**Fremantle City, Western Australia.**
There was a building that went all the way up to the cloud that was entirely devoted to gaming on each of its levels.
Some slides allowed one to descend many stories at once. It also contained elevators, but since having fun was seen as being so vital, slides were incorporated into the design as well.
Restaurants, movie theatres, and bowling lanes were all located inside the building itself. They were entertaining, and everyone who worked in the building also lived there, and they completely forgot what it meant to be lonely.
In one of the rooms in the facility is a collection of cutting-edge technologies, the majority of which are being utilised to conduct experiments on human subjects. These technologies include a variety of apparatuses.
Steve Darlene sat in his luxurious office, high up in the cloud-reaching gaming structure that towered over Fremantle City.
His grey eyes scanned the documents on his desk, his mind drifting between business deals and his lifelong pursuit of a cure for his illness.
Despite his impeccable appearance in his fashionable t-shirt and blue jeans, there was a lingering tension in the air around him, a hidden truth that no one but his closest ally knew.
A sharp knock on the door broke the silence.
“Come in,” Steve called, his voice firm but distant.
Shane Morris, Steve’s most trusted friend and right-hand man, stepped inside. He was dressed casually, but there was a formality in his demeanor that never seemed to fade, even after years of working closely together.
“Good morning, boss,” Shane said, his head slightly bowed. “The two werewolves you requested have arrived.”
Steve leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. “Shane, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop calling me ‘boss.’ We’re practically brothers at this point.”
Shane smiled awkwardly. “Sorry, force of habit. But they’re here, and they only have minor bruises.”
Steve nodded, satisfied. “Good. Make sure they’re fed and comfortable before we take them to the lab. I don’t want them injured any further.”
“Understood.” Shane hesitated, then added, “I also brought the CCTV footage from the abandoned house, like you asked.”
“Destroy it,” Steve said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I don’t want anything left that could trace back to us.”
Shane nodded. “I’ll take care of it personally.”
Steve paused, looking down at the papers on his desk. His voice softened. “Do you think this time will be different, Shane? Do you think these werewolves might hold the key?”
Shane, ever the optimist, replied, “If anyone can find the cure, it’s you, Steve.”
Steve gave a small, appreciative smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I hope you’re right. Now, go on, get everything ready.”
As Shane turned to leave, Steve added, “And Shane… thanks. For everything.”
Shane glanced back, a rare moment of warmth passing between the two. “You got it… Steve.”
Once Shane left, Steve picked up his phone, dialing a number with swift precision. The phone rang only once before a man’s voice answered.
“Good morning, Mr. Steve.”
“Doctor,” Steve greeted. “I trust Shane has already spoken with you?”
“Yes, I heard about the new subjects. Unfortunately, I’m at the airport right now, heading out of the country. I won’t be able to get back for another two days.”
Steve’s jaw clenched slightly. “I was hoping you could examine them immediately.”
“I’m sorry, but this trip is crucial. I need to collect the next round of medication for your treatment. It’s vital for managing your condition,” Doctor Eugene explained.
Steve leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration. “I understand. Just make sure everything is ready when you return.”
“Of course, boss. I’ll be back before you know it,” the doctor assured him.
“Safe travels, Doctor.” Steve hung up the phone without waiting for a response, the weight of his illness pressing down on him again. The clock was ticking, and Steve was growing impatient.
“I just need to hold on for a little longer,” Steve muttered to himself, staring out the window at the sprawling city below. He clenched his fists, determination hardening his features. “Soon, the world will finally know who I am.”
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden buzz from his wrist device. It was a reminder of a meeting, but Steve ignored it. His mind was elsewhere-on the cure, on his future, and on the life he’d be able to live once he was free of the disease that had plagued him for so long.
As Steve sat in silence, the door creaked open again. Shane popped his head in, a hesitant look on his face.
“Sorry to bother you again, but I just wanted to confirm… Do you still want me to head out to the crime scene?”
Steve nodded without looking up. “Yes. Make sure there’s nothing left behind. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
Shane gave a quick nod. “Understood.”
Before leaving, Shane hesitated. “Steve… are you okay?”
Steve finally looked up, meeting his friend’s concerned gaze. “I’m fine, Shane. Just… tired.”
Shane stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind him. “You’ve been carrying this weight for too long. You need a break.”
Steve chuckled, though there was no humor in it. “A break? In our line of work? There’s no such thing.”
“Maybe not,” Shane admitted. “But you don’t have to do this alone. We’re in this together, remember?”
Steve leaned back, his expression softening. “I know. And I appreciate that, more than you know.”
There was a brief silence before Shane spoke again. “I’ll get everything ready for the lab. Take care of yourself, Steve.”
“You too, Shane.” Steve watched as his friend left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Alone again, Steve leaned forward, resting his head in his hands. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts-his illness, the werewolves, the experiments, and the life he was fighting to reclaim.
“I will find a cure,” he whispered to himself, a fire burning in his eyes. “No matter what it takes.”
With renewed determination, Steve stood up, pacing the room as he planned his next steps. He wouldn’t let this disease define him.
He was Steve Darlene, the youngest billionaire in Western Australia, and soon, the world would know the real him-strong, healthy, and unstoppable.
For now, all he could do was wait. Wait for the cure. Wait for the moment he could finally reveal his true self to the world.
But deep down, Steve knew that time was running out.
And he wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait.