Beyond What We Know [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 20 - Omega

The three of us climbed out of the window and stood with our backs tight against the building's wall. From up there, it was easy to see the adjacent buildings and the whole perimeter of the property, yet I didn't enjoy the view as much as I could've; I've never been much of a fan when it comes to heights.

We slowly walked a few meters along the facade of the building before CK, who was the last one to go through the window, drew our attention all the way back to where we came from. "Uh... guys?" We looked over and saw smoke coming out of the window; plus, we were still close enough that we could hear crackling sounds coming from the control room. I was at a complete loss for words. All I could think of was, "We need to go back". Yet, we couldn't.

"Not all is lost. Come on. The others, they... They're gonna be fine", Locke sounded uncertain of his own words. "We can't help them out here, anyway. We'll come back for them."

His voice and his posture clearly didn't mirror the usual logical, no-nonsense, collected Locke that we were so used to but, unsurprisingly, and as much as it pained me to admit, he was right. We had to keep moving.

We found an open window a few more meters over that granted us access back into the hallway, and went through it. Now, all that was left to do was find this woman. We figured looking for her office would be our best bet. I mean, to use the intercom she would have to be inside the facility, right?

"I think this is it", CK pointed to a pair of huge automatic, metallic double doors labelled "Chair Octavia T. Wakefield". "Needs a code, though..."

We were ready to start brainstorming possible combinations when I had an idea. "Wait, she must be able to open the doors from inside the office. Look for security cameras; if we let her know we're out here, we can have her open the doors for us."

There was one right above the doors, hanging from the ceiling, and we stood directly in the middle of its field of capture so that the Chair couldn't miss us. Waving at the camera may or may not have been involved in our plan.

"I have warned you time and time again, went out of my way to stop that traitor from waking you up and to try and get you back inside the simulation, separated you from her, separated you from each other, yet you persist? Very well, I shall play your game."

The moment she was done talking, the doors opened up. I looked at the boys in hesitation, but they encouraged me to be the first to walk in. This office was the largest room we had been in so far; the walls to both my right and my left were entirely covered by bookshelves. In the middle of the room lied an old yet beautiful carpet, with a couch on either side. Behind it stood a desk, at which the Chair was sitting, with an unsettling smile on her face and her chin resting on her intertwined fingers. There was a portrait of her behind her office chair, occupying most of the wall. It felt like, while the entire building advanced through time and improved itself, her office had been stuck in time for decades. Suits her quite well, if ya ask me.

I stepped foot inside the office and she immediately ordered, "C.L.A.S.S., if you could." I was confused at first but, by following her eyes, I turned around just in time to see the doors close and separate me from my friends once again.

"Why would you do that? Open the door! What are you so afraid of!? We're no match to you, you said so yourself!"

"I'm not afraid, my dear. You, on the other hand, should be.2

I could hear Locke and CK shouting for me and throwing themselves at the doors in an attempt to bust them open. I heard them cuss at the Chair, too, and I could see them in the monitors. I'd never felt as helpless as I did in that moment, when I realised I was alone, stuck inside this creepy office with the woman who took everything from us.