The weight of my own words crushed me. My breath hitched, my chest tightening like a vice around my lungs. "He wanted my blood when some condition was met. Albert isn't researching a cure-at least, not in the way you think. What he did to me... it gave me something unnatural.”

  Abilities I can barely control. A nightmare stitched into my veins. I swallowed hard, the truth finally settling like poison in my gut. "I think that's his real goal-to extract my power and use it for whatever twisted purpose he has in mind."

  Doctor Cenilera's hands clenched at her sides, her gaze sharp, calculating. A flicker of unease crossed her face. "Is he planning to attack one of the other Councilors?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking the thought aloud would make it real.

  “I'll tell you. What I do know.

  He's tortured me. Beaten me. Electrocuted me until I couldn't scream anymore. Stabbed me.

  Poisoned me with serums that made my body twist into something else. He's put me through hell for some ridiculous idea of creating a weapon-something to fight a virus and some guy he’s mentioned before. Tell me, how does that make any sense?! All I know is pain." My breath came fast, ragged, my vision blurring at the edges.

  Robert took a step back, his face pale. "So he's developing a cure... while simultaneously building a weapon?"

  Doctor Cenilera's expression softened, though her eyes remained sharp with worry. "I’m sorry Edwin. I should’ve never let him take you back then.”

  “I don’t remember you or what you’re talking about. All I know, is that I woke up with this power.”

  “What power are you talking about?" She asked.

  I hesitated, dropping my gaze to the floor. "My arm." The words felt foreign, heavy in my mouth.

  "He stuck me with a needle, and after that... it changed. Morphed. Mutated..."

  "Changed how?" Cenilera pressed, her voice careful.

  Before I could answer, Robert stiffened. "Wait— are you saying you destroyed Albert's lab? The recent time, and the times before?"

  A grim smirk tugged at my lips. "Yeah. Smashed it with my hand. My... monster hand? What the hell do l even call it?"

  "It mutated into this grotesque, pale, giant limb-huge bony claws, sharp as hell. I tried to use it again in that office I hid in, but I blacked out from blood loss instead of summoning it."

  Robert exhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. "We all thought you were trying to kill yourself... I'm glad that's not the case."

  A bitter chuckle escaped me. "It's not hope or willpower that triggers it, trust me. It happens when it wants to. The last time it did, there were red flashing lights everywhere. Without those, I don't think I can activate it. And Albert... he knows that. He knows me better than I know myself." My stomach churned. "Especially now that l have amnesia."

  Doctor Cenilera exhaled, as if preparing herself.

  "There's something else," she said, her voice careful but firm. "This isn't your first time with amnesia."

  My heart lurched. "What?" I demanded, panic clawing up my throat.

  Her gaze didn't waver. "When I first came across you and your father a few months after the apocalypse, you had already lost your memory.

  The furthest thing you could recall was waking up in Albert's arms as he carried you to safety."

  My blood turned to ice.

  Albert... is my father?

  The thought sickened me. Punching a hole through my stomach. The very same man that tormented me for many years was none other than my own father.

  A sickness spread through me, burning and relentless. A jagged, searing wound deep in my chest. I staggered back, shaking my head as if I could physically reject the truth. "No... no, that's not possible."

  But Cenilera wasn't lying. She wasn't mocking me or testing me. Her expression held only worry, a hesitance that made my stomach sink further.

  "Were you unaware?" she asked softly. "It's a well-known fact. You're quite famous... though not in the best way."

  "He's my father." The words felt like shattered glass in my throat. The very man who had tortured me for years-who had turned my life into an unending nightmare-was the same man who once held me as a child? Actually, had he ever held me? It’s hard to imagine.

  I wanted answers. But all I had were more questions.

  "Alright," he said, breaking the unbearable weight in the air. "The guards have finished their sweep of this level. If we're doing this, we need to move now." He turned to me. "Edwin, you'll need a scout's uniform to blend in. It's not much, but it should hide you from Albert's surveillance."

  I hesitated. "You think it'll work?" Doubt curled in my gut.

  Robert smirked, shaking his head. "It's just cargo shorts, a white T-shirt, and a cap that'll help cover your face from the cameras. Simple, but effective."

