Chapter 45: Golden Murdock (8)
As I slowly turned the handle, the door creaked open with a long, high-pitched screech that echoed through the hallway.
Strangely, the cherry blossom scent that had been seeping through the door weakened the more it opened.
And when the door fully swung wide, what lay before me wasn’t what I’d expected at all.
A neatly decorated reception room.
Soft fluorescent lights bathed the space in a gentle glow. A faint floral air freshener tickled the edge of my nose.
The pastel-toned wallpaper was decorated with rainbows, clouds, and tiny birds. The rounded furniture gave the room a warm, cozy feeling.
The floor was tiled with colorful puzzle mats, and on one side of the room, children’s storybooks were stacked neatly.
It looked more like a daycare or a kindergarten classroom than anything else.
In the center of the room, a large monitor had been installed, and within it, a small white bird fluttered its wings as it floated about.
Its round eyes and soft feathers moved so vividly, it was hard to believe it wasn’t alive.
In front of the monitor sat a young female researcher.
Her hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a white lab coat. A bright smile lit up her face.