At the end of the corridor, bathed in a cold, almost laboratory-like orange light, Ignacy spotted two figures. Strikingly familiar. Something about the shining, long, blue hair of one of them unsettled him more than ever before. He paused for a moment, instinctively nudging Teodor, who walked beside him, still lost in the abyss of his own thoughts. His brother didn't even react, and the pain of returning memories weighed heavier on him.
- Teo... - Ignacy nudged him once more, this time harder, feeling his growing unease. His tone was impatient, his hand gripping his brother's shoulder tightly. - Focus! Look there.
Teodor raised his gaze, though his thoughts were still muted, and reality mixed with echoes of the past. He stared at Ignacy, his eyes empty, as though he hadn't fully grasped what was happening around him.
- Act normal now. - Ignacy forced himself to calm down, though anger boiled within him. - Blue's over there. - he added, pointing to the figure with long, blue hair, who seemed to be ignoring their presence.
- I know. - Teodor replied briefly. He didn't remember anything, and the more he tried to understand, the more he felt disconnected from why any of this mattered. But there was pressure, a burden of responsibility he couldn't escape.
Ignacy gripped his hand tighter, as if trying to wake him up, pull him out of the stupor consuming his brother.
- Remember... - he muttered through clenched teeth. - Artur is the bad one. He's the enemy, not us.
Teodor turned away from Ignacy, but couldn't shake the rising unease. His mind was full of chaotic, foggy memories, returning like fumes. Maybe Ignacy was right, but Teodor couldn't find peace within himself.
- Faster! - Ignacy suddenly shouted, quickening his pace, as though something pushed him into a run.
The image before them started to blur at an accelerated pace. Ignacy glanced back to make sure Teodor was keeping up.
The blonde, barely managing to follow his brother, felt his legs beginning to buckle under him. Yet, it wasn't just the physical effort; it was the weight of emotions he couldn't comprehend. He felt lost, empty, as though his insides had been hollowed out. When they reached the men, Ignacy, without warning, nudged Blue in the back. The blue-haired figure stood in deep thought, as if contemplating something important. Beside him stood Leo, equally absorbed in his thoughts, but when they heard the brothers' footsteps, they turned toward them.
- What are you doing here? - Ignacy asked, his breath still uneasy from the run, but his voice sounded cold, as if trying to mask his emotions.
Blue gave a crooked smile, rubbing his neck where Ignacy had hit him. - Can I ask you the same question? - His tone was light, but underneath it, there was a hint of impatience.
Teodor kept his eyes on the ground, unwilling to meet Leo's cinnamon eyes, which seemed to pierce into his soul. He stood before him, feeling naked, as though he had no defense against this man. Every gesture of his seemed to be analyzed.
- Nulla's here. - Ignacy spoke, pulling Teodor closer, noticing his tension. - Teoś said she's in the control room.
- Not anymore. - Blue interrupted him, his voice quiet, almost cold, as if speaking of something trivial.
- What do you mean, "not"? - Ignacy stopped understanding the situation. A blankness appeared in his mind, and his heart began to beat faster. - What happened?
- If you hadn't gone after that madness, if you hadn't left me, you would know. - Blue answered with a note of irritation, his fists clenching, and his lips twisting into something resembling a smile.
- I found her with Emi. - Leo interjected, his gaze still fixed on Teodor. - In the broom closet.
- Where is she now? - Ignacy leaned forward, his voice growing more desperate.
Blue lowered his gaze, as if considering his response before answering.
Leo simply shrugged, still watching every movement of Teodor.
- On the roof. - He answered after a moment of silence that seemed to last an eternity.
- Alone?! - Ignacy exclaimed, his body trembling with growing anger and fear.
Blue didn't respond immediately, looking at the ground as if something about that question terrified him.
Finally, Leo spoke softly, though his voice still carried a strangely cold undertone.
- No. - Leopold answered, looking at Ignacy with a slight smile. - Min's with her.
Ignacy's eyes widened. Suddenly, he felt as though he couldn't control his own body. It felt like the ground beneath him was collapsing, as if gravity relentlessly pulled him down, crushing him. Why did he feel this way? Why couldn't he control it? He couldn't understand.
- Why him? - he choked out, trying to steady his trembling voice. - He wasn't supposed to be on that side of the wall anymore. Why did you bring him?
Blue furrowed his brow, staring at Ignacy with a mix of irritation and astonishment.
- Calm down. - He finally interrupted. - Apparently, he jumped himself. - he added after a moment, as if that would explain everything.
- He jumped... - Ignacy repeated unconsciously. A strange tingling ran under his skin. The attachment to Jaśmin, which he couldn't describe, was slowly consuming him. Maybe he was starting to treat the kid like a brother? Maybe that was why his reactions were the same as when Nulla and Teodor were taken. He was losing himself in his own emotions, as if each of those impulses was overwhelming his mind. He was losing control.
- You'll ask him yourself. - Blue replied, looking at Ignacy with a shadow of worry on his face. - For now…
- You left two teenagers on the roof, where cyborgs are roaming the whole building?! - Ignacy shot out in one breath, exhausting the last of his energy. His voice trembled, and his gaze grew increasingly uncertain.
