The Beautiful and the Psychotic

Chapter Twenty-Six

 I'm guessing there's going to be around 30 chapters as I'm starting to wind it down. Please check out my new story, Eros' Angels. Thanks :)

Ethan's P.O.V.

"I'm glad you all made it. Now as you can see, 16 isn't here," Mason spoke aloud to the audience. "That's because we have a plan to get out of here."

Mason had to stop for a matter of minutes due to all the cheering.

When they finally quieted down, Mason called me up to the stage. "Now as you know, the reason we haven't planned a mass breakout before is because the bracelets would permanently injure and probably kill us if we tried," he said. "But I know where the control panel is to turn them off. However, earlier attempts would've failed due to either 16's presence or the bracelets themselves setting off alarms. However, Ethan has returned, and because he doesn't have bracelets, he can turn them off."

The crowd cheered again, this time a little quieter. Nobody had forgotten that I was a murderer.... but I was going to try to redeem myself. I couldn't return Bella safely, but I could return everybody else to their families, or at least try.

"Everybody wait here until we return. When we come back, the bracelets will be turned off. Not removed, but turned off."

My heart was racing as we walked, far too slow, to B500.

The room was so dark. It brought back haunting memories of Bella's face. But in my head, I looked her right in the eyes and thought, I'm going to fix things, Bella. I'm sorry.

I swear I felt a hand on my shoulder. But when I turned around, there was nobody there. My brain was probably playing tricks on me. God, I missed her so much.

Mason stayed well away from the control panel. Usually his bracelets were removed when he sat there with 16. I took a deep breath. This was really happening.

I was about to save Silver Gardens.

Each step seemed to take forever. I stood in front of the shiny metal panel, finally seeing the escape. Just one press of a small green button labeled "BRACELETS". One press. The light faded from green to red slowly, ever so slowly. Everything was happening so slow.

A small, mechanical voice announced, "Bracelets Deactivated."

I couldn't contain myself. I ran, laughing, past Mason and out the door, down the hallways. Mason followed me, shouting into the stale air, "Freedom!"

Together we sprinted down to B1 and burst through the doors. There was deathly silence in the massive room. "Everybody, run!" I yelled in glee.

The room exploded. A cacophony of voices and footsteps and laughter filled the halls. Everybody was so happy that they were getting out. No more Silver Gardens or guests and especially VIPs.

Everybody tasted freedom.

Until the car pulled up to the driveway, and 16 stepped out holding a gun.