As they ran, the darkness stretched out endlessly ahead of them. They took a breath of fresh air, the night air cold against their skin as they exited through the back door of the facility. They were no longer in the dome, but outside the facility in what seemed like a Canyon.
Behind them, breach sirens blared as search lights flashed against the dusty ground, sweeping back and forth, searching for them. Beyond their sight were three other large domes, but they went the opposite way into a ravine.
"Don't stop running!" Dr. Nathan shouted, his voice strained but steady, "Just a little farther!"
Guards poured out of the Dome's outer gates, commanding them to stop as they aimed their firearms.
Maya didn't look back. She couldn't. Every instinct told her that if she did, fear would drag her feet into the ground. Rory stayed close, his hand locked around hers, grounding her when her thoughts scatter. Lena ran just ahead, pale but determined, Jace holding her hand firmly.
They eventually lost sight of them and crossed the narrow ravine, pushing through thick brush, branches snapping against their arms and faces. Finally, Dr. Nathan stopped abruptly at what looked like a solid rock wall.
"Stay here until I come back for you guys," he said quickly, pressing his palm against a hidden panel.
The stone slid open. They stumbled inside the dark space. The wall sealed shut again, leaving only darkness and the sound of their ragged breathing. Jace felt around for a light switch, and suddenly bright light illuminated the room. The walls were made of concrete, unlike the stone door. There were shelves stacked with snacks, water, and tin food items on the right. A stove and an igloo in the back right corner of the room. There were also two sets of bunk beds aligned on the left of the room with a ceiling fan in the center of the ceiling above a wooden coffee table.
At the back of the room was a wooden door leading to a restroom with a shower, sink, and toilet, with clean clothing — male and female, stacked neatly in a small wardrobe.
They all looked at each other in shock and relief. Lena's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Jace.
Maya sank to the floor, covering her face. Rory knelt beside Maya instantly, "Hey," he whispered, brushing dirt from her cheek, "You're okay. We're safe now."
He pulled her into his chest before she could fall apart. She clutched his jacket, fingers trembling.
"I thought we were never going to leave that forest alive," she whispered.
"I know," he said softly, rocking her, "But you did this. You kept us moving."
Maya shook her head, bursting into tears, "I didn't—I couldn't save Ethan..."
Rory remained quiet for a moment. He looked at her solemnly, tilting her chin up to look at him, "Listen, we can't continue living in guilt, taking Ethan's death for vain. He sacrificed himself so we could live, and that is exactly what we are going to do. We are all in this together, you are not alone, Maya."
She looked up at him with teary eyes, then nodded. He stayed with her through her tears, murmuring quiet reassurances until the shaking eased.
Across the room, Jace helped Lena onto a lower bunk. She sat carefully, one hand resting over her stomach, the other gripping his sleeve.
Jace sat beside her and glanced at where her hand was, "Is it true, Lena?... Are you really pregnant?"
Lena nodded and smiled. "Yes, I was scared when I found out while at the tower. I was worried that I would never see you again... How did you know, and why were you here?"
"I saw it on your data files," he said quietly.
She looks at him, confused, "Data files?"
Jace paused for a moment, his eyes downcast. "I've been working here for two years. I lied about being a medical doctor. Every single day, I felt more guilty for keeping this job a secret, but the pay was huge, and all I could think about was our future—"
She held her hand up, interrupting him, her eyes filled with hurt, "So you're telling me, all this time you worked as a scientist playing with people's lives and watching them die in that dome?!" Her eyes filled with tears, her voice breaking, "You...watched me suffer too...."
He held out his hand to comfort her, but stopped. He pleaded as he tried to explain, "Lena...please listen to me. I never wanted things to turn out this way. I never knew you would be caught up in this mess. I was brainwashed by my boss into thinking Project: E.D.E.N. was just an experiment to train people in case of an apocalypse. I had no idea that they were making clones of them and that their real bodies were inside the dome, not their consciousness."
Jace held Lena's hand as tears fell from his eyes, "Please believe me. I just want you and our child to be safe."
Lena wiped her tears and looked at him one last time, her expression unreadable. "I need some time to think, goodnight Jace," she said quietly as she covered herself with the sheets.
Jace sighed a shaky breath, then went to use the restroom, avoiding everyone's gaze.
Dr. Nathan watched them quietly from the corner of the room. His face was lined with exhaustion and guilt, his hands still shaking slightly.
"We'll rest here," he said at last. "Just for the night. This place is shielded—off the grid. They won't find you easily. I used to hide out here when work stressed me out."
"You aren't staying?" Rory asked.
Nathan shook his head, "I can't."
Maya looked up and asked, "Why not?"
"Dr. Kessler...," he said, "If he's alive—and I believe he is—he won't stop until he gets what he wants. I'm going to see what's going on out there. You four stay here for the night. Make sure to rest and eat. Feel free to take showers and change into clean clothes."
"Thank you sir, for helping us," Maya said in appreciation.
Nathan headed toward the hidden exit, "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, everything changes." The door closed behind him.
Rory got up, checking the shelves, "Let's eat some food, I am staaarving~"
Maya giggles then glances at Jace, who came out of the restroom after taking a shower. He had a sad expression on his face. She called to him quietly, trying not to wake Lena, "Psst, Jace, come on, let's eat."
Rory walks over, bumping his shoulder with a smile, "Come on, man, stop sulking. Lena will lighten up in the morning."
He managed a small smile as he sat with them. They ate burgers Rory made and spoke about what they would be doing the next morning.
Their escape was far from over.