Sitting across from the old man, Teodor felt something slowly tightening around his throat. The suffocating stench emanating from Art's worn, dirty fur coat was unbearable, as if the odor permeated the air, filling every inch of the car. Although Teodor felt nauseous, he didn't allow himself to show weakness. He clenched his jaw, trying not to focus on the lump in his throat, and stubbornly stared directly at the old man's strange glasses, in which his own terrified face was reflected. The surrounding space felt empty, almost unreal. They hovered above the White City, sitting in the exclusive, almost sterile interior of the company car, which looked more like a travel agency office than a mode of transportation. Teodor took one of the seats in the back of the vehicle, and in front of him hovered a small, dark table with documents and a cold cup of coffee. Just behind the table, there was another row of seats, dominated by the massive, spread-out thighs of Art. To the left, frighteningly close, lay the bald head of a cyborg, shackled, limp, and silent. Behind Art, two gray curtains stretched out, perfectly blending with the cold color scheme of the interior. Teodor suspected the driver of the flying car sat behind them. Occasionally, through the bodywork, he could glimpse flickering neon-blue LEDs darting past the sides of the vehicle.
- Don't you want to tell me something? - Teodor finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. He briefly turned his gaze toward the window, trying to hide the tremble in his voice, which he felt could betray his tension. - Since we left the spell, you've said nothing. - he added, trying to sound more confident.
Teodor gripped a earring in his pocket, the only thing that gave him even a slight sense of courage in this surreal situation. When Art suddenly jerked, nearly throwing him off balance, Teodor automatically recoiled, startled by the sudden movement.
- Do you have tics? - Teodor asked with cautious impatience, suppressing the rising frustration that lurked in his throat like an unstoppable scream. Every moment spent with Art drained his patience.
The man seemed as if he were cut off from reality, and Teodor couldn't stand the strange silence that suddenly felt suffocating.
- Do you need water? - he added, his voice carrying something between disgust and concern. He was on the verge of an outburst, feeling it in every tensed muscle.
Art didn't answer. The silence grew heavier, as if it itself was an answer to all questions. Teodor began to tremble, uncertain of what was happening. Then Art slowly reached for his eyes and started removing his glasses, as if deliberately preparing for this moment.
Teodor felt his heart race, and every inch of the air in the car suddenly became dense and sticky, hard to breathe. When the glasses finally fell, what Teodor saw almost made his heart stop. Art's ice-cold blue eyes shone so intensely, it seemed as though some inhuman power resided within them. Fluorescent, almost glowing with light, they pierced the air, filling the space around them like a deadly blade. Teodor felt a cold sweat running down his neck. These weren't human eyes – they were empty, as if looking at something no one else could see.
- What the hell... - Teodor muttered under his breath, unaware he had spoken the words. He nervously glanced at the curtains behind Art, but they now seemed absurdly thin, too fragile, as if there was nothing behind them, no escape, no way out. He tried to calm his trembling hands, clenched his fists, but his body betrayed his true state – he was terrified. - He's having a seizure! - he suddenly shouted, directing the words toward the unseen driver, as if they could save him from this surreal nightmare.
But Art didn't move. Instead, his face twisted into a sudden, violent grin, so foreign that for a moment, Teodor felt as though he were looking at a mask. Art began to laugh. Loudly, unnaturally, as if the whole scene were one big joke, and only he could enjoy it. The sound of laughter echoed inside the car, growing more grotesque, almost hellish.
Teodor curled into himself, feeling his stomach rise to his throat.
- You don't have to pretend anymore. - Art suddenly said, stopping his laughter, and his voice sounded strangely calm, as if he knew the answer to a question Teodor had never asked.
- What? - Teodor furrowed his brows, his thoughts began to race, his heart pounding in his chest like a hammer. He felt the ground beneath him beginning to disappear. What the hell did Art mean?
- I know exactly who you are. - Art continued, leaning slightly toward him. His voice now sounded firm, almost like an accusation. - You don't have to pretend anymore, Adam. You've lived a lie for all these years, and now it's over.
- My father is dead! - Teodor shouted, feeling his throat tighten with emotion. The words came out like an accusation, like a defense against an unspoken threat. But what he felt moments later was even worse.
Art's eyes locked onto him with such intensity that Teodor felt a cold shiver run down his spine. That gaze wasn't human; it was cold as ice, yet full of incomprehensible, primal anger.
- You know exactly who you are. - Art repeated, and his voice was now low, deep, as if it came from the very depths of his soul. - You, me, the two of you... this has been planned for a long time.
Teodor looked at the dead, unreal cyborg head, but now he felt as if every detail of this place was screaming at him, telling him that everything was some monstrous trap.
- It's just me here. - he replied, trying to control the trembling in his voice, but inside he felt fear consuming him.
