SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 72: Through The Smoke

Destruction had engulfed the city. Smoke rose like suffocating specters from the fires, while screams and chaos raced through the alleys. Many techno-humans lay on the ground—not dead, just half-conscious. Heather's algorithm had somehow deactivated their prosthetics and implants, leaving them struggling to regain basic human functions.

We lifted Heather onto Kate's ship and hurried to the place where I kept my last hope. As we got closer, we heard the border alarm, likely triggered by Michael because of the diversion attack we had orchestrated. I wished he was okay; I wished I could tell him it was over and that we had finally put an end to The Orb's era. But now, what we had at stake couldn't wait. It wouldn't be long before the Ghost Patch wore off, and then Heather's fate would be beyond saving. And that could not happen. I wouldn't let it happen.

Kate dropped us off to save time, and with Heather weak and confused, we entered the place where we'd once met, where we fell in love. The place where everything began, and where everything shattered: The Narval House.

We crossed an empty hall, so oddly quiet that made me wonder if we were in the wrong place. No Narval Officers walking around, no shouts, no sound of boots on the stairs. The security troops had likely left for the border or the city center to contain the chaos, and now that silence felt deeply unsettling

Erik followed me close behind, worry written all over his face. He knew we were running out of time. The patch wouldn't hold much longer.

"Where do we go?" He asked, impatient, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if hoping to see something that looked like a clear destination.

"Just follow me."

Heather looked around as if the entrance was full of fascinating things. "I think I've been here before." She mumbled.

"You definitely have." I told her.

I led them down the stairs and pushed open the heavy, metallic door to our secret sanctuary: the underground pool of the Narval House.

"What are we doing here?" Erik asked, looking around. The pool was dry. Old. Worn out. Clearly unused for years.

"This place..." I took a deep breath, overwhelmed by memories. "...holds a special place for Heather and I."

"Really?" Erik observed the dusted floor confused, but he decided not to question it further. "Alright, let's see if it works."

I descended the pool stairs and raised my hand to Heather. "Come down here, Heather."

"Down there?" Erik asked.

Heather frowned not really convinced either. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. Just trust me."

Erik nodded and helped guide Heather to the edge of the pool.

"I don't feel well. What are we doing here?" Heather asked, placing a hand on her forehead.

She was pale, with hands colder than I'd ever felt, alarming since Heather's hands were always warm, no matter what. Erik grabbed her wrist and flipped it over to check the patch. The light was still flickering wildly, but it was dimming fast. Not good.

"Grace. Hurry. I think we don't have much time!"

I took Heather in my arms and helped her climb down into the pool. The crack of broken tiles echoed under our feet as we walked. I desperately tried to catch that unmistakable smell of chlorine that used to linger in the air, but it was gone. In its place, a dense, heavy odor of dampness and mold had taken over—just as The Orb had taken Heather's memories. Would she even recognize this place if it didn't smell the same?