My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself disoriented, confusion and fear washing over me like a tidal wave. I was being forcefully dragged by two imposing figures clad in nurse uniforms, their grip unyielding as they tugged me through the dimly lit corridor. Desperation filled my voice as I shouted, "Let go of me! Let me GO!!"
The hallway stretched ahead, seemingly endless and foreboding. As I was forcibly pulled further away, my gaze fixated on a room at the end of the corridor. Its door was gradually closing, slowly transforming into an inaccessible sanctuary. Panic surged through my veins, and I strained against the firm grip of my captors, desperate to reach that vanishing haven.
At the threshold of the room, I caught a glimpse of a group of teenagers, their faces blurred yet their sorrow unmistakable in their tear-filled eyes. Their presence perplexed me, their collective gaze a mix of remorse and anguish. "How could you do this?" I screamed, my voice filled with anger and fear. "We swore!"
The words spilled out of me uncontrollably, a testament to the depth of my confusion and pain. But my pleas fell on deaf ears as I was mercilessly dragged away, the echoes of my voice fading into the distance.
Amid the chaos, my gaze locked onto a young man standing still amidst the chaos. His teenage features mirrored my own, with black hair and piercing brown eyes. It was Shadow. Despite me being carried further away, the distance between us didn't seem to change at all, his cold gaze fixed on the room that was now slipping from my grasp.
"Shadow..." I muttered, my voice barely audible amidst the chaos and confusion. Before I could utter another word, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me, my consciousness threatening to slip away. Just as my eyes were gradually closing, I caught sight of the young man's gaze shifting towards me, his eyes filled with a mixture of coldness yet a concern.
As I closed my eyes, in a last moment of coherence, I heard a soft voice whispering, "Don't worry. We will be okay."
---
In the dimly lit computer panel room, Asher jolted awake, his body drenched in a sheen of cold sweat, his heart racing like a jackhammer. The worn-out chair he had been sitting in had become his makeshift bed, and as he struggled to gather his bearings, his eyes were immediately drawn to the computer panel in front of him. Multiple video feeds displayed a haunting scene, revealing the lower floors of the facility overrun with grotesque, zombie-like creatures. Their pale, decaying flesh and vacant eyes sent chills down his spine, while their guttural groans echoed through the air. Although the footage was without a sound it was enough to send shivers down my spine, snapping him out of his drowsy state.
Startled, Asher turned around, his gaze falling upon the enigmatic figure of Shadow standing silently behind him. The hum of the computer servers reverberated in the room, occasionally punctuated by the flickering of the monitors, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"Shadow," Asher called out, his voice reverberating through the room, his tone filled with a mix of urgency and curiosity.
In his usual emotionless voice, Shadow responded, his attention fixed on the video feeds of the monstrous creatures. "What?" he replied curtly.
Struggling to control the tremor in his voice, Asher pressed on, his eyes burning with determination. "Have you been with me all my life?" he asked
Without turning to face him, Shadow's voice carried a weight of secrecy and resolution. "I told you I wouldn't answer any of your questions, didn't I? " he responded, his tone firm.
Asher couldn't help but marvel at the enigmatic presence beside him. The two weeks of solitude had forged a fragile trust in Shadow's words. The dreams that had plagued him during this period, the inconsistencies in his memories—they all pointed to a truth that Shadow had hinted at one thing which is that Asher's life was actually just a simulation. The sudden awakening in the bed which come with an unfamiliar feeling of reality that now coursed through him—these experiences confirmed that he was finally free from the simulation. And now without any memories, friends, or family, Asher had one person in his side. Thus he knew that he had to trust Shadow if he wants to survive and escape this place.
"Please," Asher pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency. "I need to know. I need to trust you if we're going to get out of here."
After a tense pause, Shadow finally relented, his words laden with reluctance. "Fine. Yes, you're right. I was with you for all your life, I have been with you since the day you were born."
Although he expected that, still the revelation sent a shiver down Asher's spine, but he tried to maintain a composed facade. "But you seem different from the man I saw inside the simulation," he remarked cautiously, hoping to glean some insight into the enigmatic figure beside him.
Hearing Asher's words Shadow's reaction was subtle but noticeable. He deflected the topic, diverting their focus to practical matters. He explained that due to Asher's weakened state, he couldn't maintain his presence with Asher for an extended period. He urged Asher to rely on himself, emphasizing the need for three days of intense training and preparation to face the monsters lurking below.
After Shadow's statement ended confusion tinged Asher's voice as he questioned Shadow's statement. "what do you mean I'm weak? I've grown stronger, thanks to the solution. My strength now is higher than a normal grown man"
But, Shadow without answering Asher's questions faded away once more, leaving him alone in the room, doubts swirled within Asher's mind, but he resolved to push them aside and focus on the task at hand.
The following three days were a blur of physical exertion and mental fortitude. Asher pushed himself to the limits, honing his physical strength and analyzing the creatures' movements on the monitors. Their patterns gradually became familiar to him, and as he strategized, the clacking of keys and the flickering of screens became his constant companions, guiding him toward formulating a plan.
Finally, after three days of grueling preparation, the moment arrived. Asher stood before the elevator door with Shadiw by his side, his heart pounding in his chest, a potent mixture of trepidation and determination coursing through his veins. The soft hum of the elevator filled the air, building anticipation and heralding the beginning of their daring escape.
"BOI-TEK, open the door," Asher commanded, his voice unwavering and resolute.