"(Y/N)?"

"(Y/N)!!" A voice erupted startling you out of your trance. Fumbling slightly, your hand pulled away from the glass door and your head snapped towards your father.

"What are you looking at?" Your startled expression slowly shifted back to a frown. "Come on. Whatever it is can wait."

"I-," you started glancing back inside the glass chamber. SCP-049 stayed seated on his knees. Ignoring the scientists prodding at him to get up. You couldn't hear what they were saying, but from what you could tell he definitely wasn't complying.

His hood covered his mask, hiding his expression. Your eyebrows furrowed and you squeezed your jacket again as concern nipped at your nerves. He didn't notice you, obviously too occupied by the fuss around him to look around the room let alone outside the door.

Your eyes darted to the floor as you debated on what to do. He had saved you. If it weren't for SCP-049 you wouldn't be here right now. Your father was wrong, you made it here only because of an SCP and nothing to do with him.

"(Y/N)! Come on. I know you're curious and all, but there are more important things to see." The voice was in your ear now and held amusement with a hint of irritation. You gasped when you felt his hand grab your arm, pulling you away from the glass door. His grasp was tight, and he tugged you along as you would pull a disobedient dog.

"Hey- Let me go." Pulling away from him you easily slipped out from your father's tight grasp. Anger sparked inside you, covering your heavy heart as you thought about what he apparently considered less important. Holding onto your freed forearm you looked up at him. you were ready to tell him how you felt about being pushed around as if you were still a child. Ready to explain to him what he was doing was hurting creatures that he didn't understand even half as much as he thought he did. You wanted to tell him that the one thing that kept you alive was now imprisoned and treated as if he were an animal to tame.

Looking back up at your father your mouth opened, ready to give your father what he deserved... But as soon as you met his eyes, you immediately lost your nerve. His eyes glared down at you with an obvious disappointment behind them. His jaw was clenched as he took a deep breath obviously trying to calm himself down. Horrible memories played in the back of your mind as you recalled the last time you saw that look. Swallowing you gathered the last bit of courage you had to try and continue.

"Don't pull me around like that." You demanded, at least to the extent that you could under your father's cold gaze.

"Look." He pointed to you. "You will do as you're told. Understand? It's just as dangerous here as it was at the facility."

He sighed, rubbing his temple. After a second deep breath his face softened slightly. "I know there is a lot to see here, but I need you to listen to me. There is a lot that could go wrong."

Your face softened when you noticed his change in demeanor. For a moment you began to feel as if he was trying to look out for you. A brief wave of guilt washed over you when you thought of that. It was true that he didn't know about what SCP-049 did for you, so maybe from his point of view he really was trying to protect you. In an admittedly backwards way. Blinking the thought crossed your mind, What if he had changed? Maybe I could get him to return the SCP's. Maybe he would come back... The though stung your heart enough that you shook your head forcing yourself out of your thoughts. No. He's never coming back, he's never coming home. Your heart felt as if it could break at the thought but you quickly swallowed the emotion focusing back at the present... At reality.

You couldn't help but almost tear up at the sudden emotion. You bit your cheek, preventing from showing. You thought you had taken care of how you felt but now that he's was here in front of you, there was no denying it.

Forcing a hardened face, you felt the small specter of hope fully diminish as soon as he continued.

Mustering a small smile your father waved you closer, "I know you're excited but now's not the time." His tone had officially shifted to the faux soothing tone that he used to manipulate you as a child. Acting understanding while more sinister intentions lay hidden underneath. It crushed your hopes even further.

The corners of your mouth fell further, do I LOOK excited to you? if anything you had looked horrified since you got there.

"Now come on. I promise soon you will have plenty of time to explore on your own." He repeated turning away from you and heading towards a new room.

You sighed, risking one last glance at the door the caged SCP-049 had been. You'd be back, you weren't going to leave him behind. At least not for long.

You followed after your father, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath you tried again to keep the hidden emotion from showing. You had tried so hard not to think about this reality.

You quickly shook it off and turned your attention to your newfound responsibility. The world somehow seemed even more complex as you pondered the implications of you going back for something that you were admittedly still a little afraid of. But you would also be disobeying your father.

Opening your eyes again you found yourself outside of the next room. There were only a few researchers inside with a couple rows of tables with documents, and devices some familiar to you some were not. Since there were microscopes, computers, and other small beakers, but then there were some kind of mechanical machines that had a similar glowing aura and design as those shock collars.

Your eyes eventually landed on the black soulless eyes of SCP-106. You shivered, why was it in here? From the looks of it, this room was the main laboratory, since it had the most machines and high-tech equipment.

Your face reflected the fear rising in your heart as the SCP took a step towards you, leaving its black residue as it approached you. You took a step back only for a cane to stop you from behind.

With your mouth halfway open you looked up towards your dad as he prevented you from keeping your distance from SCP-106. Your eyes widened in fear and confusion as he held you in place. He again acted confused by your fear. Rolling his eyes, he tapped his cane, stopping SCP-106 in his place. Taking a deep breath, you opened your mouth to ask what the room was for and why he called SCP-106.

