Project S.T.A.T.I.C. Part 5: The Asylum

Beth and Pam were hunkered down in the offices adjacent to the day-room. The sounds of the ravenous undead and infected shuffling and shambling about outside could be heard outside. They were stumbling and bumbling around. Groaning and growling could be heard echoing off the walls behind the door. Thankfully, none of the infected had been smart enough to try to break through the doors. However, they knew that it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out, and neither of them felt comfortable trying to barricade the doors. The risk of drawing more attention was too great.

Beth had been working on loosening the screws on the large vent in the corner behind the desk for the last ten minutes. She likely could have easily ripped the grate off, or had Pam do it with her powers, but noise was their enemy right now. The last thing they needed was to bring the horde down onto their location. They didn’t know what was waiting for them on the other side of the ventilation shaft, but they knew they couldn’t afford to get themselves cornered.

While Beth worked to clear their path forward, Pam had taken a seat behind her on the floor with her back leaning against the desk. She was doing her best to keep herself calm and remain patient while Beth worked. Her anxiety was still higher than she would have liked, and she was contending with the headache she’d developed from letting her empathic powers run rampant. The spirits of this place were angry and restless, and it wasn’t helping her emotional state. While she’d managed to close the gates to that side of herself, the aftershocks were still there.

“Got it,” Beth whispered as she removed the last screw and set it on the ground, “Lemme get this off and we can see where this goes. With any luck, we’ll get away from these bastards and freaks before they come down on us. Are you ready?”

Beth grabbed the edges of the grate and lifted up to pull it off the fasteners without making too much racket. She took a careful step back and leaned it against the wall. With it done, she looked back at Pam to check on her. She may not have had the empathic abilities of Pam or Rebecca, but she could read people well enough; especially the people she cared about. She knew Pam’s aversion to places like this, and the way she’d reacted to the echoes as she’d called them outside only a short while ago had her more worried than ever. 

Pam closed her eyes and took a deep breath to realign herself and her energy. “I’m good,” she sighed, looking back at the door, “Besides, we can’t really afford to wait. It’s only a matter of time before those things barge in here either by mistake or because they smell us. I’m right behind you.”

Beth was thankful for the mask she wore to hide her worried look. As much as she knew Pam loved her, she knew that she wasn’t a fan of being the one doted on. It was almost a sign of weakness in her eyes. Although, she never insinuated that she felt that way with Beth whenever she needed comfort. Part of it was a matter of pride, but it was something that Pam hadn’t been able to overcome despite becoming more open to the idea of being something of a switch. While Pam hadn’t voiced her discomfort outright, Beth knew her well enough that she didn’t have to.

The guttural growling coming from beyond the thin walls was growing in volume. Beth took that as a sign for them to get moving. The quicker they moved, the less time they’d have to spend in this madhouse. She glanced behind her one last time to make sure that Pam was following her lead before hunkering down to climb through the opening. The dark, dingy, and dirty space was covered in dust and littered with cobwebs. Beth tried not to think about what sorts of nasty vermin might have called this space home.

Pam’s head was still aching, but it had shifted from the constant pain to a dull ache. It was far from perfect, but she was well to travel. She was honestly looking forward to leaving the growling flesheaters behind. She felt fairly confident that they could have taken them if it came down to it, but their resources were finite. They’d already come face to face with Murray’s monster, and Pam doubted that it was the only one she had. The fact that she’d been experimenting with Courtney’s parasites was proof enough that there were surely more waiting in the wings. 

Pam tried not to focus on the negatives such as the ache pervading the back of her head, or the grime that she was crawling through. Instead, she kept her attention on the task at hand. Trailing behind Beth gave her a pleasant view of Beth’s backside served as a welcome distraction. The cacophony of growling and snarling started to fade into the background as they made their way deeper into the bowels.

