*HEYA WHAT'S CRACKIN' BABYYYY?! YO MAN THIS UPDATE IS SO SICK YO LIKE YOU BEST BELIEVES!! NOW IS DA TIME FOR YO'LL'S QUESTIONS, YA DIGGG???

QUESTIONS!!:
-What's your favorite TV show? (I have too many to even consider)
-From the voice actors you've heard, what best suit Jack and Ao and Sam? You guys can even include Jeffy Boo and Ellie Buns from KP toooooo. (I don't even know bro. Just curious though!)

SO YA BRO YOU GOES AND ENJOY DIS SICK CHAPTER YO LIKE FOR SHIZZLE ON THE DIZZLE MY NIZZLE.

Okay I'm gonna stop now.

NO I'M NOT.*

Stay Creepy, Yo!~

Chapter 12

Ian and I walked down the bright white hallways of the seventeenth floor. We had mostly passed by offices and other scientists came and went. But eventually after passing the offices, Ian and I came to a stop at a steel door, engraved with the company symbol. Next to it was a panel with buttons on it, made for a code input. Ian lifted a hand and input a code: 9087. I felt strange memorizing the pattern but I had watched him so intently that it happened. As he pressed the enter button, I noticed a ring on his left ring finger. It was silver with engraved swirling patterns over it. I smiled and said, "You're married?"

As the steel door slid to the left to allow us entrance, Ian looked at me and chuckled. "No, just engaged," he stated. The both of us walked through the doorway and a moment later the steel door slid shut again. "Who's the lucky girl?" I asked.

At the mention of this, Ian's cheeks and ears flushed pink and he pushed up his glasses bashfully. "Her name's Johanna," he admitted, "We used to be high school buddies until we decided to be a little more than that. And, well, the next thing I knew, I was kneeling in front of her, holding up her ring and asking her to be my wife...!" He stifled a warm chuckle after he was done speaking and I couldn't help but 'aww' in response. "High school honeys!" I remarked with a squeal, "That's so romantic! How long have you two been engaged? When do you plan on getting married?"

"Six months," he answered, "and, I'll tell ya, they're the best six months ever. As for the marriage date, we're still working out a few things."

"Well, that's really nice," I said, smiling. He revealed a confident smile and we kept walking. As soon as we started, I began to realize the surroundings were different than the white hallways behind the steel door. In fact, we were only in a long corridor, with black marble tile and gray walls. Ian and I strolled down the corridor, this taking up about three minutes, until we came to another steel door but this one opened upon motion unlike the previous one. And what I saw next stunned me to my very core.

Rows upon rows of lab tables, most filled with science equipment, terminals and papers, were right in front of me. Scientists bustled about, carrying papers, tapping their fingers on tablets, discussing information with their colleagues. Large screens on walls and on stands displayed codes, information, pictures and diagrams of whatever kind of experiment that the screen was assigned to show data of. As a background to all of this, the far wall was nothing but glass windows giving a view of the vast city below. The black lab tables had faint white lights under them, giving the already futuristic room a more futuristic feel. I couldn't help but just stare in awe. I thought only movies could ever hold these kinds of things but now that I'm seeing them in person, I'm starstruck.

"This is the main center for all genetic and biological data and associates of several corporate projects," Ian explained, noting my fascination, "You could say this is the very heart of what genetic engineering is here at TIRACorp."

"TIRACorp?" I repeated. After years without being here and not paying much attention to it, I nearly forgot that this company even had a name. Ian nodded and waved his hand to the left. "Over there is the entrance leading to the lab testing facilities where all of the 'fancy science' you see in films happen, such as testing and developing genetic strains for medical, environmental and political purposes." Then he waved to the right and added, "And over here there is an entrance that leads to the storage facilities where we keep every chemical known to man, every organism DNA samples needed to aid science and the equipment needed to make the magic here happen. Where would you like to start?"

I could only mumble, "Holy crap..." Ian laughed and lead me towards the storage facilities. "Lets start with the foundation of our experiments." We walked to the right and we gained a few glances from the other scientists. Soon, we passed through a motion activated door and we were within the storage facilities. A few workers were here walking through the aisles and sorting vials of chemicals and such. Ian explained, "There are different sections to this place. We can start with the organisms."

