Freefall

Chapter Five: The Price of Freedom

The morning dawned cold and gray, the sky a dull canvas that mirrored the lifelessness inside the facility. Lyra woke to the harsh clang of the alarm, signaling the start of another day in their nightmare. The bunk creaked as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The previous night's conversation with Jax lingered in her mind, a mix of hope and fear. They were no closer to freedom, but at least now they knew they weren't alone.

Eden stirred on the bunk below, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She looked up at Lyra, a silent exchange of worry passing between them. Allie was already awake, sitting on the edge of her bed, her expression hard as she laced up her boots. None of them spoke as they dressed in the standard-issue gray uniforms, each lost in their own thoughts. The promise of Jax's help was a fragile lifeline, but it was more than they'd had before.

The door to their room slid open with a mechanical hiss, and a guard appeared, his face hidden behind a dark visor. "Move," he barked, his tone void of any humanity. They fell into line, marching down the sterile corridors to the cafeteria for the morning meal.

The cafeteria was filled with the usual silence, broken only by the clatter of trays and the occasional muttered word. Lyra forced herself to eat the bland, flavorless gruel, knowing she needed her strength. Her thoughts drifted to Hayden and Jax. What had they learned? What was Brian planning? The uncertainty gnawed at her, a constant ache that wouldn't let go.

As they finished their meal, the intercom crackled to life, a rare occurrence that immediately put everyone on edge. The voice that followed was as cold and calculated as the man it belonged to—Brian Hutch.

"Attention, all personnel. Report to the central hall immediately for an important announcement."

Lyra's stomach twisted with dread. She exchanged a glance with Eden and Allie, who looked equally uneasy. They had learned to fear any deviation from the routine. It usually meant something bad was about to happen.

The guards ushered them out of the cafeteria and into the central hall, a large, sterile room used for announcements and assemblies. The air was thick with tension as the children and staff filed in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear. At the front of the room stood Brian, his presence commanding and unnerving. Beside him was a man Lyra didn't recognize, dressed in an expensive suit that contrasted sharply with the facility's bleak surroundings.

Hayden stood to the side, his face pale but composed. Lyra's heart sank as she noticed the way Brian's eyes lingered on him. Whatever this announcement was, it involved Hayden, and Lyra feared the worst.

Brian's voice cut through the uneasy silence. "Today marks an important milestone for this facility. We have reached a new level of excellence in our program, and as a result, we have attracted the attention of some very influential clients."

He gestured to the man beside him. "This is Mr. Kline, one of our most esteemed clients. He has shown a great interest in our program, particularly in the development of one of our subjects."

Lyra's breath caught in her throat. She could see where this was going, and she prayed she was wrong.

"After careful consideration," Brian continued, his gaze sweeping over the room, "Mr. Kline has decided to purchase one of our most promising subjects—Hayden Bells."

A collective gasp rippled through the room, the air thick with shock and disbelief. Lyra's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. They were taking Hayden. They were selling him off like a piece of property.

Hayden's expression remained stoic, but Lyra could see the fear in his eyes, the way his hands trembled ever so slightly. He had known this day might come, but that didn't make it any easier.