The residual echoes of energy that were clawing at the corners of her mind were slowly starting to dissipate as they crawled through the ventilation shafts. This place was filled with pain and misery, but Pam hadn’t been expecting such an overwhelming force from a place as simple as the dayroom. It begged the question of what sort of unspeakable horrors must have taken place in a room that was otherwise inconspicuous and innocuous. However, Pam knew that it was better for her not to think about it; some things were better left a mystery.

There was a distinct smell of rust and rot that seemed to cling to the walls of the vents. Dirt, dust, and grime littered their path forward as they made their way through the cramped maze. Neither of them knew where they were heading. They’d had to prioritize their time while they had access to the web, and not one of them had thought to download the blueprints to the hospital. Of course, now they were regretting that decision. Now, crawling through the decrepit vents, they were reminded of the value of hindsight.

They came to a branch in the shafts. One path to the left, one to the right, and finally a way leading straight up. Beth looked up and then back at Pam, “Which way are you thinking? I might be able to get us up if you want to take a gamble.”

“Tch, this entire venture is a gamble,” Pam scoffed as she weighed her options, “I’m not so sure there is a best option, perse. I’ll follow your lead, Kitten.”

“Wow, you’re really not feeling like yourself, are you?” Beth smirked, “You’re actually willing to take a backseat for a change.”

“Don’t push your luck,” Pam rolled her eyes, “This has nothing to do with personality or personal preference. Think of it as a matter of trust and respect, Kitten.”

“Sounds like you might not want to be in control for a change,” Beth shrugged, “What do I know, though?”

A trail of crimson smoke billowed out from behind Pam and swirled around Beth. Beth stopped and tried to swat at the smoke as it circled her. Pam let it play out for a few seconds before extending her hand and recalling the cloud back to her. “Care to repeat that?” she asked as Beth glared at her.

“Yeah, no, I’m good,” Beth shook her head, “Let’s try this way. I’m not sure if my grappling hook can find a perch up there, and I don’t think you’re quite ready to carry us anywhere.”

“Is that doubt I hear?” Pam asked, her voice carrying a bit more vitriol than Beth was necessarily used to.

“Ease up,” Beth tilted her head to the side, “I wasn’t making a dig. I just meant that after that episode back in the dayroom that it might do you some good to conserve your energy and strength.”

Pam shook her head and pushed her furious counterpart back down. “Right, of course,” she said, “My apologies, Kitten. I’m afraid that focus is slightly split. Lead the way, I’m right behind you.”

Beth stared at her for a second before shrugging and turning back around. “Can you stop staring at my ass while we crawl through this shit then?”

“No,” Pam replied, “I’ll take whatever little snippets of joy I can get in a hell hole such as this. Move along, Kitten, I’m not overly fond of tight spaces.”

“Pervert,” Beth murmured with a grin as she turned toward the left branch.

The moments of brief levity were needed in times like this. They both knew that it was a poor attempt to mask the true threats and dangers that were lurking within. There was still a lot that they didn’t know, but what they’d seen in the streets alongside what they’d encountered in the asylum was enough to give them chills. The reality was that they’d been separated from their team, they had no idea where their friends were, and they weren’t sure what Murray had in store for them. The unknowns were what made things truly terrifying.

The lighthearted teasing and the relief that came with it faded into the background along with the snarling and guttural growling from a would-be horde. Beth led the way through the vents. A few short, tense moments passed before she arrived at another grate. She held up a hand and glanced back at Pam to signal her to pause. The smell of antiseptic and other chemicals wafted through the air and overtook the stench of decay. There was another scent in the air that Beth couldn’t quite place, but it was on the tip of her tongue.

Beth inched her way towards the grate in a cautious and slow manner. She peered through the cracks and tried to see where they’d ended up. She couldn’t see much, but she heard what sounded like heels slicking against the floor. The familiar clicking was untenable, yet it seemed entirely out of place in such a nightmarish factory. A slightly nasally, feminine voice could be heard, “No, ma’am, I’m afraid that I don’t have an update on the latest tests with T-Group G. However, I think you’ll be pleased with my reports on Project Eternity and Desire.”