- It's not like that... - Blue began to explain, but suddenly he felt a strange sensation that had been with him since Ignacy appeared. It was something deeply rooted, something that made him simultaneously want to reveal everything he knew, but on the other hand, feel compelled to remain silent.
Leopold cut in, his tone firm, unyielding:
- We don't have time for this... - He looked toward the massive gates behind them. - Emi should be beyond those doors. - He added, eyeing the tall, steel doors that looked like the entrance to a fortress, but at the same time, he scrutinized Teodor suspiciously, not letting his right eye off him.
Teodor, feeling the mounting pressure and Leopold's gaze on him, swallowed. He didn't fully understand the situation, but he felt the need to say something, as if it might lift the weight from his chest.
- What does that mean? - he asked timidly, struggling to catch his breath. The words barely passed his throat, but he didn't want to remain silent in this tense atmosphere.
Leopold shrugged, as if answering an obvious question:
- A while ago, I heard a loud scream from behind the door. We don't know what's going on in there. - His tone was surprisingly calm, and his face displayed a certain indifference, which only heightened everyone's anxiety.
Blue nodded, though his face revealed more tension:
- Exactly. We want to go in, but...
- You chickened out. - Ignacy blurted it out without thinking, losing control over his words.
- No. - Blue said the word firmly, though beneath his tone, there was uncertainty he was trying to mask. - Leopold's just considering two thousand scenarios. - He added with a hint of irritation, as if justifying himself, emphasizing that he wasn't afraid of anything, that he could open those doors right away. But that was only half the truth.
Ignacy glanced at Blue, noticing how he was still trying to keep up his carefree facade. His usual confidence, that constant wit, seemed to be just a shadow of what was really going on inside him.
Blue, although naturally brave and bold, was clearly scared. His shiny blue hair looked as unnatural as his worried face. He couldn't stop thinking about Emi – the anxiety about his friend was eating him up, but the urge to keep control of the situation dominated his emotions.
- Leopold. - Teodor repeated quietly, as if the brunette really intimidated him.
- Leopold Lubiański. - The brunette explained, not even looking at Teodor, turning with a stone-cold face from which nothing could be read. As if his emotions were sealed behind a thick, impenetrable barrier.
- Exactly. - Blue nodded again, though his thoughts were still far away, worried about Emi, Nulla, and even... Ignacy, something he couldn't fully grasp himself.
- Emi's in there, right? - Ignacy broke the silence, returning to the topic.
- And up there are Nulla and Jaśmin. - Blue nodded, though Ignacy was speaking more to Leopold. He couldn't help but interject. It was as if the conversation had to pass through him, as if their fate depended on him.
Leopold, who had remained silent up until now, also nodded, giving a brief acknowledgment.
- Mh-hm. - He agreed shortly, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
- So the most reasonable thing will be to split up. - Ignacy stated firmly, though there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.
- What?! - Blue couldn't believe it. He furrowed his brow, staring at Ignacy as if he had just proposed something completely absurd. - We can't split up! You just found yourself, and now you want to disappear again? - His voice carried not only anger but also fear.
Ignacy sized him up, noticing how Blue was trying to hide his emotions. He didn't know him well, but enough to see that behind the irritation, there was real fear. But Blue, being Blue, tried to turn that fear into something humorous, something that would pull him away from reality.
- I'll stay with Leo. - Ignacy answered calmly, and Blue stared at him, nearly seeing through him. - Blue, take Teodor upstairs and stay with the kids.
- You're leaving me? - Teodor asked, not hiding his uncertainty.
Ignacy answered without hesitation:
- Check on Nulla. - He wanted to protect Teodor; he felt it in every part of his being. Teodor was now more vulnerable than ever, and Ignacy didn't know what awaited them behind those metal doors. He couldn't risk it. Teodor, his fragile, lost brother, was precious to him, innocent, even if Teodor himself didn't understand that yet.
Blue sighed heavily, as if he couldn't believe his own ears. Everything inside him screamed to oppose it, to not let Ignacy walk away from him. His nature demanded a reaction, he wanted to say something sharp, but that strange bond he had started to feel toward Ignacy made the words stick in his throat.
- I'm not going anywhere! - He declared firmly, as if this decision were final.
- I'll take Teodor and go with him to Nulla and Jaśmin. - Leopold interrupted, glancing around at the others.
Ignacy looked at Leopold, feeling uncertain. He wasn't sure if he could trust him, but at the same time, he had a strange feeling that Leopold, although now seeming completely different from the version he had known before, could be key in this situation. Reality had forced him to take a risk he wasn't prepared for. He had no other choice. His gaze shifted to Blue, who stood like a statue – motionless, clearly tense. Ignacy knew the Asian wouldn't back down, that deep down, he was fighting with himself, trying to find a balance between rage and the fear he was trying to hide. He nodded toward Leopold, agreeing to his plan.
- As you wish. - The redhead said, with little conviction.
In one swift move, Leopold grabbed Teodor by the left arm and pulled him closer. The blond felt like a puppet, with anyone able to do whatever they wanted with him. He was furious, but exhaustion was slowly taking control. He wanted to fight, resist, but at the same time, he knew that time was working against them. He had no strength for more conflicts, so he shrugged off Leopold's hot, almost burning hand and moved a little closer to the brunette, though stepping back by a pace, showing his reluctance.
