Aiko stared out the cracked window, the wet road below glistening in the early light. Dynamo snored on the floor beside her. Sleep wasn’t coming. Probably never would. Her head spun with questions. What if we get caught? What happens to me then?

  She shuddered as a memory hit—Dynamo’s hands turning to mallets, bone crunching, blood spraying. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it away. Maybe I’ll just… close them for a second.

  SCREEEETCH.

  Aiko jumped up, heart hammering. The sound was different. Wrong. The building creaked like it was alive.

  Light spilled in through cracks just as Dynamo returned, arms full. She dropped two bottles of water and sandwiches. “Eat. We need our strength. They’re looking for us now. We move after this.”

  Aiko tore into the sandwich, eggs and cheese flooding her mouth. She almost cried at the taste. She hadn’t had real food in forever.

  “So… what’s the plan?” she asked through a mouthful.

  Silence stretched as they ate.

  Then Dynamo’s voice cut in. “What put you in detention?”

  Aiko froze. She swallowed hard, then whispered: “I… killed a man. Or… I’m the reason he’s dead.”

  Dynamo’s eyes narrowed. “Did he deserve it?”

  Tears burned Aiko’s cheeks. No words came. She just nodded.

  “That’s rough,” Dynamo said quietly. “My old man used to beat me. Mom drank herself away. One day I fought back. He died. Court didn’t care. Julius tricked me. Twenty years.”

  Aiko’s stomach clenched. “What is Malcolm doing to us?”

  “Something unnatural,” Dynamo muttered, standing. “Let’s go.”

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  They crept through endless dark halls until they reached a rusted metal door. Dynamo shoved it open, excitement in her voice. “This is it. We’re free.”

  Aiko’s heart lifted—then plummeted.

  A man in a suit filled the doorway. Aiko’s eyes were drawn to his sleeve, something reflected the light. His blank face stared down at them. In his hand, a cage. Inside, something furry—maybe a ferret.

  “Move, creep,” Dynamo growled, fists curling.

  I recognize him from the detention center. He must be Operator 47!

  The man didn’t budge. “Run now, and Malcolm will terminate you. Think carefully.”

  His gaze slid to Aiko. “Your uncle is raising bail money. Don’t throw it away.”

  Aiko’s chest twisted. Freedom. Uncle. Home. But… Dynamo said no one ever escaped.

  Before she could answer, Dynamo lunged. Her fist smashed into the Operator’s face. Blood flew, sunglasses skittered across the floor.

  He laughed. The sound froze Aiko’s spine.

  Then, slowly, he opened the cage.

  The ferret shot out like lightning, slamming into Dynamo’s arm. Claws tore flesh. Blood sprayed. Dynamo screamed, throwing it off, but it clawed up her chest, snapping at her face.

  Aiko’s stomach flipped. “Stop! Get it off!”

  Dynamo slammed it into the wall. It slid down, still.

  Panting, Aiko whispered, “Is… is it dead?”

  Dynamo spat blood. “Oversized rat’s finished.”

  But the Operator’s grin widened. “Prove yourself, girl.”

  He rolled up his sleeves, revealing a gleaming robotic arm. In a blur, he was on Dynamo. Fists pounded her stomach again and again, sick thuds echoing. Dynamo collapsed under the barrage.

  Aiko froze. Every cell screamed to run. No… I can’t. I have to do something!

  Her hand found the remote she’d stolen from Malcolm’s office. She didn’t know what it did. Only one way to find out.

  She slammed the button.

  A piercing whine filled the air. A flash lit the room, blinding her. Energy swirled around Operator 47, sparking his arm. He shrieked as his body folded inward, sucked into nothing.

  POP!

  Only a metallic disc hovered where he’d stood.

  Dynamo coughed blood, dragging herself upright. “Nice… timing,” she gasped.

  SCREEETCH.

  The ferret stirred. It staggered to Dynamo—then stopped. It sat up on its hind legs, little paws out, like it was begging.

  Aiko blinked. “I think… it’s trying to be your friend.”

  Dynamo’s lip curled. “With friends like this, who needs enemies?”

  Still, she held out a shaky hand. The ferret scrambled up, settling on her shoulder.

  “I’ll call you Chester,” Dynamo said, grimacing.

  Aiko pointed at the disc. “Where does that even go?”

  “Operator got sucked in. Could be oblivion.”

  Chester’s ears twitched. Footsteps. Guards.

  The ferret squeaked, then dove onto the disc—and vanished.

  Aiko’s eyes widened.

  Dynamo grabbed her arm. “What do we have to lose?”

  Together, they stepped onto the disc. And were gone.