Beth frowned and looked back at Pam. “Hate to ask, but can you sense anyone else here?” she whispered.

Pam frowned and closed her eyes. She was careful not to open herself too much, but she let the room behind the grate into her mind. She could feel one person, likely the woman speaking. She gave it a moment before opening her eyes and responding, “It's just her, at least from what I can tell.”

Beth nodded and turned her full attention back to the woman pacing and talking on the phone. One of the earliest lessons she'd learned in her time as a vigilante was that eavesdropping often proved invaluable. “Yes, that's correct, Doctor. Your preliminary hypothesis is proving correct. The last pieces of equipment are being installed as we speak on the third floor. Regarding the Desire Project, I've started blending the samples from our existing subjects into the centrifuge. It is truly remarkable to watch the way the samples seem to be integrating on a cellular and molecular level. Have we had any luck securing samples from our new arrivals?”

Beth's frown deepened behind her mask. She couldn't quite piece together what this woman was talking about, but she had a guess who she was speaking to. The real question wasn't who, but rather what she was talking about. Part of her wanted to ambush and interrogate her, but she felt Pam's hand on her arm. She looked back to see her silently pleading with her to stay put. It went against many of her more curious and violent instincts, but she reminded herself that there was still a monster stalking the halls. Murray might have been pulling the strings, but her freakish pet was the true threat. The chances of drawing that thing to them were only going to increase with any type of struggle. 

“I see,” the woman said, adjusting her glasses and setting something down on a nearby table, “I take it Chaos is on the hunt then. Do we have a visual on them, or are we simply letting our little rats run wild? Haha, yes, yes you have a point. Let them have the illusion of freedom for a while longer. Indeed, there is something that is undeniably satisfying about pulling the rug out from under a numbskull. Hmm, yes, ma’am, of course. Are you-mmhm, right, if you’re certain. Very well, I will be there in ten minutes. I have to make my rounds first, but it shouldn’t take me long.”

Beth and Pam watched and listened to one side of the conversation. The woman hung up her phone and her heels clicked into the distance as she walked away. They heard the sound of the heavy door opening before slamming shut. A moment passed before Beth looked back at Pam to confirm she was ready to move. Pam nodded, but held her hand up as Beth put her boot against the grate. Beth paused and watched with curiosity as crimson smoke fluttered out of her hand and drifted towards the vent. 

The wispy smoke drifted through the bars and took the shape of a large, ethereal hand. Beth watched as the hand seemed to coil around the grate before seemingly ripping it out of the wall. Beth waited for the sound of the steel being ripped from the wall but it never came. Mere seconds before the hand jerked, a thick layer of smoke surrounded the wall and muffled the noise. Its job done, the smoky, red hand returned to wispy tendrils and retreated back towards Pam. Beth waited a moment before Pam gestured for her to once again take the lead and exit the vent.

Beth didn’t argue and eased her way out and into the room. She looked around to see where they’d ended up. There were four tables scattered around the room. Each table had drawers beneath the cold metal tops, and there were a couple of trays with wheels that were spread out. Unlike the other rooms they’d been through, this one seemed almost clean and sanitary. It wasn’t without stains or grime, but there was a clearer effort to sanitize this place. The wall on the far side had various glass cabinets, and there were several jars sitting on the counters. Beth’s best guess was that this room was some sort of operating room.

“That was a neat, new trick,” she said, looking around the room, “What’s the deal with that stuff anyway? Does it have something to do with your red counterpart hanging out in the bedroom yesterday?”

“We have more pressing matters to attend to, wouldn’t you agree?” Pam countered, looking around the room as she stepped out into the open.

“Believe it or not, I can multitask,” Beth shrugged, walking around the room, checking the tables, and counters, “Besides, it might do you some good to have a slight distraction.”

