Anomaly

Author: Rowen

Chapter 60 – The call [2]

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The World of Shadows, which I could access through the portals created after absorbing the powers of that shadow in the first facility I stayed in, was, at the very least... peculiar. To start with, there seemed to be no concept of up or down; it was like being completely surrounded by an endless veil of shadows.
Moreover, within this shadowy realm, I could see something like a three-dimensional projection of the outside world, as if I were observing everything from a unique and distorted angle.
However, it wasn’t as if there was necessarily an “outside” I had tested this before. The projection worked more like a perception of the outside world rather than a true vision.
Because of this, I could technically pass through these projections with no resistance. Of course, as soon as I crossed them, the shadowy world would consume them, returning everything to its monotonous and infinite darkness characteristic of this place.
This peculiarity of the place was what allowed me to keep “rising” even though, technically, I was pretty much floating at this point. Putting that aside, the positive side was that now I had probably reached a height sufficient to more accurately pinpoint where exactly my counterpart was pointing.
I glanced around briefly and, as expected, there it was – my counterpart. I assumed they still didn’t know how to move through the shadow world, as they floated gently around me, upside down. Their large golden eyes, identical to mine, blinked slowly as they noticed my gaze. Our eyes met for a moment, and the next second, they pointed in a direction.
I followed the direction indicated by the being’s finger, and my eyes quickly picked up on the possible location they were directing me to. One interesting ability of my eyes is that, when I focus enough, I can zoom in on the point of interest. So, even from a distance, I could capture important details of the place. It felt like observing a city through a computer screen.
As for the place the shadow seemed to want to show me... well, it was definitely a village. I wouldn’t say it was in an extremely hard-to-reach spot, but it wasn’t the kind of place someone would spontaneously visit either.
From what I could see, there was only one visible entrance, and the location was surrounded by mountain ranges, suggesting that entrance might be the only viable path. That was all the information I could gather from where I was. It was unlikely that I’d notice anything suspicious from a distance, and, in the end, I’d have to go there anyway.
Now that I had the exact direction, getting to the place was no longer a problem. Inside the shadow world, I could move anywhere in the world... or at least, that’s what I believed. Ignoring the counterpart, who continued floating gently upside down beside me, I began to move forward, swimming in the direction indicated by the being’s finger: the small village surrounded by mountain ranges.
"I don't see any alternative but to investigate on our own. Even if we choose to ignore this now, if something happens later, I won’t be able to sleep in peace, knowing that a bigger incident could’ve been avoided with a bit more caution on our part"
Laura listened silently to Emily’s words, which reflected her own thoughts. Deep down, Laura shared the same view: she also wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt if something serious caused by an anomaly occurred and she had the chance to prevent it, but didn’t.
"Chief, how about I take care of it? I know you’re busy now that you’ve taken on the position of general manager of management. You can trust me, I promise I won’t let you down"
Laura watched apprehensively as Emily’s thoughtful expression filled her mind with thoughts like "Did I push too much?" and "Does she not trust me?" It seemed that Emily sensed Laura’s unease and quickly clarified her doubts.
"Laura, it’s not that I don’t trust you. In fact, you’re one of the best scientists I’ve ever met, and I have complete faith in your intellect and judgment. I’m just reflecting on what the best course of action for you would be, after all, we don’t have any concrete information about what’s going on at that place"
Laura sighed in relief at Emily’s words, which didn’t go unnoticed by her, who responded with a soft smile. After a few minutes listening to Emily’s instructions, Laura was finally dismissed.
"I’ll send a team with you. I really wish I could send one or two more scientists, but honestly, we’re overwhelmed. This base has too many anomalies and too few researchers to handle everything"
Laura nodded to Emily’s words. As a researcher, she knew very well how tough things were at the base. For Laura, who always worked in smaller facilities, with fewer anomalies and more scientists, this was still unfamiliar territory. However, for Emily, the situation seemed quite different; she was already used to it, as she originally worked in large facilities like that one.
