Chapter 5: Plan Ahead
The facility loomed ominously in the moonlight, its once-pristine structure now a shadow of its former self. Nestled in the heart of Elysium Ridge mountain, it was surrounded by dense, ancient trees that swayed gently in the cold night breeze. Jagged holes punctuated the facility’s walls, evidence of the chaos that had unfolded here. Flickering lights near Edward’s room cast long, wavering shadows on the cracked floors. The eerie interplay of moonlight and shadows painted the abandoned structure with a haunting beauty, while the faint whistle of wind through broken ventilation ducts added a chilling melody to the silence.
The facility itself was massive, a testament to humanity’s ingenuity before the impact. With multiple floors and countless rooms, it served a variety of purposes: research, production, experimentation, and more. The layout was so intricate that even those who worked there for years would occasionally find themselves lost amidst its endless corridors and stairwells.
When Edward tried to remember the layout of the facility, he was shocked to learn that he could recall it effortlessly now. The details came to him with vivid clarity, even the trivial aspects, like the countless tiles on the floor he used to walk on during his time working there. Right now, they currently resided on the 2nd floor, a sprawling space so expansive it could house a small town. It was here that experiments were conducted, and marvels like the arc reactor were brought to life. Among the many rooms on this floor, two medical stations are installed in this floor. Fortunately, the nearest one was only two hallways away from their current position.
As Edward strategized and built the map in his mind, Mira sat beside her brother. Her fingers lightly brushed Kai’s cheek, her eyes filled with worry. Kwon lay protectively beside Kai, his breathing steady but his ears twitching as though attuned to the slightest sound. Mira’s thoughts drifted to the past, to the day everything fell apart. She, Kai, and Kwon had been left at a home bunker with their caregiver, waiting for their father to return.
Their father had always been a pillar of strength, though his work often kept him away. “I have an important job,” he’d explained one evening. “It’s to make sure everything stays safe.” Mira had nodded then, too young to grasp the weight of his words. She recalled sneaking around one evening and overhearing her father on the phone, speaking in hushed tones about the facility nestled in the Elysium Ridge mountain. He had mentioned guarding a secret project, his voice tinged with urgency. That’s why, when the impact happened, she and Kai escaped from their home with Kwon to set out to find him. At first, she thought it would be easy, but she was wrong. She could never have imagined how much the world outside their safe-haven had changed. Yet, she clung to the hope that he’d still be alive, that he might be here. That hope had guided them to this place.
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Edward’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Hey, I need you to take and use one of the wireless earbuds from this terminal.”
Mira blinked, her focus snapping back to the present. She nodded and walked over to the terminal, picking up one of the earbuds that still seemed functional. She carefully placed it in her right ear.
“Hi, Mira. Can you hear me?” Edward’s voice was calm, a steady presence amid chaos.
Mira hesitated before replying, “Um… Hi, Mr. Edward.” Her voice was soft but tinged with determination.
Edward nodded mentally. “Alright, so the medical room isn’t far from this room. Don’t worry about the direction; I’ll guide you through my voice.”
Inwardly, Edward grappled with a growing unease. “Now for the biggest problem,” he thought grimly. “The monster.” The memory of its grotesque form sent shivers through his digital consciousness. Edward had experienced horror games, but nothing had prepared him for the terror of seeing such a creature in real life. He forced himself to check the cameras on the 2nd floor, starting with the ones outside their room. Many cameras were broken, their feeds showing nothing but static or darkness. Those that worked offered limited views of debris-strewn hallways. He expanded his search, dread coiling in his chest as he remembered the creature’s peculiar movements and the unsettling noise it made—like fabric being dragged across itself.
“Darn it,” he muttered internally. “Why didn’t I push for better cameras when this place was built?” He sighed, frustration mingling with fear. Edward scoured the few working feeds, but the monster was nowhere to be seen. Its absence on the cameras didn’t bring him relief; instead, it heightened his anxiety. The broken cameras and blind spots felt like gaping holes in their defenses, leaving him to wonder where the creature might be lurking.
Edward hesitated before speaking. “Um… about the monster…” His words faltered, unsure how to prepare Mira without scaring her further.
Mira’s voice, though trembling, broke through. “It’s okay, Mr. Edward. It’s for my brother.” Her determination was evident, even as her voice wavered. Edward was taken aback, her bravery leaving him momentarily speechless.
“Okay,” he said finally, the weight of her resolve grounding him. He glanced at the children with their loyal dog, his thoughts drifting to Nala. Edward imagined a future where he and Nala became parents, raising children as brave as Mira and Kai.
Mira turned to her brother, hugging him gently. She whispered words of comfort before turning to Kwon. “Stay here with Kai,” she said firmly. At first, the dog protested, whining softly and nudging her hand. But after a moment, he relented, lying down beside Kai with a watchful gaze. Mira stroked his fur reassuringly. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”
Edward conducted a final check of the cameras outside. The hallway appeared clear. With a soft click, the door slid open, and Mira stepped out into the eerie corridor, guided by Edward’s voice.
“Alright, let’s do this together,” Edward said, his tone steady despite the unease swirling in his digital mind. Together, they embarked on a mission fraught with uncertainty, their determination focused on saving Kai and navigating the remnants of humanity’s shattered legacy.