Mira took a few cautious steps into the room—then froze.The air felt thick, pressing down on her chest until each breath became a fight.She whispered, her voice trembling through the comms,"Man… if I didn't have this suit on, I'd be dead."The figure stirred. Slowly, it stood, its gaze locking onto her—heavy, unblinking.Mira could feel its eyes on her, like it was reaching past her mask, searching.The figure stepped closer, curious.MIRA Say quietly "Josh… what do I do?"Stay calm. Maybe if you don't hurt it, it won't hurt you."The figure reached out and touched her arm, fingers brushing the rubberized suit.It tilted its head.The figure mouths "This is… a nice material. But… it could be better."Josh's voice cracked through the mic, disbelief flooding his tone."He—he can talk?! Like, human words?!"Mira swallowed hard, keeping her composure."You can actually talk?"The figure chuckled softly."Well… yeah."Josh stepped into the room, now suited up too."So why didn't you talk before? Why speak through our minds?"The figure sat down cross-legged on the floor, eyes narrowing slightly."I had a feeling… those men you work with aren't exactly good people. So I played dumb."Mira glanced at Josh, then back to the figure."We don't want to hurt you. We just want to help."The figure's expression darkened—its hair beginning to glow red."You're starting to upset me. You should go."Josh and Mira rushed out, sealing the sliding doors and tossing their suits into the hazard box."He's just scared, that's all."Josh snapping "Scared?! You call that scared? I'm surprised it didn't kill us on the spot! I'm done, Mira. I won't say a word, but I'm not helping anymore. It's too dangerous."He grabbed his coat and stormed out.Mira stood there, watching him leave. Then she turned back toward the observation glass. She placed her hand against it, her voice low but steady."I'm not giving up on you. I know you can live a normal life."The creature approached the glass, mirroring her gesture."And by the way… my name is—Zane."
