The Immortal Blueprint: who is she

Nyx moved silently through the unlocked open iron gate and into the sterile lab. The air inside hit her instantly, thick with the metallic tang of harsh industrial chemicals, ozone and something far worse-a sharp suffocating stench of decay and decomposing hanging heavy in the damp space. Broken glass and discarded medical wrappers crunched faintly under her soles breaking the eerie deathly quiet. Scraps of stained rumpled paper littered the cold concrete floor and she knelt slowly to pick them up as her chest tightened with every breath.

Her flashlight beam swept across the shadow-drenched room, illuminating a collection of glinting surgical tools, stainless steel trays and glass containers holding severed preserved human organs. Some contained hearts, wide opened eyes, swollen pale tongues, fresh kidneys and dark livers. A cold heavy deep dread settled in her stomach as she forced her trembling legs to push deeper into the dark room and found a slumped figure, Sophia, who was missing for an entire month, bound tightly to a steel surgical bed, unconscious and tapped down. Before Nyx could even begin to process the absolute horror in sight, a bold commanding, and eerily familiar voice boomed from the deep shadows behind her.

"What are you doing here?who sent you?".

In complete shock and surging anger, she stammered while taking a panicked step backwards, her back against the cold wall.

"No, wh-what are y-you doing here? How could you do this? How could you be so cruel."

"She had a purpose and she was going to get it done", the attacker said showing a wide grin that Nyx could see with her flashlight beam.

"She trusted you!! oh my God, I even did trust you too. You're going down for this", Nyx said with boiling anger from her voice

"You won't make it out here alive, Nyx", the person said with a prideful look.

Using the split second of distraction, Nyx slammed her weight against a heavy supply cart, shoving it with all her strength towards the looming figure in front of her. The room erupted into a sudden chaos as metal crashed and glass shattered. The brief confrontation quickly turned into a fight of desperate escape. Utilizing her natural speed and sharp reflexes, Nyx then ran out with her speed and maneuvered past the figure, fled out of the lab into the cool night air.

Her heart hammering against her ribs, Nyx hurdled against the damp alley wall, hands trembling as she clutched the crumpled papers bearing a familiar name written across the top of it "PATRICK VANE".

This was supposed to be a happy piece of the puzzle, a crucial clue towards understanding her father's past and his sudden disappearance but it wasn't as she remembered Sophia being in terrible trouble. Panic clawed brutally at her throat as she started heading back to the lab not caring about the immense danger or what she was going to face. Just as she returned to run back, the lab behind her erupted in a blinding flash of orange fire and a violent deafening sound that shook the ground beneath her feet. Smoke surged in the night sky. Sophia was likely gone, her secrets and her body incinerated in the blaze.

Desperate for help, Nyx stumbled and reached frantically for her phone, but before she could even dial anyone's number to call, a sudden searing pain exploded in her left shoulder. A bullet tore through the air hitting its target. As she crumpled onto the cold pavement, the precious papers she had once gripped so tightly, scattered uselessly into the night air.

A dark, towering silhouette stepped from the deep shadows and loomed over her fallen body. "Yes", the voice purred darkly into the quiet night. "I have you now".

Three months ago....

Sunday morning hits at five sharp. Nyx dragged herself out of bed stretching her hands to kill the alarm on her bed light stand. The night light flickered on and she turned it off immediately. With the water bill unpaid she knew a shower wasn't an option but she desperately needed the coffee shop wifi to get moving so she stepped out into the milling morning air, walking over to the cafe across the street where Sophia works. As nyx came in and pulled a chair, Sophia noticed her and went and sat on a chair at the same table.

Sophia crinkled her nose and leaned back slightly. "Are you now enemies with the shower?". "The water got cut, don't have a penny for the bills so yeah". As she carried out papers from her backpack. " What are you working on,Miss Sherlocks?". Sophia joked,her tone dripping with sarcasm. Nyx groaned, resting her chin on her hands. "At this point, I'll book a therapy session because of the way you're verbally abusing me". They both giggled but the mood didn't last. "I'm thinking of bringing about my dad's case. I've been having these weird dreams and for the past week,I swear I'm seeing him". "Oh, like a vision huh" Sophia interrupted, giggling after. "I'm being serious," Nyx said with a faint smile on her face. "The only real memory I have of my dad was when he took his working bag and told my mum goodbye right before she passed".

