Dr. Nathan moved through the control wing like a ghost.
The main control room doors were still open. The chair where Dr. Kessler had been tied lay overturned, and cut ropes lay beside it. Nathan's chest tightened.
"He's gone," he murmured in worry.
He took a pistol from the storage room. Every step down the corridor felt louder than it should have been. Emergency lights cast long red shadows along the walls. He checked the corners, noticing that there were no guards around, which made him even more skeptical and alert.
However, he didn't see the shotgun that was aimed right at him from behind.
Pain shot through the back of his back. He yelled out in pain as blood stained his shirt. The world tilted. His knees buckled, the gun slipping from his fingers, sliding to someone's boots. He managed to look up and saw Dr. Kessler with an evil grin on his face, chuckling.
Nathan wanted to curse at him, but before he could say anything, his vision went dark.
Back inside the Bunker
Maya woke to the smell of warm food.
For a moment, she forgot where she was. The bunker ceiling blurred into view, soft light glowing across the room through a small window. Then she heard quiet voices, the clink of utensils, and the low hum of the generator.
She sat up in her bunk bed.
Lena stood at the small counter, stirring something in a pot, her movements slow but steady. Rory leaned against the table, helping slice fruit. Jace sat nearby, watching Lena with an expression Maya couldn't quite read—half relief, half worry.
"Morning," Rory said when he noticed her. He smiled.
Maya rubbed her eyes, "That smells… really good."
Lena turned, smiling softly. "Breakfast. Or as close as I could get with what we have."
They gathered around the table, eating in silence at first. The food was simple—fruit and chicken broth—but it felt comforting.
"We're staying," Jace said, suddenly clearing his throat.
Maya looked up and asked, "Staying? Why?"
"For two more days," he clarified, "Nathan said this place was hidden. We shouldn't rush out blind."
Rory nodded, agreeing, "He's right, we need rest. And make a plan on how to get out of this cursed place."
Lena agreed quietly, "I'm still… tired."
But as the day wore on, Maya noticed Jace pacing more, checking the walkie-talkie. Adjusting the antenna. Trying to signal Jace, but got nothing. By evening, the worry was impossible to ignore.
"No signal?" Rory asked, concerned.
Jace shook his head, "He always checked in. Even once. This isn't like him."
Lena watched Jace, biting her lip nervously, "Maybe something's blocking it."
"Or something bad happened," Jace said. His words hung heavy.
Rory stepped closer, whispering to Jace, "Before we do anything else… You should talk to her."
Jace hesitated, "I don't want to scare her."
"She's already scared," Rory said softly, "And she loves you."
Jace looked at Lena, then he nodded.
They stepped aside, giving each other space. Rory and Maya sat on the bunk beds making a plan. Maya pretended not to listen—but she did anyway.
"Babe, I'm sorry," Jace said, sitting beside her on the couch. "For lying, for keeping secrets, for putting you in danger without even knowing."
Lena's eyes filled instantly. "I hated you for a moment," she admitted, "And then I hated myself for hating you."
Jace swallowed. "If I could take it all back—"
"I don't want you to," Lena interrupted, "I just want you here with me. Safe. Alive."
He reached for her hands, gently, "I am. And I will be. I promise."
She leaned into him, forehead against his chest. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Maya felt her throat tighten. This was what they were fighting for. Ten days. That's how long it had been since Maya woke up in the forest. Now that she is outside the dome, everything seems more dangerous than it was inside. But with the new friends she met while trying to survive, was worth it.
The night after, Maya, Rory, and Jace prepared to leave. Packing a small bag with a medkit and flashlights. Jace still had the baton and one smoke grenade that Nathan gave him the other day.
Lena sat on the bunk bed, wrapped in a blanket. "Be careful, you guys," she whispered.
Rory smiled and said. "We will. I'll take care of Jace for you."
Jace gave him a side-eye, and Rory chuckled.
Maya squeezed Lena's hand. "Rest okay. We'll be back soon."
They exited quietly, closing the metal door behind them. The cold night air brushed their face as they walked together through the canyon. The land beyond the bunker shifted into dry ground—sand, cracked earth, scattered metal debris, half-buried bones.
They moved carefully, keeping low, avoiding open spaces. Jace guided them around known blind spots with his sharp memory.
"There," he said, pointing. Maya followed his gaze.
Three towering buildings rose in the distance, dark silhouettes against the night sky.
"More domes," Rory whispered.
Jace nodded. "From the files… only one other was active. Dome 4."
They approached the entrance door. Jace stepped forward, heart racing, as he pressed his ID against the panel. Surprisingly, the panel turned green, and he sighed in relief. They entered the building, eyes searching everywhere for guards. Suddenly, two figures burst out of the dark corridor towards them—a woman and her teenage son, both sobbing, covered in dirt and fear.
"Please!" the woman cried when she saw them, "Help us!"
Maya rushed forward instinctively, "Slow down—what happened?"
"There's a scientist," the woman gasped, "He's gone mad. He's trying to kill us. We were separated when the breach alarm went off—my husband and my baby—" Her voice broke completely.
Rory steadied her. "You escaped the dome?"
"Yes," she said desperately, "We followed the alarm noise. We thought it was a way out. Then we saw a metal door that was unlocked...Everyone else died...it was only my family that survived...4 days of torture."
Jace looked between them, dread washing over him.
The poor woman got on her knees, begging, "Please, help me save my family before it's too late."
Maya helped her stand, handing her a handkerchief, "We will save them. I promise."