Xirem

“XIREM”

Copyright © 2021 Tabitha Luc.

All rights reserved. This story or any portions thereof may not be reproduced or used in any matter whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Portions of this book are works of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

Humidity clung to the air, making it hard to breathe. My labored pants and steady footfalls mingled with the sounds of the nocturnal creatures that hid in the dense foliage surrounding me. Sweat was trailing down my back, all while plastering my hair to my forehead. I pushed forward, despite the deep ache running from the soles of my feet to my hips. I focused on the unmarked path ahead of me. Ducking below low-hanging branches, I shot forward. The blood was rushing hard through my veins, and I could hear my heart roaring in my ears.

Keep going. You’re almost there! I thought to myself. I kept running, gritting my teeth as twigs and thorns scratched against whatever bare brown skin they could dig into.

I could hear them now. They were gaining on me. I could hear their boot-clad feet squelching against the damp soil, their muttered curses, and the clicks of their guns as they reloaded.

“Subject Alpha–Zero sighted.” A gruff tone barked into the receiver of his walkie-talkie. With a loud crackle, orders to capture me alive were dispatched. “Don’t move Alpha–Zero!” The squad leader barked at me. “We have you surrounded!”

As infrared lights cut through the darkness of the forest to land on me, panic built up inside of me. Where the fuck was the barrier? It has to be around here! Eyes darting to and fro frantically, I calculated my options. I could make a break for it and either get maimed during my capture or make it through the barrier. The squad of armed guards began to encroach, fingers poised on their triggers.

Instincts kicked in as fear raced through my chest. Darting through their formation, I circled back before launching myself into the tree canopy above. The distinct sound of a bullet whistling through the air rang clear in my ear, despite the thunderous drumming of my heart. Narrowly dodging it, I leaped from tree to tree. As the distance between us widened, the squad began shooting more frantically. Just as I was attempting a jump to another branch, I was barraged with bullets. Out of the seven shots, only one bullet managed to get me. The force of the shot knocked me out of the air.

I hit the ground with a hard THOOP! Air rushed out of my lungs as I struggled to gather myself. The adrenaline coursing through me was numbing the pain of the wound and the fall. In a desperate attempt at liberation, I staggered to my feet. My limbs grew heavier. Sounds were bursting with touches of white noise. My vision swam. None of that stopped me from baring my teeth at the guards as they surrounded me again. They were smart to be prepared, but I hated them more for it.

Tranquilizer guns, was all I could think before I was pinned to the ground. Neutralizing handcuffs were latched onto my wrists and ankles. The moment I was pulled upright, my body sagged into the unforgiving grips of the guards who held me up.

Exhaustion clawed its way to the front of my mind, forcing my body to go limp as I slipped into unconsciousness.

~•~•~•~

The midday sun bore down on Maxwell Ernest and his escort as they came in sight of the compound. After a long trek halfway across the remote island, Maxwell was relieved to see the large clearing that housed the research facility he was supposed to be visiting. It looks more like a prison, Maxwell thought as he looked around himself. Outlining the compound were tall metal fences topped with barbed wire and watchmen towers. As the group approached the entrance, there was an electrical whir as the gate slid open, allowing for a clearer view of the various buildings within. He felt the familiar itch of curiosity gnaw at him. Maxwell hardly had time to look at the outlying buildings before he was ushered to a large villa that sat central to all the other buildings.

Okay, I’m gonna hear him out and politely decline. This was already weird when I got the gift basket and invitation, but we’re bordering Get Out territory now. I gotta come up with a good excuse or something, Maxwell thought as he jogged up the steep steps.

Two guards stood at the top of the stairs, one on either side of the large wooden doors. Momentarily halting the group, the guards look over Maxwell’s invitation before allowing them entry. “Please wait in the main hall Dr. Ernest, Director Morozov will be with you shortly.” The shorter of the two guards informed.

Maxwell nodded, though he was sure the instruction was more for the six guards who had accompanied him on this trip since. They hadn't left his side since arriving at the Miami International Airport and the subsequent three-day boat ride. As they ventured deeper into the building, anxiety began to root itself in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t help but wonder just who the hell this Dr. Morozov was and what business they could have together. His extensive Google searches only proved how common the name Leonid Morozov was.

After turning down a long corridor, the escort stopped before a set of French doors, which seemed misplaced in a place like this. The six turned to face the door in unison, leaving the man in front of Maxwell to open the door. The guards waited for Maxwell to enter before taking their leave.

The main hall was light greige, semicircular, with high ceilings, and made use of the natural light coming in from a large panoramic window that spanned 20 feet. The room was grandiose, but at the same time subtle. Unconsciously, Maxwell crossed the room to the window to check out the view of the compound – unaware that he was being watched.

“Be careful not to lean too far out,” a thickly accented voice spoke from across the room, startling Maxwell. In front of him stood a man with delicate features, auburn hair, and a roguish smirk. Leonid crossed the room to stand beside Maxwell. “There is only a screen to keep the bugs out.”

Maxwell was taken aback. He couldn’t shake the feeling of he was staring into the face of a predator, despite its cherubic outward appearance. Although his instincts were telling him to run, Maxwell was confident that he wouldn’t make it to the front door, let alone the metal gate outside. I might as well play along.

