Chapter Text
Unable to move and unable to talk; Santana might as well have been dead. Santana had been trapped in a petrified state for years, ever since he had encountered the cursed primitive they call JoJo.
Even feeling pain would have been better than the nothingness he had felt for so long. The apes that kept him in custody, only graced him with their presence once every few months; it appeared that they had forgotten all about the man they kept imprisoned
It only made sense he would end up in this position, it was no wonder he had been left behind all those years ago by the man who raised him.
---Prologue end---
You had been sitting at your desk all day, groaning you stretched dramatically.
It's not that you hated your job at the Speedwagon foundation; but you couldn't help but think that working for the Supernatural Research department would be more eventful. But so far you had been stuck reading case files, reports and other documents; occasionally you'd be blessed with artefacts to inspect, but that was about as interesting as your job got for the most part.
Still, that wasn't to say the case files and artefacts you inspected weren't interesting; you often wondered how it was even possible for the foundation to hide such wonders from the public in the first place.
You were also glad to be working in the Washington branch. The prime location and headquarters often meant that you got a glimpse of more otherworldly happenings. Unfortunately, those happenings were out of your jurisdiction; you often never saw them again as they were hastily taken to the practicals team.
At least the foundation had amazing benefits and bonuses besides the pay; your moving expenses were taking care of, you were living in an amazing location with a beautiful house, and if the job ever took you out of the country; all travel expenses were taken care of also. Besides the tedious work, you really couldn't have asked for a better job. All the foundation asked for in return was your confidentiality.
--- ---
Your colleague, Matias, beckoned you, as you took your fifth stroll around the office that day, "Hey Y/N, can you go over these files for me?" Looking at the young man, you crossed your arms, "I guess, but why can't you?"
Matias pouted, "aw Y/N, I stared at these documents for a whole day and I'm still not interested." Rubbing your forehead, you sighed, "stop pawning off your work on me Matias." You took the folder, eyeing the young man. "Come on, we all do it and you're the best one anyway. I promise Y/N I've got you next time." Matias chimed as he thanked you.
"Whatever Matias." You chuckled, walking back to your desk.
It wasn't uncommon for the members of your office to pass work and tasks onto each other; it was so common in fact, that coworkers would practically beg to take work of each others hands; all in the hopes that they would get an exhilarating case. The foundation didn't seem to care as long as the work got done and it was evident who did it; you couldn't say the same for the rest of the department though, much less the rest of the foundation. You imagined it was far less laissez-faire with the individuals who actually got to work around the supernatural.
Sitting back at your desk, you had to pat yourself on the back at Matias' earlier comment. You knew you were qualified for your job; that still didn't mean you didn't enjoy hearing someone else say it.
Tapping on your desk, you stared at your 'complete' and 'incomplete' trays, always being on top of your work; it was no surprise that your incomplete tray was empty. You almost didn't want to add Matias' rejected work to aforementioned empty tray.
"What else is there to do?" You whispered to yourself, as you picked up the folder; you now took note of its significant weight. Dark, bold letters screamed at you as you opened to the first file; the words 'PILLAR MEN' grabbed your attention. You now straightened in your seat, you had heard about the Pillar Men before. You were given a summary case file on them awhile ago when you got the chance to inspect one of their stone mask. You shuddered as you remembered what little information was given to you and the stone mask seemed to just stare at you; they truly were tyrants. Their leader had been knocked into space some 82 years ago, ending their reign of terror; and it was all in the name of being able to conquer the sun, you supposed you couldn't knock them for wanting to better themselves. They were definitely the more exciting of all the supernatural occurrences that had come your way since working at the foundation.
Turning the file over to read the back you begun what you knew was going to be a long afternoon.
--- ---
Inhaling deeply, you put the file down on to your desk, rubbing your eyes as you stretched once more. You hadn't moved for 3 hours and that was just for reading the file; you had yet to actually begin writing your report. The whole case file was very intriguing, too intriguing to believe that your colleague wasn't interested; you suspected he never read it at all like he claimed. But you were stunned to find out that not only did one of the Pillar Men survive; but he was currently located in your department, somewhere deep underground with UV lights on him at all times.
The information excited you to say the least, you looked down at the floor wondering if just below your feet was a ancient, disgruntled, comatose man. The exciting thought reigniting your motivation; you hastily began work on your report.
