No Escape

Revelations in the Lab

Jake sprinted down the hall, dragging me behind him like a squirrel caught in a whirlwind. Our hurried steps echoed in the empty corridor, and I couldn't help but wonder why he felt the need to keep the lab locked. Was there something he didn't want me to find? Secrets seemed to weave around us like shadows, thickening the air with unspoken tension.

When we reached the door, Jake punched in a code, his fingers flying over the keypad with practiced ease. It struck me as odd—if he was so smart, why keep this place under wraps? Did he know Luke's secrets? The thought gnawed at me. What if Jake knew things about Luke that even Luke himself didn't?

As the door swung open, I stepped into the lab, and my breath hitched. The space was enormous, dwarfing the room I had slept in. A massive glass screen loomed on the wall, sleek and glowing, begging for my attention. Jake began tapping more numbers into a smaller panel beside it, and my heart raced as I saw my reflection flash on the screen. My entire life laid out in front of me, an open book filled with secrets I hadn't even known existed.

I glanced at my younger self, captured in a photo from when I was thirteen. Memories flooded back—some sweet, others painful. "So, you know what I am, huh?" I questioned, my voice shaky.

Jake nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yeah. And..." His voice trailed off, as if he struggled to find the right words. "Just look for yourself." He gestured toward the screen, and my curiosity piqued. As I scrolled, a new image popped up—Silent. Or rather, Edwin Sage. His dark brown hair was neatly parted, revealing those striking blue-gray eyes that held so many secrets. I had always wondered about his real name, and now it felt like a small victory to finally know it.

I read his bio, my heart sinking with every line. His past was marred with violence, his demons lurking beneath the surface. He had hurt people to protect others, including me. The realization was a weight on my chest. "Why didn't you tell me?" I murmured, almost to myself.

Jake watched me closely. "He's not dangerous, you know. He's protective."

"But he killed someone," I whispered, staring at the stamp that declared him "DEFECTED." I couldn't reconcile the boy I cared about with the monster the government had made him out to be.

Jake's expression softened. "He was thrown away as a mistake. They didn't see him for who he is now."

A shiver ran down my spine as I read about the night that changed everything for him. He had been threatened, cornered, and in a fit of rage, he had killed. The day had been foggy, just like the memories I had of my own past. I glanced at Jake, realization dawning on me. He was scared—scared for me, scared for Edwin. Emotions flickered in his eyes, exposing a depth I hadn't noticed before.

"What about Luke?" I asked, anxiety clawing at me. I needed to know where he fit into all of this.

Jake's brow furrowed as I scrolled through the information. "Let's see what they have on him."

As I searched for Luke's profile, a sense of dread filled the air. I scrolled to "Guardians." Nothing. I scrolled to "Experiments." Still nothing. Where was he?

Jake's hand brushed mine as he took control of the screen, scrolling down until the word "Matches" lit up. My heart raced. "What's that?"

He leaned closer, his voice low. "This is what I wanted to tell you about. There are mate matches and love matches. They were hoping Luke would be one—a love match, not a mate match. You can never have kids with him." His words struck me like a blow.

"What? Why?" I stammered, the panic rising within me.

"Because I'm a mate match," Jake continued, "but not a love one. You seem so perfect, beautiful even. But you have problems, of course. Who doesn't?"