“You must be Director Morozov. This is quite the place you have here, thanks for inviting me.” Maxwell said with an outstretched hand.

"I am." Leonid stared at the offered hand as though it were a foreign object. "I'm also a bit of a mysophobic, so please don't take offense if I refuse to shake your hand. Please follow me to my office.” Walking off to a side entrance, Leonid assumed he was being followed.

Something’s a little off about him, Maxwell hesitated. His gut twisted as red flags began to crop up. Despite himself, he found his body following after Leonid. Once through the side door, they were met with a staircase, which Leonid had already begun to climb. Maxwell followed suit, disregarding the ache in his calves from the earlier trek across the island. Atop the stairs was another long corridor, but this one was lined with rooms. Maxwell paused at the landing as he observed Leonid walk to the third door on the left, pull a wet wipe from his pocket, and clean the knob. Leonid repeated this action twice before twisting the knob with his bare hand.

“In here, Dr. Ernest. Please take the seat on the right, in front of the desk.” Leonid stated as he walked into the room. Maxwell was quick to catch up.

The room was the same greige as the main hall. Other than a filled bookcase and a standing desk with matching leather seats, the room was scarce. Two large glass windows overlooked the rear of the compound and further out the outer edge of the surrounding forest. Leonid sat behind the desk, resting the bridge of his nose against his steepled palms. The posture made him look serious, but also more feral. Again avoiding his fight-or-flight instincts, Maxwell sat before Leonid as instructed.

“Director Morozov, thank you again for the trip, but why am I here?” Maxwell wasn’t sure if it was the tension on the other man’s face or just the strangeness of the situation as a whole, but he wanted to get to the point as quickly as possible.

Silence stretched the distance between them, leaving the words to hang like an awkward drape between them. Before a full minute had passed, Leonid waved off the question.

“I like that you are quick to cut the chase.” A wry smile crossed Leonid’s features. “Why indeed, Dr. Ernest – can I call you Max? Or is that too informal?”

“Either is fine, but why am I here” Maxwell emphasized. He knew he couldn’t let his guard down. Not with this man who had a miniature army at his disposal.

“I have many interests in science, you see. But I do not have the scientific knowledge to make my ideas and interests come to fruition.” Leonid’s voice grew cold as if hinting at his past failures. “However, what I do have is money and connections – connections which led to you. You're an expert in biomedicine and bioengineering. I’ve read up on some of your past projects, Max, and it’s really impressive. In short, you will be the man to help me succeed. You’ll bridge the gap between man and beast.”

It was Maxwell’s turn to sit in silence. He wasn’t sure if he had heard Leonid correctly. Bridge the gap? What the hell is this man getting at? He couldn’t mean –

“Are you talking about a Chimera?" A chuckle punctuated the question. Maxwell leaned back in his seat, disbelief clear on his face. He couldn’t believe this man flew him out just to talk about crossing some genes or mythology. “I’m sorry Mr. Morozov, but I have way too many outstanding projects in development to focus on this right now.”

With lips pressed in a thin line, Leonid appraised Maxwell once more. “That’s unfortunate.” Leonid rubbed the side of his jaw to the point of chafing. “I wish people took me more seriously when I said that.”

Reaching into the drawer of his desk, Leonid pulled out a receiver and spoke the words “pridi i zaberi yego”. Not a moment later, two armed guards stormed the room and pointed their assault rifles at Maxwell’s head. It had been years since the last time he’d felt like his life was in immediate danger. There was a brief exchange in what sounded like Russian.

“On your feet!” One of the guards said in English. Frightened, Maxwell rushed to stand, but he never broke eye contact with Leonid. Before the guards could pull Maxwell out of the office, Leonid help up his hand causing them to stop.

“I wish I could have kept up the facade for a bit longer, Max. But now it’s time for business – and you will do well to listen this time.” Leonid’s accent had thickened as he ground out each word. "You will continue where your predecessors failed. We will bring you samples from the test subjects. You will develop software that matches suitable characteristics. From there, you will run cloning tests and determine how to keep the foreign genes from rejecting one another."

Leonid paused as if he expected a response. When Maxwell was silent, a pleased look settled on his face. He gestured for the guards to take Maxwell away.

The small group walked for ages before exiting the villa and making their way across the courtyard. Despite being held at gunpoint, assessing his surroundings was more important. He closely observed as they brought him around the rear of the villa towards the two buildings. The guards brought him to the building on the right, a simple two-story structure. The guards lowered their weapons a fraction as the three came to a stop at the first door on the first floor. Maxwell got another sick feeling.

"Enjoy your stay Doctor." The nameless guard sneered as he pushed the door open, and forced Maxwell in. "Some advice: don't try to run away and don't go putting your nose where it doesn't belong."

Maxwell turned slowly around the small ten-foot-by-ten-foot room, noticing a cot and toilet on opposite ends of each other. Hysteria set in as Maxwell crumpled into a pile in the middle of the room. This definitely is a prison, and I waltz right in like a fool.

Hours later, several alarms could be heard ringing almost in sync. Startled, Maxwell bolted upright from where he still lied on the floor of his room. Scrambling to the door, he pushed his ear against it. All he could hear were the discordant shouts of guards and the blaring of the alarms.

Oh god, what now?

"The ground team has lost visual on the subject. I repeat, the ground team has lost visuals. Over."