"Organisms? Wait, do you guys have actual animals here?"

Ian chuckled, "Only a few monkeys and dead pigs, though we try not to use too many live animals in our experiments. We can hold the cell samples of every kind of organism, from mammals to amphibians. Any kind. If a new species pops up, we start high tailing it out of here to collect samples from it. That's how this works. So, come on." I followed Ian through a few aisles, taking in the sights of the shelves of chemicals, all different colors. We came to a section of vials that held dark red liquids. "These are some blood samples from different species of animals," Ian explained, motioning to the vials.

"Why do you need blood samples?" I asked.

"For genetic modifications to another species, research or for chemical substances that require it," he answered. "Not only do we have blood but we also have cerebrospinal fluid samples, which, personally, I dub as 'brain juice' but Dr. Stephens doesn't like when I'm not literal. Don't tell him this, but I still call it brain juice behind his back...!" I giggled at this and he continued. "We also have to have sperm and egg cell samples from different organisms. But I like to secretly call them 'baby-momma and baby-daddy' juices. Don't tell that to Dr. Stephens either. He especially hates those nicknames!"

I laughed and shook my head at him. Then I remarked, "Now I wonder how you got to be his intern in the first place."

"Yeah, I always wonder that too," he chortled and he lead me forward to another section. Ian explained to me the many chemicals that they had and what their uses were for, as well as the equipment that they use to create genetic strains, examine them and modify them. There were a lot of things he told me about the storage area and I was almost struggling to remember it all. Most of the information I've already heard from in my science courses and from my parents though I was still fascinated by all of the things Ian told me. After he had told me all that he had to explain about the area, he offered for us to move on to the laboratories. I agreed and we made our way over to the other side.

"Prepare to be amazed," Ian said, waving his hands in the air as the steel door opened to allow us entrance. Once inside I looked around at the wide bright hallway. There was a window that displayed scientists changing in and out of hazmat suits, and as we walked, we passed by a room that had scientists examining data through computers and machines. Ian explained the purposes of all the rooms and soon we came to the laboratories. Some were open for entrance while others required suits. Ian led me to a room where there was a large window that showed a lab behind it. "There are plenty of rooms like these," Ian started, "These rooms are used for watching lab experiments, ya know, for other scientists to analyze though most of the times you'll see groups of college students having a glimpse at what goes on."

As I stepped up to the glass, I watched a few people work, all of them wearing suits to protect from any chemicals. There were two men that I recognized: one blonde haired man with sharp blue eyes and one dark haired man with dark eyes. Smiling wide, I chimed, "Hey, there's Dr. Stephens and my father!"

Ian stepped up next to me and said, "They're working on a project."

"What's the project?" I asked, still watching my father work.

"Well," Ian started, "there's an endangered species that needs an increase in its population. What they're doing is figuring out how to duplicate the male sex cells of that species so they can combine it with female sex cells, since there's a greater majority of females than males. Once they have the correct male cells, they can inject it into the female and, if things go as planned, that animal population should increase until it's not so endangered anymore."

"That's...amazing," I breathed in awe. "How come no one's tried this before...?!"

"Oh, it's been an idea for a long time," Ian said, "Cloning has its cons. It seems a lot less risking to duplicate a whole organism than to just duplicate the gametes. It wasn't until now that we were able to use the correct equipment and gain the support money for it. Plus we've been trying to perfect the duplicated male sex cell. If we had those things before, we could've done this a long time ago. But, better late than never. Though, that's not a phrase we like to use or go by."

"It's still amazing," I said. The both of us watched my father and Dr. Stephens work together to examine and work on DNA. "Are there any other projects that are currently in progress?" I asked Ian. He thought about it for a few seconds until he smiled and responded with, "Yes, actually. We're trying to perfect a serum that'll strengthen the blood cells. This is mainly a project targeted towards our military troops. On the battle field, soldiers are more likely to gain a scrape or a cut within the first five minutes. Battles can last hours and even days. So, we think that we can fix the number of casualties by creating a serum that'll strengthen the blood and give the subject an increased amount of stamina. We want the blood to actually repair any wounds. Basically, we're creating a semi-regenerative human. Dr. Matsukochi is actually working on this project and he's put a lot of effort into it. I tell you, he's a determined man."

