Abnormal {Book 1: Completed, Book 2: Ongoing}

Chapter 40

We start to climb the steps to Level 15, as it is simply impossible to access the elevator while remaining undetected. 

As we trudge our way up the stairs, trying not to make any noise, I go over the plan in my head. First, we have to locate the tracker's exact location. If it's Raven's room, then we have to find a way to break into it after defeating all the guards in that hallway. If it's not her personal dorm, then we have to steal the keys from one of the guards.

As we creep onto Level 15, I look down at the screen of my watch, where the tracking route is displayed. The route is telling me to go straight forwards, and the destination will be the fourth door to my right. There are two guards stationed in front of each door, and they are standing still as stone, staring straight at the wall opposite them.

We stop at the end of the hallway, invisible, when suddenly...all the guards turns towards us. I hear Adrius gasp as we realize that the guards can see us. Because...they're Abnormals, like us. 

They rush towards us, and the three of us raise our weapons hurriedly, pointing our guns at them. But they have no fear as they face our gun barrels head on, unlike normal human beings. Their minds must be controlled somehow.

Two of the closest soldiers immediately target Adrius and Zach, tackling them to the ground and trying and failing to knock the guns out of their hands. Even though they are dangerously outnumbered, the two of them are trained soldiers. "Go!" Adrius yells at me. "We can handle this!" Casting a worried glance at the soldiers, I make a dash for the fourth door. Surprisingly, the soldiers don't try to stop me. They are too preoccupied with trying to dodge Adrius's and Zach's bullets to pay me any attention. 

The door is made of glass, most likely bulletproof, and I turn the door handle, praying that this will work. Surprisingly, it opens instantly. I frown as I step inside. This seems like a tra...

The door closes behind me with a loud click. I turn around frantically, trying to reopen the door, but it doesn't budge. I can't even move the door handle.

I'm locked inside. 

Then my watch starts beeping frantically, telling me that the tracker is inside this room. But Raven isn't here. This was a trap all along. Of course the government knew this was going to happen. They must have planned...

I shake my head. I can't think about that right now, I have to focus on getting myself out of here. I start running around the room frantically, trying to find something to break the door. I pick up a metal paper weight in the corner of the room, and using all my strength, throw it against the door. It doesn't budge. I don't even see a crack. Then I try throwing my gun. Then a chair.

Maybe I have to try picking the lock instead.

I pull a hair pin out of my hair, and stick it into the lock on the door. This trick always worked in the past. It even worked in the maze. This is just a regular door. It shouldn't be any...

Adrius appears at the other side of the door, followed by Zach. Adrius moves forward to open the door, but of course, it doesn't work. I try to pick the lock again, and fail. I drop the hair pin in frustration, and meet Adrius's gaze through the door. It doesn't work, I mouth to him. For some reason, my intercom has gone offline. He taps his ear, signaling for me to use the intercom, but I shake my head again. 

He points his hand to the far end of the room, where there is another door marked EXIT. In my panicked state, I hadn't noticed it. I hurry towards the exit, silently cursing myself for my stupidity. 

Then suddenly, I hear a creaking sound coming from the ceiling, and four walls with metal bars drop down from above me, sealing me in a cage. 

No. Nonononono. I knew it. I knew this was a trap. Oh my god, how am I going to get out of here...

I pull desperately at the bars while Adrius pounds on the door, trying to get inside. I hear shouts coming from right outside the exit, and as his eyes meet mine through the bars, I know what I must do. 

Somehow, my watch still works, and I type a quick message to Zach, sending it just as the exit burst open, and a group of men in black uniforms rush inside, each pointing a gun at me. In front of them stands a man in a crisp gray suit and a trimmed beard, with glinting black eyes and a sinister smile. 

I know instantly that this is President Gray. The pounding on the door continues, and I silently will Adrius to stop. But I can't reach his mind. I start to really panic now as I try to project my thoughts towards the President.

He chuckles evilly, and stalks closer to the cage. My hands clench around the bars as I face him, and my breathing quickens, tears pooling in my eyes. "What do you want?" I spit out.

"We've been waiting for you, Lyanna Collins. And no, don't even try. This room blocks you from using your powers." 

He keeps smiling at me as he continues. "There's no need to fight anymore. It's over. You can't escape from this, Lyanna."

"Just let them go," I gasp out. "I'll go with you. I'll do anything...just let them go...please..." Dread overwhelms me as I think of my third task. This is almost the exact same situation. How ironic. 

"Actually, I will," the President replies. "They are of no use to me. Trying to train them would be a waste of my time. Besides, I have to uphold my end of the bargain." He smirks at me, and I glare back at him. "What bargain?" I ask, my voice finally breaking. "What bargain did you make? Tell me!"

The President ignores me entirely, and tears streaming down my face, I turn towards the door. Adrius has collapsed onto his knees, as if he knows exactly what's happening inside the room. I can see tears running down his face, and he rests his fists against the door, his shoulders slumped into defeat. 

I meet his gaze through my tears, and in a swift move, rip the chain off my neck. I throw the tracker to the ground, and grind it under the heel of my boot.

It breaks into three clean pieces. 

I can see Adrius yelling from the other side of the door, and I burst into sobs. I don't care if the President sees me crying. I just...don't...care...

All I care about is Adrius. And he's going to be gone from my life. Forever.

Forever.

I'm doing this for you, I want to scream to him. This is the only way.

But of course, I don't. Instead, I wipe away my tears. I stand straight, pulling back my shoulders. 

I will not make myself appear weak in front of my enemies. 

I'm sorry, I mouth to Adrius.

I'm sorry for everything.

Then I mouth my last words to him. I love you.

And he breaks, his face crumpling into sobs as he falls onto the floor, his face buried in his hands as he realizes that...this is the end. I swallow hard, and tear my gaze away from Adrius. 

I look at Zach, and nod silently. He whips out a syringe and plunges it into Adrius neck, and his head lolls to the side, instantly unconscious. Zach catches him just before he falls, and starts speaking into the intercom, calling for backup. Soon, our friends will arrive. And they will bring them back to HQ. 

They will be safe, and alive.

And that's what's most important to me.

I force myself to stay calm as I turn towards the President, leaving my friends behind. I don't cry as they bind my wrists in manacles. I don't cry as they drag me out of the room, and downstairs to the basement.

I don't cry as they throw me inside a dark cell room that smells like rot, and lock me inside. 

I don't cry as I realize that I might never see my friends again. That I might never see Adrius again. 

I have to stay strong, and I'm not doing this just for myself.

Adrius, I'm doing this...for you.