Limitless

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Chapter 32 - Hope

I failed. It was a pathetic attempt. An utter failure. I'm slouching on the hard bench, my eyes half closed. Then I hear the lock click and someone approaches. At first I think it's Commander Jacobs, but this is a girl. A smaller and more delicate figure. It's the Girl.

Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, her expressionless face stares at me. But then, I see a flicker of emotion flash across her face, sympathy. 'Hello,' my voice comes out as a croak.

'Why did you do that?' She asks. 'It was foolish. You won't be able to escape alone,' she pauses and takes a deep breath. 'Not without my help.'

She must have discovered something - maybe about the plagues, or who really killed her brother, or some other truth about the Republic.

'The plagues?' I ask. 'Or who really killed your brother?'

'Both.' She replies. 'Now, listen. Do you know anyone from the Vortex? You said you have been proposed an offer to join them. Who asked you? Tell me.' Her voice is stern, but there's also compassion.

I try to remember to the time when she came to call me. The girl in the Griz fight. The girl she fought. 'It's the one you fought during the Griz fight. You broke her arm.'

Her mouth forms a frown, and she's in deep thought. 'Okay, thank you, Hope.' She halts. 'I'll get you out of here.'

She turns around and walks out of the cell. 'Wait!' I call out, but it's too late, she's already outside and the soldiers close the cell door.

A Republic soldier is going to help me escape. She'll help me save my brother.

I must be losing my mind.