Autumn-vale

A not-so-extravagant pastel blue car passed by, gushing through the sharp turnings of the narrow lanes.

The vehicle was new, evident from its shine, but also covered in newly made careless dents.

It slowed down as it neared a signboard "Autumn-vale."  She gave a glance before she strengthened her gaze and hit the accelerator.

During her journey, she made a few stops to grab some food and take short breaks.

Ultimately, the automobile arrived at its destination and relaxed in the damp soil.

Harshly shutting the door after her, she entered the average-looking building with her weapons.

In the darkness of the room, she fumbled for the switch of her flashlight and finally managed to illuminate the side walls.

As the beam of light swept across the room, she carefully scanned the area, her heart pounding with anticipation.

As she switched off the torch, a dimly lit dome-shaped area came into view. In the center of which, a unique chair with intricate carvings was positioned firmly on the ground, casting intriguing shadows in the faint light.

The room contained ropes designed for restraining humans and various wires arranged in a manner reminiscent of an experimental apparatus.

Sayaka collapsed to the ground at its sight; a series of strange noises mixed with the scary screams of a little girl were heard.

She tightly pressed her hands against both her ears, blocking out all sound, and then closed her eyes tightly. At that moment, a series of quick, red-tinted horror visions flashed through her mind before disappearing just as quickly.

After a moment of deep breaths and quieting her racing thoughts, Sayaka managed to regain her composure. With conscious movements, she slowly rose to her feet.

She proceeded down the corridor on the opposite side of the dome, pausing in the dimly lit alley.

She bent down, brushed her fingers on the dusty floor, and located a square tile, completely hidden from the bare eye.

When she stepped on it with her right foot, a passageway with stairs leading down into the dark opened up on the right side wall.

She descended with her torch in hand, alert as ever.

She froze at the end of the stairs, not because of someone but because of the room.

It contained everything you require to torment humans.

There stood compartments made of metal but used for raising humans like cattle.

As she moves through the rows of countless cells, her steps lead her to a particular one marked with the number "88." The metal plate is securely screwed onto the door.

Her eyes soften as she takes in the sight of dried blood stains and layers of dirt that have accumulated within the confines of the cell.

As she stands before the cell, she carefully rolls up her left sleeve, revealing a tattoo of the number "88" etched on her skin.

With a determined look in her eyes, she swiftly reaches for a hammer, using it to forcefully break off the lock securing the cell door.

With the path now clear, she unlocks the cell and then proceeds to lift the bottom metal plate with a sense of urgency and purpose.

Underneath it was an acrylic box containing 12 identical translucent liquids, each with small glass bottles.

She quickly placed the box in her bag and left the cell.

What were those bottles about?

How was she related to this place?

Has she been here before?

[Meet you in the next part, with a glimpse of the back story!]

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