No Escape

Bloodline of Destiny

I wake up two mornings later to find Luke not beside me. Where is he? I question in my mind. I walk slowly to the baby's room, my heart pounding with every step. The hallway is empty; there's no sign of Luke. I enter the nursery, and in the pitch black, I hesitate before flipping on the light. To no surprise, he's not there. A wave of worry washes over me. How can I not worry? The father of my child is missing.

Wait! I haven't checked the lab with Jake.

I race through the hall, hope propelling me forward. The thought of Luke hurt or worse makes my chest tighten. Just the thought of him dead... I can't bear it.

As I approach the lab, I bang on the door, my hands pressing against it with a mix of fury, rage, and love-induced worry. Suddenly, it hits me—I have the code! I can't believe it took me this long to remember. My fingers fly over the keypad, and the door clicks open. Inside, I find Jake sprawled on the floor, either passed out or knocked out. It had to be one or the other; I'd been banging for what felt like ages.

"Don't eat me!" he mumbles, still half-asleep.

"Jake!" I gasp, suppressing a laugh. "I'm not here to eat you." I feel a rush of relief, but it's short-lived. "Do you know where Luke is? I can't find him anywhere."

He looks up, groggy and hesitant. "I thought he was with you..."

"No, he's not. I'm serious. Do you know anything?"

He rubs his eyes, looking like he's trying to piece together the night before. "I think I remember something."

I shoot up, grabbing his jacket. "Where is he?"

"Let go first," he says, a hint of surprise in his voice. I release him, frustration bubbling within me. "Thank you," he says, straightening his shirt. "I saw him this morning. He was getting some food from the cabinet." He gestures toward a large door to the right. "I think he was getting ready for your birth."

"Oh my God, I completely forgot about that!" I exclaim, panic flooding my veins. Today or tomorrow—it could happen any minute. "Jake, I need your help."

"I saw a bright flash. Then I passed out," he explains, his brow furrowing. "I don't remember anything else."

I close my eyes, focusing on Luke. A black void envelops my mind, and my heart sinks. He's gone. "I can't find him, Jake."

"That's weird." Jake starts pacing, his mind racing. "You have powers, right? Use them."

"Okay, I'll try." I concentrate, but the darkness lingers. Just then, a glimpse of Luke flashes in my mind—he's standing in front of an elevator on the third floor, and all I hear is one chilling word: Kill.

"Jake!" I shout, adrenaline surging. "I found Luke! But we need to go. Now!"

"Why?" he asks, alarmed.

"He's in danger. We have to hurry."

Moments later, we're in the elevator, and I spill the details of what I saw. I can't help but laugh at the thought of Luke's memory of me at fourteen. "Pedo-bear," I chuckle, only for Jake to join in with awkward laughter.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he asks, breaking the tension.

"Because you look crazy laughing for no reason." I shoot him a look, and he scratches the back of his neck sheepishly.

Before Jake can say anything else, the elevator doors slide open, revealing chaos. "Oh God... Luke!" I scream, rushing toward the sound of banging. I burst into the room, and my heart sinks. Luke is on the floor, and Edwin is hovering over him, a menacing smile on his face.

"If you die, Alice will be mine," Edwin sneers, his voice dripping with malice.

"No! You will not hurt her!" Luke grunts, struggling to push Edwin off.

"Luke!" I scream, my fear morphing into fury. "Get away from him!"

"Stay back, Alice!" Luke yells, but I can't hold back.

"Get off him!" I command, tapping into the powers I never wanted to wield. A surge of energy pulses through me, and I fling Edwin across the room.

"What are you doing?" Edwin taunts, his confidence unwavering.

I take a deep breath, channeling my emotions. "You don't touch him!" My voice resonates, powerful and determined. Edwin stumbles, confusion flashing in his eyes as I focus all my strength on him.

Luke takes advantage of Edwin's distraction, lunging forward with a dagger. In one swift motion, he strikes, and blood splatters across the room as Edwin collapses to the ground. "Thank you," Edwin whispers, his last words barely audible before silence engulfs the space.

Jake's voice cuts through the stillness. "Guys, I think we have another problem." He points toward the prison-like door, and I turn to see a horde of zombies pouring in.

"Great," I groan. "This is just perfect!"

"Use your powers, Alice!" Jake urges, desperation creeping into his voice. I focus, willing the zombies to freeze in their tracks. It works, but as I do, I feel a rush of warmth.

Suddenly, I feel a trickle down my legs—my water has broken. "Transport us, Alice!" Jake yells.

"I can't! My water just broke!" I scream back, frustration boiling over. "I can't focus!"

"Then I'll do it!" Jake shouts, pulling out a handful of grey beads. "Stay close to me!"

Before I can argue, Luke pulls me closer. "Just trust him," he whispers, and I nod, grounding myself in his presence.

Jake tosses the beads to the floor, and grey smoke swirls around us, sparkling with pink light. "Close your eyes," he instructs. I obey, feeling a tickle across my skin, like I'm floating through a dream. The pain is distant now, replaced by a magical warmth.

Gradually, I feel the sensation of being lowered back to reality, but the pain returns, sharper than before. "I can't take it!" I cry out, panic surging through me.

"You have to push!" Luke encourages, his voice steady.

"Like I don't know that!" I retort, gritting my teeth. I push with every ounce of strength, and finally, a cry echoes in the room.

"It's almost here! One more!" Luke urges.

I push again, and with a final effort, our baby girl enters the world. She has soft, light brown hair and bright grey eyes that remind me of Luke's. My heart swells as I hold her for the first time, a perfect blend of both of us.

But the shadows of our past linger, and as I gaze into my daughter's eyes, I realize the fight isn't over. We have to survive this hellhole. For her. For us.

With a newfound determination, I look at Luke, who holds my gaze with fierce love. "We'll figure this out together," I vow, and I know, with him by my side, we can face anything.