"But, amid all of this, there’s still something that worries me: who exactly is the person who sent all this information? I looked at the email, but found nothing. The profile seemed almost like a ghost, with no clue or reference. The worst part is that, even though part of me wants to believe this is all nonsense, the scientist inside me insists that we could extract valuable information from this... maybe even about the anomalies"
Laura blinked slowly, absorbing Emily’s words. She knew that what Emily most desired were answers. What were the anomalies? Why did they attack humans? Why did they have powers beyond imagination? These questions consumed Emily, who wanted answers at any cost. But it wasn’t just her. These same questions haunted the minds of all the scientists working tirelessly in the bases, all searching for the same answers.
"Anyway, you can go now, I don’t want to take up too much of your time, Laura... oops, I mean, Chief Director Laura Cavendish"
Laura felt a bit embarrassed at Emily’s words and looked away, meeting the playful smile of the other. To begin with, she had only been promoted to the position because it became vacant after Emily was promoted, and it was Emily herself who put her there. Laura didn’t feel worthy of holding such a position. That’s why, this time, she wanted to act on her own. She wanted to prove that Emily had made the right choice in trusting her.
As soon as the sound of the door closing echoed through the room, Emily finally let out a long, heavy sigh. Lately, everything had been happening all at once, at such a frantic pace that she barely knew how to handle it all. Emily was also fully aware that Laura didn’t consider herself the best choice for the position of chief researcher.
However, Laura had no idea how much she had already helped Emily up until that point. To Emily, Laura had been more than ready to take on that position a long time ago. Unfortunately, some unresolved issues had prolonged Laura’s time as a researcher, delaying her well-deserved promotion.
Lost in her thoughts, Emily was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the phone on her desk. Her gaze briefly shifted to the device as the sensation of her headache seemed to intensify. She knew they wouldn’t call without a good reason, which meant something had definitely happened.
(What is it this time?)
While one hand reached for a paper from the organized stack on her desk, the other gently pressed the red button on the small device that held the phone.
"Director of Management? Sorry to bother you while you're busy, but I need to inform you that the
has disappeared from its containment cell"
A sigh of frustration escaped Emily’s lips as she heard the words of the guard, probably the one responsible for monitoring the
. However, her reaction wasn’t exactly due to the news of the escape — after all, this was such a common occurrence that Emily didn’t care as much anymore. In the end, the anomaly always returned to its containment cell on its own.
"You really called me just for this? It’s not the first time she’s gotten out, and it certainly won’t be the last. Besides, she always comes back in about thirty to fifty minutes"
Emily was about to press the red button again when the guard’s voice echoed from the other side of the line. This time, however, his tone was clearly filled with concern and palpable nervousness, much more intense than before.
"Director Emily, it’s been three hours since we last saw her"
Emily’s hand froze in the air as she heard the information. As far as she knew, the
usually took between thirty to fifty minutes to leave its containment cell. The reasons for its departure were still unknown, and although it was often seen at random places around the base, its movement patterns were unpredictable.
It was almost as if it went out to explore. But if that was the case, why would it return to its containment cell? The place where it was kept captive? To Emily, there was only one explanation: the fact that it probably didn’t feel imprisoned, knowing it could escape at any time, whenever and however it wanted.
"Alright, thanks for letting me know. I’ll see what I can do from here. And if she returns, let me know immediately"
"Of course, ma’am. I’ll stay as alert as possible"
With the last words, Emily hung up the phone and rested both hands on her forehead. Her thoughts at that moment? She wondered why, despite everything seeming to finally stabilize, the problems kept arising.
The place I decided to leave from was near the village, close to an area that, although it was called a forest, was actually just a cluster of leafless trees, lacking the typical density of a forest. For some reason, the idea that the place might be scary at night crossed my mind, but I decided to ignore it.
The fact is, I’m walking through this "forest" with the village ahead of me. The lighting wasn’t completely clear yet, but it wasn’t totally dark either, maybe around five in the afternoon? Also, the shadow that usually followed me disappeared as soon as I left the dark world. I have no idea where it might be or what it’s doing.
Anyway, putting those details aside, it seemed like I was the only one in this village. I was getting closer to what seemed to be the entrance, but no matter how much I looked, there was no sign that anyone lived there. In short, the place seemed abandoned, like a ghost town... which, honestly, made everything even stranger and scarier, especially considering it was that crazy shadow who brought me here.
