When the tunnel opened into the wide platform, the first thing I saw was the crooked, half-rusted sign:
PLATFORM B-2
The feeling of knowing and not knowing at the same time was starting to eat away at me.
When I looked around, the yellow glow of the lamps and the burning barrels revealed patched-up tents amid an oily smoke. In the corners, hand-painted symbols covered the walls, but I couldn't recognize a single one.
As we entered, the shelter stirred like an overturned anthill.
Muffled cries.
Hurried footsteps.
Children being pulled by the arms.
It all felt familiar''too familiar.
As we walked between the tents, something inside me screamed. I didn't know what it was, but it grew louder the further we pushed through the crowd until I couldn't help but stop and shout:
'' Watch out! ''
Mei took two steps forward, stopped, gave me a quick look up and down, then turned away and kept walking.
'' We're going through without stopping, '' she said.
'' What a nuisance, '' Raul muttered, giving me a shove. '' Move it. ''
'' But the girl'' I called softly '' there's a girl… ''
'' Who? '' Sofia, who was holding onto my arm, couldn't help but ask.
Before I could answer, something happened''different this time.
An old, gaunt man stumbled into a tent, and the canvas collapsed like a soaked sheet, dragging two large pots to the ground. The crash thundered through the platform. People screamed.
Mei stopped just for a second, looked toward the mess, sighed heavily, and shook her head.
'' Pick that up, '' she told the refugees, and kept walking.
Josh glanced sideways at me.
'' The girl. There was a girl. ''
I didn't know why, but a faint memory of a child overlapped that place, like two scenes trying to exist at once.
'' There was one. I know there was. '' On impulse, I stopped again, looking around, searching for that child from my memory. It seemed insane. But as we kept walking, everything looked the same and familiar, and at the same time so different that I didn't know what to think anymore.
'' Crazy, '' Raul laughed. '' Let's not waste more time here. ''
We moved through the improvised tents, and I kept looking around, dazed. The heat from the barrels bit into my face, mixing with the thick smell of oil.
I could hear coughing somewhere; people praying; others staring into nothing.
When we reached the end of the platform, a makeshift staircase led down to the rails, held together with welded chains. Mei went first. I hesitated, glancing at the tunnel ceiling. I knew there was something there. I didn't know how, but something inside me screamed''danger.
'' Heh… so you know, '' Raul said with a laugh, and it sent a chill down my spine.
I went down.
The emergency lights, spaced far apart, gave the foolish impression that it was the heartbeat of the earth itself.
Vines grew from the ceiling''or maybe from inside the walls''like stitches left half-finished.
Burned symbols scarred the tunnel signs.
My throat went dry.
My mouth tasted like iron.
My hands sweated two kinds of sweat: one from the skin, the other from fear.
When the passage narrowed, a strange yet familiar gate appeared before us''colossal, soldered from chains, plates, and cables. A small hatch sat at its center, dark, like a closing eye.
Mei stopped two steps away, drew a long breath.
Raul pushed me forward; I nearly tripped trying to keep up.
She just gave us a quick look, then raised her hand and knocked: thum, thum… thum-thum.
Silence.
Raul folded his arms and yawned.
Soon, the sound of metal scraping against metal echoed out. Chains shifted, and the hatch swung open with a sharp metallic crack. A pair of eyes appeared inside, watching us with suspicion.
'' Who's there? '' a hoarse voice demanded.
Mei answered''same and not the same:
'' Line B-2. '' She paused. '' Mei. ''
'' You shouldn't be here. ''
'' Change of plans. ''
The man's eyes on the other side lingered on me for a moment.
'' How many? '' he asked.
'' Four, '' Mei replied.
Raul, already restless, lifted his chin.
'' Just open it already. You know who we are, or do you want the flesh-bats to catch our scent? ''
'' Shut up, Raul, '' the man barked dryly from behind the slit. '' Speak properly to me. ''
'' Malik… '' Mei began '' is dead. We need to speak with the Counselor. It's urgent. ''
The man sighed at that.
'' Everything's urgent, '' he grumbled, sounding exhausted. '' Wait. ''
With that, he slammed the hatch shut.