- Stop denying it! - Art suddenly yelled, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade, jerking him out of his seat. Teodor flinched, as if struck by electricity. He swallowed loudly, feeling like he was losing control.
- I don't know what you've conjured up in that sick mind of yours, but I'm not my father! - Teodor yelled, trying to break through the wall of madness Artur had built around himself.
However, Artur did not react. His face remained cold and immobile. He sat back in his seat, his body relaxed as if he had fallen into some strange trance-like state.
- Of course, you're not. - Artur replied, shaking his head. - You never were.
Teodor felt the world beginning to spin around him. Everything Artur said sounded like the ramblings of a madman, but at the same time, his words pierced Teodor's mind like needles.
- That's why we're doing this. - Artur said grotesquely, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. - That's why we've been trying to stop it for five years! - he shouted, his voice cracking, ripping through the space like a knife cutting through the air.
Teodor tried to keep his cool, but his mind was on the brink of breaking. He couldn't understand what was happening, what Artur was trying to convince him of. But he felt he couldn't ignore it.
- I don't know you. - Teodor said, trying to control his emotions. His voice sounded hollow, but inside, he felt close to panic.
- Are you going to deny me too? - Artur raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with malice. - Wasn't that accident two years ago enough for you?
Teodor flinched as if struck in the face. What accident? What does Artur know about those two years? Thoughts began to swirl in his head.
- Do you know what happened to me two years ago? - Teodor asked, his voice full of uncertainty, sounding like an echo in the empty room. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping away from him, something buried deep in his subconscious.
Artur started laughing again, his laugh even more grotesque than before.
- You planned it yourself. - The old man said, his voice dripping with accusation, full of venom that seemed to saturate the air around them. Artur leaned closer, and Teodor had to force himself not to pull away as far as possible. - You wanted to destroy this city, destroy the cursed Metroyd, GAJE, everything! - His eyes blazed with madness. - You don't even remember how you forced that kid to help you? How you played with his emotions, just like you did with mine? All you kept repeating was that we weren't like Adam... that we were a better Adam!
Teodor stared at Artur in disbelief. The old man's words echoed in his head, but they seemed senseless. What was he saying? Which Artur? Which destruction? Teodor tried to understand, but as Artur continued his monologue, everything began to tangle further.
- You don't remember how every night you collected samples? - Artur continued, his voice growing more rasping, as if he could barely catch his breath. - Until you sent him... - He paused, as if suddenly unable to find the right words. - It was a brilliant plan! Destroy White City, GAJE, the activists... Everything! - he shouted, and his voice reverberated in Teodor's mind. - Every sect would fall. Without gaj, without districts... Finally, we could be reborn anew, with no status! Free!
Teodor looked at Artur in utter disbelief, a sense of horror and confusion tightening his chest. Everything he was hearing sounded like the ramblings of a madman who didn't understand what was going on. But at the same time, something in those words resonated deep within him, like a silent whisper that wouldn't let him go.
Artur seemed completely lost in his own reality, one in which Teodor no longer existed. What he was saying sounded like the echo of long-forgotten memories that Teodor had tried to suppress deep within. But they were returning, hitting him with a force he couldn't ignore.
- I'm not like you. - Teodor whispered, but his voice sounded weak, as if he wasn't even sure he believed it himself. His body betrayed him - he was trembling, feeling as if he would collapse under the weight of those terrifying words. - I wouldn't destroy the world...
Artur, ignoring his response, continued as if it were his personal mission.
- You founded ADAM! - he exploded, his voice filled with fury. - You created the activists, you nurtured White City! You did it all so that in the end, there would be only emptiness! Do you remember? Every step you took, every decision. - It was planned for ten years! - he shouted, his voice vibrating with excess emotion, as if he could no longer control it.
Teodor felt his blood drain from his face. What Artur was saying was impossible. He couldn't believe it. But at the same time, something inside him began to tremble. Could it be true? Could he have really been a part of something so destructive? He felt the ground beneath his feet starting to crumble, and the world around him slowly collapsing.
Teodor tried to regain control of himself, but his breath became faster, as if the air suddenly became too thick, too heavy to inhale. His hands began to shake, and the earring he had been clutching in his pocket now seemed to burn his skin. He felt his whole body heat up, a sticky sweat covering his neck, and his shirt beginning to cling to his back. Artur's words drilled into his skull, as if trying to break through all the memories he had long tried to bury.
- This... can't be true. - he whispered, but the voice was no longer his. It was muffled, weak, as if he were drowning in his own fear. He stared at Artur's face, which now, twisted in a grotesque grimace, seemed to confirm his worst nightmares.
Artur suddenly leaned forward, his eyes shining even brighter, almost as if they were glowing with their own light. A dark, triumphant smile appeared on his lips.
