The Cryo-Sleeper’s Revenge

It all started when my uncle Mike called me to his laboratory for what he promised would be the most exciting experience of my life. As a budding scientist, I couldn’t resist. Uncle Mike was always working on groundbreaking stuff—new technology, weird experiments, and sometimes things that bordered on the fantastical. This time, however, he promised something that would put everything else to shame: a demonstration of his cryogenic technology.

“Just come over tonight,” he urged over the phone, his voice crackling with enthusiasm. “You’re going to be amazed!”

It was a cool evening when I arrived at his lab, located in an old building on the edge of town. The flickering lights and the low hum of machines inside set the perfect mood for a science fiction adventure. As I stepped in, I was greeted by the familiar smell of metal and antiseptic. Uncle Mike was hunched over a massive machine, his glasses slipping down his nose. 

“Welcome, welcome! You’re just in time!” He waved me over. “This is the Cryo-Sleeper. It’s the future of sleep technology! Imagine a world where people can sleep through decades, waking up with no aging, no time lost!”

“Sounds incredible!” I said, peering into the machine. It was a sleek, silver pod, like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. My excitement was palpable.

“Tonight, we’re going to test it,” he continued, rubbing his hands together. “I’ve set it for a short duration—just a few minutes. You’ll see how it works firsthand.”

“Are you serious?” I felt a flutter of unease. “You want me to get in that thing?”

Uncle Mike chuckled, oblivious to my hesitation. “Don’t worry! I’ll be right here monitoring everything. It’s completely safe.”

With a resigned sigh, I climbed into the pod, my heart racing. The interior was surprisingly comfortable, with soft padding that cradled my body. As Uncle Mike sealed the door, I felt a rush of apprehension. 

“Okay! Just relax. I’ll start the process now,” he said, and the machine whirred to life. Lights blinked, and a soothing hum surrounded me. I closed my eyes, and before I knew it, a wave of drowsiness washed over me.

---

When I finally opened my eyes, the pod had gone dark. I blinked in confusion. Had I fallen asleep for too long? I pressed the release button, and the door slowly creaked open. As I stepped out, the world around me felt different—hazy and distorted.

The lab was empty. Uncle Mike was gone. My heart pounded as I called out for him, but only silence answered. The flickering lights above created a surreal atmosphere, casting strange shadows that seemed to dance on the walls. 

“Uncle Mike?” I ventured further into the lab. The machinery around me looked older, rusted, and abandoned. I shivered, my skin prickling with unease. What had happened while I was inside that pod? 

I stumbled across papers strewn across a desk, all yellowed with age. My eyes widened as I read the dates—years had passed. How long had I been asleep? Confusion gave way to fear as I realized something was terribly wrong.

The door to the lab suddenly slammed shut, echoing through the empty space. Panic set in. I pounded on the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Then, from somewhere in the shadows, I heard a low, haunting voice.

“You shouldn’t have awakened me.”

I froze, the cold dread settling in my stomach. “Who’s there?” I shouted, my voice shaking.

A figure emerged from the darkness—a gaunt silhouette, eyes glowing with a faint, eerie light. It was a person, but not quite. The face was familiar yet twisted, contorted with an unholy rage. My blood ran cold as I recognized him—Uncle Mike.

“Mike? Is that you?” I took a step back, my heart racing. “What happened? I was only in the pod for a few minutes!”

“You should have stayed asleep!” he hissed, his voice echoing off the walls. “They woke me up too early, and now I’m trapped. But you… you were supposed to be my salvation.”

“What do you mean?” I stammered. “I didn’t ask for this!”

“Your ignorance is your curse,” he growled. “The pod wasn’t just for sleep—it was meant to trap those who would threaten the project. The first test subject was a failure, but you—you were always meant to take my place. Now, the Cryo-Sleeper will reclaim you!”

Before I could react, Uncle Mike lunged at me, his fingers elongated like claws. I ducked and ran, heart pounding in my chest. I bolted through the lab, desperately searching for an exit. The walls seemed to close in around me as I stumbled through darkened hallways.

Just when I thought I was cornered, I burst through a door leading outside. The cold night air hit me like a slap, but I didn’t stop. I ran and ran until my lungs burned, not looking back. The shadows behind me receded, but I could still feel his presence lurking.

---

Days turned into weeks, but the memory of that night haunted me. I couldn’t return to school, couldn’t face anyone. I felt like a ghost in my own life. Then one evening, I found myself at a local diner, trying to collect my thoughts. The familiar smell of fries and coffee was comforting, but the dread never left.

I glanced at the television in the corner, where a news report caught my eye. “Cryogenic Experiment Gone Wrong,” the headline read. It detailed a lab accident involving my uncle and a mysterious subject that had gone missing.

I turned to the waitress and asked, “What’s this about?”

“Oh, just a spooky story,” she shrugged. “They say there’s a curse. Anyone who uses that technology never really escapes it.”

A chill ran down my spine. As I sat there, pondering my escape, the diner door swung open. A familiar figure stepped inside, his presence causing the temperature to drop. 

It was Uncle Mike, looking as gaunt as before, his eyes glinting with that same eerie light. But as he stepped closer, I realized something shocking—he was not the only one who had returned. A group of shadows lingered just outside the door, waiting.

“Welcome back,” he said with a sinister smile. “I hope you’re ready to take your place among us. The Cryo-Sleeper always claims its own.”

I staggered back, realization dawning like a cruel sunrise. I had thought I was the one who had awakened, but the truth was much darker. I wasn’t just escaping the past; I was being drawn into it. The Cryo-Sleeper had finally come for its revenge, and there would be no waking up this time.