- We'll meet on the roof. - He said, addressing Ignacy directly.
Ignacy smiled weakly, almost as if for show. It was as if he was trying to reassure his brother that everything would be fine, that he could move on without guilt. But his heart was torn. On the one hand, he wanted Teodor to go his own way, to be safe. On the other, the sight of his eyes – frozen, as if locked behind a sheet of ice – made Ignacy want to keep him close. Teodor's blue eyes gleamed, reflecting the silhouette of his older, golden-haired brother.
- If... - Ignacy began, as if he wanted to say something else, to keep Teodor a little longer.
- We'll meet upstairs. - Teodor interrupted him, and then, without another word, he dashed off. He didn't look back, didn't want to see his brother. He knew that would weaken him, that one moment could make him hesitate, and he couldn't afford that now.
Leopold, seeing this, followed him, though not in a hurry.
- Slow down. - He said lightly. - Don't rush so much, it's just one corridor. - He added, as if trying to inject some normalcy into the situation, though his voice was too calm, too indifferent to what was going on around them.
- I hate myself. - The blond whispered, suddenly stopping. Tears slowly welled up in his eyes, and he felt like the weight of the entire world was on his shoulders. He felt miserable, hoping his brother had already passed through the metal gates and wouldn't see the weakness he was now trying to hide.
Leopold stopped abruptly, shocked by this sudden change. He stood frozen, his face showing uncertainty. After a moment, however, he crouched next to Teodor, trying to understand what was happening.
- You really don't want to leave him? - He asked quietly, gently placing his hand on his back.
Teodor shook his head in response, his voice trembling as he began to speak:
- I don't. - The blond started crying more intensely, barely controlling the words that came out of him. - I wanted to leave him, I wanted to run away... I... I really don't want to be here. - He confessed, sobbing. - Am I a selfish person? - He asked, looking desperately at Leopold.
The brunette sighed softly, looking at him with warmth that contrasted with the severity of the moment.
- I know. - Leopold answered quietly, then added gently, but with a tone of seriousness: - You're not cut out for this.
Teodor looked at him, shocked. His gaze met Leopold's cinnamon eyes, which, though full of compassion, carried a certain coldness, as if the brunette knew exactly what he wanted to convey.
- We'll do what we can. - Leopold continued, trying to offer reassurance. - If you behave appropriately, know where to stand, where to run, you won't come across as selfish. - His eyes looked directly into Teodor's, as if he wanted to give him strength. - Come on, get up, we need to get to the roof.
Leopold stood, extending his hand toward the blond, so he could grab it. However, Teodor stood up on his own, with a stubbornness and determination that suddenly awoke within him. He didn't want to be led; he wanted to take matters into his own hands. When they were almost at the roof, they heard a sudden, loud scream that echoed through the corridor. Teodor froze, trying to identify the voice that seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember whose it was. He stopped just before the door leading to the open roof, while Leopold, like a pillar, stood behind him, also holding his breath.
- Go ahead. - Leopold ordered him, though he turned toward the direction from which the sounds were coming.
- What are you doing? - Teodor asked, confused, through his glassy eyes.
- I need to help them. - Leopold replied, his voice full of determination.
- But... but... - Teodor started, trying to gather his thoughts.
- We're almost there. - Leopold repeated calmly. - You can go to the roof, be with Nulla and Jaśmin. I'll be back soon. - He reassured, though his voice didn't convey certainty. - But now, I have to help them - he added, turning as if he was already ready to rush to their aid.
Before he could leave, he felt Teodor rush ahead of him, standing before him with a strange determination in his eyes.
- I'll go with you. - The blond replied, looking at Leopold with the conviction he had lacked moments ago.
- I can manage alone. - Leopold answered, trying to convince him it wasn't necessary. - Besides, didn't you want to run away? - The brunette asked, trying to break the new resolve he saw in Teodor.
The blond fell silent, unsure of what to reply. For a moment, he stood still, torn between the desire to fight and the fear that had previously overtaken him.
- Go to Nulla and Jaśmin, make sure they're okay. - Leopold said, trying to smile, though inside, he felt he had no strength left for it. - If we're not back soon, then come check what happened. But under no other circumstances, don't move from there. - He added firmly.
Teodor, still shocked by what was happening, stood still, unsure of what to do. Leopold, not waiting any longer for his reaction, bypassed him and started heading back toward the corridor they had come from.
- Wait! - Teodor shouted after him, to which Leopold only turned his head in his direction.
- How long is 'soon'? - He asked, his voice trembling, trying to hide his uncertainty.
