Maxwell Caine: A Curious Nobody

by Maddie Girouard

---

The first time I saw the team, it was a Monday, and I had just eaten lunch.

That’s important because I had fresh food in my stomach, and that fact was almost problematic for me.

It was 2:30ish in the afternoon, so that was typical head-to-the-break-room time. You can never go wrong with a good snack, but I do try to limit myself when I’m at work.

I heard knocks at the front door, which was definitely new for this place. If you’re showing up, you either work here and have a keycard, or you’re a delivery person, and you ring the doorbell. Nobody knocks. No one.

Sooooo the curiosity in me wanted to answer that literal and metaphorical door. But unfortunately for my curiosity, Ember cut me off. Rude, as always. To give you some slight info on Ember, she is a...colleague of mine. Above me in rank, yes, but authority or not, I have earned a certain level of respect around here. Ember, however, refuses to respect ANYONE below her, which she seems to think is everyone. So, colleague.

But I digress. Back to the door.

Ember shoved past me and stood in front of it. She gave me her signature “get away from me” look, and curiosity be darned, I raised my hands in defeat, and turned the corner to continue my journey.

I made my way to the break room to get my standard post-lunch pack of M&M’s. A small little package of happiness in this upsettingly dark place. I went to the vending machine, put in my change, bada bing bada boom, chocolate! You take any bit of joy you can around here, and chocolate usually does it for me.

Today’s poison of choice: PEANUT M&M’s.

Another coworker of mine, Eli, was there taking his lunch break. We made casual water cooler talk, and then I was on my merry way, candy in tow. As I headed back to my office, I decided to take a little peek by the boss’s side of the unit. Ya know, just to see if anything cool was happening.

I was walking by his office, eating my M&M’s, when I saw a group in there with him. I didn’t know who they were, but if they were meeting with him, they must have been important. They must’ve been who Ember let in. I mean, not just anyone gets an audience with the boss. It takes a lot to meet with Mr. Shaw. You’ve either done something really bad, or really good. And the latter doesn’t happen too often, for ANYONE around here.

I’ll admit, maybe I shouldn’t have snooped. No, I DEFINITELY shouldn't have snooped. But I was curious! And I didn’t think it would hurt to just take a peek.

I listened through his door a little bit, trying to hear what he was telling them. I could only catch bits and pieces due to my excessive need to constantly verify that no one was watching me. Anxiety, am I right?

...ANYWAY!

I couldn’t hear with the chewing, so I sorta just stopped. So there I was:

Hunched over,
in the dark,
standing outside my boss’s office,
with a mouth full of melting m&ms.

What a sight.

I was pulled from my self-imposed embarrassment when I heard Mr. Shaw say: “Because according to anyone else besides Syntec, I don’t exist. Therein lies the second reason for our organization name: many of us were already ‘redacted’ by Syntec ourselves, torn from normal society. We can only exist in the shadows now, and this is how we choose to fight that.”

Oh, so he’s just straight up telling them about us? Who are these people?

I gathered enough courage to peek in through the window again, and that’s when I saw it:

It was Mr. Shaw, but there were two of him. One standing up, talking to the group, and one laying on a pile of boxes, still as stone.

Now, I pride myself on having a tough stomach, being desensitized to things like this. Things like THAT. But I was caught off guard, so I’ll admit, I kinda choked on my M&M’s. It’s not every day you see your boss staring at the dead version of himself, smiling like it’s just another Monday - although his smiles never matched that mood either.

Once I composed myself from the choking fit, I went back to his door and, after checking my surroundings, I peeked through the window again.

...His fingers are missing?!

Okay, so that I’m actually more familiar with. But who were these people? And why was Mr. Shaw telling them our secrets?

They talked a little bit more, and as they were leaving, Mr. Shaw addressed them as Project 863?

Project 863. Hmm...

Cue research montage music.