  He tossed me the clothes—a pair of khaki shorts, a white T, an undershirt, socks, a hat, and a pair of low-top boots. I quickly changed, catching my malnourished reflection in the cracked mirror.

  I looked like a damn Halloween decoration.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  "Should we get going then?" I asked, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice.

  "I can’t wait to be out of this place."

  Robert laughed. "Same here, kid."

  Cenilera gave me a small, reassuring smile.

  "You're fine, Edwin." Then she hesitated, glancing toward the corridor. "But I'm not sure how l'll explain my presence here if we get caught."

  Robert frowned. "Right... That's something we still need to figure out."

  I frowned. "Can't she just disguise herself as a Guard like me?"

  "Wishful thinking," Doctor Cenilera said, her voice tinged with a bitter edge. "But women aren't allowed in the Guards. No exceptions."

  "That's stupid," I muttered, shaking my head.

  Robert exhaled sharply, nodding. "Women are key to survival, after all. Sorry, Doctor."

  "It's just how Albert sees it, I suppose," she replied with a resigned sigh. "I guess it's one of his better morals."

  "His morals?" I scoffed. "What morals?"

  Robert ignored my outburst, snapping his fingers as an idea struck him. "I've got it, Cenilera. Just say you were doing physical exams for the new recruits!"

  I forced a smirk, though doubt gnawed at me.

  "Sounds good, I guess."

  Doctor Cenilera glanced at her watch. "At six in the morning?"

  Robert blinked, realization dawning. "Wait... it's that early?"

  "How do you even know the time?" I asked, curiosity flickering beneath my nerves. Time was a ghost to me, something I had lost long ago in that cell. Yet, some things still clung to my mind like remnants of a past life-language, the vague concept of hours and minutes, the knowledge that our world followed 28 days in a month, thirteen months in a year's calendar.

  But time itself? That was stolen from me.

  "I have a Heiss watch," Cenilera replied evenly, lifting her wrist to show a slim, silver device wrapped around it.

  Robert shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "It may sound surprising, but I haven't been outside much lately. Most of us in the base just follow the time on our watches."

  I scanned the room, their tension pressing down on me. My gaze drifted to the door-the only thing separating us from freedom or another nightmare.

  "This place is insane," I murmured, my fingers curling into fists. "No wonder you both want to help. You want out, too. So let's do it."

  Robert exchanged a glance with Cenilera before nodding. Without another word, he opened the door, peering down the dimly lit hallway. The silence was suffocating.

  Doctor Cenilera's expression turned serious.

  "It was a challenge just to get here."

  “How far do we need to go?” I asked, dreading going out.

  "It's three corridors down," Robert answered, leading the way.

  "Sounds easy enough," I said as I got off the bench, running behind him ready to go.

  "It may sound easy, but it isn't," Doctor Cenilera cautioned.

  "That's the quickest route, but..." Robert hesitated, glancing at her.

  Robert nodded. "Our original plan was to go around, after waking you up in the stairs,” his voice hardened heavily. “We couldn’t because guards started coming in from the top shouting to secure each level. We had no choice but to bring you here to wake you up.”

  Cenilera's expression hardened.

  Robert hesitated, glancing at her before continuing. "That route leads straight through the corridors connecting the briefing and conference rooms."

  I frowned. "And that's bad because...?"

  "They have glass windows facing the hallway," Cenilera said grimly. "Albert's locking down the compound. He's securing the exits. We have no time left. This is the only way."

  A cold weight settled in my stomach. The surge of strength I felt moments ago withered, replaced by an iron grip of dread squeezing my ribs. Albert was close. Too close.

  "Is anyone even in there?" My voice was quieter now. "It's six AM, right?"

  "There are always Guards in there," Cenilera said. "Commanders, Generals, scouts from the outer walls giving their reports."

  Robert glanced at her. "How do you know all that?"

  She raised an eyebrow, smirking despite the tension. "I've been here since the beginning. You really think I wouldn't pick up a few things?"

  Robert exhaled through his nose, then squared his shoulders. "Alright. No better time than now."

  I took a steadying breath and nodded. "Yeah.

