Ava and Finn stumbled through the thick, dark forest, their breaths labored and their hearts pounding. The oppressive silence of the night was occasionally shattered by distant mechanical noises that hinted at the soldiers' relentless pursuit. Their flight had been desperate, but it was clear that their efforts to disrupt the tracking had failed. They were outnumbered and outmatched, and Ava's hope was waning.
Suddenly, the distant hum of machinery grew louder, and the forest's shadows seemed to close in around them. Ava's pulse quickened as they spotted the soldiers emerging from the trees, their advanced gear gleaming ominously. They had been cornered.
Among the soldiers, one stepped forward and removed her helmet. Ava's heart dropped as she recognized the face behind the visor—Lia, her old friend, stood before her. Ava's surprise was palpable, and she felt a pang of hope mixed with confusion.
"Lia?" Ava's voice cracked. "What's going on?"
Lia's expression was a mix of resolve and discomfort. "Olivia, we're here to bring you home."
Ava's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Home? Why should I trust you? You're with the soldiers who've been hunting us."
Lia took a deep breath, glancing at the other soldiers, who remained stationed around them. "I understand your distrust. Given the situation, we had to come prepared. It's a dangerous world out here, and we couldn't risk coming without protection."
Ava's heart sank further as Lia approached her. There was a softness in Lia's gaze, a hint of the friendship they once shared. "I've missed you, Olivia," Lia said softly. "I've wondered how you've been all these years."
But before Ava could respond, Lia's demeanor hardened. With a swift, practiced motion, Lia subdued Ava with a stun device, sending her into unconsciousness.
When Ava awoke, she found herself in a small, stark cell. The walls were cold, and the harsh light from the ceiling cast long, distorted shadows. Ava struggled against the restraints binding her wrists and ankles, her mind racing.
The door creaked open, and Lia stepped inside. Ava's eyes met Lia's with a mix of desperation and anger. Lia looked weary, her face showing signs of inner conflict.
"Olivia," Lia began, her voice tinged with sadness. "I'm sorry for what happened. I had no choice."
Ava's eyes were filled with tears. "Lia, please. You have to let me go. I don't know what is happening."
Lia's face remained stoic, but her eyes revealed a flicker of pain. "You know, right after you left, they came looking for you. They were desperate. They didn't know who they were searching for exactly. It was still early days, and they couldn't track the frequency precisely. But they knew it had to be someone from our group. They saw spikes in the meters, indicating someone was out there.
Ava's breath caught in her throat.
Lia's voice grew more intense. "They tested us for days, trying to find out who would crack under pressure. You know... We hoped you'd come back to save us. If they were so keen on finding you, it meant you were special. And if you were special, you could come to our rescue. We thought you'd come to our rescue."
Ava's tears flowed freely. "No, Lia, I didn't know. I just left. I didn't think any of this would happen."
Lia's eyes were unmoved. "You didn't come back. You let us rot. You were the hope we clung to, but you abandoned us."
"No!" Ava cried. "I didn't know. I was just trying to survive. I never wanted any of this."
Lia's gaze softened slightly, but her resolve remained. "Do you remember Ben? The six-year-old boy from our group?"