Because of that, I had no idea what I was supposed to look for or where to look. I didn’t even know why I was there. So, when I reached what seemed to be the center of the village, I simply stopped and looked around, while my bright eyes blinked briefly.
I looked around, but once again, there was nothing. No one. No sign of life. It was like the city had never experienced life, to begin with. The strangest part, though, was that everything inside the houses looked new — the furniture, the TVs. But there was something else, something that made me even more confused.
(... what the hell is this I’m seeing now?)
Suddenly, before I could notice or react, a figure cloaked entirely in white, with a spiral symbol where its face should have been, appeared before me. I had examined that spot just moments earlier, and there was absolutely nothing there. Whatever it was, it locked its gaze on me, though its face remained completely hidden, making it impossible to determine what lay beneath the cloak – whether it was human or something beyond that.
Then, it looked around, and I did the same. More figures started to appear: from each side, in front, behind me. Within seconds, I was completely surrounded. I blinked my eyes while my brain tried to process what was happening.
(No, seriously... what the hell is going on here, anyway?)
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Chapter List

Chapter 1 – First Contact [1]
Chapter 2 – First Contact [2]
Chapter 3 – First Contact [3]
Announcement!
Chapter 4 – First Contact [4]
Chapter 5 – First Contact [5]
Chapter 6 – First Contact [6]
Chapter 7 – Outbreak [1]
Chapter 8 – Outbreak [2]
Chapter 9 – Outbreak [3]
Chapter 10 – Outbreak [4]
Chapter 11 – Outbreak [5]
Chapter 12 – Outbreak [6]
Chapter 13 – Adaptation period [1]
Chapter 14 – Adaptation period [2]
Chapter 15 – Adaptation period [3]
Chapter 16 – Adaptation period [4]
Chapter 17 – Adaptation period [5]
Chapter 18 – Threat from the shadows [1]
Chapter 19 – Threat from the shadows [2]
Chapter 20 – Threat from the shadows [3]
Chapter 21 – Threat from the shadows [4]
Chapter 22 – Threat from the shadows [5]
Chapter 23 – Threat from the shadows [6]
Chapter 24 – Threat from the shadows [7]
Chapter 25 – The director’s visit [1]
Chapter 26 – The director’s visit [2]
Chapter 27 – The director’s visit [3]
Chapter 28 – The director’s visit [4]
Chapter 29 – The director’s visit [5]
Chapter 30 – The director’s visit [6]
Chapter 31 – Conducting experiments [1]
Chapter 32 – Conducting experiments [2]
Chapter 33 – Conducting experiments [3]
Chapter 34 – Conducting experiments [4]
Chapter 35 – Conducting experiments [5]
Story recommendation: the new chapter of Anomaly will normally be released at 7pm.
Chapter 36 – Conducting experiments [6]
Chapter 37 – Conducting experiments [7]
Story recommendation: I’m reposting because, last time, the author’s story hadn’t been approved yet.
