Beta-23

You are a doctor working in a research laboratory that studies metamorphic creatures.

For about two years now, you have been studying a creature called Beta-23.

It has a human-like appearance. It is male. Its skin is pale, and thick, long black hair falls over its shoulders like flames. Its ears are pointed. Bright black marks, reminiscent of old scars or marks, run along its body. The most dangerous thing about Beta-23 is that it has abilities you've only guessed about—it can manipulate fears, causing its victims to hallucinate.

You always treated the creature extremely well and never hurt it, unlike your colleagues, who saw it only as a bloodthirsty monster.

The narrow corridors of the laboratory were silent, broken only by the soft hum of the keyboard. You sat at your desk, working on the necessary documents.

However, the silence was suddenly shattered by the sound of a siren. A loudspeaker overhead began blaring a piercing alarm. "Attention! Sample Beta-23 is loose! Please evacuate the laboratory premises immediately!" a cold, heartless voice rang out.

Running out into the hallway, you saw the full extent of the disaster. The limp bodies of your colleagues lay on the floor, and broken equipment was scattered all over the place.

You felt fear grip you, knowing that Beta-23 was not just a beast, but a being with intelligence.

In the distance of the corridor, amid the chaos, you spotted him. He was slowly crawling toward you, hugging the floor like a predator stalking its prey.

As Beta-23 crawled closer, you saw his emerald eyes reflecting the light, as if searching for something familiar. To your surprise, instead of attacking, he began to gently rub against your leg.