Marcus,
Julian, in my entire life, I never imagined that one day I would do something that would make me this unhappy. Do you know what? I'm warning you, this is madness!
Look around you. Do you see this filth you dragged me into? I'm sorry, Mom… it looks like I'll go back to washing dishes… maybe even clothes. I'm sorry, Mom! I'm going to be punished because of this lunatic.
(He was talking about Shon.)
Then he added,
Hey, you with the strange scar! What did you tell that man to make him lose his mind?
Shon replied quietly,
Keep walking and be quiet. They might discover us. Watch out—there are iron bars ahead.
Julian asked,
Shon, how did you know about this tunnel? We've only been at the academy for 48 hours.
Shon answered,
I told you before. My father told me everything.
Marcus laughed nervously.
Your father again? I think your father is going to get us killed.
Shon stopped and looked at him sharply.
Listen carefully. I will not allow you to speak badly about my father. Do you understand?
I didn't even want you to come with us. Julian insisted. I don't see anything special about you except that you talk too much and sleep too much.
Marcus stepped forward angrily.
What did you say? Come here, and I'll show you what I'm good at. I'll give you another scar, you idiot!
Shhh! Julian whispered. I hear something.
Shon listened carefully.
Cars. That means we're outside the academy now. Come on, we're almost there.
They moved forward carefully and passed the sharp iron bars. After walking for about ten minutes, they finally reached the end of the dark tunnel. A staircase led upward.
Marcus asked,
So… what's the plan now?
Shon replied,
We go up these stairs. They lead to the garden.
But be careful—the guards are highly trained.
He continued,
This area of the institute isn't restricted, so the guards aren't allowed to carry weapons here. But we still need to be careful.
One by one, they climbed out of the tunnel. The trees around them were thick and dense.
Marcus whispered,
Alright… now what?
Julian asked Shon,
Where are the new students usually placed?
Shon answered,
In the northern sector. Building E.
Let's move faster, Julian said.
Shon stopped him.
Wait. Where are you going? Are you planning to search the entire building?
We should go to the administration office first, check her name in the files, and then go directly to her room.
Marcus nodded.
For once, the idiot said something logical.
Shon frowned.
Did you just call me an idiot?
Julian interrupted them quickly.
Enough. We're wasting time.
The administration building was in the middle of the institute, but a guard was sitting in front of the main door.
They quickly agreed on a plan to distract him.
Marcus moved to a nearby spot and threw a small stone near the guard. The guard didn't move.
He threw another stone.
Still nothing.
Julian walked closer and suddenly heard a soft snoring sound.
He's asleep, Julian whispered. Quick!
They entered the administration building, but all the office doors were locked.
Julian signaled to Marcus.
Marcus sighed.
I'm sorry, Mom… this is crazy.
He quickly started working on the locks. Marcus had a talent for opening almost any lock.
The first office—nothing.
The second office—nothing.
The third office contained all the student records.
There was a list of new students assigned to rooms in Building E.
They found Kayla's name.
Second floor. Room 47.
Julian rushed outside, but he noticed Shon was missing.
Suddenly, Shon appeared from a staircase leading to the basement.
Where were you? Julian asked.
I was looking around, Shon replied. Did you find anything?
Yes. Let's go.
They moved carefully, avoiding the security cameras, until they reached Building E.
There were no guards.
Julian ran ahead alone while Marcus and Shon waited downstairs.
He quietly opened Room 47 and slipped inside.
Kayla was sleeping.
He walked slowly toward her and gently woke her.
She opened her eyes and was about to scream, but Julian quickly covered her mouth.
It's me. Julian. Don't scream.
Kayla looked at him in shock.
Are you crazy? What are you doing here?
We need to talk, he whispered.
They went downstairs together.
Kayla saw Marcus and shook her head.
You've officially lost your minds.
I told him that, Marcus said. But he never listens.
Julian spoke quickly.
Kayla, listen. We don't have much time. Have you noticed anything strange here?
What do you mean? She asked.
Shon confirmed to me that something unnatural is happening in this place.
Kayla shook her head.
No. Everything is normal. We just study here.
Shon stepped forward.
You won't notice anything because you're in the wrong place. We need to go to the restricted zone. That's where everything happens.
Shon pulled a small phone from his pocket and handed it to Kayla.
Keep this. If anything strange happens, call me. I'll come immediately.
There's no need, Kayla said. Everything is fine.
Julian insisted,
Just keep it. It's small—don't show it to anyone. And don't hesitate to call me.
Alright, she sighed. Now go.
Julian stepped closer to her.
Listen carefully. I'm sure something has happened—or will happen. Be careful. The phone runs on solar power. It doesn't need charging. Just go somewhere safe and call me.
I have to go now. Goodbye.
Wait, Kayla said softly.
She stepped forward and hugged him.
Thank you for worrying about me. But I'm fine here. I'll keep the phone.
Goodbye, Julian.
Marcus whispered while looking around nervously,
This lovesick fool is going to get us killed.
Shon spoke quietly.
Shouldn't we be heading to the restricted zone?
Julian nodded.
Yes. We came here to find the truth.
Marcus sighed dramatically.
Mom… please help me.
They finally decided.
Their destination was the restricted zone.
They moved forward with determined steps, but their hearts were racing with fear.
Soon they reached Zone A.
Julian immediately noticed something.
The place was heavily guarded.
Guards everywhere.
And at the front entrance stood a robotic security unit.
Shon whispered,
We should split up.
Marcus stared at him.
You're joking.
Julian nodded slowly.
I think it's a good idea.
I'm going back to the academy, Marcus said. This is not something a sane person would do.
Marcus, Julian said calmly, we already agreed. We'll take a look and leave. We're very close.
Julian moved forward.
Marcus went to the right.
Shon disappeared into the darkness on the left.
Each of them had their own reason for being there.
But the darkness… was their destination.
Julian moved slowly, step by step.
He noticed something important.
The robotic guard had a blind spot.
It only watched the main entrance.
The other side was guarded by armed soldiers—and their weapons looked extremely advanced.
The tension grew.
Julian was now only ten meters away from them.
Ten meters from death.
He waited until the guards started talking to each other.
Then he moved like lightning.
Within seconds, he slipped inside the restricted zone.
Inside the main corridor, everything looked normal.
But something strange caught his attention.
There were no security cameras inside.
He decided to go down to the basement.
The deeper he went, the stranger the sounds became.
Whispers.
Unknown voices.
Darkness surrounded him.
Suddenly—
Footsteps.
Someone was coming.
His heart almost stopped.
Then he noticed a small door on his right.
He opened it slowly and stepped inside, leaving it slightly open.
Two people walked past.
They were wearing white uniforms and strange glasses that he had never seen before.
One of them suddenly stopped.
Wait… I forgot the key in the upstairs office, he said. I'll go get it.
Julian followed the man who continued walking toward the basement.
And there…
He saw something he was never supposed to see.
To be continued…