The rose is like life...
It seemed the noise was coming from the same direction we were heading… but we saw nothing. Still, we stayed alert.
As we moved forward, I heard two soldiers behind me whispering:
—Psst… hey.
—What?
—Why do you think three First-Class soldiers came with us?
—I don't know.
—Think about it. It's logical. They wouldn't send the elite on a random mission. This cave is creepy.
—You think so?
—Can't you see where we are? A radioactive zone, deep inside a cave, looking for… who knows what.
—God… you're right. I hope nothing happens. Still, I trust them.
—Yeah, but we're the weakest. If something goes wrong, we're probably the first to die.
—Don't scare me! Nothing's going to happen, okay?
They had a point… why would they call in three high-ranking soldiers here? Just to explore? I don't think so.
Along the way, we came across skeletons… and half-decomposed bodies, like something had devoured their flesh and skin. It shocked me. I expected creatures… but not corpses. That could only mean one thing: we weren't the first ones here.
I asked Thomas:
—Hey… do you know why we're really here? And why it's so important?
He replied:
—This place was going to be a secret nuclear lab. A covert project to explore new ways to harness nuclear energy. There are rumors they did experiments… but it was bombed, and most of it collapsed. Some sections are still incomplete.
—I doubt they wiped everything out. Those bodies… look like they were eaten.
—That's what I'm afraid of, too. For now, let's just find what we need and get out. We don't know what we might run into.
—You still didn't answer my question. What are we doing here?
—Ask the doctor yourself.
—Wow, thanks for your valuable insight, Thomas.
—You're welcome :)
I approached the professor.
—So, Dr. Kraf… what are we doing here?
—Curious, huh? That's normal. As Thomas told you, this was meant to be a lab. There were significant breakthroughs.
Wait… was he listening to our conversation?
He continued:
—I'm fairly certain there's still data here. Even samples from the experiments. They experimented on animals… even humans. In fact, one of them survived. She enhanced all her abilities. She was superhuman… but she escaped.
—Wait, wait… experiments on animals? And humans? Who is she?
—We're here to recover that data. And if we get samples, even better. We want to improve our technology. First-Class soldiers like you… are genetically modified. If this mission succeeds, you'll be the first to test a new version. Even better than Thomas and Leonidas.
—An upgraded version? And why wasn't I informed of this sooner?
—All in due time. And as for the woman… that's something for later.
No lie — it was a lot of information… and very sudden. But what disturbed me most was:
Who was this woman?
Could she be the most perfect result of all these experiments?
We reached a fork. The doctor split us up: Thomas, Leonidas, and he went one way. I stayed with two soldiers and a scientist.
As we walked, the only sounds were our footsteps… and the occasional drip of water in the darkness. The walls were covered in fungi and glowing green roots. Probably irradiated. At least they gave off some light.
In a corner, we saw something lying on the ground.
We got closer.
It wasn't human.
It looked like a giant rat. Almost a meter long. Bigger than a dog.
The scientist stepped forward.
—Careful. Check it. Make sure it's dead.
A soldier did.
—Yeah… it's dead.
The scientist began to examine it.
—Just as I suspected… a modified being.
Wow... I hadn't realized...
—Its radiation levels are off the charts. But that's not what killed it. It was killed.
—By who? —asked a soldier.
—Probably… something higher up the food chain.
The soldiers tensed up.
I wasn't surprised. I'd suspected it from the corpses we'd seen.
What exactly are we dealing with?
The scientist took some samples. Then we reached what looked like an old control center. It was useless. No disks, no useful documents.
And then we heard it.
A roar.
—Damn… again —I muttered.
—Shit, that was closer! —yelled a soldier.
—Something's coming!
The footsteps were soft… but fast.
We took position. Weapons raised.
The sound grew closer.
And closer.
And closer...
One soldier was trembling.
—Stay calm —I told him—. Don't be afraid. If you see something… shoot.
And suddenly…
Silence.