Chapter 38 – Conducting experiments [8]
Chapter 39 – Conducting experiments [9]
Chapter 40 – Conducting experiments [10]
Chapter 41 – Black Lake [1]
Chapter 42 – Black Lake [2]
Chapter 43 – Black Lake [3]
Chapter 44 – Black Lake [4]
Chapter 45 – Black Lake [5]
Chapter 46 – Black Lake [6]
Chapter 47 – Black Lake [7]
Chapter 48 – Black Lake [8]
Chapter 49 – Black Lake [9]
Chapter 50 – Black Lake [10]
Chapter 51 – Black Lake [11]
Creation of the Discord server
Chapter 52 – Black Lake [12]
Chapter 53 – Black Lake [13]
Chapter 54 – Black Lake [14]
Chapter 55 – Black Lake [15]
Chapter 56 – Black Lake [16]
Chapter 57 – Black Lake [17]
Chapter 58 – Black Lake [18]
Chapter 59 – The call [1]
Chapter 60 – The call [2]
Chapter 61 – The call [3]
Chapter 62 – The call [4]
Chapter 63 – The call [5]
Chapter 64 – The call [6]
Chapter 65 – The call [7]
Chapter 66 – The call [8]
Chapter 67 – The call [9]
Chapter 68 – The call [10]
Chapter 69 – The call [11]
Chapter 70 – The call [12]
Quick update
Chapter 71 – The call [13]
Chapter 72 – The call [14]
Chapter 73 – The call [15]
Chapter 74 – The call [16]
Chapter 75 – The call [17]
Chapter 76 – The call [18]
Chapter 77 – The call [19]
Chapter 78 – The call [20]
Chapter 79 – The call [21]
Chapter 80 – The call [22]
Chapter 81 – The call [23]
Chapter 82 – The call [24]
Chapter 83 – The call [25]
Chapter 84 – The call [26]
Chapter 85 – Storm [1]
Chapter 86 – Storm [2]
Chapter 87 – Storm [3]
Chapter 88 – Storm [4]
Chapter 89 – Storm [5]
Chapter 90 – Storm [6]
Chapter 91 – Storm [7]
Chapter 92 – Storm [8]
Chapter 93 – Storm [9]
Chapter 94 – Storm [10]
Chapter 95 – Storm [11]
Chapter 96 – Storm [12]
Chapter 97 – Storm [13]
Chapter 98 – Storm [14]
Chapter 99 – Storm [15]
Chapter 100 – Storm [16]
Chapter 101 – Storm [17]
Chapter 102 – Storm [18]
Chapter 103 – Storm [19]
Chapter 104 – Interludio – A little chat
Chapter 105 – Something called Life [1]
Chapter 106 – Something called Life [2]
Chapter 107 – Something called Life [3]
Chapter 108 – Something called Life [4]
Chapter 109 – Something called Life [5]
Chapter 110 – Something called Life [6]
Chapter 111 – Something called Life [7]
Chapter 112 – Something called Life [8]
Chapter 113 – Something called Life [9]
Chapter 114 – Something called Life [10]
Chapter 115 – Something called Life [11]
Chapter 116 – Something called Life [12]
Chapter 117 – Something called Life [13]
Chapter 118 – Something called Life [14]
Anomaly
Chapter 119 – Something called Life [15]
Chapter 120 – Something called Life [16]
Chapter 121 – Something called Life [17]
Chapter 122 – Something called Life [18]
Chapter 123 – Something called Life [19]
Chapter 124 – Something called Life [20]
Chapter 125 – Something called Life [21]
Chapter 126 – Something called Life [22]
Chapter 127 – Something called Life [23]
Chapter 128 – Something called Life [24]
Chapter 129 – Something called Life [25]
Chapter 130 – Something called Life [26]
Chapter 131 – Something called Life [27]
Chapter 132 – Something called Life [28]
Chapter 133 – Something called Life [29]
Chapter 134 – Something called Life [30]
Chapter 135 – interlude – Hidden intentions
Chapter 136 – Inside the mist [1]
Chapter 137 – Inside the mist [2]
Chapter 138 – Inside the mist [3]
Chapter 139 – Inside the mist [4]
Chapter 140 – Inside the mist [5]
Chapter 141 – Inside the mist [6]
Chapter 142 – Inside the mist [7]
Chapter 143 – Inside the mist [8]
Chapter 144 – Inside the mist [9]
Chapter 145 – Inside the mist [10]
Chapter 146 – Inside the mist [11]
Chapter 147 – Inside the mist [12]
Chapter 148 – Inside the mist [13]
SPECIAL PROMOTION ON PATREON!