- Of course it's true. - he replied, almost whispering, his voice dripping with satisfaction. - You know it's all your work. You think it's a coincidence that you're here? That we can talk about what happened now? You brought us here, Teodor. It's all because of you. - With each passing moment, his voice became more insistent, creating an unpleasant throbbing in Teodor's temples.
Teodor tried to stand up, but his body refused to obey. His heart was pounding so hard that he felt each beat like a hammer striking his chest. He began to sway, and his vision became increasingly blurred. His thoughts scattered into pieces, as if someone were blowing them away in the wind.
- Stop... - he whispered, desperately trying to push away Artur's voice, which seemed to consume all of his awareness. - This can't be... no... not like this... - The words became less and less intelligible, and his sight blurred even more.
Artur stared at him with ghastly delight, watching as Teodor slowly broke down.
- We are one. - he whispered. - We always have been.
That was the last thing Teodor heard. The warmth he felt in his body turned into burns, and then into cold – an unnatural chill that began to consume him from the inside. He buckled over, feeling sweat trickling down his face, as if each drop was further proof that he was losing control.
The world began to spin, and the darkness approached relentlessly. Tears streamed from the blond's eyes, but he no longer noticed them. At the last moment, when his legs gave way, he felt himself slipping away. The collision with the floor was quiet, and a silence fell around him. Artur only watched, smiling in the dark, as Teodor passed out, finally freed from the weight of that surreal conversation.
***
In the darkness, there was nothing—nothing except for thin, almost ethereal strands of long blue hair, gently wrapping around Teodor's body. He could feel these barely noticeable strands winding around his shoulders and arms, their touch soft, almost soothing, as if they brought him fleeting, though momentary, comfort.
He helplessly fell into their embrace, allowing them to pull him deeper, until he felt something shift. Tempted by their sweetness, he slowly opened his eyes, but what he saw struck him with a force he had not expected. Before him stood himself. But it was not the Teodor he knew. This other Teodor looked as though he was a reflection of his former self, only perfected, idealized. His hair was meticulously styled, each strand arranged with a precision Teodor could never have achieved. His body, draped in a white coat, moved confidently through the cold, sterile corridors. The white lights of the overhead lamps fell on him like cold, indifferent gazes, and every step echoed in the emptiness where Teodor watched it all with silent terror.
It felt as though he was watching himself from the outside, yet he was so deeply immersed in it all that every step, every blink of that other version of himself was felt within his own body. He felt that every movement was being watched, monitored, analyzed. He saw this ideal version of himself working with tenacity and determination on something Teodor couldn't understand. But he knew it mattered. It was grotesque, inhuman, but he couldn't look away.
In one moment, as if burdened by that inhuman responsibility, the former Teodor collapsed. With a clang, broken, his head struck the cold floor. Watching this scene, Teodor felt a sudden surge of panic, as though he were witnessing the fall of someone he had once loved, but now couldn't recognize. His heart raced, and disgust and fear paralyzed every movement. He wanted to rush over, to help, to reach out and ask if everything was okay, but he couldn't. His body was frozen in terror, and he stood helpless, watching his former self drowning in his own tears.
- Are you going to cry? - The voice suddenly rang out, cold and male, almost mocking. Teodor tried to find the source of the sound, but the figure speaking was as blurred as the darkness surrounding him, barely visible. Its silhouette wavered, as if it were not of this world, as though it belonged to the shadow. - Now, when everything is almost ready, do you want to back out? - The words were like a knife stabbed into his heart. With each new question, he felt his body begin to tremble, as if the entire scene was seeping into his very core.
- I... I... - stammered the other Teodor, lifting his gaze toward the darkness, his voice cracking under the weight of unspoken despair. - I really don't want anything to happen to him... - he whispered, as if each word took superhuman effort.
Standing on the sidelines, Teodor couldn't see the stranger's exact reaction, but he felt its presence. When the figure crouched, gently stroking the back of the former Teodor, as though filled with compassion and care, Teodor felt a sudden stab in his heart. It was more than just pain; it was a deep, searing feeling of betrayal.
- It's too late... - the stranger whispered, his words piercing through Teodor like a cold wind.
Suddenly, a pain pierced his head. As if someone had driven thousands of needles straight into his mind. Everything around him pulsated, every thought was chaotic madness. Who was he? Who was that figure? Was this the kid Artur had mentioned? Why didn't he recognize him? Thousands of questions swirled in his mind, and even more were swallowed by the rapidly intensifying whiteness.
He saw it, he saw how it blurred into meaningless gestures, white coats, scattered books, and then... his own crying. So loud, so horribly full of pain, that Teodor, standing beside himself, couldn't bear it. He fell to his knees, desperate, ready to give in to this flood of emotions.
- Nothing can be changed now. - The unknown voice repeated, like an echo bouncing into infinity. - We are responsible... only we can get this close to the sun, because our wings won't melt right away.
