Professor Xander

The summer cold wrapped its icy tendrils around the town of Enkem'ol, leaving an unusual chill in the air. Within a hidden enclave, concealed from prying eyes, a tall man in his fifties donned a long white coat that billowed around him, evoking the unmistakable aura of a mad scientist consumed by his work. Despite his age, his curly dark hair remained untamed, cascading around his slender face, while his sharp features and piercing gaze conveyed a sense of cool detachment.

In the dimly lit room, the only source of illumination came from the mesmerizing hologram screen that flickered with streams of information before him. As his glasses perched precariously at the edge of his nose, Professor Xander deftly navigated through the digital labyrinth, sliding his fingers across the holographic interface with almost balletic precision.

Suddenly, a soft ping resonated through the room, interrupting Xander's focused concentration. Adjacent to the hologram screen, the AI Sarah materialized in a vibrant blue glow. Its voice, emanating with calm authority, pierced the silence.

"The head of law enforcement, Agent Victor, has come to meet you, Professor Xander," it announced.

Arching an eyebrow in curiosity, Xander swiftly dismissed the hologram, causing the streams of information to vanish into thin air.

"Let him in," he commanded, his voice laced with a hint of intrigue.

His hand brushed against the sleek surface of the front desk, triggering a cascade of lights that gradually illuminated the room.

As the room flooded with light, it revealed a minimalist space, devoid of unnecessary distractions. The focal point was the glass work table. Its surface gleamed, reflecting the glimmers of light that bounced off the glass windows lining the walls. Through these transparent barriers, the bustling hallways and the silhouettes of passing pedestrians could be glimpsed, hinting at a world beyond this secretive enclave.

Patiently, Xander awaited the arrival of Agent Victor. The anticipation in the air was palpable, signaling that this meeting held grave importance. In this pristine chamber, where the clash between shadows and light mirrored the hidden truths that lay concealed, Xander prepared himself for a revelation that would send ripples through the very fabric of Enkem'ol.

After a minute of anticipation, the heavy glass doors hissed open, granting entry to a trio of figures clad in sleek black leather gear. Their presence alone spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation at hand.

Professor Xander, with a mixture of curiosity and concern, scrutinized Agent Victor as he stepped forward, flanked by his two companions. Removing their headgear, they revealed stern expressions etched with traces of caution.

"Must be something serious if you've come in person", Prof. Xander said as he arched his eyebrow.

Agent Victor wasted no time in relaying the unsettling news. "There are three kids who have gone missing," he began, his voice laced with a hint of urgency.

"We chased after one, but regrettably, we lost track of her."

Xander's initial surprise transformed into a mixture of disbelief and mockery.

"What?" he exclaimed incredulously. "Are you telling me that a group of mere children managed to outwit the intelligence agency and escape?"

Attempting to restore a semblance of confidence, Victor replied, "There's no way they could have left the town. They must be in hiding, making it possible for us to locate them easily."

Seeking a glimmer of hope, Xander posed a crucial question. "Can't you track them using their bio IDs?"

Victor's response was disheartening. "Actually, no. We are facing difficulties with that. It seems they have somehow found a way to block the signals of their bio IDs, making them untraceable."

The professor's brow furrowed, his mind struggling to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

"Impossible!," he muttered, a mix of disbelief and concern gripping him.

And then, Victor delivered a bombshell that shattered any semblance of reassurance.

"And... this is not the first time this has happened," he admitted, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"We have discovered several other missing subjects whose bio IDs do not register any signal. It's as if they have vanished without a trace."

The weight of Victor's words hung in the air, the room cloaked in somber silence.

Xander's usually composed demeanor shifted, his tone turning serious as he pressed for further information.

"What do you mean?" he demanded, a sense of foreboding creeping into his voice.

Victor's admission carried a hint of fear. "We have stumbled upon other bio-IDs that exhibit the same anomaly," he confessed. "And, distressingly, all those subjects are... missing."

"What? how long have they been missing? And why the fuck did you hide this from me?", Each word carried a weight of accusation and disbelief.

Victor, his composure wavering under Xander's torrent of questions, attempted to offer some semblance of an explanation.

"We're not sure, sir. But the families of the missing kids have been blacked-out as they started asking for their missing children, considering that, It could have been a few weeks."

The gravity of the situation began to sink in as Xander processed the information. The word "kids" hung in the air.

"Kids," Xander repeated, his voice a mixture of disbelief and concern. "Are they all kids?"

"Yes professor"

Once he had extracted all the available details from Victor, Xander sought to conclude the conversation, his tone resolute.

"Anything else?" he questioned, hoping against hope that there was no further damning information to uncover.

Victor's response offered a glimmer of relief, albeit tinged with an air of finality.

"Nothing else, Professor," he replied, his voice lacking any reassurance.

With a curt nod, Xander dismissed the agent and his companions, ordering them to leave the room. The glass doors hissed open obediently, allowing their departure before closing with a soft thud, sealing him within the confines of his thoughts.

Leaning against his desk, Xander placed his hands on the smooth surface, his gaze fixed upon his reflection. His piercing eyes bore into the glass, reflecting a mix of determination and an unsettling gleam that danced upon the edges of malevolence.

"Interesting," he whispered, a devilish smile curling upon his lips.

The revelation of the missing children had ignited a spark within him, a fascination with the enigma unfolding before him. It was a puzzle he was eager to unravel, driven by a twisted curiosity that surpassed the boundaries of morality.

In that solitary moment, Xander's true nature flickered to life, his mind already mapping out a path through the darkness that awaited.