Julian left the room in the middle of the night. He wanted to see Kayla. He had not even told Marcus. The goal of this attempt was to find a clear path to the institute, but he was surprised to discover that getting out would be impossible. There were surveillance cameras in every corner, in addition to a robot equipped with thermal cameras.
While hiding in the darkness, he heard a voice say, Don't scream!
He turned around, terrified. The last person he expected to see was Shon.
Julian , what are you doing here?
Shon , I was about to ask you the same question!
Julian said, Honestly, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go for a walk.
Shon laughed and said, You're joking! Yeah, sure you are.
Julian, Alright, alright! It's none of your business.
He pushed Shon and tried to go back to the room, but Shon said, I know why you came out. You want to go to the institute.
Julian stopped and turned back. What did you say?
Shon replied, Yes. You want to go to the institute.
Julian , and how do you know what I want?
He walked away for a few steps.
Shon, I know a way.
Julian stopped. He didn't trust him, but deep inside, he was ready to take the risk. He went back to Shon and said, What way are you talking about?
Shon, follow me.
They went to the scrap storage warehouse. The place was dark, and dust was everywhere. The roof had large and small holes where moonlight came through, making the moment even more frightening. They walked to the end of the warehouse, where there was a large wooden board.
Shon , come on, help me move it.
They moved the wooden board, and the surprise appeared. There was a tunnel.
Julian, What is this?
Suddenly, Shon pulled out a knife and placed it against Julian's neck, laughing.
You won't see anyone worse than me. Listen, you idiot. This will be your grave if you dare tell anyone about this place. Understood?
For the first time in his life, Julian decided he would fight back.
While Shon held the knife near Julian's neck, Julian moved quickly, lifted him, and threw him to the ground with such force that he almost broke his bones. Julian grabbed the knife and walked toward Shon, who was lying on the ground in pain. He grabbed him by the neck and said:
Show me the way to the institute, or darkness will swallow you.
Shon replied, Alright, my friend! You misunderstood me!
Suddenly, a guard rushed into the warehouse and shouted, Who's there?
He walked toward the place where he heard the noise, but he found nothing. Julian and Shon had already gone down into the tunnel.
Shon, listen, I'll help you, but we must agree on something very important. The institute is not what you think. Strange things happen there. My father told me that...
He stopped and didn't finish.
Julian said, Speak! What did he tell you? What is happening there?
Shon , the institute is run by people who want to destroy everyone. And they will do it.
Julian , what are you talking about?
Shon, exactly what you heard. They are creating inventions for only one purpose.
Julian, what is their goal? Tell me!
Shon, I will tell you, but I want a promise that you won't tell anyone.
Julian, I promise.
Shon, listen carefully. They are called the Keepers of Darkness. Every year, they gather in Zone Z. They try to communicate with beings somewhere. Those beings are not human.
Julian, you're crazy. That's impossible!
Shon , my father... his real name is Frankie. He used to work at the institute, and he was one of them. I know everything about them. I have gathered a team, and I need you to join us. I will tell you everything later. For now, let's go back to the room. The headcount time is close.
Julian was confused. Everything felt mixed in his mind. He didn't want to believe a single word, Shon.
But at that moment, Julian realized that Kayla was in great danger.
The next morning, after the end of the morning training session, Julian and Marcus were eating in the cafeteria. Julian decided to tell his friend.
Hey, Marcus, listen carefully, Julian said.
Marcus was eating greedily.
Yeah, yeah, go ahead. What is it? Marcus replied.
Kayla is in danger. We need to help her.
Marcus continued eating.
Hey! Did you hear me? Julian.
Yes, you said Kayla is in danger, Marcus replied.
Then he finally paid attention to what Julian had said.
Man, what are you talking about? What danger? She's in the institute, right?
Yes, she's there, Julian said.
Good. She's studying. She'll become a great doctor.
Listen. There is a huge danger there. We need to go and make sure, Julian said.
Marcus laughed. How are we supposed to get out? If they catch us, we will be punished severely. Don't you know that trying to escape the academy is punished very harshly?
Listen carefully, Julian said. After the night headcount, I will leave at 01:10. You follow me at 01:15. Understood? This is serious. Please focus.
Man, do you realize what you're saying? This is madness, Marcus replied.
Be there on time. Goodbye, Julian.
After the night headcount ended at 01:00, Julian looked at Marcus as if his eyes were saying: I'm counting on you.
At 01:10, the lights went out. Immediately, Julian left the room and went to the bathroom.
Five minutes later, Marcus followed him. He was angry. In truth, he felt that his friend was going to get him into trouble.
Inside the bathroom, Marcus said:
Listen. Tell me something logical, man. Kayla is in the institute, and she's fine.
Julian said, Please, lower your voice with us, Shon!
Marcus turned behind him and saw Shon.
Marcus's anger flared, and he said, Man, are you kidding me?!
Shon , we don't have time to waste today. We must go immediately!
Julian said, Listen, Marcus, we have to do this. It's dangerous, and something is happening. We need to move. You'll understand everything once we get inside. We have to go now!
The three of them rushed to the warehouse, moved the wooden board, and descended into the dark tunnel.
And here was the beginning of the journey, the beginning of everything turning upside down. Time was not the time, and place was not the place... it was the institute!
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