Teodor, barely able to breathe, sank deeper into the abyss of his own imagination. Fiction and reality blended, blurring the lines between what he knew and what he feared. With each breath, he grew more convinced of Artur's words.
Teodor suddenly jolted upright, as though pulled from the depths of a nightmare. His breath was quick, shallow, and his heart pounded in his chest as though it might burst free.
The fear that had first seemed like a fleeting feeling from a sleep-induced haze now tightened around his insides like an iron grip. He felt it in every inch of his body – it was real. His eyes wide open, dilated pupils adjusted to the darkness. Instead of the soft light of blue streaks that had surrounded him in the dream, he saw harsh reality. He leaned against the cold, white wall, its rough surface scraping his back. It felt as though he had been thrown there, by accident, without purpose. His body was stiff, muscles aching as though he'd spent hours in an unnatural position. His fingers, clenched around a scrap of clothing, trembled. He was alone.
The silence around him seemed almost unnatural, as if the world had held its breath along with him. Cold sweat dripped down his temples, and his thoughts galloped wildly. Every detail of what he had seen in the dream returned to him with terrifying clarity. *"It's all true"* – these words echoed in his head, bouncing back, as if trying to convince himself that it was only his fears, but deep down, he knew there was truth to them. Every fragment of the vision, every pain he had felt, every word spoken by the stranger, all of them had become a part of him.
The image of his former self, the perfectly composed, organized Teodor, who had fallen to his knees in the dream, wouldn't leave him. The sight of his own tears, the same face, the same body, but from the past – it surrounded him like a dark shadow. It was a different him, one he no longer remembered, or perhaps one he didn't want to remember. Teodor tried to stand, but his legs refused to obey. As if everything he had seen in the dream had bound his body with invisible chains. His eyes closed for a moment, trying to cut himself off from reality, but the incessant, aching pain in his head reminded him that he couldn't escape. What he had seen wasn't just a dream.
With a trembling hand, he touched his forehead, trying to soothe the throbbing pain in his temples. Every part of his body longed to escape, to forget, but that wasn't possible. All these fragments of memories, of which he had no knowledge, suddenly began to form one dark whole. Artur had been right. The stranger had been right. Teodor was responsible. He felt something snap inside him, as though some part of his soul, which he had not wanted to see before, suddenly came into the light. The stranger's voice still echoed in his mind, repeating mercilessly: *"This can't be changed. It's all true."*
Every attempt to forget was doomed to fail. Teodor didn't know exactly when it happened, but suddenly he felt tears welling up in his eyes, and then uncontrollably flowing down his cheeks, turning into a violent stream.
He wanted to cry, to release every emotion, every memory of the day. The tears were supposed to wash away everything that tormented him, take the pain and fatigue, but one thought broke through his mind, like a star flashing its last light in the sky before falling into darkness.
- *Nulla...* – the name resonated in his mind with the force of a meteor. It shook him, creating an explosion in his soul that nearly knocked him to his knees. He sprang up suddenly, as though something had yanked him from the nightmare, and looked around.
He was in a laboratory. The stark, metallic walls reflected the cold light of turquoise lamps.
Everywhere around him were transparent tanks, containing human bodies – some completely bald, others growing hair, as though they were something trapped, left on the border between life and death. Some of these figures were submerged in liquids resembling water, but its turquoise, thick color and strange, flowing consistency revealed that it was something entirely different.
The tanks were connected by a tangle of cables and tubes, stretching across the room. Each of them emitted a faint, turquoise glow, lighting up the cold, inhuman interior. Teodor felt chills run through his body. He wiped his hand across one of the transparent vessels, and the cold glass gave him goosebumps. He stopped for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.
- Is Nulla here? – he whispered to himself in a trembling voice.
The words echoed in the empty room. Only silence answered him, saturated with the electronic hum of the devices.
With sudden determination, he started running from one capsule to another, checking the faces of the trapped people, trying to spot any familiar features of the albino girl. He tried to recall every tiny detail about her – her white hair, powder-pink lips, grayish-blue eyes – but his head kept pounding, and the memories, instead of becoming clearer, blurred like mist, leaving him with a pain piercing through his back, as if blades were stabbing into it. He grimaced, trying to ignore the pain, running from one tank to another, desperately checking every face, every detail. With every moment, his heart beat faster, as if on the brink of exploding.
He felt like he was about to lose his mind, like his brain wouldn't withstand the pressure. Finally, after running through the whole lab, he reached the end of the room. Before him stood huge, matte gates, dark and overwhelming, as if made from a material he couldn't recognize. They had something hypnotic about them, drawing him in like a magnet, their surface pulsing with almost invisible light.
Teodor stopped abruptly, struggling to catch his breath. His heart was pounding like a hammer, nearly tearing apart his chest. His head throbbed with pain, and his senses dulled under the weight of fear that tightened its grip around him. From behind the door came a huge noise, and heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. The blond man already had an idea of who was heading his way.