---

Tuesday

Okay, full disclosure, I have a habit of wandering. As a result, it is probably by accident that I stumbled across these things. Well...at least, the first few of these things. After that, I’m not responsible for where my curiosity leads me.

Being an archivist, my current occupational position doesn’t allow me many fun moments. To say it’s not remotely stimulating would be a lie, but it wouldn’t be to say that my job usually isn’t fun, entertaining, or - let’s be honest - meaningful.

I really just spend my time looking busy, staying out of the way, and trying to find intrigue where I can.

Ahh, and that’s where the team comes in. Project 863.

After googling, and watching a plethora of YouTube videos, I have come to the realization that they know a good chunk of info about Syntec. That’s...good to know. It also adds to why Mr. Shaw was comfortable telling them about us.

Okay, Tuesday. It was early, and I was bored, so I was walking around the office. I saw Project 863 outside Mr. Shaw’s door, but there were only three of them today. They were missing the stand in. Videos say her name is Bailey. She is the physical representation of the audience that watches their YouTube videos. Wait, am I subject four now too since I’ve seen the videos? Eh, maybe. Anyway, the tall man, subject one, is Matthew Fredrick, but they call him Matt. Subject two, Sam, is the tall woman. Subject three is Woods, the short man - sorry dude, I guess I could’ve just said the other man? Well, we’re past that now.

After seeing the group, I was definitely curious as to why they were back. What, was he going to show them another body, but this one is missing its toes?

As I walked by, closer this time, I saw him offering them a drink. Ya know, a drink drink. Insert eye roll here. For a boss, he sure does have non-boss-like qualities. But I guess we’re all bad, right?

Today I tried to be less suspicious, because for some reason I forgot that cameras exist. Although I hadn’t been confronted yet, I should definitely be more careful. So instead of just standing by his office like last time, I just kept walking BY his office.

Ya know, like a crazy person.

Deb’s death...Magnolia...integrate...so he’s going to let them look around? Hmm, I guess that makes sense. Oh, wait. Now they’re leaving. Well, some of them are? Sam and Woods are outside of his office now, but Matt is still in there. Huh, weird.

Now that there were witnesses, I decided to call it a day - at least on the snooping front. I don’t know how much longer they were there, but at my post-lunch snack run, nobody was in there, so I assumed they had already left.

---

Wednesday

I was interested to see if the team would be visiting our office again today, but unfortunately, I had a lot of work I needed to do. Oddly enough, just because you want something to go away doesn’t mean it will. Who knew?

I spent a few hours working when I saw it was lunch time. I actually brought my lunch today, so I was headed to the break room to heat up my food when someone grabbed my arm, causing me to drop my food and-

“Ms. Caine, lovely to see you. I’ve been attempting to track you down, but every time I go to your office, you’re conveniently not there.”

“Oh, is that so? Well that sure is odd, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.”

Ugh, his smile is always so aggravating. Like, there is no reason for you to be smiling like that right now dude. You doing that just makes me want to hit you, but I can’t do that because you’re my boss. And assaulting someone is illegal, but...anyway.

“Well, now that you’ve caught me, literally, what did you want to discuss, sir?”

“I think you know exactly what I want to discuss, Ms. Caine.”

“I really don’t, sir.”

“Ms. Caine.”

“Mr. Shaw.”

“Ms. Caine.”

“Mr. Shaw.”

At that point I was over it. There’s no sense in me dealing with him when neither of us was going to say anything important. But as I went to pull away...

“Well, if there’s nothing you want to talk about I really should be go-”

“Maxwell.”

NOPE. I’d take his creepy, narcissistic smiles over whatever THAT was any day.

“...sir.”

“Maxwell, you’re not stupid. I wouldn’t keep you around if you were. But you and I both know what you did. What the cameras caught you doing. If I ever catch you lurking where you shouldn’t be again, there will be severe consequences. You don’t want to suffer those severe consequences again, do you?”

The scar on my arm became noticeably more uncomfortable.

“...no sir.”

