Mid August 2121

Zedak was an imposing figure, towering over me with his muscular frame, blonde dreadlocks, and piercing brown eyes that matched his dark complexion. It was clear he was chosen for his strength and intimidating presence, making him the perfect henchman for Professor Aizen Okamura. He pushed my unconscious body on a stretcher through the corridors to a designated room, leaving me at the mercy of the mysterious facility.

When I finally regained consciousness, a dull ache pulsed through every muscle and nerve in my body. Slowly, I assessed my surroundings, my hand instinctively reaching to support my throbbing head. The room I found myself in was surprisingly well-furnished, albeit confined. A faint aroma hung in the air, reminiscent of strawberries. There was a sink, a toilet, a trash can, and a mirror in one corner. On the opposite side stood a twin-sized bed and a small wooden dresser. The walls, painted in shades of gray with red borders and small black circle decals, seemed oddly curated, as if Okamura had a sense of aesthetic even in this sterile environment.

I lay on the mattress, still sore and struggling to move my tampered-with body. Images of Okamura's machines and tubes flickered in my mind, haunting my every thought. If I had undergone such torment, Milly must have as well. The urgency to find her, to see her alive and breathing, consumed me.

Summoning a surge of determination mixed with lingering anger, I forced myself to sit up and slowly made my way to the sink on the other side of the room. The shock of cold water against my face and the sting on my skin jolted me awake further. Despite the chaos and confusion surrounding me, splashing my face with cold water oddly calmed my nerves, grounding me in the present moment. I fought back the urge to scream or break down in tears, instead staring numbly into the mirror at my own battered reflection. Dark circles hung under my tired eyes, my pale complexion contrasting sharply with the busted lip I had acquired from my struggle against Zedak during transit.

Okamura had never fully explained why Milly and I were here, leaving me feeling empty—neither happy nor sad, just existing. Though my body continued to ache, the excruciating pain of the procedure had subsided. In this world, filled with monsters disguised behind friendly faces, Aizen Okamura was the epitome of such deceit.

Beneath the reflection of my tortured features, I noticed my bare chest. Wanting to cover my embarrassment, the dresser provided some relief as I discovered a selection of clothing—a khaki jumpsuit and three matching khaki sets, each bearing the number ten on the back. Okamura's designation for me while I was strapped to the table echoed in my mind.

Swiftly, I chose a v-neck shirt and paired it with the matching trousers, dressing myself in silence. Yet, in the solitude of my room, my thoughts turned inward, blaming myself for the predicament I found myself in. Time seemed suspended in that confined space, the silence deafening.

As if on cue, voices—distressed and strained—sounded outside my door, followed by a hesitant knock. Heart racing, I cautiously approached the door, pressing my ear against it to discern any potential danger. The breathing beyond was not heavy, indicating a solitary figure. Until that moment, I hadn't considered simply opening the door to confront the unknown.

Gathering what little courage I had left, I swung the door open abruptly, catching whoever stood on the other side off guard.

It was a woman.

She stood before me, around Milly's height and age, clad in a matching beige uniform. Her hair, a striking shade of pale blue, framed her face in loose curls that accentuated her deep blue, tear-filled eyes. She seemed visibly distraught and uneasy, prompting me to wait for her to speak first.

"Um, we're allowed to roam the courtyard and housing units, but there's a strict curfew. We all have to be in our rooms by seven," she explained hesitantly, her voice striking a chord of familiarity.

Raising an eyebrow at her unexpected revelation, I asked, "How do you know all this?"

Recognition dawned on me—her voice was familiar. It was the same voice I had heard in the white room while strapped to the steel table.

Her blush deepened, eyes darting to the stone floor as she replied softly, "The doctor doesn't tell you everything, but we're allowed some freedom within these walls. Specimens have to follow the rules or face consequences."

"A bit like a boarding school?" I remarked with a bitter chuckle, though there was nothing humorous about our deadly predicament.

"More like a psychiatric ward, but essentially," she agreed, her words punctuating the grim reality of our captivity.