Sophia nodded sympathetically. "Okay no problem. Can you come to my house for some drinks later today?" Nyx shook her head pulling out her laptop. "Oh no. I'm going to meet Jax,he said I had to come get something from him. He said it was really Important. And I also need some new data base stuff." Sophia sighed looking at her best friend. " You work too hard. What about that scholarship for the state University? I literally can't go another semester without you with me in school" . Nyx beamed. "Oh yeah, surprise, surprise,I got the scholarship". Sophia jolted with joy, thrilled for her friend "that's wonderful. Congratulations!!!". Let me get you a coffee to celebrate,then you come to my place after meeting up with Jax so you can take a bath,you don't have to pay for the water there".

Nyx laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. " Oh so after today, I'll have to pay for water in your house now?. Sophia laughed and tapped the rim of Nyx's cup. "Hey inflation is hitting everyone,even best friends I might even let you use my new body wash". Nyx laughed and agreed then Sophia left to attend table 6 as a customer there needed her assistance.

After some hours,Nyx packed up her laptop and left to meet Jax. He leaned against his desk, giving her a pointed look. "You wasted time, Nyx. I've been waiting for hours. What took you so long". Nyx shrugged "I'm sorry,you know how it is when I meet Sophia". Jax shook his head through a faint smile and touched his face. "You're so unserious sometimes even if you do work hard". They dove into technical discussions. Nyx requested a specific prototype for her investigative work and the things Jax told her to come get. Jax wrapped the gadgets then put it into a bag together with the documents he told her about. "By the way, I saw some info on that University scholarship". Nyx beamed. " Oh yeah, I got in". Jax broke into a wide grimace. " We need to go to the bar later to celebrate". "I can't. It's girls night at Sophia's" Nyx said.

Later that evening, unwinding on Sophia's couch, Sophia brought up the morning session. "Are you going to admit you were trying to impress Jax, or are we sticking to the database story". Nyx groaned into a pillow playfully. "Really Sophia?, why would you say that". "Right,right. Because any girl always gets super detailed about database systems at five in the morning for just anyone". Sophia teased nudging her. "Look, you have the looks, the brains, and you're just here playing detective. If anyone should have top tier confidence in love and life, it's definitely going to be you". Nyx felt her cheeks burn a little, but a real laugh escaped her. "Confidence in digging up old secrets?Sure. Confidence in flirting and being all lovey dovey? Absolutely zero". " That's why you have me, silly". Sophia said dramatically, putting her right palm over her heart. "Love class 101, don't mention data servers on a date". They both burst out laughing as they ended the night being drunk and sleeping off.

"Ugh,it's morning already?" Nyx said to Sophia as she woke up to get ready for work. "I'm so drowsy". Nyx muttered, rubbing her eyes. "How much alcohol did we drink last night?" "I was about to ask the same thing". Sophia replied with a soft laugh, stretching her arms. "I don't think I want to leave now". " Anyways, when you're done, bring my keys to the coffee shop". Sophia said.

Once Sophia left for her shift, Nyx forced herself out of bed. Today was huge. It was the day she had to complete her clearance one registration for the scholarship program at the state University. Classes starting early the next day. She needed to make sure all her paperwork was sorted out before then. She threw on a simple pair of worn jeans and an oversized T-shirt, pulled her hair back into a quick knot and grabbed her folder. The outfit was straight from Sophia's wardrobe. She grabbed her folder of academic documents. Stepping out into the street, she flagged down a yellow cab. "State University, main administration building", she told the driver, settling into the back seat as the car pulled into traffic. The drive was quite busy because the driver kept arguing with other drivers on the way because of the traffic they were causing. Although, her mind was racing with a mix of anxiety and excitement. When the cab finally pulled up near the Grand Stone gates of the University campus, Nyx paid the driver and stepped out.

The campus was bustling with students, faculty, and administrative staff moving back and forth between sprawling brick structures. She made her way up the wide concrete steps of the main hall and asked for directions to the principal's administrative office.

After waiting in line for almost an hour, she was called in. The administrative staff cleared her scholarship verification, stamped her files, and called over a senior student representative-a bubbly girl wearing a campus ambassador badge.