- Artur. – The name echoed in his thoughts like a cold, sharp sound that he didn't want to hear, yet he did. Fear turned into instinct. He rushed without thinking, hiding behind one of the tanks, where the lifeless body of a black man floated. His heart beat faster, as if it wanted to tear free from the trap.
Moments later, the door opened. Teodor expected to see Artur, but instead, Nulla entered the room. Her white hair cascaded around her face like a silvery veil.
She looked frightened, lost. Her eyes scanned every corner of the room, as if searching for shelter, and her breath was shallow and irregular. Her legs trembled, as if she had just fled from something that could devour her.
- Nulla. – Teodor spoke too loudly, without thinking, and his voice broke the silence, shaking the room.
The girl froze, and her gaze pierced the space before she found the blond man.
- Teo? – Her voice sounded quiet, as if she was afraid of her own words. The echo of that moment, that one sentence, seemed to exaggerate her uncertainty and the fear that squeezed her throat.
- Nulla! – Teodor repeated more confidently, stepping out from behind the tank. – I'm here! – His voice was filled with a mix of relief and desperation, and his heart sped up even more when the girl rushed toward him.
Without a second thought, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down. His fingers were cold, almost icy, and his gaze was uneasy, as if still searching for danger that might strike.
- What are you doing here? – he asked, jumping ahead of any explanation. – Are you hurt? – With every word, his voice trembled, grotesquely examining her with his eyes, as if trying to make sure she was intact.
- No, I'm fine. – She replied, pulling away from his grasp. – I mean, I don't know about the others, but I'm fine. – She reassured him, though hesitation could be heard in her voice.
- The others? – Teodor narrowed his eyes as if trying to read more from her face. – Do you mean Ignacy? – he asked quickly, his voice stiffening. – What about him? And Emi? What happened?
- I don't know about Ignacy. – Nulla replied, avoiding his gaze. – I wasn't with him. And Emi… – She hesitated, as if something was stopping her. – He went somewhere with Leopold.
- Leopold? – Teodor furrowed his brows, and the name passed through his thoughts, raising anxiety. – Who is he?
- He's Penelopa's friend. – Nulla explained, as if that should clear up all the doubts.
- Penelopa? Ignacy's friend? – He interrupted her, and more questions piled up in his head. – What was she doing there? – He asked, his tone becoming more urgent. Exhausted and struggling to breathe, Nulla seemed to have trouble keeping up with his chaotic thoughts.
- She... – Nulla wanted to say something but cut herself off. – Never mind. – She said, trembling slightly. – We need to get out of here. This crazy...
- Artur? – Teodor immediately finished her thought, his eyes narrowing as if he wanted to confirm his suspicions.
- Yes, Artur. – She nodded, and her body seemed to relax slightly at the sound of his name, though fear still lingered in her eyes.
- Did he mention Adam to you, too? – Teodor asked, feeling an unpleasant weight grow in his throat, blocking his breath. With each passing moment, he felt more and more powerless, and this helplessness pricked him like needles.
- A little. - Nulla shrugged, as if she didn't want to say much more about it. - Nothing specific, he mostly complained about Dad. He said it was all his fault that Adam wants to back out... - Her words were chaotic, just like the thoughts she was trying to sort out. - Then he mentioned something about a plan. - Her pupils suddenly widened, and her face went pale. - He wants to blow up the city! - she exclaimed, her voice trembling. - He said he's going to destroy the GAJA system.
- I know, I know. - Teodor nodded, feeling cold sweat on the back of his neck. - He told me that too.
- What do we do now? - Nulla looked at him, searching for an answer, but all that could be seen in her eyes was fear and confusion. - Can we track the IP or something?
- I don't even know what that is. - Teodor admitted, scratching his head, which only deepened his helplessness.
- The Order Institute. - Nulla replied without hesitation, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. - But honestly, I don't think they'll help us.
- True. - Teodor agreed, though he didn't entirely understand what she meant. Still, he knew the law wouldn't do much here. If it had, Artur would have been in custody a long time ago. - Maybe Ignacy and the others...
- Seriously?! - Nulla interrupted, outraged. - You think they'll help us? They're activists, Teo! - Her voice became sharper. - Activists! I think they might be working with him!
Teodor sighed, trying to find the best way out of this deadlock.
- Wait. - Nulla replied, standing up. - When I was running here, I thought I saw a center... I mean, when I looked out the window.
- Does that help us? - Teodor asked, staring up at her, as if her words might suddenly resolve everything.
- Yes, we can come up with an exit plan. - She said, looking around the room uncertainly. - But I'm still missing some basic data.
- What are you going to do? - Teodor gave in to her judgment, the boy seeming completely reliant on his sister's mercy.