Leopold didn't answer; he just disappeared, blending into the shadows flickering from the weak light of the corridor, and Teodor stood still, motionless, as if frozen in that one moment. He didn't know what to do or which way to go. He felt like something had to push him forward, but he couldn't find the strength within himself. Then, suddenly, an impulse, like an unexpected wave, pierced him from the inside. Nulla. The sister he had to protect, the one everyone had tried to help. Even though he didn't remember their shared past, she still stirred emotions within him that he couldn't ignore. He swallowed hard and, with newfound determination, started heading up the stairs leading to the roof. That's where, as he believed, Nulla and Jaśmin should be. With each step, his nervousness grew, but also an indescribable urge to see his sister. When he reached the door leading to the roof, he opened it with effort. The rusty hinges creaked loudly, and the sun, blinding and unnaturally bright, flooded the interior, painfully hurting his sensitive blue eyes. Teodor immediately squinted, forced to shield his eyes from the intense glare. When he finally dared to open them again, he saw a group of people, huddled into a single mass, led by a freckled boy with brown hair and a face full of freckles. He was unnaturally tall and gaunt, like a long, stretched stick. Familiar screams rang out from all sides, seeming to amplify in his head. Teodor, concerned, began pushing his way through the crowd, desperately trying to find Nulla.
- NULLA! - shouted Teodor, his voice tearing through the air, filled with panic, sadness, and anger. - NULLA! - he repeated, feeling each word cut him like a blade, the sound echoing in his mind. Despite the unusual sight before him, the blond seemed to pay no attention, still calling for his sister. - NULLA! - his cry was filled with a thousand emotions he couldn't describe, flooding him with fear and helplessness. Each shouted name tore from his throat with increasing desperation, his heart pounding wildly. Suddenly, in the crowd, he spotted unusually bright, white hair. Without hesitation, he ran towards it. - NULLA! - he shouted again. At that moment, the girl turned, her white lashes fluttering in the wind, her face showing astonishment.
She understood what was happening and without a second thought, started running towards her older brother.
- Teo! - she called, her voice filled with relief and joy. - TEODOR!
- I'm here! - he replied, feeling his heart swell with emotion.
Not a second passed, and the white-haired girl was in his arms. Despite looking exhausted, he hugged his younger sister with immense strength, as though he wanted to hold her forever. The girl began to cry, her tears reflected in Teodor's eyes, who also started shedding tears. In that moment, he saw nothing but his wounded sister.
- I left Ignacy... - he mumbled barely audibly, feeling a void growing in his heart.
Nulla pulled away from him, wiped her face with her hand, and her eyes were filled with uncertainty and anger.
- How could you? - she asked, her voice like a sharp knife.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar brunette ran up, his eyes shining with determination, his expression stone-faced.
- Nulla! - he called, but his tone was firm. - Jasmin and I... - he added, and beside them appeared a monkey-like child, looking at Teodor with confusion.
- How could you leave Ignacy? - Nulla's words struck Teodor like a blade, pulling him apart from the inside.
- I... I... - he tried to explain, but the words got stuck in his throat, as if they were being forced back.
- They're probably together... - the stranger declared, someone who reminded Teodor of someone from the past, his posture proudly elevated like a peacock, yet hiding something human, something Teodor envied. - There's no Blue or Emi here, and Leopold has disappeared too. - he added, his tone seeming to comfort the three of them, including himself. - There's nothing to worry about... - he spoke calmly.
- What do you mean nothing to worry about? - Nulla shouted, her voice filled with anger, yet tinged with fear.
Meanwhile, Jasmin, standing nearby, seemed completely absent, staring at the ground as though he had entered a trance, allowing the surrounding crowd to turn into a hum.
- Teo... - Nulla felt her heart race. - Where are they?
Teodor, taking a deep breath, paused, barely catching his breath.
- In the control room... - he muttered, tension in his voice.
- Why is it taking them so long? - she thought out loud, her thoughts buzzing in her head. She turned to Tomasz, the man she had met not long ago, who now seemed like the only person she could turn to for help. - Emi and Leo found me a while ago, but Emi hasn't finished with the control room yet... - she spoke, feeling a huge lump of fear building in her throat.
At that moment, everything around seemed to stop. Every emotion, every breath, every thought became an uncomfortable weight.
- I told you! - Jasmin interrupted her, his voice firm but full of frustration. - I told you a long time ago, we need to go after them!
The stick-thin boy unexpectedly ran up to the group, clearly frightened.
- Mr. Tomasz... - he started, his eyes darting nervously, - I've gathered everyone here.
The brunette glanced at him, not needing to say anything for the stick-thin boy to back off, embarrassed.
- I'll go after them. - Tomasz responded, determination clear in his voice.
- No way! - Jasmin protested, his voice hard as steel. - You're needed HERE. - He ripped it out loudly. - I'll go after Ignacy, Leopold, Blue, and Emi.
- I'll go with him. - Nulla said, her voice full of resolve, but a fear lurked in her heart that she tried to ignore.
Teodor felt a wave of shame wash over his body. Why were two kids braver than him? What kind of time was this, where they had to take the risk? He squinted his eyes, looking at them, full of uncertainty, which made his heart beat faster.
- I won't let you go alone. - Tomasz declared, his voice full of concern.
- Penelopa will be here soon, right? - Jasmin replied, trying to sound logical. - So we can go, just in time before she catches up with us.
Nulla, despite her sprained ankle, straightened up, trying to show she wasn't weak.
- I'm the smartest. - she added, her voice full of determination. - If they have a problem in the control room, I'll help them easily.
Tomasz rolled his eyes, seeing how determined they were.
- You don't understand. - he said, scratching his forehead. - It's dangerous, and you...
