Chapter 8: Almost there
Their leader, the only one who knew how to shut up and think, used something called brain and figured out the maze. It wasn't that bad once you got the hang of it. Turns out the rest were just dramatic or just overwhelmed by the situation; these kinds of missions always took a toll on one's mental stamina. In short time they were back on track, running like a well-oiled machine. The weight of the warning right before the communication was cut loomed over them like a gray storm cloud ready to thunder, but despite the danger, they were focused on their priorities, or at least tried. Lives were at stake, but hey no pressure at all. At that moment their top priority was getting the kids out of the danger zone as soon as possible. Their mission was to stop Blackstone's operations, but first they had to get the children to safety. Who knew what those poor souls had to endure? One thing was for sure: they should not be involved in this nightmare any longer. The faster they escaped, the better for everyone.
"Something is off." Ashley mumbled under her breath, more to herself than anyone else, as if saying it out loud would confirm her feeling.
"Why?" Liam whispered back.
She was always better at picking up subtle clues than him, and that was no mystery to him. For the first time in so long, he saw hope, but her reaction was no good. Maybe she was overthinking, or maybe this was just the beginning of something completely different, of a battle they had never fought before. At the moment this was beyond them, and all they could do was pray.
"It feels too easy. Jack always praised the security of this place and made it seem…impenetrable." She hesitated on the last words, memories flashing before her eyes.
For so long Jack painted that hell as an impenetrable fortress, a prison where trying to escape is futile. He made sure every single dust of hope got crushed like a tiny firefly under his boots. Crushed with slow, deliberate moves as he enjoyed the sound. Fear, desperation, and hopelessness were melodious to his ears.
"Don't worry, they're experts. They must have seen worse, and maybe, maybe for once things could be easy for us again. Jack did that on purpose to scare us, and you know this." His eyes sparkled with relief, and his voice was filled with hope. No matter what difficulties they faced, he never forgot the good old days. He clung to them, held on to hope, because that was all they had.
"But what if we're falling into a bigger trap? What if it was meant to look easy to give us hope?" Unlike him, she saw the monsters and started expecting it from everyone. Instead of holding on to hope like Liam did, she grew cautious and guarded, not letting anyone in, assuming everyone was the same. Liam was the only constant in this world of change. After the world took everything, Ashley learned pretty fast that hope only hurts and that nothing ever lasts forever no matter how much you wish otherwise.
"We'll figure it out then. It's not like it is going to be our first escape." He laughed, but the sound came out hollow. It sounded as if he was trying to drown pain in humor, which clearly didn't work.
The past three years, the years after their parents' death, left them scared. Pain shaped them in different ways, but one thing was for sure: it brought them closer than ever.
The gray halls stretched before them, like a never-ending tunnel, where no matter how far you searched, you'd never see the light. There were no windows, no natural light, just the cold, lifeless light positioned at the exact angle not to leave any corner in the shadows. With every move, with every step, no matter what you do, you'd be in clear view, ensuring that nothing can come nor go without being spotted.
Before acting, the agents made sure the cameras were looped, as deactivating them might raise suspicions. They also made sure to memorize the guards' gap between the patrols to be able to avoid them without any incidents. This kind of precaution was one of the many skills that made them a respected team in their organization. In this kind of situation precaution is a must, not paranoia.
Along the tall walls occasionally one could spot black doors, which towered imposingly over them, radiating a subtle hint of power and coldness, which instilled fear into the kids. The air smelled like cigarettes and that particular scent of enclosed spaces. Even though it was only a door, the power of those doors sent a chill down their spine.
A pause was much needed for the kids, as they did not possess the stamina of an agent; however, the adults didn't stop. It was too dangerous to stop. That was neither the place nor the time for a break. They were just one turn away from escaping; one more step and the cruel chains of Jack's influence would shatter to the ground. So close you can almost taste it. They are almost there; just one breath and they are there. Almost there, just one more push; hold on.