- We have to get out of here. - She repeated, causing Teodor to involuntarily roll his eyes. - Out of this room. - she added, correcting herself. - Let's go to the very top.
She paused for a moment, lost in thought.
- It's pointless. - She interrupted him as soon as Teodor opened his mouth, as if he was trying to offer another idea. - I've already been downstairs, I ran from the basement. - She announced quickly. - There are cyborgs everywhere, they almost caught me. I'm also a hundred percent sure they've strengthened security. I don't know why they're not here. - She added in a tired tone. - We need to come up with something to leave unnoticed.
- Maybe we should blend in with the cyborgs? - Teodor said loudly, clearly trying to catch a glimmer of hope.
- Sure. - Nulla replied sarcastically. - But that would mean we'd have to shave our heads, and, as you might have noticed, we don't even have a razor here. - She rolled her eyes with disdain. - I was thinking of something else... Maybe if we went to the social room and...
- There's a social room here?! - Teodor almost jumped in surprise.
- What's got you so worked up? - Nulla replied in a tired tone. - This building is huge, it's obvious there has to be one somewhere. The only problem is how we get in. We'd have to go through a hallway full of cyborgs.
- Fire. - Teodor blurted out without thinking. - Let's start a fire.
Nulla looked at him as if she suddenly stopped believing that what he was saying made any sense. For a moment, it seemed like she broke down under the weight of despair.
- I'm serious! - Teodor raised his voice. - We trigger the fire alarm, there will be chaos, and maybe we'll manage to...
- Yeah. - She interrupted him, surprising him with her agreement. - Let's do it.
- Finally, I came up with a good plan! - Teodor replied proudly, standing up straighter with a confidence he hadn't felt in a while. In Nulla's eyes, a strange expression appeared, as if, for a moment, she saw Ignacy in him.
But she shook her head, brushing those thoughts away.
- I wouldn't say it's a good one. - She replied coldly. - It's just our only plan.
Teodor sprang to his feet, his body trembling with tension.
- Just... - He looked around, searching for something specific.
- Looking for the alarm? - Nulla asked, understanding his intentions.
The blond nodded.
- It's on the other side, by that wall, - she said, gesturing with her left hand towards the room shimmering with turquoise hues, where the chamber was located. - But... - she added, grabbing Teodor's hand as he was about to run towards the alarm. Teodor looked down at her, questioning.
- Are you sure this is a good plan? - she asked seriously, still holding his hand.
- We don't have another one, - Teodor shrugged. - Come on, - he added, gripping her hand and pulling her along. - We have to get out of here before that madman shows up. I'm almost sure it was him who left me here.
Nulla suddenly stopped, forcing Teodor to do the same.
- You didn't say how you ended up here, - she asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing as if trying to break through his silence.
Teodor looked at her, his expression tightening even more. He clenched her hand tighter, as if trying to hold onto the moment.
- We don't have time for this, - he said, throwing it over his shoulder as he kept running.
- You'll explain it to me anyway! - Nulla declared in a tired voice, trying to keep up with him.
When Teodor hit the red button, Nulla felt as if the world around her exploded. Water began to gush violently from the ceiling, flooding the floor and turning the sterile space into a scene of chaos. The alarm blared incessantly, its sound bouncing off the walls, vibrating in their ears. Red warning lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Nulla stood paralyzed for a moment, her heart racing, her body fighting against the sudden rush of adrenaline.
- Wait! - Teodor grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her away from the door. - Just a moment!
- Five seconds, Teo, and I'm running! - she said firmly, though her voice trembled slightly. She felt that every moment of delay could cost them their lives.
Teodor looked at her, his gaze tense.
- I'd wait at least fifteen.
- In fifteen seconds, Artur will be here! - she retorted sharply. The sound of the sirens echoed throughout the building, making her anxious. - He hears them just like we do!
Teodor bit his lip, nervously watching the water spreading beneath their feet. He had to make a decision, but each successive alarm seemed to weaken him.
- Now! - he suddenly shouted, grabbing her hand with such force that it briefly echoed in her mind. Without warning, he yanked her behind him, forcing her to run.
They burst into the white corridor, leaving behind the room full of chaotic sounds and uncontrolled flooding. Their footsteps were quick, uneasy, and the splashing of water beneath their feet sounded like an unrelenting rush.
Nulla turned her head, seeing a squad of cyborgs entering the room they had barely escaped from. The metallic beings moved in synchronized rhythm, like war machines. Nulla's heart stopped when one of them passed her, not even slowing down, as if it hadn't noticed her.
- Where now?! - Teodor shouted, gasping for air, desperation painted across his face. With each step, he lost more confidence in whether they would escape.
- One more door! - Nulla shouted back, her voice muffled by the sound of the water and sirens. Her arm ached from how tightly Teodor was holding her hand, but she kept running. She felt that every step was a fight for survival.