Pam opened her mouth to argue before closing it again. “Very well,” she sighed, deciding to relent while they searched the room, “Is the door secure?”

“We’re good,” Beth assured her, locking the door to be safe before making her way back towards the counters.

“The short answer is that I came to an agreement with Rage,” Pam said, running her hand over the cold metal, “IN exchange for a bit of autonomy and freedom, she’s agreed to take a more active role in our daily life and in combat.”

“Just like that?” Beth asked skeptically, “I’ve met that side of you a few times. Even before you started channeling them and giving them a physical form, reasonable wasn’t a word that I would have used to describe you whenever you were pissed off.”

“I’m mildly insulted,” Pam scoffed, “What exactly are you implying?”

“That I feel like you’re not telling me everything,” Beth replied, “I’d have thought that much was obvious. I don’t think that your other half would agree without getting something more in return.”

“She gets a chance to have her fun with you too,” Pam shrugged, “Need I remind you of our evening  together? Her passion and desire to make you scream and submit are rivaled only by her hatred of anyone that tries to hurt you.”

Beth felt her neck and face heat up beneath her mask at Pam’s remark. Images of the previous afternoon’s passionate lovemaking came rushing back. She shook her head and tried to refocus the conversation, “What is this place?”

“Are you trying to change the subject?” Pam smirked, “I thought you were curious and were capable of multitasking, or did I misunderstand you?”

“There’s more important things to worry about,” Beth cleared her throat, reiterating Pam’s original argument, “Such as figuring out where we are, you know?”

“A mental hospital,” Pam said, spotting a manilla folder on one of the tables, “Hello there, what do we have here? For the record, repeating my initial point doesn’t work quite as well for you, pet. What’s the matter? Is my little Kitten feeling hot and bothered thinking about our fun from yesterday? I wonder which part is flustering you so.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Beth stammered out a scoff.

“Perhaps it was when Rage pinned you down and teased you, hmm?” Pam mused, opening the folder and peering over the documents.

“Pam,” Beth shook her head.

“Or was it the breath-play that did it?” Pam smirked, flipping through the pages, “I know how much you enjoy a good struggle. I believe one of your messiest nights was when you nearly passed out.”

“Pam, come on,” Beth sighed, practically begging, “You win, okay?”

“I always do, my lovely little pet,” Pam smirked before her face fell as she read one of the particularly disturbing sheets, “This can’t be right…”

Beth sobered quickly at Pam’s sudden demeanor shift. She walked over to her girlfriend and asked, “What is it? What have you got there?”

Pam shook her head and replied without looking up, “These are files on our friends. Specifically the ones that we’re here for. Sally, Kaitlyn, Addy, and…us, all of us are in here.”

“Okay, so she’s got a dossier on us,” Beth said, “That’s nothing new with psychos like this. They almost always have files on people like us. Besides, you said you found notes from back in Ravenfalls that talked about observing Abigail, right?”

“Yes, but that was an existing lab that both Jason and I suspected Eva had been using off and on,” Pam replied, “This doesn’t read like those entries, though. These are medical files; blood types, genetic and medical histories, allergies, personal preferences, sexual histories, and more.”

“What?” Beth frowned, snatching the folder from Pam in an uncharacteristic manner, “What the fucking fuck?! Why in the hell do they have the people I’ve hooked up with from the last five years?!”

“Firstly, I will remind you to mind your manners,” Pam began, snatching the folder back, “Second, I have no idea as to why. However, I think you’re missing the point. Look at the names.”

Pam held the folder out and flipped through the pages for Beth to look over beside her. Beth was silent for a minute as she looked over the names at the top of each page. It dawned on her as she saw the names of Goth and Alexis alongside their monikers. “I thought they believed we were dead,” she shook her head, “At least Rebecca and Alexis. They sent us hurtling into another friggin’ reality to die. The dates on these…they’re from less than a month ago. What the hell is this?”