- Pen will be here soon. - Jaśmin argued, his tone full of conviction. - She was supposed to bring help, right? Nothing will happen to us.
Teodor, watching their argument, had the impression that only he was struggling. Images of Ignacy, who had always protected him, Blue, and others who sacrificed themselves for no reason appeared in his mind. He looked at the younger ones, feeling both proud and ashamed. Finally, as though gaining new strength, he stood up, his hand wiping away the tears rolling down his cheeks.
- I'll go with them. - Teodor declared, his voice strong, but uncertainty lingered in his heart. - I'm an adult, and I was there. I'll lead them safely.
Nulla and Jaśmin exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with hope and determination.
- You see? - they started together, their voices merging into one, full of enthusiasm.
- We'll go with Teodor, he's like Ignacy, nothing will happen to us.
Jaśmin, despite a hint of a lie in his words, felt that he couldn't let Tomasz stop them. He wanted everyone to believe they could do it, that their courage had meaning. He took a deep breath, trying to sound convincing.
- Just as brave and courageous. - he added, glancing involuntarily at Teodor, as if searching for confirmation in his eyes.
Tomasz, measuring them with his gaze, could clearly see their excessive enthusiasm.
- I'm not stupid. - he replied, his tone sounding more like an accusation than a question.
- That was a shock. - Nulla retorted, her voice gaining confidence as she looked at Tomasz. - That's my brother, I know him best. - There was a note of determination in her voice, but also uncertainty. - What would you do if you saw your sister being tortured? Would you break too?
Jaśmin, seeing that the situation was becoming increasingly tense, decided to add his two cents, trying to ease the atmosphere.
- Exactly! - he caught on, his words like a spark meant to ignite the fire. - What happened is unimaginable. None of us would stand by, right?
His voice was full of emotion, and his eyes sparkled with determination. Even though he knew he was lying, he had to do it to keep them moving forward.
- Did they torture you? - Tomasz asked, his tone tinged with uncertainty.
- You don't even know how. - Jaśmin replied, his voice cracking, tears gleaming in his eyes. - When she came... - he inhaled deeply, the memories overwhelming him.
Nulla felt an inner conflict. She, too, didn't want to lie, but she knew they had to act to save their brothers. Her mind was filled with thoughts, her heart racing as she tried to take control of the situation.
- All the more reason you shouldn't go. - Tomasz objected, his voice trembling, his gaze cutting like a blade. Every word carried more weight than any warning, but at this moment, it seemed there was no force that could stop them.
Nulla looked at him, determination shining in her eyes, as if filled with a new energy.
- Okay. - she nodded, anger erupted within her like uncontrolled fire, but there was a note of hesitation in her voice. - Then I'll run.
The pale-haired girl grabbed Teodor's left hand, feeling how cold and stiff his hand was, but it didn't matter. Ignoring the pain in her bandaged ankle, she began pushing through the crowd. Each step was full of energy and adrenaline, as if every moment could be the last, and time was racing in a frantic tempo.
- Wait! - Tomasz shouted, but his words were lost in the noise of the surrounding world.
Jaśmin, seeing that the siblings were not staying behind, couldn't hold back. His heart was racing wildly, and a surge of rebellion flooded his veins. He threw himself into the chase, leaping over obstacles that stood in his way. Every step was driven by determination, every breath a desire not to let fear stop them. Tomasz was left behind, feeling rising terror. His thoughts circled around what could happen, and fear tightened around his throat.
- No! - he called out, but it was already too late. All he heard was the loud crash of metal doors, and the echo of that sound reminded him of the danger lurking just beyond.
At the same time, Nulla and Teodor ran down the corridor, surrounded by the chaos that seemed to engulf them. Every step brought another dose of adrenaline, and in their hearts flickered the hope that they'd make it in time.
- We need to find them! - Nulla screamed, her voice a compass, guiding them through the darkness.
The corridor seemed to live its own life.
Moisture soaked through their clothes, and with every step, they splashed droplets of water that fell into small puddles, making a sound like a quiet, impatient rustling. Teodor stopped suddenly, his hand gripping Nulla's tightly, as if in a desperate gesture, seeking strength in her that he couldn't find in himself. His eyes were hazy, and his clenched lips betrayed the growing fear that was swelling inside him with every passing second. Nulla, sensing his tension, looked at him with concern, but also irritation. She couldn't let Teodor's fear stop them.
- What are you doing? - Jaśmin's voice, sharp and tense, rang like a shot in the silence of the corridor.
The young man stopped suddenly, his figure freezing when he realized that the siblings weren't following him. He turned on his heel and looked at Teodor with obvious impatience.
Teodor looked as if he were suspended between reality and some inner nightmare. His body stood still, as if locked in a stiff, invisible grip, and his face had gone even paler under the cold light of the corridor.
- I don't know, he froze. - Nulla replied, trying to pull her brother out of this strange state in which he seemed to be sinking deeper. She didn't understand what was happening to him, but there was no time for long analyses.
Jaśmin sighed, running a hand through his hair, his irritation almost palpable in the air.
- If you don't lead us to the goal, I'll keep running. - he declared harshly, his voice like a knife cut, unceremonious and full of determination. Jaśmin could never stand hesitation, and now, with time running out, his patience was running thin.
