The weight of the journey so far pressed down on the group as they regrouped near the shore, having narrowly survived Maia's latest assault.
The tension in the air was as palpable as the mist still clinging to them, and Rowan's expression was as dark as the storm Maia had left behind.
Rowan's frustration, already fraying from exhaustion and uncertainty, finally erupted.
"So what now, Ethan?" he demanded, his voice tense and edged with frustration. "Huh? We've come this far, risked our lives, and we still don't have the 3rd nor the 4th piece. And Maia—she's got it. We're not prepared, and we're running out of time. So please, tell me what's your plan, genius?"
Ethan met Rowan's glare, his own patience waning. "I'm doing everything I can, Rowan. We all are, but it's not like I have a crystal ball. How was I supposed to know Maia would be waiting for us here? Waiting for us almost everywhere?"
"The best we could?" Rowan echoed, his voice rising. "Do you even realize how close we came to losing everything? You're acting like this is just another project, We don't have time for half-baked plans."
Ethan's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing. "What exactly are you saying, Rowan? That I don't care? Because I'm risking everything here—same as you!"
"Risking everything? You have no idea what real risk is," Rowan shot back. "Maybe this is just a game to you because you've never lost anything that mattered!"
"I LOST MY FIANCÉ!" Ethan shouts erupting into anger feeling every single emotion he's been holding in since this all started. "More than once. MORE THAN TWICE. I RISKED A LOT! You risked 1 thing in your life Rowan and it costed you nothing." Ethan says in a stern tone staring at Rowan. "NOTHING!"
Rowan scoffed, crossing his arms. "You always act like you have it all under control, but we're only getting deeper into this mess Ethan. Maia's mess. And it's not just us, Ethan—everyone is in danger."
"Oh, and you think I don't know that?" Ethan's voice rose. "I'm thinking just as much as you are. You think I'd seriously drag us all into this if I didn't have a plan? Please spare me your stupidity in stress for 1 minute, before I lose the brain cells I was blessed with."
Nathan, who had been watching with a sharp, unreadable gaze, finally stepped between them, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Enough. This isn't helping. We're running out of time, and we can't afford to lose focus now. Rowan, calm your ass down. Ethan, save your arguments and emotions for later. We need to get patched up and find that last piece before Maia puts everyone in even greater danger."
The two glared at each other, but neither said another word as they nodded reluctantly and followed Nathan's lead.
Soon, they found a nearby clinic, a small but functional building with flickering fluorescent lights and the faint scent of antiseptic.
Inside, they were greeted by a wary nurse who raised an eyebrow at their various injuries.
She glanced over their bruised and battered faces, frowning. "What happened to you all?"
Solace managed a tired smile. "It's... a long story."
The nurse didn't push further, though her eyes lingered on the odd bruises and cuts covering them.
As she finished bandaging them up, Nathan was the first to thank her.
With their wounds tended to, they left the clinic, each of them feeling the lingering ache of exhaustion, but none willing to back down now.
As they trekked through the beautiful yet darkening streets, the ominous sense of pressure in the air grew thicker. Ethan's watch chimed softly.
It's screen displaying the countdown:
30 minutes.
He could feel the weight of Maia's power spreading, reaching out like unseen tendrils.
The negativity was palpable, twisting the air, and he noticed it was affecting not only them but the very sky above.
Even here in Norway, a dark disturbance spread through the northern lights, twisting the once-beautiful auroras into strange, shifting patterns of purple, black, and electric blue.
Ethan's heart dropped. He knew Maia had entered the final stage, the most dangerous and destructive one yet.
New York, Oregon, Australia, Romania... They were all in danger. And now...
Norway was next.
YOU ARE READING
The Prototype
Science FictionWhen two engaged scientists, Ethan and Maia, create a groundbreaking prototype that taps into the five stages of grief using rare earth elements, their invention takes a dark, unexpected turn. After Maia, consumed by betrayal and heartbreak, fuses w...
