[A Few Days Later]

As I finished up writing the last of my notes I placed the pencil down and stared at the stack of papers in front of me. Over 20 pages of notes and guidelines pertaining to SCP-1273's condition were laid out on the desk of my containment cell. I had narrowed down the ritual to some degree, however, the true nature of it was still a mystery. It was newer in origin, something I had never really heard of before. The poor child was still trapped in that room, and I had only been able to visit for about an hour in the past few days that I've returned. Fixing the light has proven far more difficult than anyone could have expected, it's as if the being that controls that world is refusing to open the gate again. After the visit to my original site I had demanded to speak to one of the O5, however, this request was met with the promise of submitting a form for a meeting, which I knew would take at least a month to process. All I can truly do right now is prove my value to the foundation as a researcher. I began putting my notes in order when the door to my cell opened, revealing Dr. Stevens and two armed guards.

Me: "Ah, Dr. Stevens. I just finished the notes on 1273. Bit of a boring read, but useful information."

Stevens: "Uh... Thank you... I heard there was an... incident at site 08-4. I wanted to hear your input on the matter."

I turned my full attention to Stevens. The armed guards were aiming at me, as if I'd attack at any moment.

Me: "Oh... the incident... Wouldn't really call it that."

I sighed.

Me: "I got a bit emotional over what she... what the foundation had done. I got angry, but I had no intention of harming them. In fact they shot me, and I did nothing. I complied with everything they asked of me, I don't really see why it's such a big fuss honestly."

Stevens: "Yes, I reviewed the footage. I'm... more worried that you won't be as... cooperative with us."

Me: "No need to worry. I don't intend on causing problems."

Stevens seemed to relax after that, he even motioned for the guards to wait outside.

Stevens: "On to what I actually came here for. We got a new transfer a few days ago. And the subject isn't really responding to-"

Me: "You want me to go help them settle in?"

I smiled. While it's not exactly the way I'd like things to go, when he asks me to go and help with other SCPs it lets me fulfill the purpose I found for myself, which makes my time here easier.

Stevens: "Yes. The subject isn't exactly happy with the transfer."

I nodded and stood up.

Me: "Shall we?"

[Time Skip]

We arrived at a containment cell with the number 347 next to it. The guards showed me in and I noticed it was a human containment cell, furnishings, but no reflective surfaces. I suddenly felt something in the room with me.

Me: "Hello, my name is (Y/N). Do you mind if I have a seat?"

I waited a moment but got no response.

Me: "I do know you're here. In fact..."

I slowly walked over to the sofa and looked at the indent on the cushion, looking at where I suspected the eyes of the person to be.

Me: "You're sitting in front of me, staring at me."

There was silence for a moment. Then a sigh.

347: "I should've sat on the wooden chair, shouldn't I have?"

The voice that spoke was female, pretty young.

Me: "It would have taken me longer to realize where you were."

I cleared my throat and restarted my introduction.

Me: "My name is (Y/N), may I have a seat?"

347: "Claudia. Pick a seat."

I nodded a thank you and took a seat in a chair opposite the couch.

Me: "You seem rather upset. Something bothering you?"

347: "Oh, no. Nothing at all. What more could a girl ask for?"

Me: "Well, the food could be better."

She chuckled.

347: "How do they make food so tasteless here?"

Me: "Not a clue. Wish they would let me cook a meal every once in a while."

347: "YOU can cook?"

Me: "Why is everyone surprised when I tell them that? Yes, I can cook, you don't live as long as I do and not learn a thing or two."

347: "You're only like 20 right?"

Me: "Uh... give or take a few... hundred years..."

347: "Uh-huh."

Me: "Oh, the invisible girl is doubting a strange fact she's just been told?"

She started laughing.

347: "Fair enough."

Me: "Why else would I be locked up here, and I swear it's not for my amazing cooking."

She started laughing again.

347: "You know what, you need to cook for me now, I'm not gonna believe it until I taste it."

Me: "If that's what it takes."

After a few minutes of banter and talking about what it's like here she asked a question that deviated from our conversation.

