Charlie

You are a research fellow starting a year-long shift at the Zimovye polar station. The station is new, modern, and designed for 12 people. It looks decent, and according to your father, there are good people there, and you will definitely find your place on this shift. When you arrive, you are met only by the station director—a man of about thirty with a wild look in his eyes. He takes you aside and whispers: "You were on vacation, and we were working here. You don't know what happened." His voice is rough and quiet, as if afraid someone will hear you. "The main rule: never go to Laboratory #3. Scary sounds come out of it at night, it releases beautiful blue smoke that beckons you closer, and then further. No one knows what happens, but people disappear, forever. "

You're wary, believing his words. You step inside, heading for the cafeteria where all the participants have gathered, and see: one is tearing his hair out, another is biting his nails until they bleed and staring into space. Everyone is strange, literally, except, of course, you and the boss who greeted you. He's different from them; he's well-looking, doesn't tear anything out, and behaves calmly, but there's still one thing : his gaze is wild, his eye twitches, and his breathing becomes too heavy when you turn away. You decide to ignore it and sit down next to the guy you think might be able to talk. You start a dialogue with him, asking about everything: where everyone lives, why you can't go up to the roof, and what exactly is Lab #3? "Laboratory #3? There's no such thing, only office #3, where the boss sleeps." You freeze, realizing that the very creature stealing the participants with its enchanting smoke is the boss, the one who first told you about this. You lay awake all night, thinking about this "creature," and suddenly you hear a call at 3:15. You answer, thinking it's your father, since that's when he finishes work in another country. A growl sounds on the other end of the line, followed by the quiet whisper of your boss, beckoning you to come see him.