KALEIDOSCOPE ━ WADE WILSON

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PLAYLIST;
i. bad - michael jackson
ii.   iris - the goo goo dolls
iii.   hayloft - mother mother
iv. take me back home  - wasia project
v. waiting room - phoebe bridgers
vi.  all i want - kodaline

—

The moon hung low over the sprawling compound, its light barely penetrating the thick canopy of trees surrounding the area. Wade crouched in the shadows, his red and black suit blending seamlessly with the darkness. He tapped his earpiece, causing a soft crackle sound to come through.

"Whisper, I'm in position. What's my first move?" He whispered, his eyes scanning the perimeter.

Lucia's voice came through, clear and focused. "There's a blind spot in their security camera coverage on the east wall. You should be able to scale it there. Be careful; Juan's men are everywhere."

Wade moved silently towards the east wall. As he approached, he could see the armed guards patrolling the grounds—hardened cartel members with military-grade weapons and the kind of vigilant postures that spoke of extensive combat experience.

Using his enhanced agility, Wade scaled the wall in seconds, dropping silently onto the other side. He pressed himself against the cool concrete, waiting for a patrol to pass before moving deeper into the compound.

Inside, the corridors were a maze of sterile white walls and harsh fluorescent lighting. Wade navigated carefully, guided by Lucia's instructions transmitted through his earpiece. He paused as he heard voices approaching, melting into a shadowy alcove.

Two cartel members rounded the corner, their voices low and tense. "El Jefe's not happy," one muttered, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "This Santiago experiment better pay off, or we'll all be feeding the sharks."

His companion grunted in agreement. "I heard the last guy who disappointed him ended up as fertilizer for his prize roses."

Wade waited for them to pass before continuing, his mind racing. "It looks like our friend Juan's running a tight ship," he whispered into his comm. "And apparently he has a green thumb. Who knew drug lords were so eco-friendly?"

As he approached the lab area, Wade caught sight of Juan conferring with a group of men—a mix of scientists in white lab coats and hard-faced cartel members. Juan's presence was commanding, his sharp features set in a mask of cold authority that had everyone around him on edge.

A scientist, visibly nervous, was reporting to Juan. "The neural implant's integration is progressing, sir. But we need to increase the dosage of the control drugs. Santiago's been showing signs of resistance."

Juan's eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "I don't care what it takes. Break him. We've invested too much in this project to fail now. If he resists, increase the voltage. If that doesn't work," he trailed off, the threat clear in his tone.

Wade waited until the group dispersed before slipping into the lab area, the antiseptic smell burning his nostrils.

"Whisper," he whispered into his comm, "I'm in. Any idea where they're keeping Zombie guy?"

"According to our intelligence, there should be a high-security room in the basement level," Lucia replied, the sound of rapid typing in the background. "That's likely where they're holding him. Be careful, Dead. The security down there is going to be intense."

Wade made his way down, each step calculated and silent. The basement level was a stark contrast to the upper floors—dimly lit, with an oppressive atmosphere that seemed to press in from all sides. Armed men stood at every turn, their hands never far from their weapons.