“Good. Now, do you have anything to say to me?”

And obviously, I said what any respectful, confident, hard-working young woman would say:

“Forgive my incompetence, sir. My apologies for the intrusion. It will never happen again.”

“I’m certain it won’t. You know what’ll happen if it does. Now pick up your food, you’re embarrassing yourself.”

The more I thought about what just happened, the less I wanted to eat anything. I went back to my office and ended up throwing my food away.

...What?

Look, I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not fair. I’m alone here! If nobody else is going to watch my back, I have to do what I can to watch my own, even if my dignity has to take a hit sometimes. I would quit if I could, but I can’t.

I just...

I can’t.

---

Thursday

I don’t know if the team stopped by today. After yesterday, I kinda don’t want to chance running into Mr. Shaw today. I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of what I know he’s done, but let’s just say it’s enough to know you don’t want to cross him, especially if you have no army to back you up.

I hope Matt and the team aren’t getting in over their heads with him. But if he brought them in for something big, why hasn’t he told us about it?

Is he hiding something from us?

If he is, maybe it’s best that we don’t know...

Nah, screw that. I wanna know everything.

---

Friday

I spent the bulk of today organizing some new documents. New stuff is always interesting because it gives me something different to figure out. Plus, I like hearing about what was going on in every area of Syntec. We don’t know everything, but I’m probably as close as it gets.

I rewarded myself with a brain break, and I went and visited Leon, our resident engineering genius. Dude’s a pretty cool guy, and after looking into the 863 team a little more, I think he and Woods could be friends. Maybe not in this life, but in another.

Leon was working in the warehouse when I visited.

“Sup Leon?”

“Max! How ya been? It’s been a hot minute since you stopped by.”

“I know, I know. Life’s just been busy lately, but I’ve been good. How about you?”

“Oh I’m good. Got a chance to meet those Project 863 people. They seem pretty chill. What’d you think of them?”

“Oh, I haven’t met them yet.”

“Bummer. I’m sure you’ll get a chance soon!”

“Eh, I don’t think so. It’s not like I really do anything that they’d even remotely be interested in hearing about.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about your job. You matter just as much as the rest of us here.”

“Thanks dude.”

“No problem! Hey, I hate to be that guy, but...”

He wiggled the helmet he was working on.

“Oh! Right! Sorry for interrupting your super smart engineering activities. I’ll get out of your hair now. Your luxurious, strawberry blonde hair.”

He knew I was joking, but because you can’t hear me, imagine the faux swooning that was most definitely there.

“Thank you for noticing my meticulous grooming habits.”

“Okay now you made it weird.”

“YOU’RE the one that brought up my gorgeous locks.”

“Touché, touché. Adios!”

“Goodbye magnificent chocolatey waves of...uhh?”

“Shut up! Goodbye!” I laughed and left him to his own devices.

There are a few good eggs in the office, and I really think Leon is one of them. I just hope he doesn’t fall too far in with the wrong crowd.

I’ve seen the way Ember is around him, and I don’t want him being ruined in a way he can’t come back from. I don’t want that to happen to any of us.

I was just about to get settled in for the- I-I mean leave. I was just about to leave, when I saw the 863 people get back to their office. After watching a few more of their videos, I realized that they were right across the parking lot from us. That explains why I saw Jasper drop a note off over there a few days ago. That must have been how they knew to knock.

I watched them pull up to the studio as a black vehicle pulled in behind them. Whoever it was must’ve put the team on high alert, because the girls got out and ran to their cars, and then Matt left first, black car following suit. There was still one more car there, so I guess Woods was still with Matt.

I hope the team is okay.

---

Saturday

The following day, I was taking my break, and decided to just wander around the office listening to some music. Not too loudly though, always gotta be prepared and all that. I’m glad it wasn’t loud enough to prevent me from hearing Mr. Shaw on the stairs, or else I would’ve accidentally ran into him.

Don’t want that to happen again.

