CHAPTER 66

CHAPTER 66
Damien’s POV

“Mom!” I shouted into the darkness, voice echoing off the metal walls. My heart pounded like a drum. Everything had gone black. The monitors died. The machines went silent. Now, only the sound of our breathing filled the room. Evelyn held Adrian tight, her body shaking. I stepped closer, ready to fight anyone who came near us.

I felt Kieran press his hand to my shoulder. “Stay close,” he whispered. The power outage felt like a trap. I didn’t know who had shut it down or why. Serena stood just behind us before the lights died. Now she was gone, moving in the darkness. She could be anywhere. My hands jerked, ready to draw a weapon. I would protect my family. No matter what.

Evelyn’s tears fell onto Adrian’s cheek. He whimpered, weak and scared. I knelt beside them, touching Adrian’s forehead. “Hang in there, little brother,” I said softly. Evelyn looked up at me, eyes full of fear. “He’s slipping,” she said, voice trembling. “Damien, I can’t help him like this.”

I swallowed, blinking back my tears. “We’re not giving up,” I said. “We’ll fix him.” I meant it. Serena threatened everything, but we had each other. Evelyn needed someone to stand with. I would be that someone. Shoulder to shoulder. Fight or flight, I chose fight.

Kieran moved toward the doorway, torch in hand, wide-eyed. “Serena’s hiding somewhere in here,” he said. “She set us up.” I followed him, pushing past a row of broken chairs. The corridor split to reveal a small control room. No lights. Only the faint glow of the emergency exit sign. I scanned every shadow, ready to strike.

Evelyn stayed with Adrian. She knelt on the floor, cradling him, whispering calming words. She held him like he was all that mattered. He was. I felt a swell of pride and protectiveness. I took a deep breath to steady myself. This wasn’t just about saving Adrian anymore. It was about keeping our family together. I refused to let Serena destroy us.

Kieran approached the control panel and crouched to examine it closely. “They cut power from here,” he muttered. The system required an override command, which prompted him to flick switches while his fingers trembled. I watched over his shoulder. Sparks flew. The panel buzzed for a moment. Then… nothing. Kieran’s jaw clenched. He slammed his fist on the panel. “Damn it! It’s rigged.” 

“Another escape route is required,” I stated with a steady voice while my body trembled. The exit sign's faint light showed a small map taped to the wall. “Here,” I pointed. “Service hatch. Emergency stairwell.” 

Kieran peered at the map. “By rerouting power to the hatch door, we can escape.” Kieran stood and signalled me to move ahead. “Help me find the wiring schematic.” We rapidly searched the control room while kicking away debris. No time to waste. Evelyn’s voice called out from the hallway. 

“Damien, be careful,” she said. I quickly ran back towards her position. Adrian’s breathing was shallow. Evelyn pressed a hand against his chest. “He’s so cold,” she whispered. Without hesitation, I removed my jacket to cover Adrian with its warmth. “Stay with us,” I said, voice firm. “We’re getting you out.” 

From the depths of the building, Serena’s laughter resounded suddenly. The sound made my blood freeze. “She’s close,” I said. Evelyn looked up, eyes wide. Kieran came back breathing heavily while clutching a bundle of wires. “I got this open,” he said. “Let’s move. Now.” 

I lifted Adrian into my arms and moved behind Kieran. Evelyn took his hand. Mother and son, bound together. Our footsteps echoed through the corridor as if they were booming like thunder. The laughter grew louder. I looked into the dark space while preparing to confront any danger.

After a side hallway stood a heavy metal door. Kieran knelt beside the hatch release panel. “Stand back,” he whispered. He flipped a switch. The hatch clicked. He yanked it open. A steel ladder led down into blackness. Water dripped from above. The stairwell smelled damp, like a cellar. 

“Keep moving,” Kieran said. I looked at Evelyn. “I’ll lead,” I said. She responded with a nod as she held Adrian close. Kieran covered our backs. Descending the stairs individually, we reached the lower level where emergency lights flickered. The way forward splits into two hallways. Serena’s voice echoed down the right path. The left was silent. 

Kieran said, “Left. We continued our movement in a circular pattern while keeping our steps silent. My arms felt like they were on fire from holding Adrian, but I never let go. Not for a second. Each step we took increased the likelihood of encountering Serena. Every shadow threatened her trap. I steeled myself. 

A spacious storage bay appeared at the hallway's end. Rusted crates lined the walls. A vehicle ramp sloped down. The air smelled of oil and mildew. A big sliding door at the furthest point remained slightly open. Light streamed through, illuminating shapes beyond. We stopped just inside the door. 

“Good. That’s the loading dock,” Kieran said. “Soon we’ll be able to leave this place.” He locked eyes with me. “But Serena’s unaccounted for. She could be lying in wait.” 

Placing Adrian on a crate, Evelyn knelt. “He needs to rest,” she said softly. “Damien, give yourself a moment.” I set Adrian down carefully and brushed his hair aside. He looked up at me, eyes glassy. “Brother,” I whispered. “Stay strong.” He responded with a weak nod before shutting his eyes once more.

Kieran paced. “We must decide quickly. We cannot delay our departure.” He indicated a side door which was marked “Exit” with floodlight beams shining through its window. “That takes us to the forest. We move toward the highway after leaving the forest.” He turned back. He gently asked if he could make it.

“She can,” I said, nodding toward Evelyn. I need a minute to secure him to the stretcher before we move him. Evelyn helped me at the museum. We strapped him tight. Each buckle clicked like a promise: I won’t lose him again. 