“I don’t know, but I fear you may still be asking the wrong question,” Pam sighed, “The real question is why they have it and what they’re planning.”

The sound of footsteps outside the door caught Beth’s attention. She drew one of her pistols and made her way back to the door. Pam closed the folder and made a mental note of the stamp at the top of each page that read Desire. She’d make it a point to keep her eyes peeled for anything bearing that title. The operating room they were in was small, but they’d made use of spaces far more cramped than this before.

“Unlock the door and take cover,” Pam spoke in a commanding tone, “Save your bullets until we absolutely need them.”

“Copy that,” Beth nodded, flipping the lock and stepping back and taking cover behind one of the operating tables.

Pam twisted her fingers in a circular motion and created an ethereal mark above the doorway. A swirling, shimmering pool appeared for a brief second before disappearing. The trap was set, but they had no way of knowing who or what was behind that door. An incredibly long and tense few seconds passed before the door creaked open. Pam peered out from her hiding spot and watched the door. She kept her hand ready to activate her spell at a seconds notice. Two guards walked in wearing full, black body armor and face guards. They walked in and stood beside the door, but Pam refrained from springing her trap. 

Beth looked over at her and waited for Pam to give her some sign that it was time to move, but the guards never moved from beside the door. The sound of heels clicking in the distance was growing louder. Pam waited for the mystery woman to walk through the door before activating her spell. A pair of chains suddenly ripped out of the ethereal vortex and wrapped around the necks of the guards. Their bodies were hoisted up into the air, and a sudden gust of wind caused the door to slam shut behind them and trapped the three of them in the room.

However, Pam hadn’t noticed the mask the woman was wearing as she walked into the room. The black respirator was in stark contrast to her white lab coat and fiery red hair. She seemed utterly unphased by the sudden gust of wind and burst of magic from Pam. The guards were clawing at the chains in hopes of breaking free, but the woman paid them no mind. Instead, she reached into her coat and pulled a purple ball out. She flipped a switch on it and lightly tossed it into the room. The ball bounced a few feet before a cloud of purple smoke started to billow out from the orb and fill the room.

“Am I interrupting?” the woman asked as the smoke spread throughout the room, “Drop your weapons, Ms. Thompson. Otherwise Ms. Lavely is going to have a far rougher time at her upcoming appointment.”

“Screw you,” Beth scoffed, squeezing off a couple of shots at the mysterious doctor.

The woman sighed and ducked her head with surprisingly agility and managed to dodge Beth’s bullets. “Tut, tut, Ms. Thompson,” the woman chided, “Instead of worrying about me, perhaps you should be worrying about your partner. Of course, if you’d rather continue making noise, that’s your prerogative.”

Beth stopped and looked over at Pam who was doing her best to cover her mouth. Whereas Beth’s mask was working to filter out the effects of whatever that wretched gas was, Pam wasn't able to enact any sort of protection. Beth grimaced behind her mask as she made a split-second decision to help her girlfriend. She broke formation and leaped over the table to get to Pam who was trying not to cough and to stay on her feet. She held out an arm to catch and steady her girlfriend, but the strange gas was already starting to take effect. Beth could feel Pam’s body starting to grow heavier by the second. 

“My…spell,” Pam rasped as the foul smelling toxin filled her lungs, “The guards…they’re still alive…go…”

“I’m not leaving you,” Beth shook her head, looking back at the guards, “We’re in this together, remember?”

Pam shook her head and tried to assert herself, “We can’t help each other if we’re both trapped…”

Beth was getting ready to argue when she was suddenly, forcefully shoved away from Pam by a flash of red energy. The smoke took the form of a mirror image of Pam. Her skin, hair, and dress all had a far more distinct crimson color to her than usual, but her eyes were glowing purple. “Run!” Rage growled, shoving her away, “We will find each other again, I swear it!”

“Curious,” the woman in the lab coat mused as the guards fell back to their feet, “Remember not to kill her, boys. We need them alive while we finish the preliminary trials.”