"He is," I said, "he's never one to quit. Growing up with a man like him, I've gained those traits, even if I am adopted. Plus, with his field of work, he has to be determined, which makes him so perfect for it. What he does here, what everyone does here is absolutely incredible! All of these projects you guys are doing could better the world in so many ways. It's hard to believe actually. But it's still amazing."

"You seem like a passionate girl," Ian said, "are you going to major in the sciences?"

I chuckled, "Surprisingly no. Even though all of this fascinates me, I just don't feel like my future is in science. I want to major in music. I'm a violinist and I'm confident enough to believe I can make it in life with my skills and effort. I'm actually planning to admit into Juilliard when I graduate from high school."

"Juilliard? Isn't that a highly competitive school? Not only that but isn't it hard to even get in, let alone to get your application checked out?"

"Yeah, it's a pretty intense school," I said, "But I'm already hard working as it is. My parents and friends support me, hell, even my high school does. And as long as I've got my head held high I can get anywhere in life, especially if that means Juilliard."

"Wow, there aren't many kids like you out in the world," Ian remarked.

I smiled. "I'm guessing that's a compliment."

"A major compliment," he said. "You have the potential to work in places like these but, it seems like your future is already lookin' bright enough as it is."

"Thanks," I said, and gave him a warm smile. After watching Dr. Stephens and my father work for a while longer, and listening to more information, Ian lead me out of the laboratories. We stopped in the main center and he asked, "Would you like to eat anything? We have a cafeteria on the floor below us."

"Um, I'd just like a snack," I answered. Ian nodded and he took me to the elevator. We went to the floor below us and then got off once we made it. I followed Ian towards the cafeteria and when we got there I was slightly taken aback by how many workers there were. "Go ahead and find a seat. What would you like to snack on?"

"Anything is fine," I said, "Would you like me to take your bag so you don't have to carry it?"

"Yes, please," he said and handed me his messenger bag. I walked off and found a table for two somewhere off to the side of the cafeteria. I waved to a few workers and they waved back. I remembered a few of them from five years ago and others I didn't. I walked up to Ian's seat and slipped the messenger bag strap onto the chair. But, as soon as I turned to take my seat, the messenger bag slipped off and hit the floor. I sighed and tried my best to crouch down with my splint and pick up the bag. A few papers slid out and I grumbled. I started putting the papers back in as neatly as I could. I wasn't paying attention to what was on them at all, but there was one paper that caught my eye. I sat there, staring down at a piece of paper, that had a familiar symbol on it. A symbol that I've been trying to figure out since the first moment I saw it. That O with an X over it.

Frowning down at it, I tried wrapping my head around this. Why does Ian have this? Is...Is he involved? What would he want with this? I had thought it must've been some gang sign, since that mysterious girl tagged it. But it has to be something more since a corporate scientist's intern has this paper. For what reason though? Is he just curious too? No, it couldn't be out of curiosity. Plus, he has this paper with his other work files. If it was just something he was looking at out of curiosity then he wouldn't put it with his work. So this thing has to be a big deal, more than I realized. Right?

Ao, are you feeling okay?

Sam had suddenly spoken up and I snapped out of my thoughts. I nodded and replied to him with, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just...really confused."

Ask him about it.

"Are you crazy? I can't do that. He'll think I was poking around in his bag!"

You have pictures of that symbol on your phone too. You can just tell him that you found them and want to know more. Gosh, Blue, don't make things so complicated. You're not one of the scientists.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Alright fine," I said, picking up the rest of Ian's things into his bag, "but if he starts thinking I'm weird then I blame you."

Believe me, people think you're weird without me having to do a thing.

"You're so mean," I muttered with a smile and finally sat down. I waited for another minute or so before Ian came back to me with a tray in hand. "I just got you some chips and water, if that's okay with you," he told me as he took his seat. I nodded and gently grabbed my things. "Thank you, very much," I said.

"No problem," Ian replied, with a gentle smile. I opened up the bag of chips and picked one right out. I looked up at the brown haired intern in front of me and wondered. He doesn't look like the kind of person to get involved with that symbol. But then again, neither do I.

Just ask him.

I groaned softly at Sam's words. I pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and then looked for the photo on my phone. Then, I called, "Ian?"

