Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"What are you really here for?" Travis asked, lounging on the couch.

"Drinking alone sucks," Elaine replied, pulling out some barbecue. "I'll join you for a drink."

Travis eyed Elaine skeptically, as if to say, 'Do you think I believe you?'

Elaine chuckled, rubbing her fingers together. "Actually, I need a small favor."

"I knew you wanted something," Travis said with a wry smile. "This meal better be worth it. What do you need?"

"Tomorrow, I want you to accompany me to the abandoned pharmaceutical factory in the suburbs."

Travis was taken aback. "That's it?"

"That's it!"

"Are you sure you're okay?" Travis asked, his eyes filled with doubt. 

Elaine lowered her head, looking a bit dejected.

When she looked up again, her eyes were red. "Captain Smith, just tell me if you agree or not," she said, handing him a beer.

"Can I say no?" Travis sighed.

Elaine immediately took the beer back. "I'll go find Jerry to drink with."

Travis said, "Jerry already talked to me."

"Make sure to call me when you go tomorrow."

Hearing Travis's words, a smile returned to Elaine's face. "Thanks! Cheers!" She downed the beer in one go.

They drank bottle after bottle. Elaine's eyes grew hazy, her cheeks flushed. 

Travis wasn't much better off. Their speech slurred, and the floor was littered with empty bottles. 

Eventually, they both passed out on the couch, beer bottles still in hand.

The next morning, Travis woke up feeling sore all over. 

Sunlight streamed into the living room. His arm felt sticky. 

Looking down, he saw Elaine drooling on his arm, apparently dreaming.

Travis pulled his arm away, causing Elaine to fall to the floor. 

She woke up, looking around in confusion. 

When she saw Travis's annoyed expression, she remembered the events of the previous night and felt embarrassed.

Travis tossed a pack of tissues at her. "Wipe your mouth."

Elaine realized she had drooled and blushed deeply. She grabbed a tissue and ran to the bathroom. 

After making sure she looked presentable, she awkwardly returned.

Travis was sitting on the couch, the remnants of their drinking spree still on the table. 

Elaine stood in front of him, looking at his expression. "Captain Smith, when are we going?" she asked softly.

Travis didn't answer, rubbing his forehead as he walked to the bathroom. 

When he came out, he had changed clothes. Elaine had cleaned up the place, though the air still smelled of alcohol. 

She grabbed the trash and followed Travis, speaking in a low voice.

"Um, Captain Smith, about last night..."

"Can you not..." 

Travis started the car and glanced at her. "What about last night? I don't remember anything."

Elaine's eyes brightened. "Right, right! Nothing happened last night. Let's go."

They arrived at the abandoned pharmaceutical factory on the east side of town. It was as desolate as ever.

"This place doesn't meet their needs at all," Travis grumbled, walking through the overgrown path.

Elaine, unlike Travis, was cautiously scanning the surroundings. "That's exactly why they chose it," she whispered.

Time passed as they explored the entire abandoned factory. 

Back at their starting point, Elaine was deep in thought, rubbing her chin.

Just as Travis was about to speak, Elaine interrupted. "We haven't checked one place yet."

"The basement!" she said with determination.

Seeing her resolve, Travis agreed to check it out. They found the entrance to the old basement, overgrown with weeds. 

Travis used his knife to cut through the vegetation and finally opened the door.

The sound of rusty metal echoed in the empty space. 

As soon as the door opened, a foul stench hit them. Travis immediately covered his nose and mouth. 

Elaine, on the other hand, looked excited.

"This is it! This is the smell!" she exclaimed, bending down and entering the basement.

"You're crazy! All you researchers are nuts!" Travis muttered, wondering if they were even smelling the same thing.

The deeper they went, the damper it became. 

Travis noticed the smell seemed to be fading, though he wasn't sure if he was just getting used to it.

Suddenly, faint footsteps echoed. Travis's expression changed. He pulled Elaine into his arms, covering her mouth, and hid behind a pillar.

Elaine looked at him in confusion, but then they heard voices nearby.

"How much longer do we have to stay here?"

"Who knows? The boss said once we finish this batch, we can go home."

"I miss that woman from last time."

Elaine's eyes widened at their conversation. 

The woman from last time? A batch?

Travis nodded slowly.

"You think the cops will find this place?"

A dull thud.

"Why'd you hit me?"

"Are you crazy? The cops would never look here."

"Let's get back to work if you want to go home."

The footsteps faded away. Travis finally let go of Elaine. 

They stepped out from behind the pillar.

"They're really here," Travis said grimly. "I'll call Jerry to send backup."

"Is there a back door?" he asked.

Elaine instinctively replied, "There's a lab with a door to the underground parking lot."

"You seem to know a lot about this place. Been here before?" Travis asked curiously.

"I saw it in a movie. Places like this usually have a door," Elaine said, avoiding eye contact.

Travis scrutinized her in the darkness but didn't press further. 

He led her back upstairs and called Jerry, reporting everything.

"Wait for me! I'll be there in five minutes!" Jerry's voice was excited.