"Nyx, right?" Welcome to state uni!". The student said. "Come on. I'll give you the ins and outs of the campus, your classrooms and your professors". Nyx nodded her head following her through the winding corridors and sprawling walkways. She was officially enrolled as an anatomy student-a program she had chosen carefully, not just for her love of science, but because she knew it gave her access to advanced labs and specialized University systems. As they walked past the main courtyard, near the science complex, a group of 3 girls standing by a bench turned towards them. As Nyx passed, they started giggling and whispering among themselves. "Look at her hair" one of them murmured loudly enough for the sound to carry over the ambient chatter. "She looks like she just rolled out of bed.... honestly kind of dirty, don't you think?". Another girl giggled, glancing over Nyx's outfit with an amused smirk. Nyx tightened her grip on her folder. It hurt a bit-a sharp sting of humiliation in her chest, but she pushed it down immediately. She didn't have time or energy to care about superficial campus drama. She had bigger things to focus on.

She kept her head up, ignored their whispers and finished the tour with a student guide, who painted the anatomy lecture halls, the main library and the cafeteria. By the time the walkthrough ended, it was late afternoon and Nyx's stomach was growling loud. Realizing she hadn't eaten any for the day, she strolled around to find any shops around. Luckily, she found one. It was a grill shop nearby. She ordered two tacos at the counter and waited as they wrapped them up. Holding the warm paper bag in one hand and adjusting her arm, she turned around quickly to leave and slammed right onto someone standing directly behind her.

"Oh I'm so sorry". Nyx blurted out, stumbling back a step as her bag nearly slipped from her grips. "Hey, easy there", a warm, calm, deep voice said. Nyx looked, standing in front of her was a guy who looked to be six feet tall with pale skin, neat light hair, and an athletic remarkably fit structure. He was wearing a simple, crisp fitted shirt and looked effortlessly put together.

"I didn't see you standing there. My fault" Nyx said quickly, readjusting her stuff.

"No worries at all. I'm completely fine" the guy said with an easy going smile. He noticed the heavy folder tucked under her arm and the University logo on her paperwork.

"Are you looking for a ride back to campus or around town? My car's just across the street."

" Oh no need. I don't stay far from here actually. I can just walk. Thanks though."Nyx replied politely but firmly.

"Alright then. Take care",he said, nodding as he stepped aside to let her pass. "I'm Brook by the way".

"Nyx" she offered over her shoulder before pushing open the door and stepping out into the fresh air.

She ate the tacos while dropping off Sophia's keys at the coffee shop then headed to her apartment building. The sun was beginning to set, casting long orange shadows across the pavement. Her body was exhausted from the walking, awkward encounters and the sheer volume of information she had absorbed throughout the afternoon.

When she reached her apartment door, she unlocked it, put her folder on her desk and collapsed onto her small couch. She pulled out her notebooks intending to start organizing her notes and setting up a timeline for her investigation into her dad's history and her university work also. Before she could write down a single line, a heavy knot sounded at her front door. Nyx froze then stood up and walked over. She checked the peephole and opened the door.

Standing there in the hallway was her landlord. Mr Henderson-a broad, elderly man with graying hair, wearing his usual jacket and holding a clipboard.

"Hey Nyx",he said with a warm, gentle smile. "Sorry to bother you this late, kiddo. Just wanted to drop off the monthly notice regarding the rent and the utility breakdown".

"Oh", Nyx sighed, rubbing her forehead as she continued." Mr Henderson, about the rent, I'm really sorry. I'm still working on getting the funds together. Can I bring it to you next week?"

"Hey, don't sweat it kid", Mr Henderson said softly, waving his hand in dismissal. "I know you're working hard and dealing with a lot, especially with school starting up. Next week is fine. Just take care of yourself okay?"

Mr Henderson genuinely cared for Nyx like a daughter he never had. Knowing she loved alone and managed everything on her own. But Nyx was the kind of person that accepting pity or hands out always made her feel uncomfortable.

"Thank you Mr Henderson. I really appreciate it" she said,offering a small appreciative smirk.

Nyx closed the door and locked it. She leaned against the wood for a moment, letting a long breath out. The money she had left wasn't much at all and she had no idea when her share from her mom's pension would be arriving.

Walking back into her chair, she saw a note under it. It was a receipt and notice from the utility company-stamped *PAID IN FULL*. Below was a small handletter from Mr Henderson.

"Water bill's taken care of for the month. Focus on yourself kiddo".

Nyx stared at the receipt, a mixture of relief and guilt washed over her. The pipes weren't dry anymore. She went into her tiny bathroom and turned the silver shower knobs and warm water came rushing out of the shower. She had a warm bath. After the bath she forgot all about her notebooks and her investigation. Jax's drive and her father's mystery.

Right now she is just exhausted. She wore her night gown and hopped on her bed and closed her eyes, sleeping off.