Rahul

Do you know what it’s like to do the same thing day in and day out? To be part of the rat race?

…Actually, yeah…You probably do. You and I are not much different after all.

I lost track of how many days it’s been since the lockdown started. At first, I thought it would be best if I just kept my head down and continued my tasks as normal, but the monotony is really wearing thin.

I wake up, I eat with the others, then I go inspect the ventilation system. After that, I do the rest of my rounds. And buddy, I gotta tell you, it’s thankless work. Nobody notices what I do around here or even appreciates me for making sure they’ve got everything they need in the labs.

Anyway, I ran into the research lead today. I was like, “Why do you keep having me check the vents? They’re cycling fine. If something changes, then we’ll all know.”

Harry, you know what he said? “Shut up and do your job.”

To be honest, it feels like lately I’m the only one who is doing their job. It seems like every time I see the others, they’re just futzing around. But hey, I’m not a confrontational person. All I can do is ask them how it’s going or if they need anything and hope they take the hint.

By the way, I found out something interesting while I was on my rounds today. I happened to see some research notes that were left out, and it seems like they might be close to a breakthrough… Oh, but that’s not the interesting part! The notes kept talking about some voice over the comms that was feeding them information. What’s up with that? The comms shouldn’t even be working!

Between you and me, I think they’re going crazy. They’re just too focused on the research—it’s messing with their heads. I think I’m holding up okay, though…

I mean, I think if it wasn’t for you, I might be veering off the deep-end by now. You’re such a good listener. Did you know that?

“...”

Yesterday I got in trouble for coming to see you. Holly told me I should stay away from you. That I’m disruptive. That I’m not worthy of being in your presence. Isn’t that such a load of bullshit?

“...”

See? Yeah, I can tell you agree with me! We’re pals! I’m glad I’ve got someone on my side in this godforsaken place.

Well, I gotta skedaddle before I get chewed out for talking to you again. They want me to do another check on the ventilation system before I turn in for the night.

Thanks for hearing me out. See ya tomorrow, bud.

***

I couldn’t sleep well last night. I kept hearing this weird noise outside my room. To be honest, I couldn’t even tell if it was real or not. I’ve been so sleep-deprived because of this whole situation. I feel like I’m never off the clock. Always working. I’m sick of it. We’re running out of rations now, too.

This is so dumb… What are the higher-ups even doing? Shouldn’t they have sent someone in for us by now? We’ve been on backup power the whole time! I guess as long as the damn intranet is still working, they don’t care. They’ll keep us in here for as long as it takes until that research is finished, huh?

Earlier today, I saw Dr. Mors running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Gee, must be nice to have nothing to do! Meanwhile, I gotta make sure shit stays working around here. Ugh!

Sorry, I’ll shut up about that now. You’re probably tired of hearing about it.

You always seem to perk up when I mention stuff about the research, so guess what? I’ve been sneaking peeks at their research whenever I get the chance. I’m just trying to figure out what the hell they’re even up to at this point.

I saw some notes about them putting down test subjects and thought, “Damn, we really gotta get out of here.”

I’ve been checking those damn vents every day now, and I’m pretty sure there’s a way out through them. Do you see them up there? I bet even if I couldn’t get through, you could.

“...”

I wonder why they’re so worried about them. Do they think the air filtration is going to fail? As long as the generators still work, the air filtration will still work. Although I do wonder if the filters need replacing. The same stale air keeps passing through. That can’t be good for the filters.

Well, whatever! Not my problem. I just work here!

That reminds me, I’ve been wondering what your role is here for a while now. Are you really important or something? You must be to get this whole lab to yourself!

To be honest, I’m a little jealous. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I’d trade places with you in a heartbeat. What do you think? Wanna swap? I bet you do, too.

I feel like I’m hanging on by a thread. I feel like if someone asks me to check those vents one more time, I’m going to snap. Do they realize that I can access anywhere in this facility? There’s nowhere for anyone to hide from me.

Harry, right now I’m choosing kindness. Nobody seems to understand that there are other choices besides kindness. Should I show them?

…Oh, I think I hear someone coming. I’d better go, but I’ll have some fresh gossip for you next time.

***

Ahoy, ahoy, best bud! I brought you a snack again. Do you eat meat? It’s all I could get my hands on but, uh, just don’t ask me where I got it. Ha!

“...”

Whoa! I’m always impressed by how you can pack it all away like that. Man, if I could eat like you, I’d quit this damn job to become a professional eater.

Aw…Who am I kidding? I’m not getting out of here… Even if I could, I can’t go back now.

Don’t judge me, but I had a little bit of the meat first before I thought to bring you some. I’ve just been so hungry, and it looked so juicy, so I ate it raw. I probably look like a mess right now. I know I made a big mess just getting it to begin with. Whatever, I’ll let the facilities crew clean that up.

…Oh wait, that’s me! Haha!

You and I… We were sentenced to death, Harry. As soon as this place went into lockdown, our fates were decided. We were just cogs in the wheel the whole time.

Oh, and I figured out what the obsession with the vents was. The filtration stopped working. It’s just been cycling the same stale air this whole time. Maybe that’s what made everyone go loopy.

I tried looking at the research data again today, but it’s kinda just fallen off. None of it’s making sense anymore. I just keep seeing this name pop up in the research. Like…Harry said this and Harry said that, sort of deal. The weird thing is, there’s no one who works here named Harry.

But then I thought of you! It made me laugh because that’s what I started calling you when I saw your name tag, Test Subject H41212Y.

I thought, “What if it really is ol’ Harry feeding them misinformation to trip them up?”

If you could talk, though, I wonder what you’d say. I wonder what you’d do. Would you take revenge on them? I would if I were you.

“...”

…Can you talk? Sometimes it seems like you understand what I’m saying. If you can talk, then why haven’t you talked to me?

“...”

…Why only them?! I thought we were friends, Harry!

“...”

What were you saying to them?! Were you talking about me behind my back?! I shared so many secrets with you because I thought they were safe with you! Were you telling people my secrets?!

“...”

Please, Harry! Just talk to me! Don’t leave me out! I want to be part of this too! Please, please, please! I’ll do anything, Harry!

“...Anything?”

Huh? H-Harry? Is that you speaking right now?

“I want you to…bring me more meat…”

Yes, Harry! Anything for you, Harry! We’re best friends, after all!