Beth was still trying to figure out what was going on with Pam when the guards landed and raised their weapons. She cursed as she dove to the ground to avoid a hail of gunfire that had been aimed at her. The first volley of bullets cut through the air and shattered the glass against the wall. The cabinets and jars along the counter were destroyed and their contents littered the countertops. However, a blazing red dome of energy erupted from the ground up to cut off the next wave of bullets.

Beth looked up and raised her pistol at the guards, but one of Pam’s chains shot up and wrapped around her wrist before she could pull the trigger. “What are you doing?” Beth asked.

“Getting you out of here,” Rage replied as another chain shot out of the ground and wrapped around Beth, “Be a good girl and get somewhere safe. We will find you.”

It took more effort than Pam liked for her to open a rift in the operating room. The dampeners already made phasing and teleporting next to incredibly difficult, but adding in the effects of the smoky toxin made it almost impossible. She wasn’t sure where she was sending Beth, but anywhere was better than here. She knew that if she stayed that she’d only draw further attention to them and inevitably get them both captured. Beth shouted her frustrations and arguments, but Pam ignored them and snt her into the space between reality to get her somewhere safe.

The flashing red shield disappeared as Beth’s body fell into the floor and the rift closed. “My, my, you’re full of surprises, aren’t you?” the woman hummed and gestured for the guards to fan out, “Of course, you do realize that all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable, right? There is no escaping this place, and we are going to find your precious little pet.”

“Not if she finds you first,” Rage snapped, glaring at the guards.

“As if that would make a difference,” the doctor scoffed, “I am not afraid your parlor tricks, Ms. Lavely.”

Pam could feel herself starting to slip into unconsciousness, but she could also feel spite and hate welling up within her. It wasn’t often that she and Rage worked together, but she was more than happy to indulge her crimson counterpart. She stood up straight and held out her hand to send a bolt of energy hurtling at one of the guards. It connected with his chest and sent him flying against the wall. His body slid down and landed in a smoldering heap.

Rage disappeared in a quick flash of fire before reappearing behind the guard. The man turned around and drew a knife in hopes of sticking Pam’s fiery double in the neck. Rage caught his forearm before he could sink the blade into her neck. She jerked his arm down and kicked the side of his knee. He cried out in pain and tried to stay on his feet. Pam was forcing her body to move to attack while Rage had the guard distracted. 

Rage released his forearm and sidestepped around him to grab the back of his neck. As her hand clasped around his neck, Pam made it to his side and managed to throw her knee up and into his stomach as Rage threw him forward. Pam spun around with her elbow out and slammed it into his helmet. The guard stumbled backward and into Rage who wrapped her arms around him. She fell backwards and pulled him down to the ground. Her arms ignited in a burst of flames that cut through his armor and elicited a series of pained screams from him. Pam silenced him with a final stomp aimed at his face that shattered his face mask.

Pam’s breathing was heavy and her vision was becoming more blurry by the second. She wasn’t going to last much longer, but maybe she could deal with this arrogant ass of a doctor before she succumbed to the gas. However, her hopes were dashed as she felt a sudden pinch above her ribs. Almost immediately after the pinch came a series of painful jolts of electricity that coursed through her body. Pam’s senses were overwhelmed between the surging pain, the headache she’d been fighting, and the effects of the gas. Pam’s body convulsed and seized as she took a step forward before falling to one knee. She saw Rage’s form flickering and disappearing as she fell onto her face.

Pam’s eyes blinked as she lay on the ground in a prone position. She heard the clicking of the doctor’s heels approaching. Pam looked up as the doctor stopped just above her. “A surprisingly valiant effort, Ms. Lavely,” the doctor said, kneeling in front of Pam, “However, I’m afraid it’s all in vain. Although, it does have me more excited than ever to study you. Guards, let’s get to observation room J, shall we?”