Under most circumstances, someone taking on a scientist assignment in Strangerville might be upset with the accommodations that were provided by the Facility. For Quentin, however, he couldn’t have been more thrilled. As someone who tended to keep to himself, the small trailer located just outside the town square was more than sufficient. He tended to be a bit paranoid and avoided crowds, so a smaller home that he could keep a close eye on suit his preferences just fine.
After settling in, Quentin fired up his work laptop to see if there was anything he needed to do to prepare for his first day of work. There wasn’t anything overly specific, just having two breakthroughs to get a promotion. Easy enough. After checking in on any work assignments to complete before starting his new lab position, he ventured outside – albeit cautiously – to check out the surrounding area.
He had to admit, the town of Strangerville was surprisingly beautiful. He’d grown up in Oasis Springs with a similar landscape, but it was more populated and developed than this. And his time at University had exposed him to even more…experiences. Although he didn’t necessarily enjoy them. Too much socialization for his liking. Foxbury – although a brilliant school – had a proclivity for group projects that Quentin decidedly did NOT care for. He quietly hoped that the lab fostered independent inquiry opposed to friendly (and likely heated) debate.
He spent some time further inspecting the surrounding areas using his trusty old telescope, with which he found a rather isolated, and large, building not too far off in the distance. What is this? he wondered.
The presence of the building gnawed at Quentin. Not once in any of the correspondence from his new place of employment did they mention anything like this place, and no internet search revealed anything. He decided that finding answers outweighed his need for solitude, so he ventured forth to find and question locals about its purpose.
Just around the corner from his new living quarters, Quentin came across a merchant for local curios. An odd fellow, even for Quentin’s standards, he introduced himself as Erwin.
After a brief introduction, Quentin asked Erwin about Strangerville with a vague nod towards the building in the distance. His response more candid than Quentin had anticipated:
Interesting. A Secret Lab? The only Lab Quentin knew about was the one that he’d just gained employment from right after graduation. He was equally relieved and disappointed that this other lab was currently out of reach and the source of such mystery. The only logical next step was to go to the Library to search for additional information.
Quentin managed to corner a few people to discuss the local goings on, and everything was pointing to him needing to personally check out this “Secret Lab”. Every fiber of his body was screaming to let it go, but his brain had already dug in and would not relent.
He did his best to distract his wandering thoughts from lingering on the Secret Lab. The minutes ticked by, each one a cruel reminder of the things he just. Did. Not. Know.
His parents often told him, his curiosity, his NEED to get answers, was his greatest asset and his greatest curse. But he couldn’t deny the draw, the PULL he felt towards this lab. He had to know. He had to get answers.
