The Safe Zone - Ascension (Book 5)

Chapter 3: Echoes of Ethan

I didn't sleep that night. Not really. I drifted in and out of a restless state, haunted by fragments of dreams that felt more like memories—memories of Ethan. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him, his face worn with worry but still filled with the quiet strength that had always kept me going. He would reach out for me, and just when I thought I could touch him, he would fade into a static fog that echoed with the word I couldn't get out of my head: Awakening.

By morning, I had made up my mind. I had to see it for myself—the tower where Ethan's consciousness had first merged with the network. I knew it was risky, and I knew Carter would argue against it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was something I had to do. There was a part of me that needed to be closer to him, needed to understand what was happening, even if it meant confronting the pain I had buried after his sacrifice.

When I stepped out into the pale light of dawn, the camp was still stirring awake. The air was crisp, carrying the faint smell of smoke from the cooking fires. People moved about in small groups, their faces etched with the weariness that never really disappeared in a world like ours. But there was also a quiet resilience, a determination to keep going despite everything we had lost.

I found Carter near the perimeter, standing watch with a few guards. His tall, broad frame made him easy to spot, and as I approached, I could see the tension in his posture. He must have sensed my presence because he turned before I reached him, his expression softening when he saw me.

"You're up early," he said, though his voice had an edge of concern. "Couldn't sleep?"

I shook my head, stopping a few feet away from him. "I'm going to the tower, Carter. The one where Ethan... where it happened."

His brow furrowed, and I could see the protest forming on his lips before he even spoke. "Lena, that place is dangerous. It's been abandoned for years, and God knows what's left of the Directive's tech. We don't even know if it's stable."

"I know," I interrupted, my voice firmer than intended. "But I need to go. Marian found something—Ethan's signal. It's weak, but it's coming from somewhere in the network, and I think the tower might hold some answers. I need to see it for myself."

Carter's jaw tightened, and he didn't say anything for a moment. He stood there, studying me with his sharp eyes, as if weighing whatever instinct told risks against him to protect me. Finally, he let out a long sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"You're not going alone," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If you're dead set on this, I'm coming with you. No way am I letting you walk into that place alone."

I had expected him to argue harder, maybe even try to forbid me from going, but Carter had never been the type to stand in my way once I made up my mind. Still, a part of me appreciated his silent support, even when he disagreed.

"Fine," I said, offering a slight nod. "But we leave now. I don't want anyone else to know."

Carter raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you plan to tell them when they ask where their leader went?"

"I'll be back before they even realize I'm gone," I said, trying to inject some confidence into my voice, though I wasn't sure if I believed it myself. "We'll make it quick."

He didn't look convinced, but he didn't argue. Instead, he gestured for one of the guards to cover his post and grabbed his gear. As we made our way out of the camp, the familiar weight of my pack settled across my shoulders; I couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach. This wasn't just about finding Ethan's signal. It was about confronting the part of me that had never truly let him go.