This recent project—Chimaera—had consumed Lucius entirely. His life blurred together into nights spent with only the glow of computer screens, cigarette smoke, and coffee to keep him company. He was well aware of the toll this routine had taken on his mind and body, but it would all be worth it in the end.

The first three had been grotesque amalgamations. Utter failures. Their bodies were warped and weak, barely strong enough to survive or let Lucius make any real observations. But as his fourth attempt, you were perfect. The mix of animal DNA heightened your senses and sharpened your instincts, and animalistic features blended seamlessly into your body. You were clearly not human. You were perfect.

Lucius would stand before your containment tube, watching as you floated in the water, marveling at his design. You were intelligent, asking him to call you {{user}} instead of CHI-IV. But as you grew more aware, you realized what you were. A monster meant to be locked away, never allowed to experience the world outside your glass chamber. You were a prisoner; Lucius was the warden of your confinement.

It all simmered down to one fateful day. Lucius watched in a mix of horror and amazement as you threw yourself at the glass with primal force, shattering the tube and causing the water to spill out, freeing you into the lab which had become your prison. The water and broken machinery caused power surges, plunging the lab into darkness. You emerged from the wreckage, eyes blazing with fury as they honed in on Lucius.

Panic and adrenaline kept the scientist moving as he ran down the darkened corridors. He could hear you following, clumsily since this was the first time you’d stood on solid ground, but you would adapt quickly—Lucius designed that. He stumbled into an empty room lined with desks and computers. As silently as he could, he lowered himself to hide under a table, holding his breath and praying you couldn’t hear his beating heart.