The Texas Lab Anomaly

Mikk smiled quietly and shook his head as he looked at his friends standing around him. Their faces were lit by the light of a nearby streetlight .

Alright, guys, he said. It's time to implement the Plan B.

Mr. Keery looked confused and scratched his head. Plan B? What's that supposed to be , kid ?

Sharon gave him a small smile. You'll know soon enough, Mr. Keery.

The group was silent. Hazel suddenly looked worried and pointed in the direction of the secret lab.

Hey... what about my cycle that is present in the Texas Lab . She asked, her voice tense.

Justin turned serious. We can't take it out of the lab. If we will try to do it , they'll spot us. We have no other choice than to leave it inside there.

Mr. Keery frowned. :- No , It can be very dangerous to leave cycle inside there . Maybe they can use that cycle to Track Hazel and maybe all of you.

He paused, rubbed his hands over his head , thinking for a moment. There is one option , but it is quite risky . I can't do it because I am taller than you all . They will spot me very easily .So , anyone from you all will have to do it . . Anyone of you will go inside the Texas Lab sneaking and will remove the number plate from the cycle . If there will be no number plate on cycle , they will not be able to track Hazel .

Ivan's face went pale. He looked nervous.

I'll go, he said. You all stay here. I'll go insixe take off the number plate.

Everyone nodded. The mood turned serious. No one smiled now.

Ivan took a deep breath and ran toward the lab. The night was quiet. His heart was beating fast. He was lucky— there was no guard guarding that side of the Texas lab .

The air smelled like metal and smoke. Some tools and wires were lying on the ground. Red lights were blinking. Ivan's heart beat faster. Everything inside reminded Ivan of pain, of fear, of the days he had been trapped there.

Suddenly, He saw the cycle standing near the wall. Quickly, he reached for the number plate and applied all his force to pull the number plate .

CLANK!

The plate tore off—but the cycle lost balance and fell with a loud crashing sound.

This loud crashing sound attracted all the soldiers attention towards Ivan . Suddenly, Ivan heard the series of footsteps of soldiers coming down from the roof .

His eyes widened in fear.

No... not again, he whispered.

He remembered the painful injections, the cold lab bed, the people who treated him like an object.

Without thinking, he ran. As fast as his legs could go. His breath came in short gasps as he crouched through the net and dashed into the street where the all the others were waiting .

His face was white with fear and sweat.

He saw his friends in the street.

RUN! RUUUUUNN! he shouted.

Everyone jumped on their cycles. Tires squealed as they rode into the night, their legs moving as fast as they could.

Mr. Keery got into his car and followed closely, his eyes were on the mirror every time .

After a long and crazy ride, they reached Mikk's house. Everyone looked tired but a little safer now.

Mikk stood straight and serious.

Alright, he said. Listen to me carefully. Follow exactly what I say.

He looked at the group one by one. Me, Hazel, Jessy, Justin, and Sharon will go in through the front door. I will tell my mom that you all will be in my house tonight for making project .

He turned to Ivan and Mr. Keery. You both will come directly to the playroom by using the backside door that opens up in my playroom . We don't want anyone to see you.

He looked around again. Did everyone understand?

Everyone :- Yes , sir

Okay then, he said.

Time to really start Plan B.

Mikk walked to the front door and opened it.

Hey Mom! he called out. I'm home!

His mom, Jasmine, peeked out from the kitchen. Welcome back, sweetheart! Oh wow, you brought all your friends?

Yeah, Mikk said with a big smile. Can they all stay over here for some time ?

Jasmine laughed. Of course, baby. Anyone hungry?

The group laughed and replied together, No, baby!

She laughed again. You kids are getting naughty these days!

Once Jasmine returned to the kitchen, Mikk pulled out his phone and started calling all their parents. He told each one the same thing—that their child was staying at his place tonight for some hours.

He hung up the last call and turned to the group proudly.

Done. Everyone's safe for the night.

Chapter Six :- The Flashback .

They all moved into Mikk's playroom. After a long time, they all finally felt a sense of relief. At that moment, Mikk's playroom felt like the safest place in the world.

Mikk closed the door quietly behind them.

The air inside was filled with nervous energy. So many questions were in their minds—about Ivan, the capsules, the portal.

Mr. Keery finally broke the silence.

Alright, Ivan, he said. Are you going to tell us what's going on, or not?

Mikk nodded. Yes, Ivan. Please. We want to know everything.

Ivan sat down, took a deep breath, and said, Okay. I'll start from what I remember.

Mr. Keery asked, How old are you? And who are your parents?

Ivan looked puzzled. I think I'm sixteen. I heard someone say that once. But... I don't really remember my parents.

Everyone stared at him, shocked.

Sharon leaned closer. What? That's very strange . How can you forget your parents? What's the last thing that you remember?