--- ---
Walking into your house, you clumsily kicked your shoes off, throwing your jacket onto the sofa. Entering your bathroom, you washed your face and brushed your teeth. The files information relaying in your mind; you were surprised that you were able to finish the report, considering how hefty the file was.
Flopping down on your bed, you cursed all those that got a chance to study such a phenomenon
--- ---
"Good morning Y/N!" You didn't even have a chance to place your briefcase on your desk, before Matias eagerly walked to you, holding your coffee. You sighed as you sat down, it was a good thing Matias was so lovable; if it had been anyone else to come up to you so early, you would have ignored them. "Thanks again for taking that file of my hands Y/N.” Matias carefully handed you your cup as he sat on the edge of your desk. "Don't worry about it, you missed out though; it was very interesting." You cooed before taking a sip.
Matias tilted his head, "really? Well, you were probably more capable of handling something of that bulk anyway. I'd have probably mixed it up with another case file by now." Chuckling you leaned back into your chair, "please you flatter me too much, your completion record is just as good as mine."
Matias laughed, "Yeah whatever."
A sudden silence filled the office, as everyone went quiet almost immediately; turning their heads as they did so. You too turned your head to the direction everyone was facing, looking for the cause of interruption.
Your supervisor and a large man you recognised as the Head of the Department, cooly walked in.
The HoD rarely ever made an appearance, only ever bothering himself with those who worked more closely with the supernatural occurrences, the practical teams. It wasn't like him to come to your office at all.
You watched diligently as the HoD walked into your supervisor's office, while your supervisor circled the room; he appeared to be looking for something or rather someone.
"I better make my way back to my desk before I lose my job." Matias whispered to you before briskly walking away. Losing interest in whatever your supervisor was looking for you faced your computer, sipping more of your coffee.
But before you could get lost in you work, there was a sudden tap on your shoulder, turning around hastily; you were met with the eyes of your supervisor. "May you come to my office please." Your supervisor beckoned you coldly, walking off before you had a chance to answer.
Gulping you hesitantly got up, nervously patting yourself down as you followed behind him; avoiding the eyes of your concerned coworkers.
Your supervisor opened the door, holding it for you. Walking in you stood awkwardly by the door. You were met by the HoD, his expression unreadable. Sitting at his desk, your supervisor ushered you to sit down. "Y/N thank you for meeting us." Your supervisor began, resting his elbows on his desk. "There's no need to look so concerned, we have good news." The HoD said nothing, but nodded at your supervisor's every word. Your breath hitched in anticipation. "We're promoting you to the practicals. You'll be working more closely with all supernatural occurrences that we uncover." You were stunned, unable to say anything you just stared at your supervisor.
You were being promoted, you didn't think it was possible; you and your colleagues often joked about the lack of upwards mobility in your department, sometimes even going as far as theorising that there was no practical teams at all.
Suddenly the Head of Department spoke up bringing you out of your daze.
"We were very pleased with your report on the Pillar Men, and we decided that we need someone like you on one of the practicals team. The HoD giving you a gentle smile before continuing; his voice was a lot softer than you imagined, "in fact we were so pleased with it, we want you specifically to study and work with the lone Pillar Man we have in our custody." You sat on the edge of your seat gobsmacked. "But Y/N you can't tell anyone about this, it's pivotal you keep this to yourself." Your supervisor said sternly.
The idea of not being able to tell your colleagues filled you with guilt, knowing that a lot of your colleagues work just as hard as you; but you supposed it was to avoid discontent, you could always just say you were moved to a different office.
"Thank you so much sir. I'll try my best" You said excitedly. Both the HoD and your supervisor nodded before releasing you.
Walking back to your desk, you ignored the onslaught of questions that were coming your way.
--- ---
It was your first day on the practicals team and you could already tell it was nowhere as relaxed as your office; nobody talked, looked each others way, some of them didn't even look like they were breathing. It seemed like no one even recognised you had joined or if they did they certainly didn't care.
You barely had time to get yourself situated, before you were taken underground and into an all white room. Your guide handed you a pair of dark glasses, ushering you to put them on. You watched as your guide pressed a button looking at you, "say hello to your project Y/N."
Instantly a loud thud echoed as a bright light enveloped the room little by little.
You walked up to the display slowly.
You squinted your eyes, reading the description:
PILLAR MAN SANTANA.