No Escape

Breaking the Silence

It felt unbearably awkward. Three days had passed since the sacrifice, and there was still no change. My mind spiraled with doubts: this had been a terrible idea. Damn Jake! What the hell was wrong with him?

As if on cue, a knock echoed from the door, pulling me from my thoughts. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to open it. I sat on my bed, staring blankly at the thick door separating me from the outside world. For a government lab, it felt eerily abandoned; the lack of windows only amplified the suffocating atmosphere.

"Come in," I called out, my voice flat and void of enthusiasm. How could they hear me through that door?

The door slid open, and in walked Luke—the last person I wanted to see right now. Why wasn't Silent barging in instead? I hadn't seen him since he witnessed the sacrifice, and it terrified me how calm he had been during it.

"Long time, no see," Luke said, leaning against the doorframe with a casualness that irked me.

I couldn't reconcile my feelings for him. How did love morph into this tangled web of jealousy and anger? Confusion clouded my mind. I nodded, but the gesture felt empty. "Weird! Really? That's what you come up with?" I shot back, my voice laced with frustration. "It's more like terrifying."

"But we all miss you. It's just another death," he shrugged, as if it were a minor inconvenience. "There's one every two seconds."

"Used to be. Now it feels like twenty every second. Soon, we'll be the only survivors. I'm not ready for that," I admitted, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I told you it was too early to process all this," he said, his expression softening.

"Early? Have you ever even thought about the words 'too late'? I don't think you have." My anger boiled beneath the surface.

"Maybe because I don't believe in anything being too late. Not for us."

"There is no us, Luke. You know that." I crossed my arms, trying to shield my heart. "Plus, I learned something new. Something even you couldn't figure out."

"What important thing did you figure out?" He raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"That Silent is the other survivor. We're supposed to... mate or something." The words felt heavy on my tongue.

"You believe that crap? I can't believe you'd actually believe that! The government let him go because you wouldn't go together—because of the mating process."

"Why should I trust you, Luke? You lied to me. You took me to a dangerous place. How can I ever believe you again?" My voice trembled, desperation creeping in.

"Because I was your first love. You're still mine. I love you, Alice. Why can't you see that? I'd die for you. If we had kids—" he hesitated, eyes pleading, "I'd die for them too. I love you. Look into my eyes and tell me I'm lying."

"Thanks for playing the love card, Luke. Really, thank you so much." I met his gaze, staring into his beautiful, multi-colored crystal-blue eyes. "You're lying. I can't trust you anymore." I pushed him out the door and locked it behind him.

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry!" I whispered to myself, my voice cracking. As the tears flowed, I felt like a howling dog, my cries echoing in the empty room. I couldn't stop. Even if someone walked in, I'd still be there, sobbing with red, puffy eyes and trembling hands, pounding the floor in frustration. Yes, I'd do that in front of people I barely knew.

Then a thought hit me—I was the only girl left. What had happened to the girl who had greeted us with enthusiasm? The one who hugged both me and Luke excitedly? Did she die? Was she hiding somewhere in this building? Had I seen her at the sacrifice? No, I couldn't recall.

I needed to find Silent. Maybe he'd help me search for her. She could have better ideas than Jake. Wouldn't that be great?

I stood up, determination rising within me. Whatever was happening, I wouldn't be the only one left behind.

As I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, I knew I had to keep fighting. There were still lives to save, and I wouldn't let fear or betrayal hold me back. I would find the girl who had once filled this place with hope, and together, we'd uncover the truth buried within these walls.