Lulu stood frozen like a statue, its button eyes blinking rapidly.
Adrian's words echoed in its head like the lingering chime of a bell: "I just don't want someone to sacrifice themselves without leaving a name behind."
"I... I..." Lulu stammered, its stuffed legs trembling slightly. "I'm not going to sacrifice myself! I'm just following you, that's all!"
Adrian did not answer. He merely smiled. "So cowardly..." He turned around, placed a hand on the doorknob, and pushed hard.
The steel door, which had been left ajar for some time, swung wide open with a creak. A wave of hot, humid air thick with the pungent smell of chemicals rushed out, forcing Lulu to take half a step back and raise its stuffed paw to cover its face.
Inside was a long corridor, illuminated by the sickly yellow glow of industrial lights. Hanging from iron hooks along both walls were two uniforms, set against metal walls covered in rust and greasy stains.