'' If you open it too slow, '' Raul muttered '' I'll open you instead. ''
Josh clicked his tongue, irritated.
'' Why does it always get worse when you talk? ''
Raul just snorted, crossing his arms again.
A few seconds later came the sound of chains being dragged and gears locking into place. The gate began to open, heavy and reluctant, as white light cut through the cracks.
My heart leapt to my throat''the déjà vu grew stronger.
I raised an arm to shield my eyes as the smell of formalin and oil hit me, along with the hum of voices''a sudden flood of life after the suffocating quiet of the tunnel behind us.
'' Stay close, '' Josh said, placing a hand on my shoulder and forcing me toward the door.
As soon as we crossed the entrance, the same violet window burst before my eyes.
Cold letters appeared one by one:
[SCENARIO CORRECTED]
[NEW MISSION (IN PROGRESS)]
[SAVE STORY MODE]
'' What is it? '' Sofia asked immediately, before her eyes followed the empty air in front of me.
'' Nothing… '' my voice came out in a whisper.
I was already seen as a madman from the Church. Bringing it up again wouldn't help. I needed a moment to think, to breathe, to understand what was happening '' but there were no pauses in this world.
'' Trying to run now? '' Raul sneered. '' Bit late for that. ''
Mei looked around before speaking.
'' We're going to the Counselor. ''
'' Captain, '' Raul started complaining again. '' We should take him to the prison first, the Counselor'' ''
He didn't finish, but everyone seemed hesitant. Something felt wrong, though I couldn't tell what.
Mei stopped, thinking. She looked torn, her gaze flicking toward me every few seconds. Finally, Josh spoke.
'' I think, this time, we should listen to the Captain's muscle-brain here. ''
'' Hey! ''
Josh ignored him, continuing calmly:
'' We don't know if it's worth the risk. And the Counselor… he's not exactly fond of being disturbed. ''
Mei looked like she was at war with herself, then finally sighed and decided.
'' Fine. You two, '' she said, looking at Raul and Sofia. '' Take him to Complex D-9. Top level only. ''
Raul looked disappointed, but both Sofia and Josh gave me helpless glances.
'' Let's go, Josh, '' Mei said, already walking in the other direction. '' Let's see the Counselor. ''
I watched Mei and Josh disappear into the haze, their silhouettes dissolving into the white lights and the vapor rising from the vents in the floor. Raul shoved me hard from behind.
'' Move it, '' he said with a half-smile. '' Or do you want me to carry you? ''
I tried to keep my balance, my legs aching.
'' Where are we going? '' I asked.
'' To your new home, obviously, '' he answered without looking at me. '' Complex D-9. You're lucky. If it were up to me, I'd send you straight to the ''Silence.''
'' Silence? '' I echoed. '' What's that? ''
He gave a short laugh.
'' The perfect place for a believer like you. '' He patted my shoulder. '' Down there, you can finally meet your god. ''
'' Raul, '' Sofia scolded softly.
He only shrugged.
'' Just a welcome speech. The kid should know where he's headed. ''
I looked at her, hoping for a real answer. Sofia avoided my gaze but spoke in a calmer tone.
'' The Silence is the deepest part of the prison. It's below D-9''but you're not going there. ''
She hesitated before continuing.
'' The prison was carved from one of the old tunnels, a descending spiral. They say the first engineers who worked there vanished before finishing the job. ''
Hearing that sent a chill up my spine.
'' And what's down there? '' I asked.
'' Who knows? No one who's gone there ever came back, '' Raul replied. '' That's what makes it perfect. ''
Sofia drew a long breath and added:
'' Nothing survives down there. They say the walls swallow everything. Voices, footsteps… even your breath. ''
We walked in silence for a while.
'' See? '' Raul smirked. '' Sounds like a great place for you, kid. ''
I didn't answer''just kept my head down.
In the distance, dark concrete towers began to rise from the gloom.
As we got closer, I realized they weren't just stone''something else was mixed in.
Yellowish shapes moved beneath the surface, as if the walls were alive. The concrete was a blend of metal and fossilized flesh.
Raul caught my expression and chuckled.
'' Pretty, huh? The Counselor ordered those built himself. Some people confess just by looking at them. ''
Sofia turned away, visibly uneasy.