—Seems like something's stalking us —I murmured.
—Whew… I thought we were—...
A creature jumped from the ceiling.
It landed on him.
—MIKE! GET OFF HIM, YOU DAMN MONSTER!
—AAAAAAAHHHHH! GET IT OFF MEEEEE!
More creatures came from the shadows.
—FIRE!!
Chaos erupted. Gunshots. Screams. The echo blended with horror.
I saw the soldier fighting for his life.
—Mike! Hold on!
I aimed carefully…
Inhaled.
Fired.
The creature dropped dead.
—Oh God! What the hell was that?!
—Are you okay? —I asked him.
—Yeah… I think so. Just a few scratches, but…
I looked at his arm.
He looked at me. Noticed my expression.
—What?
He looked down…
—WHAT THE HELL?! MY ARM!
His arm was boiling… like it was melting from the inside. As if it had been dipped in boiling oil.
And it wasn't just that. His neck was also affected.
The other soldier shouted:
—Traytros! I'm out of ammo!
He looked at me. Desperate. Begging for help.
But I couldn't do anything…
Everything was moving in slow motion.
What is this?
Is this… our doing?
Then I heard a swift slash.
The soldier's head hit the ground.
Leonidas was behind him. Sword in hand.
—There was nothing to be done. I ended his suffering —he said. Cold. Unfazed.
Thomas took down the last creature.
I remained kneeling… in shock.
—What's wrong? Gonna stay there all day? —Leonidas asked.
I stood up. Speechless.
The other soldier ran to Mike's body. Collapsed on top of him, crying.
—MIKE! DAMN IT! I TOLD YOU THIS WAS A BAD IDEA! WHAT AM I GONNA TELL YOUR MOM?! MIIIIKE! WHYYYY!
He broke down.
I… couldn't forgive myself.
—I'm sorry, Mike…
Leonidas spoke:
—No time to waste. More are coming. We have the samples. Let's go!
I knew it. He was right. We couldn't lose anyone else.
I grabbed the kid by the arm. Avoiding eye contact.
—Hey… we have to go.
—GET OFF ME! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HIM?! HE WAS JUST A KID! IS THAT WHAT FIRST-CLASS SOLDIERS DO?!
The creatures were closing in. Thomas and the others opened fire.
—LET'S GO! —shouted Dr. Kraf.
Leonidas yelled:
—Traytros! If he wants to stay, leave him. Let's move!
I couldn't leave him. I grabbed his vest and dragged him.
We shot while retreating. Reached the rope exit.
Kraf called in:
—This is Kraf! When I say, pull the ropes fast!
We held on. I clutched the boy with one hand, the rope with the other.
—NOW!
They pulled us up. As we rose, the monsters roared below.
The boy… was devastated.
A few days later, it was Mike's funeral.
I showed up unannounced. No one knew I was there.
The sky was overcast, threatening rain. It was cold. You could feel it was a sad day… even in the air.
I blended with the crowd, standing at a distance.
I saw the soldier… hugging a woman. I assumed she was Mike's mother. She held a little girl —probably his younger sister.
The father began to pray.
Minutes passed. A light drizzle started to fall. People gradually left. The cemetery fell silent… and empty.
I took the opportunity. Walked toward the grave.
I stood before it, in complete silence.
So many thoughts ran through my mind…
When was the last time Mike saw his mother?
His sister?
Did he have plans for tomorrow?
When was the last time he was truly happy?
Life's like that…
In the blink of an eye, we no longer belong to this world.
What will we see on our final day?
A conscious eternal darkness… or the face of a God we've longed for?
Or will we be cast into the castle of hell?
My face was downcast.
I clenched my fist. Powerless.
I could've done more…
I knelt and placed a rose on his grave.
—They say the rose is like life… beautiful, but as you trace its stem, you encounter thorns.
And still… it remains beautiful.
Not everyone is given a rose.
That's… life.
I stood up. And walked away in silence.
Forgive me, Mike…