcefully shut the door and securely bolted it shut.

“Geez, that was rude of him,” snorted Sara.

“Working in a place like this? I’m surprised he’s still sane,” commented Lucas.

“Tch, whatever. And what do you think he’s doing with all those animals in there anyway?”

“It’s just as he said, classified information,” interjected Raze. “Your work is done here. Devin is waiting for your report.”

The squad saluted and left the cave. “I wonder why he even works there instead of some lab. It seems very inconvenient, and far less productive. And why did General Raze stay behind?” speculated Lucas.

Kismet sighed. “You two think too much. I’m sure they have their reasons.”

Lucas frowned. “Yeah, but it’s still a bit unusual. Aren’t you even a little curious?”

“Not really.”

Sara laughed. “Why, too many bad experiences from sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”

“I just mind my own business, unlike some people.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” growled Sara.

“Huh. I wonder,” edged Kismet.

Sara kicked Kismet’s wound before she continued walking out of the cave. Kismet screamed out in pain. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Lucas took a step toward Kismet while Sara stomped ahead.

“Don’t. Just leave me alone,” snapped Kismet.

Lucas followed a short distance behind Kismet, whose leg began to trail blood once again.



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