Chapter 149 – Inside the mist [14]
Chapter 150 – Inside the mist [15]
Chapter 151 – Inside the mist [16]
Chapter 152 – Inside the mist [17]
Chapter 153 – Inside the mist [18]
Chapter 154 – Inside the mist [19]
Chapter 155 – Inside the mist [20]
Chapter 156 – Inside the mist [21]
Chapter 157 – Inside the mist [22]
Chapter 158 – Inside the mist [23]
Chapter 159 – Inside the mist [24]
Chapter 160 – When logic escapes [1]
Chapter 161 – When logic escapes [2]
Chapter 162 – When logic escapes [3]
Chapter 163 – When logic escapes [4]
Chapter 164 – When logic escapes [5]
Chapter 165 – When logic escapes [6]
Chapter 166 – When logic escapes [7]
Chapter 167 – When logic escapes [8]
Chapter 168 – When logic escapes [9]
Chapter 169 – When logic escapes [10]
Chapter 170 – When logic escapes [11]
Chapter 171 – When logic escapes [12]
Chapter 172 – When logic escapes [13]
Chapter 173 – When logic escapes [14]
Chapter 174 – When logic escapes [15]
Chapter 175 – When logic escapes [16]
Chapter 176 – When logic escapes [17]
Chapter 177 – When logic escapes [18]
Chapter 178 – When logic escapes [19]
Chapter 179 – When logic escapes [20]
Chapter 180 – When logic escapes [21]
Chapter 181 – The Burden of Remembering [1]
Chapter 182 – The Burden of Remembering [2]
Chapter 183 – The Burden of Remembering [3]
Chapter 184 – The Burden of Remembering [4]
Chapter 185 – The Burden of Remembering [5]
Chapter 186 – The Burden of Remembering [6]
Chapter 187 – The Burden of Remembering [7]
Chapter 188 – The Burden of Remembering [8]
Chapter 189 – The Burden of Remembering [9]
Chapter 190 – The Burden of Remembering [10]
Chapter 191 – The Burden of Remembering [11]
Chapter 192 – The Burden of Remembering [12]
Chapter 193 – The Burden of Remembering [13]
Chapter 194 – The Burden of Remembering [14]
Chapter 195 – The Burden of Remembering [15]
Chapter 196 – The Burden of Remembering [16]
Chapter 197 – The Burden of Remembering [17]
Chapter 198 – The Burden of Remembering [18]
Chapter 199 – The Burden of Remembering [19]
Chapter 200 – The Burden of Remembering [20]
Chapter 201 – The Burden of Remembering [21]
Chapter 202 – The Burden of Remembering [22]
Chapter 203 – The Burden of Remembering [23]
Chapter 204 – The Burden of Remembering [24]
Chapter 205 – The Burden of Remembering [25]
Chapter 206 – The Burden of Remembering [26]
Chapter 207 – The Burden of Remembering [27]
Chapter 208 – The Burden of Remembering [28]
Chapter 209 – The Burden of Remembering [29]
Chapter 210 – The Burden of Remembering [30]
Chapter 211 – The Burden of Remembering [31]
Chapter 212 – The Burden of Remembering [32]
Chapter 213 – The Burden of Remembering [33]
Chapter 214 – The Burden of Remembering [34]
Chapter 215 – The Burden of Remembering [35]
Chapter 216 – The Burden of Remembering [36]
Chapter 217 – The Burden of Remembering [37]
Chapter 218 – The Burden of Remembering [38]
Chapter 219 – The entity of pride [1]
Chapter 220 – The entity of pride [2]
Chapter 221 – The entity of pride [3]
Chapter 222 – The entity of pride [4]
Chapter 223 – The entity of pride [5]
Chapter 224 – The entity of pride [6]
Chapter 225 – The entity of pride [7]
Chapter 226 – The entity of pride [8]
Chapter 227 – The entity of pride [9]
Chapter 228 – The entity of pride [10]
Chapter 229 – The entity of pride [11]
Chapter 230 – The entity of pride [12]
Chapter 231 – The entity of pride [13]
Chapter 232 – The entity of pride [14]
Chapter 233 – The entity of pride [15]
Chapter 234 – The entity of pride [16]
Chapter 235 – The entity of pride [17]
Chapter 236 – The entity of pride [18]
Chapter 237 – The entity of pride [19]
Chapter 238 – The entity of pride [20]
Chapter 239 – The entity of pride [21]
Chapter 240 – The entity of pride [22]
Chapter 241 – The entity of pride [23]
Chapter 242 – The entity of pride [24]
Chapter 243 – The entity of pride [25]
Chapter 244 – Timeless State [1]
Chapter 245 – Timeless State [2]
Chapter 246 – Timeless State [3]
Chapter 247 – Timeless State [4]
Chapter 248 – Timeless State [5]
Chapter 249 – Timeless State [6]
Chapter 250 – Timeless State [7]
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