Teodor finally moved, though his movements were stiff and nervous. His hands clenched into fists, and a shadow of desperation appeared in his eyes. He knew he had to act, but inside, a wave of doubt was growing that he couldn't suppress. Something within him screamed that he wasn't ready. That if he faced Artur, everything would fall apart.
- Are you sure? - he hissed through clenched teeth, trying to hide his fears under a layer of indifference, but his voice trembled slightly, betraying his inner conflict.
Nulla grimaced, her eyes narrowing into a thin line.
- A moment ago, you were sure, too. - she cut in, her voice full of irony and exhaustion. Of course, he hesitated. Every time she needed him, those moments of weakness appeared, as if something inside him broke. But now, she couldn't afford that. They were too close.
Jaśmin, unable to bear it any longer, reacted as always - with an immediate decision.
- If you want, you can go back to Tomasz. - he said casually, ignoring the tense atmosphere that thickened around them. His voice was cold and decisive. - Just tell us where to go.
Teodor suddenly clenched his jaw and straightened, trying to adopt a more determined posture, though inside, he still felt panic rising. He knew he couldn't go back, because he would be called a coward, and he couldn't bear that. But Artur... the thought of him made Teodor's heart beat faster, and his insides seemed to tighten, as if someone was holding them in an iron grip.
- I'll go. - he ground out through clenched teeth, his voice filled with stubbornness, but his eyes still revealed the fear he couldn't hide. - I just wanted to make sure...
Jaśmin looked at him with a slight disbelief, then shrugged. Patience had long since left his body.
- Something must have stopped them. - his voice lowered to a whisper, the tone more serious, almost analytical. Jaśmin's eyes sparkled with adrenaline, and his mind raced to find a solution that could give them the advantage.
Nulla raised an eyebrow, her expression deepening with fear. She had a feeling something bad was coming.
- You mean someone, right? - she asked quietly, her voice barely cutting through the heavy air. Inside, she felt an increasing unease that began to overwhelm her thoughts.
Jaśmin nodded, his eyes shifting to the dark corners of the hallway. He was like an animal that sensed it was being watched.
- It's Artur. - Nulla declared, her voice cutting through the silence like an arrow. She was sure it was him. It could be no one else.
Jaśmin clenched his fists, adrenaline surged through his body like electricity. He knew they were on the edge of something dangerous.
- I think so, too. - he replied, his voice filled with certainty, almost determination, pushing him forward despite the fear that now clearly hung in the air.
Teodor felt his insides turn upside down. Panic crept up to his throat, and his stomach twisted into a tight knot. The thought of Artur, of him possibly revealing secrets even Teodor didn't remember, made his breath quicken, and images he tried to push away filled his mind. He tried to recall Ignacy's words, his version, where Artur was the monster, not him.
- Shall we go? - Jaśmin's voice interrupted his inner turmoil, as if it broke through the walls Teodor had briefly built in his mind.
As they moved, the atmosphere grew heavier with each step they took, and their breaths became shallow and labored, as if the air in the hallway was thickening with tension. The corridors seemed to swallow their determination, each turn leading only deeper into an endless maze. As they passed more dark corners, fear seemed to subtly tremble in their bodies. Even the faint dripping of water, which could have once been nothing more than an annoying sound, now seemed like a warning. Nulla kept glancing back, looking for any hint from Teodor that he knew what he was doing. But him? He seemed to be losing his footing. His steps were unsteady, and his hands clenched into fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. There was no longer that confidence that had driven his movements before. Every step seemed to fight against the forces trying to hold him back. Jaśmin led the way, his figure blending with the darkness at times, but whenever he disappeared from view, he returned. He was restless, ready to act, as if the tension that enveloped the hallways was pulling him deeper into the whirlwind of adrenaline. He suddenly stopped, waiting for them with unnatural urgency. In his eyes was reflected determination, but also something more—hidden fear that only fueled his impatience.
- We can't keep circling. - Nulla gasped, her voice trembling, though she tried to hide it. She had had enough of this claustrophobic maze, the dampness, and the darkness that seemed endless.
- We'll find them. - Jaśmin responded sharply, though even his tone held a note of fatigue. The lack of an exit was starting to frustrate him. The confidence with which he had rushed ahead earlier was slowly crumbling under the weight of the darkness that refused to reveal the end of its secret.
But then, suddenly, something appeared that stopped the three of them in their tracks. Steel doors rose before them like walls that couldn't be breached. Cold, unwelcoming, they seemed to guard a secret whose revelation could change everything. Nulla felt her heart race, and her palms began to sweat. She looked at the doors with dread, trying to peer through them with her gaze, as if she wanted to know what awaited on the other side before they took a step forward.
That's when they heard the sound.
Laughter - deep, boisterous, full of cynicism. It bounced off the walls, filling the air with dread. That voice was unmistakable.
- Artur. - Nulla whispered, her voice trembling. Fear began to coil around her thoughts, tight as if there was no escape.
Teodor, though barely holding himself up, instinctively took a step back. His face, already pale, became nearly chalk-white, as if he had lost the last remnants of courage he had tried to find within himself. Panic was evident in his eyes, and his hands shook. The memories flooding his mind were blurred, unclear, but he knew one thing - Artur knew his secrets, the kind that could destroy everything.
