Chapter 40 The Facility

Chapter 40 The Facility
NYLA’S POV

The corridor we chose wasn't marked. That was the first waning. No signs, no light by the way. The cameras weren't visible. It was just a narrow passage that was a bit far from the chaos that was happening. The structure was deeper like it had been built ages ago.

I slowed down as I walked. 

“This isn't an exit.” Ruby said quietly.

“I know.” I replied.

Zane glanced at both of us, he already understood Ruby. “Then why are we going this way?” He asked.

I didn't answer immediately because I didn't have a reasonable explanation. I was only using my instinct. The instinct that drags us out of helix alive.

“I can feel it,” I finally said. “Whatever is pulling me, I can feel it here.”

Zane studied my face for a second. He then nodded. “Then we follow it.”

Behind us another explosion cracked through the building. The ground shook hard enough this time to crack the wall behind us. Dust rained down on us like water.

“They are tearing this whole place apart.” Garrett whispered.

“Let them.” Zane replied.

Ruby looked really scared now. “That includes us if we don't get out in time.”

Then I said, “We won't stay long.” I was not sure either.

The deeper we move, the silent it becomes. It was too quiet. The sound of gunfire faded. The alarm also turned into a distant echo. Even the vibration of the cracks lost its heaviness. Looks like the corridor itself was isolated from the rest of the facility.

Zane slowed again. “Do you hear that?” he asked.

“Hear what?”  Ruby frowned.

“But I hear it loud and clear.” He said again.

Ruby looked around. No footsteps, no guards, no machinery “A place like this should not be empty.” She finally said.

Then the corridor opened suddenly. But not into a room. It was something bigger. Like a chamber. It was circular, wide and very clean. The walls were smooth, reinforced and the walls were  filled with panels that glow faintly with soft blue light.

At the center, a platform came up slightly. And on it, a chair, not a normal one. It was like it was built connected to cables that went into the floor and walls, like the entire room fed into it.

I stopped. My breath caught. “That’s it,” I whispered. 

Zane stepped beside me instantly. “That’s what?”

“The thing I felt.” I said.

Ruby stared at the set up. “That doesn't look like something we should touch.”

“I agree, it looks like something that controls something else.” Garrett’s eyes narrowed.

Zane moved first. Slowly and carefully. He went around the edge of the room, scanning for threats or hidden guards. He searched around for anything that could later turn into a trap. But he found nothing, no threat, just machines. It looked as if it was waiting.

“This place..” Ruby said quietly, steeping closer to one of the panels. “It’s not part of the main facility.”

I asked. “Why did you say that?”

Ruby ran her fingers just above the surface, she didn't touch. “The building is more detailed, it looks advanced and cleaner than the rest of the facility.” she said.

“That doesn't make it safe.” Zane glanced at her.

“I didn't say it did.” Ruby replied.”

My focus was on the platform. The closer I get, the stronger it pulls. Not painful but it stings.like something inside me recognised it and wanted to respond.

“You don't have to do anything,” Zane said quietly as he watched me.

“I know.” I nodded. But my feet kept moving.

Halfway across the room, the light shifted. The blue glow got thicker.

Zane’s head snapped towards the walls. “It’s activating.”

“I didn't touch anything,” Ruby said quickly.

“You didn't have too,” Garrett replied. All eyes turned towards me. I stooped at the base of the platform. My chest rose and fell slowly. My pulse went fast, my hand lifted slightly not fully but enough.

“Dont.”  Zane said.

I froze.

“I am not.” I said softly. But my voice didn't sound fully convinced. A low tone filled the room. Not loud but deep. Vibrating through the floor, through the air and through my bones.

I gasped. My hand dropped to my stomach instantly.

“The baby!” Ruby snapped.

“I know.” I said with a tight voice. It wasn't painful but it was reacting strongly. Then a voice not from the speaker nor a person but from the room itself.

“DNA recognised.”

Everyone froze.

“Who is there?” Zane’s eyes snapped to the walls.

No answer.

The voice came on again. “Primary subject identified.”

My stomach dropped when I heard “Access granted.”

The platform lit up. Lines of light tracing along the surface, connecting to the chair. Inviting, waiting. 

Zane stepped in front of me instantly, “no.”

My gaze stayed locked on it. “I think it’s mine.” I said.

“That doesn't mean you use it.” Zane snapped back.
“But it responded to me.” I said.

Ruby moved closer, scanning the panels more urgently. “It’s reading your DNA,” she said.

“Your mother.” Garrett frowned.”

I swallowed. “Maybe.”

The voice returned.  “Bonding required.”

Zane got impatient. “Shut it down!”

“On it,” Ruby said, her fingers moving quickly across a panel. But nothing happened. Her heart skipped a beat when she shouted “It’s not responding to manual override.”

“What is going to happen now?” Zane said quietly.

The pull got stronger that i started to feel light. The air shifted, then it became clearer that it wasn't just calling me, it was aligning with me.

“I need to try.” I said.

“No.” Zane turned to me sharply. “If we don't understand what is going on, then we leave.”

“We don't even know if there is an exit without going through the collapsed corridor,” I snapped.

Ruby nodded because it was true.

Another crack shook the room, more stronger this time, closer and the fight was reaching us and time was going. Zane looked at me, our gaze met.

“I trust you.” I said. His expression didn't soften. “But I need you to trust me too, Zane.” I knew it was hard, very hard. Not with everything going on.

Silence.

Then slowly Zane stepped aside.not far, and he said. “Ten seconds, the moment something feels wrong, we pull you out.”

I nodded. That was all I needed. I stepped onto the platform. The moment my foot touched it, the entire room reached. My  breath caught. “DNA alignment confirmed.” The voice was clearer and much closer. 
“Secondary DNA detected." Ruby’s head snapped up, “Secondary what? That’s the baby.”

Zane became tense instantly. 

“Proceed with scannin?.” The voice asked.

I hesitated but finally I said “Yes.”  

The chair moved. Not violently but smoothly. Positioning itself and waiting. Then I sat, the moment I did, my world shifted. Like something was opening in my mind. I could see memories that wasn't mine.

“Nyla.” Zane called out for me.

“Wait,” I said, my voice went distant and different.

I gasped with my body tensed. Zane got impatient again “That’s enough.’ He moved closer to me, the moment he touched me, the power surged violently. Throwing him back but he didnt give up.

He came back and made his decision. If the system wouldnt let him in, he would break it. Then he shifted, fully this time. His bone snapped, his muscles expand and he grew bigger. And the moment he did, the system reacted not with resistance but recognition.

“Alpha signature detected.” Zane froze for about a second.

“Dual DNA available.” the machine said.

My eyes locked onto his and this time, there was no hesitation.

“Come here.” Zane said.

The room went still because whatever happened next was going to change everything.