Chemicals

13

"It hasn't always been like this, you know," Ivy says, twisting her head as she surveys the area. She stands just as tall as Ethan, maybe a few centimeters shorter. Placing her hands on her hips, she gazes at a reddish, glowing room surrounded by bars, a warning sign plastered on it. "That's the Psychoid Control Room," she says, backing away from the bars.

I glance at it. Beneath the warning sign, it reads, Enter at your own risk. A shiver runs down my spine.

"Are they inside?" Ethan asks.

Ivy nods, her eyes following his gaze. "A few—three or four, maybe. One of the captives we brought in was already infected, but we didn't realize it... then it spread from one to another."

"How did you manage to get them in there?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

She turns to me, then back to the barred room. "My colleague... he sacrificed himself to push them in. Now he's one of them." Her eyes reflect deep remorse, memories clearly weighing on her. I nod softly, casting my eyes downward.

"I'm sorry for your loss," I say quietly.

She nods, then turns away from the door and continues walking with us.

We walk down the base's dim hallways. Ethan's hands are shoved deep into his jacket pockets; he seems anxious for some reason. "This used to be a military base," Ivy says after a moment. "Until the virus hit, and everyone ran off. My dad was a sergeant here, so I stayed with him for a while. He trained me and everything. Dad was the one who introduced me to your brother, Kiya."

I raise a brow. Ivy's dad knew Chase? "How?" I ask.

She shrugs. "I don't really remember. All he said was that they were friends."

Chase never told me he knew someone from the military. But then again, how could he? Whenever I asked him to go out, he'd always say he needed to stay home.

"You could ask him if you want," Ivy's voice echoes through the hallway.

"Sure..." I respond, though hesitantly.

As we continue walking through the hallways, the air feels heavier with each step. Ivy remains silent, her eyes focused ahead. I glance over at Ethan, who still looks uneasy, but he hasn't said much since Ivy mentioned Chase. Something about all of this feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

After a few minutes, Ivy stops in front of a metal door marked Captain's Quarters. She taps a code into the keypad, and the door slides open with a soft hiss. "My dad's inside," she says, stepping in. Ethan and I exchange a look before following her.

The room is surprisingly tidy compared to the rest of the base—there are military maps pinned to the walls, a desk stacked with reports, and a few framed pictures on a shelf, though the glass is cracked. In one corner, an older man sits in a large chair, his eyes sharp and calculating. He looks up as we enter, his face hardening slightly.

"Dad," Ivy says, her voice softer than before. "We need to talk to you."

Her father stands, his military uniform still crisp despite the wear and tear of the years. He studies us for a moment, his gaze lingering on me and Ethan before turning back to Ivy. "What is it?" His voice is deep, commanding.

Ivy takes a breath. "They need to know how you met Chase."

At the mention of Chase's name, something flickers in the old man's eyes—something I can't quite read, but it sends a chill down my spine. He looks at me and then Ethan, as if weighing his words carefully.

"Chase?" he repeats slowly, almost like he's testing the name on his tongue. "Your brother, Kiya. I see."

I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. "You knew him?" I ask, though my voice comes out quieter than I intended.