- I don't like this... - Nulla whispered, though her words were almost unspoken, as if she feared that a louder voice might draw what was lurking behind the doors.
Jaśmin approached the door, his fingers slowly brushing across the cold metal. The doors were freezing, as if the very place radiated the chill of fear. The laughter from beyond was now clearer, stronger, and Jaśmin felt his body tense, ready for action. He looked at Nulla, and his eyes glistened with a strange mix of determination and fear.
- We need to go in. - his voice was firm, though there was something hidden within it. Deep inside, he knew that stepping behind these doors could mean facing a confrontation they weren't ready for. But the fear he felt only pushed him to act.
Teodor looked at Jaśmin with wide eyes, his hand gripping Jaśmin's wrist tightly, as if he had grabbed him out of desperation. Fear paralyzed his mind, Artur's laughter still echoing in his head, and each step toward the door seemed to bring him closer to a chasm he couldn't understand. He wanted to say something, but every word caught in his throat, strangled by memories and the fear of what might come to light.
- No... we can't just walk in. - he finally managed to croak, his voice breaking like a delicate thread, barely holding together.
Nulla, standing slightly to the side, watched everything with growing concern. She wanted to agree with Teodor – this place, this laughter, everything seemed ominous. Instinctively, she felt that crossing those doors could mean something irreversible.
- Wait a moment. - she said quietly, trying not to sound too scared.
However, Jaśmin couldn't endure the situation any longer. He pressed his forehead against the cold steel of the door, breathing heavily as if this place was pulling every thought into a dark abyss. His hand slowly began to slide away from the door handle.
- We can't wait. - he replied, almost hissing. - If something is happening... - he stopped, as if the words got stuck in his throat. - If something has happened, and we're standing here... I don't want anyone on my conscience.
His voice was full of anger, but beneath that mask, there was fear – fear of the unknown, of the responsibility he couldn't shift onto anyone else.
Nulla looked at him uncertainly, her gaze drifting over his face before slowly moving to the pocket of his pants. She knew they only had one option. Only one solution that could either save them or lead to disaster.
- Do you remember? - she whispered.
Jaśmin raised an eyebrow, as if he had heard her thoughts. He glanced at her and then gently patted the pocket that held their only hope.
- Do you want to use it? - he asked, his tone strangely calm, almost neutral, as if considering the most mundane of decisions.
Teodor, completely bewildered, flicked his gaze between them, unable to grasp what they were talking about. Every word, every suggestion seemed to get lost in his chaotic thoughts. He felt like he was drifting somewhere far from the rest.
- We have no other choice. - Nulla sighed heavily, trying to convince herself.
- But we don't know if it even works. It could trigger a malfunction... - Jaśmin struggled to swallow.
Despite her fear, Nulla looked at him with determination.
- It was meant to, but it's... it's our only option. - she broke off, glancing around. - And... there are no cyborgs here, - she started slowly, trying to rationalize her thoughts, even though inside, panic was building.
Teodor, who had been feeling as though he was drifting on the edge of this nightmare, now looked at both of them, completely lost. His heart was pounding, and chills ran down his spine. He felt the cold of the corridor seeping into his bones, but what they were saying made him feel even more confused.
- Wait... what's going on? - he asked, unable to bear the tension any longer. His eyes shifted between Nulla and Jaśmin, as if searching for an answer no one was giving him.
Jaśmin sighed heavily, tapping his pocket, where something that could change everything was hidden.
- I have the switch in my pocket. - Jaśmin began, staring at the floor. - It's a device that Emi uses to break into different houses or businesses. With that little screen, you can get in anywhere. - he continued, his words sounding like he was explaining something obvious, though he wasn't sure how it would impact their situation.
- But... - Nulla interrupted him, her voice low but tense. - With it, you can also break into the system and... you know, trigger a malfunction, a power outage.
Teodor furrowed his brow, trying to digest what he had just heard. More and more questions were forming in his mind, and the answers seemed even more unreal.
- How did it end up with you? - he asked, looking at them in disbelief, his heart racing as if everything depended on this question.
Jaśmin shrugged, as if they were talking about something completely trivial.
- I stole it. - he replied with cold indifference. - Took it from your house.
- From our house?! - Teodor almost shouted, his words echoing off the steel walls of the corridor.
Though he still didn't understand much, he felt a faint glimmer of hope stirring in his chest. Maybe not everything was lost?
- It was in your room. - added the brunet, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Teodor looked at Nulla, shocked, who just rolled her eyes, clearly irritated by the whole situation.
- I don't know either, how it ended up there. - she replied quickly, her voice nervous. - But we don't have time to think about that now.
Jaśmin opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Teodor interrupted him.
- So you want to use this device to break into... - Teodor started, but Jaśmin quickly finished for him.
- Into the system. - he interrupted, nodding as if it were obvious.
- But the control room is there. - Teodor looked at the heavy doors in front of them. He felt as if their mere sight was adding extra pressure on him. He knew that what lay behind them could decide their future.
- We have to get in there. - Nulla replied, her voice firm, but her hands were trembling. Time was working against them, and they had to make a decision. - If someone distracts them...