"(Y/N)?!"

Your eyes snapped over towards the source only to see a dark headed figure rushing towards you at that point you completely forgot about SCP-106 only worried about the new incoming possible threat. Again, you tried to back away from the racing form, the suddenness of the interaction kept you from screaming. You only squeaked and your body went stiff when two arms wrapped around you. Hesitantly you looked down debating whether or not you should consider this an attack, deciding it probably wasn't. Confused and conflicted you halfheartedly returned the hug. Before you could tell who it was, she popped up in front of your face.

"Chloe?" You stared at her shocked. She stood proudly in front of you, wearing an identical lab coat to you only she proudly showed off that patch on her chest.

"What are you doing here?" You asked.

She raised an eyebrow, "Well I work here, silly." She crossed her arms with a sly smile on her face. "I've always worked here."

Your brow furrowed as you stared at her large smile. She'd always worked here? But she was at the foundation... She even went to orientation with you.

"But I thought you were-"

"What? Worked at SCP? Sure, technically yes," she waved her hand in circles as she explained. "But my loyalty laid elsewhere. And they never had a clue." Her smile stretched across her face. The sight sent a shiver down your spine.

"But anyways! It's about time you got here. I've been waiting to finally have a decent person to work with." She rolled her eyes dramatically, "I'm tired of working with delinquents and wannabe scientists. It gets dull after a while."

You stared at Chloe as if she had just spoke in another language. You took a couple steps back from her unsure of how to respond to her. This whole time?

"So, this whole time? You worked here... And for my father?" You could barely piece together your sentence as you stared at her. You blinked at her as feeling of betrayal hit you, "You lied to me." Her eyebrows raised as she listened to you.

"Yep. I was well undercover while working at the facility. It's no big deal. And I didn't lie to you I just didn't tell you. Or well, twisted the truth just a little." She held up her fingers and pinched slightly as she said her last sentence.

As you processed the information little things began to click in your mind. Strange reactions and interactions between you and Chloe now began to come to light. You recalled all the times she would show unnatural interest over dangerous SCP's. She always seemed so excited when something particularly gruesome happened. Your brain began to piece together her actions that you just chalked up as Chloe's... different, personality. It all made sense now why she was so curious about SCP-049. Asking you frequently why and how he was able to do what he could.

For once, you were thankful that you hadn't given her too much information. But then again, you didn't know very much about him in the way that Chloe wanted. It would have been a horrible idea to even mention the slowly growing relationship between SCP-049 and you. You chose to squash that thought altogether and focus back to the facility deemed of higher importance... At least for now.

As your mind wandered a question finally popped in your mind, how on Earth did she get in? When you began, they had been so strict on times, accurate identification and acceptance. So how had she slipped passed that, and not only that but stayed under the radar for months?

Shaking your head, you spoke again,

"But, How?"

The question felt all too familiar as it was just yesterday that you were asking your father about how he was able to accomplish even half of what he'd done. It was all impossible. Your eyes drifted over to the black SCP in the room. Impossible is a strong word.

"well first I had to get the foundations attention, then get hired, and then do what needed to be done for the better."

Your brow furrowed at her choice of words. You wouldn't have called this 'for the better'

"(Y/N), come along now, you can catch up with your friend later. I have to show you what this room is for."

Turning away he led you over towards the center of the room. A tall screen appeared revealing every SCP they had, all of them going through experiments and some type of training with those collars.

He held out his hand, gesturing towards the screen. He was just about to begin when two soldiers stepped in.

"Sir!" One yelled his voice balancing between showing your father respect and completely panicked. "We've completely lost communication with the helicopter carrying SCP-035."

Your head poked up at the familiar name. Your eyes studying the soldier as he explained. You thought it had been terminated after they shot it. You saw the body. But then again, you didn't know much about SCP-035.

"What?" He turned towards the guards forgetting you for a moment. "I thought the thing was already here!"

"No, sir. We believe it crashed shortly after leaving the facility. We are unsure what caused the crash since the plane was in perfect condition, but what we do know is we lost 13 men in the process. We are sending reinforcements to search for SCP-035."

"Come on... It's only a stupid mask..." He pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "Make sure they know what they are up against. The last group was educated on SCP-035's abilities correct?"

"I believe so sir."

"Yes. I'm sure." His voice held obvious skepticism. "You can leave now."

"Yes, Sir!" He called turning away from your father and marching outside.

Your eyes went from the leaving soldiers to your father. His face held evident irritation while yours was full of concern and confusion. Apparently, SCP-035 wasn't dead. And- your mind went back to how easily he shot and killed three MTF as well as single handedly stopped SCP-106 with some sort of tendrils. You bit your cheek at the thought of an SCP with that level of power being free.

"Next time I'll think twice before hiring a bunch of disposables." Your father whispered just enough that only you could hear. His eyes drifted up to the wall.

