Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 35

 Gabriel worked diligently, his focus unwavering as he pieced together the device. The minutes stretched into an hour, a silent testament to the gravity of our task. His hands moved with precision, each component meticulously placed, each action deliberate and calculated. Bellamy and Octavia finally returned, their mission successful. They carried with them the crucial mushrooms laden with the Red Sun Toxin, a key element in our precarious plan. Their arrival was a much-needed boost, a tangible step forward in our bid to outmaneuver the Primes. I quickly briefed them on our adjusted strategy as Gabriel prepared to handle the dangerous fungi. He carefully transferred the mushrooms into a sealed containment tank. The setup was meticulous — a clear chamber with built-in gloves that allowed for safe handling of the toxin without direct contact.

Bellamy and Octavia watched intently as Gabriel's hands slipped into the gloves, maneuvering within the sealed environment. The tension in the room was palpable, each of us acutely aware of the risks involved and the high stakes we were playing for. As Gabriel worked with the mushrooms, extracting and processing the toxin, there was a sense of cautious optimism among us. Despite the dangers and the complexities of our situation, there was a shared determination, a collective resolve to see this through.

Bellamy's confusion was evident. "What do you mean you're not building a bomb?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

Gabriel paused his work to explain. "By releasing the toxin in the water supply, it'll aerosolize at a lower concentration. This way, we can trigger the evacuation protocol without causing mass psychosis."

I chimed in to underscore the plan's intent. "In other words, no innocent people get hurt."

Octavia, thoughtful and tactical as always, raised a crucial point. "How long will it take them to realize there's no eclipse and reverse the evacuation?"

"Not long enough," I answered grimly. "We'll need to be inside Sanctum before it starts, which means—"

Bellamy cut in, his voice tinged with frustration. "Which means the children need to be free before it starts."

Octavia turned to Gabriel. "Can you do that without a distraction?"

Before Gabriel could respond, Bellamy sighed, his gaze fixed on me. "It wouldn't be him," he stated, a note of resignation in his voice.

"Bellamy, it's the only way," I urged, feeling the weight of the moment.

"What is?" Octavia pressed, sensing the gravity of our conversation.

I took a deep breath before revealing the plan. "I go in as Joseph."

Bellamy immediately objected. "It's not the only way. We stick to the original plan with the bomb. Putting your life on the line unnecessarily is just—"

I stepped closer, my resolve firm. "It's how we do better. What would Monty do?"

Bellamy's concern was palpable. "Kegan, if you fail, if Russell figures out his son is dead, all our people are dead, too."

I met his gaze, unwavering. "So, I won't fail."

Octavia's voice, raspy but firm, added a critical perspective. "Bellamy, if we have a chance to spare innocent lives, we should take it."

I turned to Octavia, our eyes meeting in a brief, meaningful exchange. In that fleeting moment, there was an unspoken understanding between us, a recognition of the risks and the necessity of our plan. I offered her a reassuring smile, a silent thank you for her support in the face of such daunting odds. She returned the gesture with a small, but significant smile of her own. It was a subtle affirmation, a quiet show of solidarity and strength. Her smile, though faint, was imbued with resolve and a shared commitment to the path we had chosen. In that brief exchange of smiles, there was a mutual acknowledgement of the challenges ahead, and a silent vow to face them together. It was a moment of quiet connection amidst the storm of planning and strategizing, a reminder of the bonds that held us together in our fight for a better future. The sudden alarm shattered our brief moment of solidarity. "We've got riders coming!" one of Gabriel's followers shouted from outside. "Sanctum riders!"