Kael turned from the hallway, seeing the group behind him.
Kael (sarcastic): "Wow. The whole gang's following me now. What is this?"
Rafe (grumbling): "Tch."
Mira didn't respond. She just took Nico's hand and walked past Kael like he didn't exist..
Kael turned, arms spread like he was performing for ghosts.
Kael (mocking): "Oh, now you follow me?. Why try escaping now? You've all been hiding like cowards."
Mira didn't even glance at him. She kept walking, guiding Nico forward with a hand on his shoulder, her shard glinting in the dim light.
Kael (scoffing): "Right. So edgy."
Rafe (snapping): "Shut up, brat. You think you're better than us?"
Kael smirked, brushing his white hair back.
Kael (coldly): "No. I know I am."
Rafe clenched his fists, but Mira raised a hand without looking.
Mira (flat): "Not worth it."
Kael turned away, striding toward the door like he owned the hallway.
Kael (muttering): "Pathetic."
He leaned in, eyes narrowing as he scanned the corridor beyond. The flickering red light revealed shattered glass, claw marks gouged deep into the walls, and a trail of something dark smeared across the floor.
Kael's breath slowed.
Kael (thinking): If it's out there… I'll find it first.
Behind him, the others watched.
And the whisper came again.
SCP-939 (mimicking):"Kael… help me…"
Kael didn't flinch.
He smiled.
Kael (sarcastic): "Finally. Some attention.
Kael leaned into the hallway, eyes scanning the shadows.
Then he saw them.
Not one.
Not two.
Five SCP-939s.
Crawling along the walls. Claws dragging. Eyes gleaming. Their bodies shimmered in the red light, half-hidden, half-hunting.
Kael's smirk vanished.
Kael (annoyed): "Damn… Adil was right. They always travel in packs."
He stepped back, jaw clenched, muttering under his breath.
Kael (sarcastically): "Great. Murder lizards with a social life. Just what I needed."
Behind him, Rafe peeked around the corner.
Rafe (wide-eyed): "You weren't kidding…"
Kael (snapping): "No, I lie for fun. Of course I'm not kidding."
Mira pulled Nico closer, her eyes narrowing.
Mira (coldly): "We need a plan. Fast."
Dr. Voss finally spoke, voice dry and distant.
Dr. Voss: "They mimic voices. They'll try to lure us."
Kael turned, eyes glowing faintly.
Kael glanced at Nico.
The kid was still staring, flashlight clutched tight, eyes wide but calm.
Kael (tch'ing):"Tch. Of course you're still here."
He sighed, rubbing his temple like the situation was giving him a migraine.
Kael (grumbling): "Alright, fine. I'll distract the murder lizards. You—small and squishy—try to escape."
Nico blinked.
Nico (softly):"Alone?"
Kael rolled his eyes.
Kael (sarcastic): "No, with a marching band. Yes, alone. You want me to hold your hand, too?"
Mira stepped forward, her shard gleaming.
Mira (flat): "I'll take him. You're too loud anyway."
Kael smirked.
Kael: "Aw,youu do care."
Mira (deadpan): "I care about not dying. You're a walking spotlight."
Rafe scoffed from the back.
Rafe: "This is suicide."
Dr. Voss didn't speak. Just nodded once, slow and grim.
Kael turned toward the hallway, eyes glowing faintly, breath steady.