Finally, they spotted the door – massive, steel, but half-open, as if waiting for them. Teodor, not slowing down, pushed Nulla forward, opening the door with force, and they both tumbled inside.
The breakroom was flooded, with streams of water pouring down from the ceiling. Every piece of furniture was covered with puddles, and plastic chairs floated on the surface, swaying with the rhythm of the waves. The air was thick with moisture, and the sound of the alarm amplified, intensifying the sense of claustrophobia. Teodor slammed the door behind them, not even checking if he'd closed it properly. His hands were shaking from the adrenaline rush, and his heart pounded so hard that he could feel it in his throat.
He leaned against the door, trying to catch his breath, while Nulla, standing in the middle of the flooded room, turned to look at him.
- We don't have much time, - Nulla whispered, her voice barely piercing through the deafening noise of the water filling the room. She felt the cold liquid engulfing her ankles, and her heart was pounding like a hammer.
Teodor nodded, but his gaze betrayed the chaos unfolding within him. He clenched his fists, trying to force his body into action, but something in his eyes revealed fear. For a few seconds, he appeared completely paralyzed by fear.
- What do we do? - he finally blurted out, his voice uncertain, and his words, though sharp, were filled with desperation. He began to scan the flooded room, as if searching for answers in this hopeless situation.
- Why are you asking me?! - Nulla raised her voice, panic evident in her words. Her hands were trembling, and the door handle was rattling as if someone on the other side was trying with all their might to break in. - I don't know what to do!
Every twist of the door handle made her heart freeze for a moment, and her breathing quickened. The water kept rising, now reaching her calves, and the room began to smell of dampness and fear. Nulla stared in shock as the lock trembled, feeling the vibrations in every part of her body. She wanted to scream, but her voice caught in her throat.
- Do you know what to do? - she finally whispered, her voice trembling. She didn't look at Teodor; her eyes were fixed on the lock, as if her life depended on it. When she finally turned her gaze, she saw her older brother nervously analyzing the situation, every second slipping through their fingers.
Teodor took a deep breath, slowly approaching her, as if each step required immense effort.
- On three, I'll run out and bring them down, - he said quietly, but with certainty in his voice. His words sounded hard, almost indifferent, as if it were the only option. His hands were clenched into fists, and his gaze was fixed only on Nulla.
Nulla stared at him with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe what he was saying. Her heart raced faster, and her legs trembled beneath her.
- No way! - she shouted, her voice breaking as she stepped forward, trying to stop him. - You can't go alone! - Her eyes were glazing over, and the tears she had tried to hold back began to surface.
Teodor shook his head, as if trying to brush away her words, as if what she said didn't matter.
- I'll go alone. - He replied, his voice clearly full of tension. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his hands were still shaking. - We don't have any other choice. - He clenched his jaw, as if struggling to speak the next words. - I'll make sure they get off you, just so you have a moment to figure something out.
Nulla stood frozen, her eyes full of defiance.
- No! - She shouted, her voice trembling more and more. - You can't do this! - She repeated like a mantra, her body shaking with fear.
Teodor grabbed her by the shoulders, surprising her with a firm grip. His gray-blue eyes, full of determination, pierced into her like blades. He spoke but didn't look her directly in the eye, as though he didn't even believe what he was saying.
- Nothing will happen to me. - He said with a confident tone, though a hint of hesitation crept into his voice. - You know that in this state, I can't do anything. You... you're the smartest of all of us. - He locked eyes with her, his gaze glazed with emotions he didn't want to reveal. - You need time to save us.
Nulla began shaking her head, her face reddening, and tears welled up in her eyes. She was losing control, and her words sounded like a helpless plea.
- I don't want to... - She spat through clenched teeth, tears slowly running down her cheeks.
Teodor took a deep breath, as if preparing for the hardest step of his life.
- I'll count to three. - His voice now sounded firm, almost commanding. - After that, I'll open the door. Some of the water will spill out, and I'll draw the cyborgs away.
- I disagree! - Nulla screamed, feeling panic flood her body. She couldn't bear the thought of her brother walking to certain death. She opened her mouth to say more, but suddenly felt the door lock trembling even more violently. She could feel time running out.
Teodor nodded, as if he had already made the final decision.
- I'll turn off the computer. - Nulla quickly blurted out. - I'll shut down the entire city, but the cyborgs will stop. You'll have time to run to the roof. We'll meet there.
Teodor raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
- To the roof? - He asked, but his voice sounded as if he was already considering this option.
- I'll try to get Ignacy. I'll send him a message through his watch. If he's not there, I'll send a broadcast message to the ads. The whole city will see the transmission. - Her voice quickened, words coming almost breathlessly. The door handle shook more violently, and the loud bang of the door cut through the silence.