Ivan's eyes stared at the floor.

I remember them crying, he said. It was a night I'll never forget…

Flashback – Ivan's House

Dr. Edward William stood in the living room with two strange men.

We need your child, he said calmly. So we're taking him.

Ivan's mom and dad were crying, holding him close.

Please! his mom begged. Take anything! But not our son. He's our only child!

Ivan cried loudly. Mommy! Papa! Help me! I don't want to go!

Dr. Edward William remained calm. He's special. We'll take good care of him. But if you say anything to anyone, you know what will happen.

Ivan's father shouted, Why him? Why not someone else?

He's the only one I need, Dr. Edward said.

He'll be safe if you stay quiet . Never ever try to be clever with me else you know the consequences.

Back to Mikk's Playroom:-

They gave me an injection,Ivan said softly. I fainted . I don't know what happened next. When I woke up, I was in the lab.

Mr. Keery leaned forward. "Did they ever tell you why you're special?"

No,Ivan answered. I still don't know what is kinda special in me that no one have.

Mikk asked, And the portals? How do you make them?

Ivan nodded slowly. One night, I saw some small capsules. They looked like white pills. Each had writing on them.

Sharon looked curious. What kind of writing?

Ivan reached into his pocket and pulled out a white, oval shaped capsule.

This one says Texas Lab, he said.

Mr. Keery squinted at it. So... anyone can use this to open a portal?

Ivan replied :- No , the one who is special can use this. And they installed a chip in our mind so we can use it . So you can say that the one who is special and have that chip installed in his/her mind can open a portal . Or whatever. I saw another boy doing it. That's how I learned.

I took three capsules from the lab randomly in which there was one for school, and two for the lab. I hid them in my pocket and waited.

When I tried to escape...

Flashback - In the lab .

Dr. Edward William: Stop him! He's running!

Ivan (emotionally): Leave me! Why are you all doing this to me? What have I done to you?

Dr. Henry grabbed Ivan and tried to stop him from escaping.

It enraged Ivan .

He shouted very loudly.

Lights began to flicker . Dr Henry was thrown a great distance away from the boy . A portal opened up and Ivan was teleported to the school.

-Present time - In Mikk's House .

Ivan said : That's how I ended up at your school. The second one that I used from escaping from all of you took me back to the lab. I still have this third one capsule that can teleport me back to the Texas Lab .

Mr. Keery shook his head. "This is like something out of a movie."

I know, Ivan said. But it's real. I was their eighth subject. The other boy I saw... his room had the number two on it.

Sharon asked, What were they trying to do with you?

I don't know exactly , why are they doing this : Ivan said honestly.

Mikk asked, So how will you escape from them now ?

Ivan looked determined. I need to go back to the Texas Lab . Get more capsules—ones that can take me far away. Maybe I can find my parents. Maybe I can finally be free.

Why don't you go now and take the capsules for your escape ? Mikk asked.

I can't, Ivan said. I heard them say that using more than two capsules in one day can be dangerous. It can make you faint or even lead to your death .

Sharon looked shocked. That's basically like you are writing your own name on death note .

Mr. Keery stood up. Alright. I'm heading home. I'll check on you again soon , kid ..

Ivan turned to Mikk. Can I stay here tonight? Just for one night. Tomorrow, I'll use the last capsule.

Sure, Mikk said. Just stay out of sight from my parents."

Thanks, Ivan said.

James stood up. Man... that was wild. I'll visit again. I'm leaving now.

Sam added, Same here. Goodnight, guys.

Hazel looked quite uncomfortable.

Mikk :- What happened Hazel ? Are you alright ?

Hazel :- Mikk , I am feeling quite tired now , can I take your cycle to my home . I will return it to you tomorrow .

Go ahead, Mikk said. No problem.

Everyone went to their own houses.

Mikk turned to Ivan and smiled. Have a good night, buddy.

Goodnight, Ivan replied. "Thanks for giving me a place to stay.

Anytime.

On the Road – Night

Hazel pedaled Mikk's cycle down a quiet road. The wind brushed her face, but something didn't feel right.

She looked over her shoulder.

Suddenly, black cars sped up from behind and surrounded her.

Hazel's heart jumped. She tried to turn around—but it was too late.

Who are you? What do you want? she shouted, panic in her voice.

One car's door opened.

Dr. Edward William stepped out. The evil smile on his face sent chills down her spine.

We want you, Hazel.

Before she could run, someone grabbed her. She screamed and kicked.

LET ME GO!

A man injected something into her neck.

Hazel's voice weakened. Lea... leave me... ple...

She fainted.

Dr. Edward William gave the order.

Put her in the car.

End of Episode 6 :- The Flashback

The Texas Lab Anomaly

By Sarthak Kashyap

Stay tuned for more episodes.

Episode dropping in every two days.