As I waited to turn the corner, I heard him address the team.

“Hello hello, Project 863.”

...Oh, he’s giving them a key to the front door? Wow, so he must really trust them.

I didn’t dare follow them this time, but I really wanted to know why they were here, and why Jasper was taking such a big step with them.

Fate, however, decided to help ease a portion of my curiosity. A little bit later, purely by happenstance, I saw them walk out of the clinic and into the archival room we have here in the office for all documents pertaining to Syntec.

In other words, they just walked out of the good ol’ doctor’s office, and into MY office. But if they didn’t come looking for me, I’ll assume that means Arden didn’t mention me.

Of course he didn’t, why would he?

It’s not like I work here and pass him in the halls a fair amount of times. It surely COULDN’T be enough times to put a face to a name. Not enough to recommend that people seeking your services go and approach you for those exact services. Nooo, pffft.

I don’t even know why I’m here. Mr. Shaw acts like it’s so strange to see me spread out across the unit at various times of the day when he’s the one who put me in an office across the entire building from my work space.

Yeah Leon, I’m soooo important. Ya know, I care about the work that I do, but it seems as if literally no one else does.

I thought about maybe going in there and introducing myself to see if I could help them with anything.

After all, I have laid eyes on every single piece of paper that room contains. If Syntec documented something, drew up schematics, or took a photo of anything, odds are I’ve seen it, restored it, and put it in that room. I would probably be very helpful in locating exactly what they wanted to find.

However, by the time I worked up the courage to go talk to them, they were done with the archive, and had already left.

I’m not sure what upsets me more: that Arden didn’t bother to introduce them to me, or that I couldn’t even work up enough courage to introduce myself.

Way to go Caine.

---

I may not have noticed when the 863 people left earlier, but it was kinda hard to miss Matt practically storming back into the building hours later. Truth be told, I was on my way to the break room to get a bottle of water, but when Matt walked in, I decided to hang back a little. I didn’t know where he was going, but I figured I should give him some time to get there.

Roughly 10 minutes later, I decided to continue my journey to the break room, only to realize that Matt and Mr. Shaw were in there. It’s best if I not enter that room right now...but maybe I could just chill outside of it.

Oh, they’re just talking about Poppy. About her accident. Well, not her accident. The accident Syntec willingly let happen. I’ve read the reports, I’ve seen the pictures. Poor girl. Syntec truly was a disgusting place.

I’ve seen and experienced more than enough evidence to prove it.

---

Sunday

The team showed up again today. They’re making coming here a real habit, regardless of what day it is. I was passing Ember’s office when I heard her say...

“You were spying on us?”

Then Matt...

“The door was open, I was heading out, I didn’t mean to hear it.”

Ember...

“No, you just made sure to stick around and listen to all of it, right?”

I get that. I mean, it is what I’m doing right now. Fate has a way of letting people end up in situations that are necessary for them. Might not always be obvious why, but there’s a reason.

“GR. That’s who your uncle is, right?”

I mean, I knew that. Of course I did. Every document, remember?

Oops, someone is coming. Guess that’s where I leave this conversation.

---

Monday

It’s unfortunate that I can’t just spy on whoever I want all the time. That sounds creepy, and maybe right now it still should be, but I don’t like not having every piece to the puzzle. These people, Project 863, they’re a puzzle. A puzzle I really want to solve.

Almost to the point of needing it.

But, as I said earlier, fate likes playing games too. And luckily for me, right now, fate was on my side.

They were in Arden’s clinic today. The doc was in there with Rylee and Rory - twins that were tested on by Syntec, according to their papers. I overheard them talking about the Dreamcast device. It’s honestly a pretty cool piece of tech. Definitely something worthy of attention.

I saw doctor dearest put the Dreamcast device on Matt. After a few moments, the screen lit up with Matt’s memory. I can’t get into the specifics, but it was very detailed. Yet another powerful machine we have at our disposal.

