With a watch on his wrist, no memory of his past, and a puzzle-filled room, Atlas tries desperately to escape the elevators.
Upon waking to darkness, Atlas stumbles into the white room. His desire for answers driving his feet to move. In the firs...
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"Found you," It was the same feminine voice from earlier that had yelled at the others for firing.
This is how it ends.
Atlas reached over to grab Hope's hand, knowing that he was powerless against the weapon.
-
Atlas squeezed his eyes shut and waited for their tragic fate. He could only hope that it was quick. He moved his body in a futile attempt to save Hope. He could already feel the pain and numbness settling over him in death. But that pain never came.
"We have to move. Now. They expect everyone to recon in sector B in 10 minutes."
Atlas peeked one of his eyes open in confusion. The woman's rifle was not pointed towards them as Atlas had imagined. It was held close to her chest as if she was shielding it from them. The woman had a stern face, but her eyes gave away her true emotions. She was relieved.
Relieved to turn them in.
Seeing the skeptical looks the two were giving her, she sighed and continued her explanation. "Look, you don't remember me, but I'm responsible for both of you. Right now you have no other options but to trust me."
She was right. If she had wanted to kill them she would have done it already, and even if they couldn't fully trust her, she was their only hope. This was either a trap or their only ticket out of this God-forsaken place. Atlas released Hope's hand. His own hand felt clammy and damp with sweat. Before he could accept the offer Hope spoke up.
"Okay," she said, "Let's be clear. I don't trust you. Not even a little bit, but you are our only hope for escape." Atlas watched as the air around her seemed to be commanded by her voice. She was strong, that much was clear. She was determined to get out of this place alive.
The pair slowly stood from their crouched positions. The woman bent down on one knee and offered her hands to hoist them up and out of the hole. Atlas and Hope scrambled to the top and William took this as his queue to follow. The boy stood and moved towards the guard with the blonde tight bun, but was halted. The barrel of her rifle was pointed directly at him. His glasses fogged around the rims from his sweaty heat.
"You're staying. I can't have you slowing them down. They are the top priority."
The woman looked apologetic, but her voice was unwavering. Atlas was furious. He had told the boy no initially, but he would never threaten him again. He watched through space and saw Hope's eyes flicker with anger. Her fists were clenched by her sides.
"Stand down!" Atlas commanded.
He glowered at the woman. Without any hesitation, she lowered her weapon and stood tall, throwing her shoulders back. "Yes, Admiral," she repeated in a heavy tone.
Admiral?
She looked up to him and stated her case. "I apologize, sir. I have to keep you safe. This boy would only slow you down." She tilted her chin to Will who had gone pale from his near-death experience. Poor kid.
