The alarms blared like angry beasts in the empty hallways. Red lights strobed across the Quantum Bridge Institute, throwing long shadows over the polished floors. Kai's heart raced as he tried to process what had just happened.
"Unknown signal…? That's impossible," he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a voice crackled over the intercom.
"Technician Adeyemi, report immediately!"
Kai froze. He had no time to explain. The last thing he needed was security breathing down his neck.
From the shadows, a figure appeared—a young man with messy hair, a wide grin, and a backpack slung lazily over one shoulder.
"Relax, genius," the newcomer said, waving one hand. "Name's Milo. I hack stuff. Big stuff. Cool stuff. And apparently… we're gonna die tonight."
Kai blinked. "You're… joking, right?"
Milo leaned casually against a console, ignoring the alarms. "Mostly. But hey, someone has to make this boring lab fun. You look tense. Ever consider cracking a joke?"
Kai rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for jokes."
"Good. Because neither do I." Milo grinned wider. "But jokes are what make people survive. Fact."
Kai hesitated. He didn't know whether to be annoyed… or grateful. Milo had a strange confidence, the kind that made trouble feel like an opportunity.
Before Kai could respond, the main security doors slammed shut. Red lights flashed brighter, and the hum of drones filled the room.
"You have no idea what you just did," a deep voice said over the intercom. "Director Valen will handle your incompetence personally."
Kai swallowed. He had expected problems, but this was immediate and dangerous.
Milo winked. "Ah, so we're running from the bad guy. My favorite part!"
Kai ignored him. He pulled up the console. The signal was still coming in—a pulse of energy that didn't match any known system.
Milo leaned over his shoulder, squinting at the screen. "Ooh, fancy. Looks like… something from the future?"
Kai froze. Milo had guessed it. But he didn't have time to explain.
"Are you coming or not?" Milo asked, already moving toward the side exit.
Kai hesitated, then ran after him.
As they darted through the labyrinthine halls, the sound of drones and alarms echoed all around. Sparks flew from a damaged control panel nearby, showering the floor in dangerous electricity.
Kai realized one thing very quickly: surviving tonight would require brains, courage, and a lot of luck.
And Milo… weird as he was, might just be the first piece of luck Kai needed.