"Mmm?" He mumbled while drinking his water. I raised up my phone and showed him a clear picture, "Do you know what this is?"

He almost choked on his drink and he coughed for a few seconds. I was taken aback by this and watched as he struggled to get his bearings. Suddenly, he pushed my phone down to the table and said, "Why the hell do you have a picture of that? And why do you want to know about it...?!"

I put my phone in my lap and answered, "I just want to know. You seem to be involved with it so I was hoping you'd give me some answers."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"I saw that photo you have in your bag," I admitted.

Ian gave me a look and asked, "You looked around inside my bag?"

Shaking my head, I said, "N-No! Not on purpose. Earlier, I was putting it onto the back of your chair when it slipped off. A few papers fell out, I picked them up and then that's when I noticed the picture you have of this symbol." I picked up my phone again and showed it to him again. Ian skittered to push it back down and he hissed, "Don't wave that photo around like its a picture of a puppy or somethin'!"

"Why? Is it something I'll get in trouble for?"

"No," Ian said, "but just don't show it off anymore. I know what it looks like so please put your phone away."

"Ian, you have to tell me what it is," I stated.

"Miss. Matsukochi, I think it's a much better option if I didn't tell you a thing about it," he warned me.

"Is it some top secret thing? It has to be if you're looking into it. Is it for another project?"

"No and no," he answered quickly, "listen, just don't ask me about it. You shouldn't be curious."

"I'm already curious, Mr. Harris," I started, "Please. I need to know what this thing is."

"Why?" he sighed, removing his glasses to clean them with his shirt, "What's got you so curious about it in the first place? What reason do you have to want to know?"

I gulped and looked down at my bag of chips. Taking in a deep breath, I said, "Last week, on Friday, I went to the local carnival that had come to town. That was where I was assaulted by this girl. I'm not sure why, but all I know was that she seemed like she really, really wanted to kill me. I witnessed her spray painting this symbol on a wall and that's when she chased me down, followed me up onto a ferris wheel, and literally attacked me in one of the carriages. The last time I saw her, she gave me this look. A look that was so deadly and deep that I got this sinking feeling in my stomach. From this, I know that that wouldn't be the last I would see of her. That thought doesn't thrill me too much. But, the whole reason it happened was because of this symbol. She saw me witness her actions and she attacked me for it. I thought this must've been some gang sign but obviously, I see that it's not. Because you're involved with it too."

Ian stared at me for a while, with his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. I stared back, pleading with him through my gaze. He shook his head and grumbled, "I still don't understand why you want to know so badly."

"Because! If I can figure out what this symbol means then I can figure out why she attacked me! Then, I'll be able to tell authorities and get one step closer to making sure she doesn't assault me ever again, or anyone else for that matter! Ian, you have to explain to me what this is and why."

"I can't."

"What?" I questioned in disbelief, "Why?"

"Because you shouldn't know about this at all," he explained, "Miss. Matsukochi, you are dealing with something you won't be able to handle. I suggest you drop this conversation and forget all about it."

"But I can't forget," I whined, "Ever since I saw this symbol, it's been one more mystery that I have to understand! Every time I look at it, I get this uneasy, dreadful feeling and in those instances, I know that this symbol means more than I could ever know. I've tried finding out about this thing myself but nothing comes up. And now I finally have the chance to get my answers. From you!"

"Well, unfortunately, you're out of luck," he said sternly, "I'm sorry Miss. Matsukochi, but I can't tell you about this. Not only would I be putting you in danger but I don't think you'd even believe my words the moment I started explaining."

I gave him a look and the way his expression shifted made it obvious that he knew how desperately I was begging. "What do you mean I won't believe you?"

"You just won't believe me. My explanation sounds strange and out of whack. You'd be left as clueless as you are now."

"It can't be that bad," I said and slumped in my seat, "Listen, I'll take anything you can give me. I just need to know something about the symbol. Even if it sounds crazy."

"Miss-."

"Please...!" I cut in, "I need to know. I need the closure. As long as I know nothing, I can't feel safe. I need to understand that girl's intentions, the one who attacked me. I need to understand why she did what she did and I need her put away. Who knows who could've been hurt by her? I was lucky enough to leave the carnival with a few bruises."