  We're wasting time."

  I stepped forward, but before I crossed the threshold, I hesitated. Turning to them, I met their gazes-Robert's steady and calculating, Cenilera's laced with concern.

  "Thank you," I said quietly. "I know this couldn't have been an easy decision, but l appreciate it."

  "You're welcome," Doctor Cenilera said softly.

  For a moment, the weight of everything settled between us. No one spoke. Then Robert let out a sharp breath and smirked.

  "Don't thank us yet, kid," he muttered. "We're not out of here after all.

  With a final nod, we continued forward, cautiously walking down the corridor.

  The conference rooms loomed ahead, their large windows revealing the presence of high-ranking officials engaged in discussions. My heart pounded as we passed, but no one spared us more than a passing glance.

  "Ease up, Edwin," Robert whispered. "Don't draw attention to yourself."

  "I'm trying," I muttered, though the weight of our escape pressed heavy on my chest.

  Doctor Cenilera, sensing my nerves, began speaking about the outside world-the sky beyond the walls, the scent of real air, the sight of trees untouched by destruction. Her words painted a picture so vivid, so foreign, that for a moment, I almost believed I could reach out and touch it.

  We passed the last room. The hallway stretched before us, eerily silent. Flyers of Albert's face lined the walls, his image towering above us in faded, triumphant poses. They depicted him as a savior, a hero against the horrors beyond. But to me, he was the very thing I needed to escape.

  Then, at last, we reached the door.

  A single red light flickered above it.

  "Good, it's still active," Robert noted, scanning the area for any signs of surveillance.

  No cameras. No guards.

  The moment felt too perfect. Too easy.

  My fingers found the handle, but as I gripped it, hesitation tightened around my chest. My pulse roared in my ears as I turned to Robert and Doctor Cenilera. They had risked everything for me, and yet, I was dragging them into something far bigger than just my escape.

  "It's not too late for you both to turn back," I whispered. "I can do this on my own. I don't want either of you to get hurt... or worse."

  Robert stilled, then let out a soft chuckle before ruffling my hair. But when he met my gaze, his eyes were hard, unwavering. "Edwin, listen to me," he said, gripping my shoulder. "This isn't just about you. This place-it's killing us. We've been stuck here, following orders, doing things we never thought we'd have to do. Helping you is helping ourselves."

  Doctor Cenilera nodded. "I can leave the premises, but I haven't seen past the first level since the walls went up. It's like I don't exist beyond these halls. I spend my days patching up guards, tending to prisoners who won't survive their next round of questioning. I'm not saving lives-I'm maintaining a system built on suffering. This isn't just an escape. It's a choice.

  A chance to be more than what we've become."

  A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to argue, to force them to turn back, but I saw it in their eyes

  -resolve, determination. They had already made their decision.

  Robert smiled, despite the gravity of our situation. He stepped forward grabbing both my hand and the handle, forcing open the entrance to the tunnel. He coolly replied "You're young, Edwin. You shouldn't be trapped in this hellhole. You should be out there, living. Now get in."

  A dark, ominous tunnel, flickering lights illuminating a small path greeted me as I peeked inside. I stepped into what felt like a different world.

  This is insane. I’ve never seen a place like this. The air feels wet?

  With a deep breath, I pushed forward, stepping into the tunnel. The air was thick, damp. The dim, flickering lights barely revealed the path ahead. My stomach twisted. This was it. The unknown. The tunnel to freedom.

  Then—

  "What the hell do you think you're doing down here, buddy?" His voice was low, dangerous.

  "And why is the emergency escape door open?" His grip tightened on the weapon. "Imagine my surprise when I saw you both sneaking around. I thought to myself-look who it is. The Doctor... and the giant asshole who didn’t even bother to update me on Albert’s son's escape… it’s almost as if you both helped him."

  James.

  Robert shifted, stepping protectively in front of the door. Instinctively, I backed deeper into the tunnel. I wanted to stay, to fight, but I knew-l was a liability. If they were caught with me, everything would be over.

  I clenched my fists. My chest burned with the weight of my own helplessness.

  Then, with one last glance at Robert and Cenilera, I did the only thing I could.

  I ran.