The phone call fell into a sudden hush as Adelmo's words lingered in the air.
"That's odd," he mused, breaking the silence.
"You don't see animals having heart attacks. I wonder what would scare them that much?"
The curiosity in his voice was palpable, hinting at a deeper mystery that begged to be unraveled. Nik listened intently, absorbing Adelmo's words with a furrowed brow, equally intrigued by the enigma at hand.
Adelmo reassured Nik that missing lunch was not a concern, his focus already shifting to the peculiar events unfolding in town.
"Just let me know what you find out about what is going on around town," he urged, a sense of determination coloring his tone. "So I am prepared if I witness anything. I will be at the restaurant for a little while. I am going to eat and then do some of my own research, so take it easy." Nik's response was brief but warm, echoing Adelmo's sentiments as they exchanged well wishes before ending the call.
With the conversation concluded, Adelmo settled back in his seat, the weight of impending tasks pressing against his thoughts. He knew he had to grab a quick bite before heading to the lab, his mind already racing with plans for investigation.
As the waitress set down his plate of food, Adelmo's mind began to wander. The bustling city outside seemed to hold secrets that were just out of reach. The thought of what could be lurking in the shadows sent a shiver down his spine. What could possibly be causing such fear in the animals of the city? The image of the man purchasing vampire and werewolf books flashed through his mind, igniting a spark of curiosity. Was there truly a supernatural presence at play, or was it simply the work of a wild animal on the loose?
With each bite of his meal, Adelmo's thoughts raced, trying to piece together the puzzle before him. The idea of encountering a vampire or werewolf seemed far-fetched, yet the evidence was beginning to stack up. Could it be that the creatures of myth and legend were more than just stories? The possibility lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the city that Adelmo couldn't shake. The clock on the wall ticked away, each second bringing him closer to the truth he sought.
Finishing his lunch, Adelmo glanced at the time and realized that the day was slipping away faster than he had anticipated. The mystery of the city's strange occurrences weighed heavily on his mind as he contemplated his next move. Would he dare to venture out into the unknown, risking an encounter with a creature of the night? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain - Adelmo's curiosity had been piqued, and he was determined to uncover the secrets that lay hidden in the shadows of the city.
With a growing sense of anticipation, he made his way towards the laboratory, eager to engage in a conversation with the enigmatic scientist. The scientist's cryptic remarks had piqued his curiosity, leaving him yearning to uncover the truth. As he arrived at the lab, his eyes were drawn to the peculiar scratch marks etched onto the door, reminiscent of the ones he had previously encountered at the convenience store. However, it seemed that whatever had left those marks had failed to breach the confines of the laboratory. Perhaps it was a ravenous creature enticed by the scent of food, or maybe something far more sinister lurked in the shadows.
Stepping inside, he initiated a conversation with the scientist, his voice laced with intrigue. Inquisitively, he probed the scientist about the composition of the DNA. The scientist's response sent shivers down his spine, for it revealed a startling revelation. Animals possessed DNA strands that were markedly distinct from those of humans, yet the peculiar aspect lay in the uncanny resemblance of the DNA to a fusion of both animal and human genetic material. Adelmo's mind raced with questions, contemplating the possibility of animal DNA being injected into a human. The scientist, caught off guard, confessed that such an experiment had never been attempted before, leaving them both in a realm of uncertainty. The scientist hypothesized that the introduction of foreign DNA into a human body would result in a lethal outcome, either annihilating the foreign DNA or claiming the life of the individual injected. The inexplicable nature of the DNA perplexed Adelmo, leading his thoughts to wander towards the realm of mythical creatures like werewolves, although he dismissed it as an unlikely explanation.
Expressing his gratitude, Adelmo bid farewell to the scientist and embarked on a solitary journey to gather his scattered thoughts. The weight of the revelation hung heavily upon him, urging him to delve deeper into the enigma that had unfolded before him. As he traversed the streets, his mind buzzed with a multitude of possibilities and theories. The fusion of animal and human DNA defied conventional understanding, leaving him with a sense of unease and a burning desire to uncover the truth. Adelmo knew that he had stumbled upon something extraordinary, something that could potentially alter the course of scientific knowledge. With each step, he resolved to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden within the intricate strands of DNA, determined to shed light on the perplexing enigma that had consumed his thoughts.
Adelmo made his way to the police station, eager to gather some valuable information from Nik. After a short journey from the police lab, he arrived at the station and approached the front desk. With a polite smile, he inquired about Nik's availability to the lady at the desk. Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she asked Adelmo to reveal his identity. Without hesitation, Adelmo confidently replied, "Tell him it is Adelmo." The secretary's annoyance was evident as she sharply turned away, muttering an irritated response before disappearing around the corner. Moments later, she reappeared, accompanied by Nik himself.
Nik warmly welcomed Adelmo and invited him into his office. Adelmo gladly accepted the invitation, as he had a series of pressing questions to ask. As they entered the office, Nik gestured for Adelmo to take a seat, signaling that it was time to get down to business. Adelmo settled comfortably into the chair, eagerly awaiting the conversation. Sensing Adelmo's thirst, Nik kindly offered him a cup of coffee. However, Adelmo's parched throat yearned for something more refreshing, so he politely requested a cup of water as well. While Nik went to fetch the beverages, Adelmo discreetly slipped Nik's key card for the lab back into his coat pocket, ensuring it remained unnoticed. With the key card safely returned, Adelmo resumed his seat, patiently awaiting Nik's return.