"She can't be that dangerous," Ian remarked, "she's just a thug on the streets placing graffiti where she shouldn't-."

"She followed me up on a Ferris wheel carriage when I was already at the top of the ride," I stated blatantly, "She ripped off the locked door and she punched through the metal of the carriage wall....! When I...pushed her off, she didn't plummet to some death or injury. She was completely fine and then she ran off. Ian, she is not just some thug. And I can't have her out there in society any longer. You have to help me. Just give me something. Anything!"

Ian gave me an exasperated look and brushed a hand through his hair. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he sighed and said, "I'll only tell you a few things, okay? But you have to promise not to repeat it. If you choose not to believe me, fine. Just know that I really did make the decision to explain what you need to know."

Feeling eager and excited, I nodded frantically and almost shook in my seat. I kept my mind open to whatever he had to say. Ian adjusted his thin rimmed glasses and said..., "Have you heard of an entity called Slenderman?"

I stared at him, surprised that he was cutting to the chase rather than beating around the bush. After a moment of having to realize he was awaiting my answer, I hesitantly shook my head and replied, "No... At least I don't think so."

"This explanation would be easier to tell if you did," Ian stated.

"Well...tell me about him then," I suggested. Ian sighed and scratched the side of his face, trying to think. Then, he got something as he stopped and said, "He's this tall, thin, pale, faceless creature. He's known to lurk within forests and what he does is he lures people into his domain, his presence and he kills them. Sometimes he can stalk his prey and he's known to resort to that method most of the times. I heard he's been around for hundreds of years since old European folklore and tales describe his attributes and actions right on point. This is the Slenderman. Do you have a clear idea about him now?"

I nodded, taking in everything he had told me. Ian took a moment to get back into the subject of the strange symbol. "Alright," he began, "so, now that you know about the basic idea of the Slenderman, you'll be able to understand a little more about the symbol. Now, this simple little mark would classify someone as being associated with him. In what way? That's not always clear. But that's what this symbol is for. Which means that the girl who attacked you is associated with him."

"But why?" I asked.

Ian shook his head. "I only said I would tell you a few things about the symbol. Nothing more."

"But-."

"Mr. Harris!" Someone called. The both of us turned to see Dr. Stephens. He walked up to our table and looked down at his intern. "There you are. Sorry to interrupt your chat but I'm going to be needing you in the labs right now."

Ian nodded and looked at me. "We can discuss this some other time," he said and then handed me a piece of paper. "Call or email me, whichever way you would like," he suggested and I nodded. I got up from my seat and took my water and chips with me. I followed Ian and Dr. Stephens out of the cafeteria and back up to the seventeenth floor. Once we were back onto the correct floor, Dr. Stephens said, "I'll have another intern show you the rest of the facilities in a few minutes. Your father told me to take you to his office until then. Is that alright, Ao?" I nodded in response. What other choice did I have anyways? Ian will be busy and I wouldn't want to stay in my father's office for the rest of the day.

Dr. Stephens dropped me off at my father's office and I waited around inside, with the door closed. The room was silent, and I knew if I dropped a pin, I would be able to hear it distinctly. I was lying down on the plush sofa, staring up at the ceiling, wondering. "He seemed scared," I said aloud.

I don't see why. It's a harmless little symbol.

"Associated with a supernatural creature," I finished. I puffed up my cheeks and kept staring at the ceiling.

Do you really believe in that thing, whatever it is?

I thought about it. As strange as it sounded, Ian was being truthful with me. I don't know for sure but the way he acted, the way he moved indicated that he wasn't lying. He seems like an honest man. Besides, if I'm going to fully understand this symbol, this mark, then I have to be willing to be open to any shred of information I can get. "Well," I mumbled, "aren't you supernatural?"

Well uh...

"Your skills aren't too far from it," I stated. "So, this Slenderman could be real."

And if he isn't?

I sat up in place and blew a few strands of hair out of my face. My hand reached for my phone in my jacket pocket. "Then, we keep looking for answers," I said.

That's not going to be an easy task, Blue.

I looked around the room, sighed. Then, I dropped my gaze to my phone, the screen shining brightly, showing a picture of the strange symbol I so desperately wish to understand. I frowned.

"I never said it would be."