If this place operated more like a medical institution, did the public know about its existence? Glancing around, I noted the surveillance cameras in the corners and what appeared to be speakers, replacing memories of school with images of hospitals. My primary concern, however, remained finding Milly. She must be nearby if I was labeled Number Ten; she would be Number Nine.

Taking a mental note of my surroundings, I refocused on the blue-haired woman standing before me. She offered a tentative smile before turning to leave, prompting a surge of urgency within me.

"Wait," I called after her, my voice cracking slightly. "You're Ness, right?"

Halfway down the hallway, she paused, blinking rapidly as she turned back towards me. I steadied myself against the guardrail to my right, peering below to glimpse a courtyard bathed in sunlight. The entire building appeared circular in design, with an open cement quad at its center surrounded by staircases leading to various rooms. The sunlight cast a harsh contrast against the gray stone walls and stairs, emphasizing our imprisonment.

Ness returned with a cautious smile, her eyes questioning.

"You were awake?" she asked incredulously.

I nodded, stepping closer as she approached me. "Yes, and you must know something—secrets about this place. Why are we here? Where's Milly? What does Okamura intend to do with us?" My barrage of questions tumbled out in a desperate attempt to regain control of my fate.

"Follow me, please," she replied with a reassuring smile, gesturing for me to join her.

Together, we descended the metal staircase to the courtyard below. Lush greenery surrounded us, with squirrels and insects darting among the vegetation. Despite the beauty, the courtyard felt desolate, occupied by only a handful of people dressed in the same beige uniforms adorned with numbers. I scanned the area, searching for Milly among Numbers One through Eight, but found no sign of Number Nine.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked as we exited the courtyard and ascended another staircase adjacent to my room.

"I'll answer one of your questions," Ness replied cryptically, leading me to a door down the hall.

Pausing before the closed door, she gestured for me to knock. My heart raced as I hesitated, my mind racing with anticipation. When the door finally opened, time seemed to stand still.

There she was—Milly.

Without a word, I pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close for a moment of reassurance. "Milly," I murmured against her shoulder, aware of the pain I had seen inflicted upon her through Okamura's cruel experiments. I released her gently, not wanting to cause her any more discomfort.

The memories of Okamura's cold, calculating gaze flooded my mind, fueling a surge of anger and determination. Why did he have to exist? Milly wore a brave smile, masking the turmoil within her. Everyone here was suffering, and I needed her to stay strong.

"I've missed you," she whispered, a stray tear escaping down her cheek. Her words were a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty.

Hushing her gently, I whispered back, "It'll be okay, Milly. We'll find a way out. Together."

Her smile widened slightly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she turned to address Ness.

"Were you operated on as well?" Milly inquired, her concern evident.

Ness nodded sheepishly, eyes cast downward. "All of us here were. We all have numbers and different animals in us now. It's only a matter of time before the changes take place."

"What changes?" Milly and I asked simultaneously, our voices echoing with a mix of curiosity and fear.

Ness hesitated, scanning the hallway for the right words. "It wouldn't be fair to keep you both in the dark. Let's gather everyone in the cafeteria. We need to talk about the doctor's plans."

With a sense of purpose, Ness hurried off, informing everyone she passed to converge in the cafeteria. Milly and I followed suit, spreading the word to those we encountered along the way. Before entering the double doors leading to the cafeteria, Milly stopped me with a troubled expression.

"How does she know all this when we don't?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"She used to work with Okamura," I explained, my voice tinged with bitterness. "But he betrayed her."

Milly's demeanor shifted, her expression darkening with unspoken thoughts. Pushing aside her concerns for the moment, I opened the doors to the cafeteria, greeted by a room full of bewildered faces. We were all searching for answers, united in our shared torment.

This 'institution' was a prison of uncertainty, and I vowed to find a way out. But for now, the only thing that mattered was that Milly was alive, by my side, and together, we would face whatever horrors Okamura had in store.