347: "So, what's it like?"

Me: "I'm sorry?"

347: "What's it like living that long?"

I took a moment to think.

Me: "Well, it's really weird. Do you know how amazed I was when I saw a photograph? Or when I saw a movie for the first time? Then years and years go by and then suddenly we have computers. And then all of it becomes commonplace. I found myself struggling to keep up as things kept advancing."

347: "Like an old person trying to figure out how to work a computer?"

Me: "Worse! I was born back when electricity wasn't harnessed yet. More like a caveman trying to turn on a lightbulb with a rock."

She laughed but got quiet afterward.

347: "Did you ever feel... alone?"

Me: "Every day. After... what made this happen, I knew that people wouldn't react well. So I moved every few years just to make sure no one ever figured it out. I couldn't confide in anyone, I couldn't grow close to anyone. I had to keep moving, I had to keep running. Until one day, I got caught. Something happened where I should have died, obviously, I didn't. It didn't take long for the foundation to come knocking on my door."

347: "Lucky you, they kicked my door in."

Me: "Oh don't worry, that was plan B if I didn't answer."

She laughed. I was about to say something but the door to the cell opened then quickly closed behind two guards.

Me: "Ah, it would appear my time is up."

347: "Wait... Already?"

Me: "It seems so. I'm sure they'll let us talk again. If you'd like of course."

347: "I would."

[Time Skip]

I sighed as I read through one of the books in my room for the thousandth time. Just as I was about to turn the page my cell door opened. I finished the page then looked over to Stevens.

Me: "What can I do for you today?"

Stevens: "Well... A subject has asked to see you, we just approved the test."

I closed the book and thought for a moment.

Me: "Who was it?"

Stevens: "SCP-336."

I didn't know the person behind the number.

Steven: "They said you'd met before. They asked for you by name."

Me: "Well, best not keep them waiting."

As we walked down the hall I tried to think of who it could be. I couldn't really think of someone who would be at this site and have that number. As we approached the door there was a warning, "No Male Entry."

Stevens: "Go ahead in."

He opened the door and I walked inside. The door shut behind me and I was face to face with an old friend. The woman before me had a grey pigment to her skin, long black hair, and a somewhat slim frame. She wore a dress that exposed the scales on her right leg. She looked the same as last I saw her, besides the voice modulator affixed to her face. I cursed myself silently, it had to be her.

336: "(Y/N). I see you're doing well."

The voice that came out was distorted, most likely they're counter for the side effects of hearing her voice.

Me: "I... always am, Lilith."

336: "Shall we sit, maybe catch up for a while?"

I nodded and took a seat at the table. She sat down and just stared at me.

336: "I believe the scar on the left side of your neck wasn't there the last time I saw you."

Me: "That one is a bit more recent compared to most. Besides, we haven't seen each other in... how many years now?"

336: "Oh I can't quite remember. It was about the same time the child was-"

Me: "Lilith... I failed."

She stopped for a moment.

336: "So... The child is dead?"

Me: "No. But they... returned to their previous position on the matter."

336: "How long were you able to give her?"

Me: "A few years. She's 11 now."

336: "I would have loved to watch her grow."

Me: "I wish I could have given her more time."

336: "3 Years may not be long for you. But for her, I'm sure they meant the world."

Me: "Every last one of them deserves more than this, more than a few years of happiness... but I can do nothing more from here."

336: "When I met you... You were... let's say, damaged. You repaired over the years, but only by spreading kindness to others. Perhaps you've done enough. Perhaps it's time you focused on yourself."

Me: "I focused on myself for a long time. Only after I fixed myself did I help others."

Lilith nodded.

336: "One day, we won't need to worry about this."

Me: "One day, we won't need to fear the light, we will become the light."

She chuckled softly.

336: "I'm glad you remember."

Me: "It's hard to forget the words a friend said to me in a dark time."

336: "You had lost your first patient. Outlived them. You were so distraught, the care you showed... it was admirable."

Me: "Things got easier... then they got so much worse."

336: "What will you do?"

Me: "Everything I can."

336: "Then that is more then enough."