Teodor nodded, as if for a moment he believed in her plan.
- Okay. - He took a deep breath. - I understand.
Nulla, though she felt the plan wasn't safe, clenched her fists, trying to calm herself.
- Are you sure? - She asked again, but Teodor no longer answered.
- One. - He interrupted her, counting quietly.
- When the cyborgs stop moving, run upstairs! - Nulla spoke quickly, trying to catch her breath, as if every second could separate them forever.
- Two. - Teodor grabbed the handle, his hand tightly gripping it, and his face showed the stress that now fully overtook him.
- I'll wait a few minutes... - Nulla tried to continue, but her voice was drowned out by the rising noise.
- Three! - Teodor shouted, jerking the door open suddenly.
Water flooded out of the room, and for a split second, Nulla had the chance to see the cold, white eyes of the cyborgs before the door slammed shut again, pushed by Teodor.
The pale-haired girl, alone in terror, hid her tear-streaked face in her hands, huddling up. Without a watch, she began counting the seconds on her fingers when suddenly someone yanked at the door handle again.
- Teodor! - A familiar voice rang out. - Are you there? - Nulla stared at the door, too scared to open it. She hated this moment, hated her fear.
- Just open it! - Commanded a firm male voice. At the sound of it, Nulla jumped to her feet. It was Emi, she recognized him instantly. Without thinking much, she opened the door, letting the brunette rush in with determination.
When the brunette saw the drenched girl in front of him, he immediately took off his gray hoodie and draped it over Nulla's shoulders.
- I'm glad I found you! And where... - he started, but the girl suddenly burst into tears, to her own surprise.
- He ran off about five minutes ago! - she gasped, swallowing her salty tears.
- He left you all alone?! - Emi asked, rising from the water, his voice filled with anger.
- He... - she stammered. - He saved me... - she added. - He distracted the cyborgs, running down.
- Well, it's good that he dropped this earring - Emi said, picking something shiny from the ground.
- Earring? - The girl looked at him, confused.
Leopold, crouching, showed it to Emi.
- It's Blue's earring - he announced.
- Yes - the brunette nodded, noticing the worry in Nulla's eyes.
The albino girl stared at them in shock, then stepped back. Leopold, as if immediately sensing what was going through her mind, gently approached her, taking a step forward.
- It's okay, we're not with him - he said, his voice soothing. - We're here to save you.
Nulla nodded, but first, she glanced at the still-angry Emi.
- Well, that's something - the brunette muttered. - We thought we'd have to pretend to be gods-knows-who to pull you out on our own...
- That was the only way - Nulla replied, her voice trembling with emotion.
- Don't make it worse for her - Leopold scolded him, and Nulla blinked twice, never imagining Leopold would sound so mature. Her first impression... well, it wasn't favorable.
- What about Teo? - Leopold asked.
- He ran downstairs - the girl interrupted, as if remembering something. - We need to turn off what he started! - she added, rushing out into the corridor, which was already halfway flooded with water.
- What's that? - Leopold replied, chasing her.
- The control room - she said briefly. - We need to disconnect the city. Art still wants to blow it up with fire. If we turn it off... - the girl fumbled for the right words.
- Calm down - Emi interrupted, then, turning to Leopold, added: - Leo, take her to Jasmin and wait for us.
- I can't! - Nulla interrupted, her voice filled with determination.
- Wait upstairs, I'll go to the control room - he said firmly. - Right away. - He looked at Leopold's pocket. - Tell the others - he stopped. - Or no, I'll do it.
Leopold nodded, his face showing determination.
- Are you sure you want me to leave you alone? - he asked, his voice trembling with worry. - I should...
- Take Nulla and come back, tell Jasmin to take her far away - Emi urged him, his tone firm, but his eyes hid helplessness. - Now, don't wait for us, when we find Teo and shut it off - He looked at Leopold, and his voice took on an authoritative tone. - These cyborgs... we'll return to them, do you understand? - he admitted, staring into the cinnamon eyes of the brunette.
Nulla, her heart racing like mad, tried to argue with them, but the words got stuck in her throat, heavy as stones.
Her fear and determination intertwined in a nervous dance, and every second felt like an eternity.
- Let's go! - Leopold pushed her forward, his voice echoing in the empty corridor, carrying both hope and helplessness at once.
It felt as though time had stopped for a moment as she looked at them—ready for battle, while she, too frightened to move forward. In her mind, a battle raged between wanting to stay and needing to act.
- Don't leave me! - it escaped her involuntarily, and the echo of her cry was drowned in the noise of the surrounding world.
Leopold gave her a weak smile.
- No one will leave you - he assured her, placing his hand on her shoulder and gently patting her back.
The brunette, feeling her pain, held his breath, and a glimmer of understanding appeared in his eyes. He knew he couldn't leave her.