Someone should really keep an eye on those. Hmph, maybe they’ll let me start keeping tech in the archives.

---

Wait, what’s happening?

Sorry, uh, we’re on lockdown right now, and unfortunately, all of our doors lock from the outside, so I am currently locked in the archives. We don’t do drills, so this is definitely something extreme. I don’t know where anybody else is, and I’m alone in here.

Crazy way to spend a Monday.

---

Not much else to say except that I spent the next hour or so just sitting in that room messing with my phone. I could’ve entertained myself better if I was in my office, but noooo. I got locked in the room with a bunch of papers dictating various levels of torturous biotech trials. What great recreational reading material, I say as sarcastically as possible.

But the universe decided to give me a little reward for...well, I’m not exactly sure, but I’m also not complaining.

Puzzles sure are fun.

---

The lockdown ended a few hours ago, so that’s good. I’m not sure what happened, but I guess if it’s important enough they’ll tell us...or they won’t.

Also, it’s kinda hard to explain why I stay at the office as late as I do, so I’m just not gonna try. But me being here late is the only way that I could’ve managed to catch this.

I was inside the main lobby of the office when I heard some noises coming from outside. I looked out the window and noticed a person in all black with glowing red goggles walking up to our door. Ah, a phantom. So is that what they were investigating? Seems like too little of an issue for Jasper to bring outsiders in for.

Oh, to be clear, I AM worried. Phantoms shouldn’t be active right now, so this is a peculiar situation, but from what I’ve seen, these people are good at solving puzzles too.

Hopefully I’ll get to officially meet them some day.

Anyway, before the phantom could open the door, Ember ran out of the unit across the lot from us. Project 863’s unit. Welp, definitely didn’t expect to see her there.

Wait, is that-

“Leon!”

Wait, what?! No, Leon isn’t...I mean, h-he was, but...no. Oh, poor Leon. He didn’t even look like himself anymore. But I know being a phantom does that to you.

After Ember approached him, talked to him, and then yelled at him, Matt spoke up.

THAT got Leon’s attention.

I couldn’t hear what was said, but suddenly, Leon tossed Ember aside, and took off running to the side of the building. Woods ran after him, and it was only then that I noticed the other man and woman with the team. They’re teaming up with Jim and Jordan? I mean, it is a smart idea. They have a lot of insight into Syntec.

Good for them, they were solving the puzzle too.

Jordan and Jim followed Woods, and that’s when I ran to the back of the unit to see if I could find Leon.

Didn’t take long for me to see him getting into a black mountaineer right outside of one of our garages. The 863 team ran around the corner and ended up right in the line of fire.

Now, I knew what phantoms could be made to do, and I didn’t like the scene that was unfolding in front of me, but there was nothing I could do about it. All I could do was watch.

Then Leon stepped on the gas.

I thought that was it. I thought he was going to run over all of them, and that THAT would be the end of Project 863. Death by phantom. Sucky way to go.

But something happened.

There was this bright flash of light, and then...

CRASH.

Leon.

Ember.

She ran toward the smoking car that was crunched up against a brick wall. If I could just get out there and help them. I desperately wanted to help them. All of them.

Jim went and yanked Leon out of the car, and the team took Leon to a different vehicle. After a few moments of talking, they let Jim drive away with Leon in the back seat, handcuffed and unconscious.

Poor, poor Leon.

---

Tuesday

I didn’t see the team today, but that makes sense. Last night was very eventful, in a bad way. I was actually looking forward to a boring day of paperwork.

But of course, things don’t always go the way you want them to.

It’s not that I don’t expect to be snuck up on, I definitely do. But sometimes it’s the person doing the sneaking that makes it so startling.

I was minding my own business in the archives when suddenly...

“I told you what would happen if I caught you sneaking around again!”

Oh look. It’s Jasper. Yaaaaay.

“Oh hello, nice to see you too.”

