Chapter 25 The Chaos

Chapter 25 The Chaos
The facility was no longer fully under Owen’s control because the damage was beyond repair.

It was now obvious that sub-level nine damage had spread throughout the facility. The system began to fail in sequence. The doors malfunctioned, and the communication channel failed.

Owen was back in his office. In his presence, the screen started glitching, and the data was delayed. He issued a command, but it didn't go through.

“Activate emergency protocols around all levels,” he looked at his guards and commanded firmly.

Zane, Garrett, and I could no longer stay in sub-level nine because of the system failure.

To move on, we had to rely on each other's strength.

Zane protected us with his strength. Garrett was still weak, but his instinct was strong, while I maneuvered the system. But Garrett couldn't trust me yet.

“Son, who is she?” Garrett asked, looking at Zane.

“She is my bond,” Zane answered without looking back.

In a way, that settled my mind.

“Your bond? Then how is she involved in this?”

“Long story, father,” Zane said coldly.

Ruby was working in sub-level five at that time. Her system malfunctioned, and the security level panicked. This caused confusion among staff, and it allowed her to choose a side. She started by releasing the remaining subjects, and she began sabotaging the system secretly.

In Owen’s office, “Send in Troy,” he commanded.

He was Owen’s dangerous weapon.

“You sent for me?” Troy entered Owen’s office. He was handsome, polished, and cold.

Owen handed him pictures of Zane and me. “Hunt them down. Do not let them leave the building,” he instructed.

He nodded and left. Troy took over the security units and began hunting Zane and me down. He armed himself with serums, trackers, and weapons.

When Zane, Garrett, and I got to level four, Troy was already closing in on us by tracking me. A corridor collapsed and separated all of us. I ran and ran, and I found myself inside a room. Then Troy appeared with his security and weapons.

“Ah ah ah, finally, Nyla.” He clapped and walked toward me.

I moved back slowly.

“Got ya.” He smiled.

Out of nowhere, Zane appeared.

“Leave her alone,” Zane warned as he moved closer to Troy, pushing me behind him.

“Where is Garrett?” I whispered.

“He will be fine,” he answered without looking back.

“If you will take her, you will have to go through me first,” Zane said firmly.

"It feels so good to be claimed by someone." I whispered.

Then they moved toward each other and started fighting.

I started feeling strange again. Owen was manipulating me. Zane realized this through the bond. My scent, movement, and face changed. This unsettled him. He then connected to me, stabilized me, and pulled me back from losing control.

I realized we were each other's strength.

As we continued running, we noticed some changes. Light stabilized as we moved through certain corridors, and doors opened more quickly. It meant someone was helping us.

Sounds of guns, alarms, and different creature noises distracted us as we went. A small shaft opened without us touching it. We entered and kept going.

“Roar.” We heard it.

Zane pushed me behind him.

“Is that Garrett?” I asked.

“No… no, that's not my father's voice,” Zane replied.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked again.

“I do not feel anything toward that voice,” he replied.

Then an angry-looking figure appeared from nowhere. He was huge, strong, and fast. He walked toward Zane, and as Zane prepared to defend himself, Garrett appeared with a loud growl, and his eyes became bright red. The creature bowed in fear and moved back without looking.

We walked two more corridors, and we met Ruby.

“Are you guys okay?” she asked as she moved closer to me. She scanned my body to check if I was hurt.

“I am okay, sister,” I assured her.

“Guys, there is a much faster escape route, but it's dangerous.”

“How dangerous?” I asked hurriedly.

“It requires moving through an unstable and unsecured lab,” she explained.

Zane looked at her, clueless.

“The path is not safe. That's what I meant,” she said.

“We will go,” Zane said without thinking much of it.

We moved faster as we went through the route. The corridors were narrow, and we passed through tunnels. The path was collapsing as we moved.

In Owen's office, he focused on tracking and stopping me. He sent all available security toward our route. But I was reaching the breaking point.

The pain in my body intensified. It was as if my body was shifting.

“Arwg…” I fell.

Zane looked back. “Are you okay?” He ran toward me.

“My tummy,” I shouted in pain.

Zane placed his hands on my tummy, and I felt instant relief.

“Is she okay?” Garrett asked loudly.

I nodded. “Let's move on.”

“If you don't mind, I can lift you on my back,” Garrett said. I didn't have a choice, so I agreed. He moved closer to me and bent his back. I climbed on, and we moved on.

Finally, we got to the last exit door, but it was locked, and it required something we didn't fully have. Zane tried using his strength to break it. I tried to override the system while Garrett used his physical force, but nothing worked.

Before we could do anything, Owen showed up again, this time in front of the door, far from us.

“Hmm…” he clapped.

“I love your courage,” Owen said.

“Do you all think you can leave this place alive?” he said, smiling faintly. “You lie.”

“Nyla, you asked why I needed you? I need you because you have my precious asset with you.”

I was shocked. “Precious asset?”

“Yes, Nyla,” he replied.

“The everyday tests being carried out on you should tell you that,” he continued.

I looked up and gazed at Zane. “What is he talking about?” I asked.

“Go straight to your point, Owen,” Zane said coldly.

Then I felt the sudden pressure again. “What is happening to me, to my body?” I screamed in pain.

“Good girl.” Owen smiled again.

My body began to shift, my energy spiked, my fingers felt heavy, and the pain became very intense.

“You need to tell us what is going on,” Zane screamed at Owen.

“It is my precious asset, not me,” Owen said.

“What precious asset are you talking about?” I shouted, and my scream shook the entire building.

“The hybrid child in your belly,” Owen replied.

It sounded like thund,r in my ears.