Kieran used a panel button to activate the sliding door, which opened with a loud whistle. We moved out. Rain fell heavily against us with a cold driving force. We transported Adrian toward the black van Kieran was located in, while mud stuck to my boots. Two men wearing black coats remained on guard while they held their weapons in their holsters. He stood among them as the prototype with eyes that shimmered under the faint illumination.

My heart contracted. I didn’t want to fight him again. But I knew I had to. Despite Serena’s claims about our twisted lineage, the truth remained that we were blood relatives. He remained silent and motionless as if he expected us to command him. I wanted to extend my hand, but time didn't permit it.

One of the guards stepped forward. The guard instructed us to move him, so Kieran and I pushed the stretcher into the van. Evelyn followed behind while she swept Adrian’s hair from his forehead. His breathing was steady but shallow. I gripped her hand. "He will be fine," I told her, even though my voice quivered as I spoke.

The prototype entered the van with us after Kieran opened the doors wider with his command to move. He looked at me. No words. Only that empty stare. My blood turned cold. My mind recalled our short interaction at the laboratory. He had addressed me as “brother”, but he was not my biological brother. Not really. 

The van’s engine roared to life. Kieran entered the driver’s seat while rain drenched us. Kieran pushed the gas pedal and told us to hold on. As the van accelerated through the forest, its headlights illuminated the dark tunnel of trees ahead. The vehicle's shaking made my chest feel like it was getting struck, but I maintained my concentration.

Evelyn knelt beside Adrian. “Hang in there,” she whispered. She gently moved a damp strand of hair from his forehead. My eyes repeatedly returned to the prototype sitting in the back seat. His body remained stiff as his gaze followed us through vacant eyes. Although my fist began to twitch, I consciously relaxed it. There was no fight yet. 

Kieran manoeuvred the muddy trail while demonstrating extraordinary calmness. Rain slapped the windshield like bullets. I felt the world close in around us: The quiet prayers of Evelyn for Adrian combined with the prototype’s unmoving presence and Serena’s menacing threat filled my thoughts. “I want a future,” she had said. If you don't hand it over to me, I'll bring everything down.

The van entered the highway with its lights piercing through the heavy rain. A breath escaped me that I hadn't realised I was holding. A brief period of safety passed as we drove as a family trying to escape the storm. Evelyn glanced at Kieran. “Where to?” 

“To Erin’s cabin,” he replied. She will assist with Adrian before he activates the windshield wipers. The blades swiped rhythmically. 

My gaze turned to the prototype. He still watched us. As though calculating something. 

I asked Kieran in a hushed tone, “How should we handle him?”

Kieran glanced back. “He’s not like the others. We can’t just abandon him. He’s... part of us. Some part.” His voice cracked. Serena's nature makes me doubt she'll allow him to survive.

Evelyn placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll decide when we’re safe. Right now, focus on Adrian.” 

I nodded, though my mind spun. The sense of loyalty acted like a sharp blade that severed me in two. Although he had no blood ties to me h e r he remained a son to someone. Yet his fate hung on Serena’s madness. My allegiance to Adrian and Evelyn took priority.

I noticed the cabin driveway when its headlights appeared. Erin stood at the door wearing a yellow raincoat and carried both a flashlight and a bag in her hands. Relief spread across her face when she finally saw who we were. She moved quickly towards the van and pulled open its sliding door.

“Bring him inside,” she said, voice tight. “Get him warm.” 

We carried Adrian’s stretcher into the cabin together. The warm light made me blink. The warmth spread across my face like a blanket following a lengthy cold night. Evelyn dropped into a chair while taking a deep breath. Kieran went for the first aid kit. Erin remained close by with wide eyes, showing readiness to assist.

I placed the prototype onto a chair located in the corner. He didn’t resist. He just stared at the floor, unmoving. My emotions were split between feelings of anger and pity. He had been born into this nightmare. He had become one of our victims.

I bent down to his level and quietly told him, “Har, ming him is no longer necessary.” My heart ached. Was there any good left in him? Or was he too far gone? 

Evelyn moved to check Adrian’s breathing. “He’s stable,” she said. He requires some, according to Evelyn. “We can’t stay here long.. SereNa will come for us.” 

Kieran nodded. “We’ll move tonight. Erin has another cabin farther north. We’ll go there.” 

A flash of lightning lit the room. A bolt of lightning briefly showed Serena’s face to me. Her eyes burned with fury. 

I stood abruptly. “I have to do something,” I said. I turned to the prototype. “Your path to redemption requires your protection of Adrian.” The silence filled the room. He raised his head toward me while his vacant eyes met mine and gave a single nod.

I swallowed. “Then you stand with us.” 

The cabin door creaked. 

Erin’s face appeared in the doorway. Her eyes were wide with fear. “They’re here,” she whispered. 

My heart sank again. Serena had found us. 

"Time to move," Kieran stated as he took hold of Adrian’s stretcher.

Evelyn searched her pocket and retrieved a folded sheet of paper. She handed us a folded paper map while her voice trembled uncontrollably. “We follow it to the border. There’s a safe house.” 

Kieran took it and studied it. “We leave in five minutes.” 

Serena’s footsteps echoed across the wooden deck. 

My breath came short. 

Evelyn hugged Adrian, tears in her eyes. Kieran lifted the stretcher. I grabbed the prototype’s arm. “We move together,” I said. He tilted his head toward the revelation of a minor truth.

Lightning cracked once more. Serena stood outside the door whi, ch the storm's light surrounded her silhouette. I prepared myself to face whatever demands and threats she would bring.

She opened her mouth to speak. 

But she only said, “Wait.” 

The rumble of thunder swallowed her words. 

Suddenly, the door started closing by itself.