Chereads / Solo Protagonist(Project Zero) / Chapter 38 - ­­­­Chapter 38: The hidden inmate.

Chapter 38 - ­­­­Chapter 38: The hidden inmate.

Kaito stood in front of the heavily secured cell, his heart racing. The woman inside looked human, but Kaito could tell she was different. Her features were striking, with sharp cheekbones and bright, unusual eyes that seemed to hold secrets. She was surrounded by thick iron bars, and her wrists were bound in heavy cuffs. A strange device was attached to her throat, preventing her from speaking.

 

Kaito took a deep breath, knowing he had to be careful. He had come to free her, but he needed a plan. He whispered, "I'm here to help you. I need you to trust me."

 

The woman looked at him with a mix of fear and curiosity. Kaito could see the intelligence in her eyes, and he knew she understood what he was saying. He quickly scanned the area, making sure no guards were nearby. The prison was filled with high security measures, and he had to be cautious.

 

"I'll get you out of here," Kaito promised. "But you have to act like you're still restrained. If anyone sees you moving or talking, it will ruin everything."

 

The woman nodded slightly, her expression serious. Kaito felt a surge of determination. He had to make this work. He focused his energy, feeling the ground beneath him. He whispered, "Earth Power: Earth Rupture." The floor beneath the cell began to crack, creating a small opening.

 

"Stay still," he instructed her as he worked. He could see the fear in her eyes, but he knew she was strong. He quickly crawled into the opening, using his powers to keep the crack from widening too much. He had to be quick; the guards would be making their rounds soon.

 

As he entered the cell, he noticed the strange device around her throat. It looked like a collar, and Kaito guessed it was designed to suppress her abilities and prevent her from speaking. He needed to remove it, but he had to be careful not to trigger any alarms.

 

Kaito reached out and examined the collar. "This might hurt a little," he said softly, trying to reassure her. He focused his energy and whispered, "Earth Power: Earth Grasp." The ground beneath the collar began to tremble, and Kaito felt the collar loosen slightly.

 

With a quick motion, he pulled it off her neck. The woman gasped, and Kaito held his breath, waiting for an alarm to sound. But nothing happened. The collar was gone, and she could finally speak.

 

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with strength. Kaito could feel the power in her words, and he knew she was more than just an ordinary inmate.

 

"We need to plan our escape," Kaito said, urgency in his voice. "I can't stay here for long. You have to pretend you're still restrained until the day we escape."

 

The woman nodded, her expression serious again. "I understand. My name is Lyra. I am from a different world, and my powers are... complicated. But I will follow your lead."

 

Kaito felt a rush of excitement. He had found an ally, someone who could help him with his plan. "Okay, Lyra. Here's what we'll do. I'll crawl back to my cell, and you'll stay here, acting like you're still trapped. We'll wait for the right moment to escape."

 

Lyra took a deep breath and settled back into a position that looked like she was still immobilized. Kaito felt a sense of relief. They had a plan, and now he just needed to get back to his cell without being caught.

 

"Remember, stay calm and don't move," Kaito reminded her as he crawled back toward the opening. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This was a risk, but he had to take it.

 

Kaito carefully made his way back through the crack and into the prison yard. He could see the other inmates moving around, some sitting on benches, others pacing. He blended in with the crowd, keeping his head down. He had to act normal, like he hadn't just freed a powerful alien inmate.

 

As he walked, Kaito's mind raced with thoughts of their escape. He needed to gather more information about the guards' routines and the prison's layout. Every detail mattered. He was determined to make this work.

 

After a few minutes, Kaito reached his cell. He slipped inside and took a deep breath, feeling the tension in his body ease slightly. He had done it. He had freed Lyra, and now they just had to wait for the right moment.

 

Kaito sat on his bed, listening to the sounds of the prison. The guards were making their rounds, their footsteps echoing down the hall. He could hear the clinking of keys and the murmur of voices. He knew he had to stay alert.

 

As the minutes passed, Kaito thought about Lyra. He wondered what her powers were and how they could use them to escape. He felt a sense of excitement and fear at the same time. They were in a dangerous situation, but they had a chance.

 

Suddenly, the guard's voice broke through his thoughts. "Time to sleep! All inmates, back to your cells!" The command echoed through the yard, and Kaito felt a rush of urgency. He had to keep his cool.

 

The inmates began to move toward their cells, and Kaito watched as they settled in for the night. Most followed their routines, preparing for sleep. But Kaito's mind was racing. He had spent his time carefully listening and gathering information.

 

As he lay on his bed, he thought about the next steps. He remembered overhearing a conversation about the prison's security levels. There was another level below, where only one inmate was kept—a prisoner so dangerous that most guards were stationed there. Kaito realized that freeing Lyra was just the beginning.

 

He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the plan. He needed to find a way to communicate with Lyra without drawing attention. They would need to coordinate their escape carefully.

 

Kaito knew that the guards made rounds every five minutes. He had to be quick and precise. He would have to crawl back to Lyra's cell, but he needed to wait for the right moment.

 

As he lay there, he felt a sense of determination. They would escape together. He would not let fear hold him back. Tomorrow would be a new day, and with it, a new opportunity.

 

With that thought in mind, Kaito drifted off to sleep, dreaming of freedom and the unknown adventures that awaited him and Lyra. The prison walls felt a little less confining, and hope began to grow within him. They were a team now, and together, they would find a way out.