𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 - 𝟎𝟎𝟏 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐂 ✔️

028

There's no answer when you knock on the door, the one labeled 124. The seconds drag into minutes, the minutes drag into more. Still no answer. Alex wasn't there.

So where was she?

It's the sound of ushered footsteps that pull you away from the door. You rush to hide behind the corner, watching as the group of guards break into the room. Your heart is pounding in your ears, but Alex is not with them when they exit with all her stuff. Ripped photos, boxes of records, walkmen, and scientific materials. They were all confiscated.

You dart in the other direction before the guards can see you. You don't stop until you've made it back to your room, almost doubling over at your unsteady breathing. Alex had been caught helping you again and was paying for her actions again. Another person was gone because of you. The fact that you couldn't do anything about it was eating you alive.

A soft voice calls from the other side of the door. "Zee? Are you okay?"

You take a deep breath before opening the door. On the other side, 001 waited with downturned lips and expectant eyes. You brush it off. "Yeah, I'm fine. Another person's probably dead because of me, but life's good," you shrug.

His face tenses with concern. "You're fine after all that?'

"It was a joke."

"Oh..." He kicks at the ground, swaying awkwardly. "Well, do you want a hug?"

You shake your head, arm reaching to close the door. "I think I'm good."

"Hey, wait⁠—" his arm stops from closing the door. "Are you mad at me?"

Your own words ring in your head. You remember the day you'd asked him that. The answer you got in response was simple and cold, but true. For a second, you contemplate responding in the same way. You decide not to, sometimes an indefinite answer inflicted a deeper kind of pain. A more meaningful one.

"I don't know."

His eyes fall and he looks genuinely hurt. A guilty silence falls between you before he speaks again, "I just wanted to tell you how 011 did today."

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"You mean, she didn't get all the lightbulbs to light up?"

"She didn't," he winces, shaking his head, "But remember? I never managed to either."

"Yeah, I also remember the time you fainted afterward."

He holds up his hands in defeat. "Hey, that was a bad day!"

"Every day's a bad day," you mumble.

The mood shifts as 001 grabs your hand. He squeezes it warmly. "I know," he whispers, "and I promise, we're getting out of here this time."

You sigh, meeting his gaze. His expression was firm and unwavering. There wasn't a doubting bone in his body. "She's getting stronger, I can see it," he finishes.

And though, you knew this was true, the fear still rippled through your veins. The fear of your greatest nightmares turning into a reality. "I know she's strong," you say, "but is she strong enough?"

"The strongest I've ever seen."

"And you're certain?"

"I'm certain," he finishes. "If she's capable of what I think she is, she's the answer to all of our problems."