A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

Don't Chase Your Nightmares

Alex and Jack stare at me, not comprehending. They glance at each other, perhaps wondering if I'm actually here.

I try to push away the memories and focus on the task at hand. It's not the same, I remind myself. We're not going to get caught. We're going to be okay. I'm doing this for Kellin, I tell myself. This is all for him. He needs to get out of here, no matter what it takes. We all do.

"If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right," I say. "We have one shot at this, and we can't make a mistake. All of us, all five of us are getting out, and we're getting out together."

Finally, Alex nods. "Thanks, Vic," he says.

I shake my head. "Thank me when we're out and alive," I say. "There's no guarantee there's even a way we can."

Two of us have escaped before—that's what Jack tells me. M-07 and M-74, though it happened two years ago before any of us were brought here. Somehow, Jack and Alex managed to swipe the folder from the control room—I really shouldn't be surprised by their antics at this point.

"Does it say what their powers were?" I lean over, scanning the pages of the folder. There are two photos attached, each of a boy, both of whom look around our age. One of them has close-cropped black hair. The other one looks scruffy and has short black hair. Both of them have a kind of faraway, yet determined look in their eyes as they stare into the camera.

"Uh, give me a sec," Alex flips to the next page. "M-74 is listed as some sort of force field power. M-07 is unlisted. There's just a note that says careful in bold letters"

"Is there anything on their escape?" I ask.

"No," Alex says. "Just a date. Almost two years ago."

I lean back with a sigh. "So, there's almost nothing to go on."

Jack nudges me with his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll find a way."

"Will we?" I ask. "I really want this, believe me, guys. But we might just have to accept that we may never escape."

"Don't think like that," Alex says. "If we don't believe we can, we will never do it."

"What if it's the truth?"

"I'll duck tape your mouth shut," Alex warns. "Stop being such a pessimist."

I can't help but grin. "I thought you wanted my help."

"You can write it out," Jack says.

"I'll write out my doubts. You can't stop me."

Alex rolls his eyes. "Let's just get to work."

---

The next few weeks fly by quickly. Every night, I meet with Jack and Alex, discussing possible escapes. The task seems so daunting. Is there really a way we can escape? My mind is buzzing with ideas all day. I'm more alert than I've probably ever been. I take in every position each guard is in, noticing where the vents are in each room, watching the security cameras aimed at the hallways. I force myself to remember every little detail of every room I enter. Who knows what we might need?

We scout out the entire facility until I can navigate through it with my eyes close. It's quite awkward with three of us since we have to remain invisible practically all the time or we'll be caught. Sometimes, it's just Jack and Alex exploring. Sometimes Jack and me. On the rare occasion, the three of us go together, doing a strange system of trading off with Jack while the last one of us hides.

We explore every room, except one—the one next to the front door that's always locked. No matter how much we try, we can't open the door. We make a note of every vent shaft, every door, every room, drawing out a really crappy diagram that Alex hides under his mattress. There are not many possible options—the front, and the only, door is too well guarded. There are always at least four or five guards at all times. They must have upped the number after Jaime's and my failed escape. The knowledge makes me feel sick, guilt burning in my mind.