'' Talk less, Raul. ''
'' Why? '' he mocked. '' Afraid the kid will start crying? ''
She didn't respond.
We reached a zigzagging staircase descending deeper underground. The air grew damper, and a yellowish mist began to cover the floor, seeping from the walls.
'' The lower you go, the worse it smells, '' Raul muttered. '' I'd almost forgotten. ''
At the bottom, a wide corridor opened up.
Ahead stood a tall, black gate etched with ancient symbols, yet laced with traces of modern tech '' a flickering touch-screen panel beside the door. Two guards stood motionless on either side, like statues.
And between them stood a woman.
She was too beautiful for this place '' pale, almost translucent skin, golden hair tied into a simple bun, and eyes so blue they seemed to glow. Her white clothes clashed violently with the filth and darkness around her.
She smiled when she saw us.
'' Well, well… '' she said, her voice so soft it bordered on melodic. '' Visitors at this hour? That's unusual. ''
Raul, who almost never showed fear, took a nervous step back. Sofia stiffened; I could feel her trembling hand on my shoulder.
'' Ma'am… '' Raul started, trying to sound confident. '' We brought a prisoner. ''
'' A prisoner? '' She raised an eyebrow, stepping forward. '' How curious… and so young. ''
Her gaze settled on me, and I felt as though she was peeling me apart from the inside. There was no lust in her look '' only curiosity, and something else… pity, maybe.
'' What's his name? '' she asked with a faint smile.
Raul stammered.
'' H-He doesn't have one. '' He rubbed his face, clearly nervous. '' I mean… I think it's Noah… The Counselor wants to see him. So… he should stay up here. ''
Her smile faltered.
'' The Counselor? '' she repeated, bowing her head slightly. '' He's… going to see him personally? ''
Sofia answered quickly:
'' Yes. Direct order from the Captain. ''
The light in the woman's eyes went out like a candle in the wind. She slowly turned toward the guards '' massive men in black combat armor, their iron masks molded to their faces, with no openings for eyes.
'' Take him, '' she said, her voice now cold, distant. '' Cell three. ''
The guards moved in perfect unison.
She turned to us one last time.
'' What a pity, '' she said, her tone so gentle I almost believed her.
Without waiting for an answer, she glided down a side corridor. The sound of her footsteps vanished, as though the air itself had swallowed them.
Raul exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
'' I hate that woman. ''
'' Shhhh… '' Sofia whispered, glancing toward where she'd gone. '' She makes everyone nervous. ''
'' Just nervous? '' he laughed, but his voice cracked. '' If I could, I'd never look at her again. ''
Sofia took a deep breath and looked at me.
'' Good luck, kid. ''
Raul shoved me once more.
'' Yeah, ''Noah.'' Enjoy your stay. ''
'' I… '' I tried to speak, but one of the guards grabbed my arm with brutal strength.
The texture of his glove was rough, almost cutting. Without a word, they dragged me down a long corridor with a low ceiling. Unlike the other tunnels, the lights here didn't flicker '' the place was brightly lit, but that didn't make it better. The deeper we went, the heavier the air became.
The floor was polished metal; the walls gleamed white, almost sterile. We passed rows of sealed cells, yet no sound came from within. The silence was so complete I could hear the pulse in my ears.
One guard opened a small square door and shoved me inside.
The cell was''too clean.
Half the walls were mirrored metal; the rest were of a dark stone that seemed to drink the light. No gaps. No furniture. Nothing.
Just me.
The door closed behind me with a sharp click. The echo of footsteps faded, and then the silence consumed everything.
I stood there for a while, listening to my own heartbeat, until I finally sat on the cold floor.
I pressed the violet notebook against my chest. I didn't know why they'd let me keep it '' but I was glad they had.
The pages were still blank, yet somehow it made me feel less alone.
I closed my eyes and whispered to myself:
'' Noah… ''
My name. It still sounded strange, but somehow it was the only thing that felt real.
Everything had happened so fast I didn't even know where to begin.
For a moment, I thought the purple letters would reappear '' the cold glow, the digital hum '' but nothing happened. Only silence.
And me, sitting there, with the haunting feeling that the world was about to swallow me whole.