She hesitated, fearing she had been too naive, but Jaśmin quickly made a decision.
- I'll distract them, and you connect the device to the system. - he said, his tone full of determination, as if all uncertainty had suddenly disappeared.
Nulla looked at him with wide eyes, full of fear.
- I can't. - she said quickly, her voice shaking. - I don't know how to use it.
Jaśmin ran his hand through his hair, trying to hide his frustration.
- I can't either. - he muttered, a hint of despair in his voice. - I don't have the rings, the system won't let me in.
An unbearable silence hung in the air, only broken by Teodor's loud breath. His eyes flicked between the two, searching their faces for an answer no one was giving him.
- So... - he started tentatively, trying to gather his thoughts. - If I distract them, then you two can sneak in and shut down the power, right?
Nulla looked at him incredulously, her eyes filled not only with fear but also with deep surprise. She hadn't expected this from him.
- It's not that simple, Teo. - she said slowly, as if weighing every word. She knew their plan was risky, and they were running out of time.
Jaśmin cleared his throat loudly, trying to break the growing tension.
- Are you sure? - asked the brunet, a hint of doubt in his voice. - Could you distract them?
- Stop. - Nulla interrupted him, her white hair shimmering in the dim light of the hallway. - He doesn't remember anything. - She emphasized, looking at Teodor, who stood seemingly lost in his thoughts. - In his current state, at most he might...
- I can do it! - the blond man assured, his determination evident in every word. - Besides, there's no one here except the three of us.
Nulla wanted to protest, but she started stammering, unable to form a coherent sentence. She knew it made sense, yet something inside her screamed that it was a bad idea. Still, her artificial courage and curiosity took control of her.
- Okay. - She nodded, but her heart was pounding faster.
Jaśmin sighed, feverishly thinking about something.
- You need to go first. - He said, looking directly at Teodor. - Then I'll go, and Nulla will follow me. This way, you'll cover her entrance. - He shot a quiet glance toward the white-haired girl. - We'll sneak up to the control room, I'll plug in the switch, and we'll cut the power.
- That plan sounds simple. - Teodor thought out loud, not controlling his words.
- But it's not. - Nulla retorted, a trace of fear in her voice. - It sounds simple, but executing it is another story. - She added, her uncertainty clear.
- True. - Jaśmin replied, still focused. - Once we get in, we don't know what we'll find, so if something distracts you and you freeze, doing nothing, something will definitely kill us.
Teodor looked at him, completely lost in his emotions. Unlike the other two, he wasn't being driven by adrenaline from fear or exhaustion. He was genuinely terrified. He regretted coming here more and more, and his thoughts began to drift back to the past. The images became less blurry, and his former self slowly emerged. With every passing second, he reluctantly began to see something that terrified him. It wasn't just that he was a traitor. Teodor saw himself as equal to Artur, just as bad and awful.
- Teodor! - The blond man turned, feeling a sharp elbow jab in his side. He looked at Jaśmin. - Focus! - The brunet added, his voice growing more irritated. Time was running out, and every moment of hesitation could cost them their lives.
- Maybe Teo should go with you, he also has access... - Nulla started, full of doubts, unable to shake the feeling that something would go wrong.
Jaśmin shot her an angry look, his face twisted in anger, which was starting to dominate his fear.
- And how is he supposed to help me? - He hissed, his tone as sharp as a razor. - You said yourself he doesn't remember anything! - He snapped, unable to control his frustration.
Teodor remained silent, but his gaze never left the door ahead of them. His heart pounded like a hammer, but he felt a growing determination that outweighed the paralyzing fear.
- I'll distract them. - He repeated firmly, his voice no longer belonging to someone lost. - And you'll get in there and make it to the control room.
- Do you understand? - Jaśmin turned to the white-haired girl.
Nulla nodded, clearly irritated, but she said nothing. She could feel the storm building inside her, but she knew there was no room for doubt now.
The moment to act had come.
- On three, I'll open the door. - Jaśmin said, gripping the shiny handle. His hands were slightly sweaty, and his breath had quickened, but he tried to steady his voice. - One... - He began slowly, each word increasing the tension that pulsed between them. - Two... - He stammered, his confidence wavering a little, trembling slightly at the thought of what awaited them on the other side. - Three! - He shouted suddenly, wrenching the door open with brutal force. Teodor, almost automatically, dashed forward, his footsteps echoing in the empty darkness. Jaśmin stepped back from the handle, hiding behind the blond man, as if unsure what to do next.
At that moment, time seemed to slow down. Nulla's heart was pounding madly, and Jaśmin felt that every second was worth its weight in gold. The door creaked open, revealing the darkness and uncertainty before them, and now they had to risk everything. Teodor ran ahead, his silhouette disappearing around the corner like a shadow.
- Now! - Jaśmin pulled Nulla along, pushing her into the darkness of the hallway. Their breaths were getting faster, and their steps grew quieter. There was no turning back now. They had to execute the plan before something stopped them.
- We need to be fast, really fast... - Nulla whispered, feeling cold sweat trickle down her neck.
- Faster than you think. - Jaśmin replied, his eyes gleaming with adrenaline. He looked at her one more time, then headed toward the control room, where their solution... or death... awaited.