“Drop the act, Caine. It’s just the two of us.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Maxwell, there’s no use in pretending like you have friends around here. You and I both know the truth: That you’re a sad, lonely person who gets scared to talk to people. That you fake this bravado with me from time to time, but that you seriously need to stop doing because it’s only embarrassing you more. And that an ability as magnificent as yours shouldn’t be wasted on someone as inconsequential as you.”

“Ouch dude. How long ya been holdin’ that one in? I just meant that other personnel could’ve been in here on the other side of the room or something. The archive is a pretty big place. No need to go all villain monologue-y on me like that.”

He didn’t appreciate my joke. I thought it was funny. I think you do too.

“What were you doing sneaking around the office last night?”

“I wasn’t sneaking around. I just thought I’d look around for a little bit.”

Maybe it was the emotions from what I witnessed last night. Maybe I was just over everything. But I was NOT willing to put up with Jasper’s irritating personality today.

“Ms. Caine, it is in your best interest that you do not take that tone with me. I told you-”

“Who cares!”

“...Excuse me?”

“Who. Cares.”

“I don’t quite understand what you’re alluding to, Ms. Caine. Please, enlighten me about this little outburst of yours.”

“Hah! Outburst? Actually, no. I’m NOT going to ‘enlighten’ you, Jasper.”

“Maxwell, we can march into the lab right now and-”

“And what?! Ya gonna kill me? In case you forgot, you already tried that buddy! It didn’t stick.”

Well THAT did something.

Jasper just stood there. I wouldn’t be so bold as to say he was stunned, but there was definitely something speechless about his demeanor.

He looked at the scar on my arm for a brief second, and then he met my eyes again.

After a minute or so of both of us just glaring at each other, Jasper adjusted his jacket, straightened the cuffs of his sleeves, and began to walk away.

“Just because I can’t kill you doesn’t mean I won’t get you as close to death as possible.”

Yeah yeah, whatever.

Oh, right. Uhh, I don’t think you need to understand the context of that conversation.

Not right now, at least. Eventually, maybe.

---

Wednesday

I don’t know what time they got here today, but when I walked past Arden’s clinic, they were in there by themselves.

Wait, is this another plan? Ember had just called Arden to her office, but it’s not unusual for people to contact one another via the PA, so I didn’t think anything of it.

Oh, really guys? Y’all are better than this. That’s snooping behavior if I’ve ever seen it, and I definitely have. Anyone who walks by could see that you guys shouldn’t be in here right now. You’re lucky it’s just me.

Wait, someone’s coming. Oh no, it’s Arden. Well that’s not good.

Aaaand he’s in the lab now.

And now the door is closed.

Here’s to hoping you guys know what you’re doing.

I got a little closer so I could hear what they were saying.

“So you are still loyal to Nelson, then.”

I KNEW Arden was still on Syntec’s side!

I couldn’t hear most of what they were saying, but as Sam and Bailey approached the door, I thought it best to not be standing right there when it opened.

I stayed around the corner, hoping that no one would enter the hallway, but right when I thought everything was okay, I heard a loud sound I can’t even begin to describe, and a guttural yell emanated from the lab.

It took a few moments for me to process what I had heard, and as I turned the corner to go back to the door of the lab, I was nearly knocked over by a hooded figure running the other way.

Wait, was that?...No. It couldn’t be. Why would it be?

I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard the team yelling, and I guess others did too, because as I was turning the corner, so were a few other coworkers of mine. As Eli unlocked the door of the lab, we all saw what had transpired.

Jennifer fainted and fell into my arms, which I thought was a tad dramatic, but she did always have that kind of flair, and given the situation, I could almost understand.

Behind the team lay Arden, his body cleanly severed at the waist.

We just stood there, and I could tell that Eli thought it was their fault. I knew he would tell Jasper as much. That they killed Arden.

But I knew they didn’t. Don’t worry guys, I know you didn’t.

But who did?

Man, this puzzle just got a lot more complicated...and I can’t wait
to solve it.

---