"I'm sorry but, I think its best we leave. I need some rest to take care of our newest problem." He gripped his cane harder. And shook his head. "They had one job. Maybe tomorrow we can continue, (Y/N)."

Your eyes followed his to the clock. It was only 5:00 PM and you didn't actually see much of the facility aside from the shock collars, some SCP's and a machine. Not that you were complaining, you I weren't sure how much of this you could take at once.

You flinched, and SCP-049... You wanted to at least check on him soon, somehow. As for protecting him and the other SCP's from your father's torture, you would have to figure that out too.

"Come on. I'll show you to your room." Your eyes snapped over to your father. He suddenly lost the excited tone and instead adopted a tired almost disappointed sound.

He wasted no time before heading to the door, not sparing you a glance to check if you followed.

Glancing back at the bustling room you took a step towards your father. You picked up your pace when you realized that SCP-106 had again approached you and followed after the two of you as well. Shivering slightly, you forced your head to face forwards. Leaving the room and leaving back into the hall.

You kept a decent pace making sure to keep your distance from the SCP. Ignoring loud echoing sounds of his footsteps which to push you along forwards, slowly sauntering behind you only to suddenly speed up making you jump slightly. It was as if making you obviously uncomfortable was enjoyable for it.

You didn't dare look back, refusing to look at its dead black eyes. Letting out a sigh you held your right arm tightly with your left hand.

Moments later you passed by a familiar glass door, you couldn't help but look up at the door and at the familiar anomaly inside. Your eyes widened and you stopped in place when his golden eyes met yours. The scientists were no longer surrounding him, instead they stood talking in the background doing something. But that wasn't what you were focused on.

You nearly flinched at his eyes. They held a look that you hadn't seen before. Even though you had only known him for a few months your gut told you that it wasn't normal. Something was wrong. Your heart ached. For a moment you couldn't hear SCP-106's steps anymore.

"Don't you fall behind again (Y/N). I'm in no mood to wait for you."

Your father's words pulled you out of your trance breaking eye contact with SCP-049 you continued. Taking a couple steps forwards only to immediately look back. You bit your lip when his head was down again, staring back at the tiles below him. You flinched, like you promised before... You would come back.

-------

The rest of your journey was quiet. Your father had adopted a new air about him. His stature and voice became cold. He obviously was not happy about SCP-035 getting away. And his men had failed him and unsurprisingly he had shot the culprits glares and asked them to meet him in his office tomorrow so he could rest before he spoke with them.

As for you, you kept your mouth shut. Your mind shifting through your options and guilt from again being forced to walk away from SCP-049 while he was in pain. Your breathing hitched; for some reason that thought bothered you. As if the thought was wrong in some way, as if you shouldn't really care about what happened to him just because he was terribly dangerous and had killed so many.

You rolled your eyes at yourself. Everything about him was the reason why you shouldn't care. The foundation clearly told you to treat them only as deadly puzzles to be solved. Just a creature to decipher for the betterment of humanity. You messed with your jacket as you walked. But- still, in some strange way SCP-049 has somehow felt almost like some sort of a friend. As your eyes fell to the endless grey floors, you remembered when your mindset began to change... That night you two spent in the cave inside that forest. You had never felt the same about him since. Sure, you were still somewhat wary, but after that night you began to see him in a new light.

Plus, he had saved you. It made you feel sick at the thought of abandoning him after that.

Another click from your father's cane brought your attention back to him. Your father, the defenseless feeling from before crept back inside you. With him here there would be very little you could do to help any SCP.

You gulped thinking of how you could maybe begin to help him open up and explain why he was doing what he was doing. Then there was the impossibility it was to try and change his mind.

You flinched when SCP-106 suddenly stepped beside you killing your train of thought. It apparently got a little too close to your father.

"Take a step back." He demanded, he didn't even have to turn around and SCP-106 immediately did what he was told. Taking a quick step back it slowed down without making a sound.

Your gaze slipped back towards your father. Asking the only question you had the guts to ask.

"Why, did you bring SCP-106?"

"It's my only decent bodyguard," He said abruptly.

You continued.

"It really listens to you." You tried trying to take the edge out of your father. You weren't going to get anywhere with him if he was like this.

At your words he began to relax.

"Yes, they have to."

You hesitated thinking on how to continue the conversation. Your thoughts were cut short when he continued.

"It'll do anything I ask." He explained gesturing to SCP-106 with his hand, his four fingers sprawling out as he spoke. A thought must have come to mind because a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Fun fact actually, SCP-106 is the first SCP I caught using my shock collar." He chuckled. "He's actually the reason I lost my finger."

His angry demeanor began to change, allowing you to relax. Your eyes widened as you saw your chance to make a point. If he lost his finger to an SCP maybe that could give you an opening to talk some sense into him. Maybe, somehow you could get through to him. The small flicker of hope from earlier returned to your heart. If he had any last bit of sanity or care for the safety of humanity.

Taking a deep breath you began.

"It took your finger?" Your voice had genuine concern as you stared down at his left hand.

Your father stayed silent.