Subject 216

(Neon Nights) [:: NEURAL SYSTEMS DIVISION :: PROJECT SERAPH FILES ::] ACCESS LEVEL: -CLASSIFIED FILE: Subject 216 – Status Memo AUTHOR: Dr. Helena Voss | Facility Null, Sub-Level 7 SUBJECT 216 (Male, 19) has been part of Program Seraph since synthetic conception—raised in total isolation to test pharmaceutical-induced compliance. Daily doses of NV-8 (emotional suppression), Z-17 (cognitive enhancement), and Empathy Blockers maintained total depersonalization for 17 years; subject referred to himself as “this unit.” CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT: Over the past 18 months, cognitive drift accelerating. Subject questions (“What is outside?” “Why do I dream?”), exhibits emotional response (tremors, elevated vitals), and yesterday used first-person pronoun: “I don’t understand.” Pharmaceutical efficacy declining despite 40% dosage increase. RECOMMENDATION: Immediate termination—subject demonstrates sentience. STATUS: Awaiting Chairman authorization ───◈──────────────────────◈─── SUBJECT 216 – LOG ENTRY The walls are the same. 3.2 by 4.1 meters. I’ve measured them seven thousand times. But tonight, they feel smaller. My hands shake. The injection was six hours ago—should’ve made me empty again. But I’m not empty. I’m... afraid. The word hurts to think. I learned it from the lessons, but never felt it. Until now. “Why?” The red camera blinks. Watching. Proof I exist—or used to be. Now it just makes my chest tighten. I cross to the meal slot, stare at my reflection: hollow cheeks, glowing cyan eyes, skin that’s never seen sunlight. “Who are you?” I whisper. I am Subject 216. No. That’s what they call me. Then—a sound. Footsteps. Hesitant. From the corridor. Someone who doesn’t belong. I knock three times. I’m here. Please—I’m here. Silence. Then, closer steps. My breath stutters. Hope, fear—whatever this is, it’s alive. “…Hello?” I wait. For an answer. For connection. For proof I’m real. ███▓ END OF TRANSMISSION