The Escape Out Of The Core.

Sebastian

With shaky hands, I managed to close the lock once again and hid behind the cage, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

The footsteps came closer and the door opened as a figure stepped in.

“What's all the ruckus? Who tried to escape?” 

That was the voice of a man, probably a guard or one of the military officials who guarded this place. 

The whole place went silent and I had to hold my breath to avoid giving myself away. On the screen, I saw that I only had twenty-five minutes left. I couldn't waste that time trying to play hide and seek with a guard.

When I heard him come closer, I reached behind me, grabbing the huge rock that sat there like it was waiting for me to use it.

Just as the official made his way to my side, I shot up at once, startling him. Before he could raise an alarm, I slammed the rock at the back of his head, wincing when he passed out at once and slammed to the ground.

“Oh god. I'm so sorry.” I whispered as I crouched down, placing my hand over his nose. When I felt that he was still breathing, I let out a sigh of relief as I searched him for something important.

I found keys in his pocket; a dagger hung by the side of his pocket, but no gun. Damn it.

I took the keys and dagger anyway, and opened the cage for those boys once again as they crawled out. They looked at me in confusion like they couldn't believe I came for them.

“Who are you?” The timid one asked, hiding behind the other who had cold eyes. He looked like he had seen hell more than I could have imagined.

“There's no time for that. We have to go. Now.” I said quickly, extending my hand to them and they hesitated for a moment.

I couldn't blame them, they were probably teenagers who had gotten abducted out of nowhere. I wouldn't trust a stranger either if I were in their shoes.

“Trust me, if we don't leave, they'll lock you up again. I won't be able to save you again.” I tried once again as I extended my hand once more. 

The kid with cold eyes finally took my hand and held the other as we walked towards the door.

The other prisoners started slamming on their cage, making me panic because they would definitely attract the attention of other guards.

I couldn't risk that.

“Listen, there are—”

“Traps. We know, we tried running too.” One of them spoke and I let out a sigh. 

How would I protect them if all we did was run? And how was I sure they would catch up?

“We know where their vehicles are.” The timid one spoke up and I turned to him. “If we can get one, we can get out of here unscathed.”

That would be stealing. But damn it, who cared?

“Lead the way.” I said immediately. There was no time.

To my surprise, they passed through a smaller door than the one I came from and just as they said, cars lined up here. Different models and different vehicles.

“Let's take that one.” The timid kid pointed at a fancy one and I shook my head in amusement, turning to look for the most regular car you could find on the street.

“We'll get caught. We need to stay undercover and blend.” I replied as I pointed at the electric black sedan by the side and they both exchanged looks. 

I looked around the car, wondering if I'd find the key but there was nothing. I panicked for a second before sighting a box by the side, locked with a key.

While the boys watched me, I got to my knees and reached for the key I had stolen, trying each key in the box. When it finally clicked open and I saw a bunch of car keys in there, a soft sigh of relief escaped my lips.

They walked over to the car's side as I searched for the sedan's key and when I found it, I clicked on it, making the car whistle to life. 

My eyes widened when we heard footsteps— definitely not the footsteps of one or two men— heading our way, and I threw the key to one of them, who looked at me in confusion.

I wouldn't be able to reach the car's side without risking our lives.

“Can you drive?”

“He can!” The timid boy said as he handed him the key and they got in.

Before I could rush to get in as well, military officials surrounded us and my heart sank. Without hesitation, I hit the door, gesturing for them to drive.

I wouldn't be able to get in on time without getting shot but I could at least use them to guard myself so I could run out.

The car sped out of the garage and the men immediately opened fire. I yelped as I ran after it, grateful for how they all scattered when the car nearly crashed into them.

“Get in!” One of them yelled as the car slowed down and I ran, trying to catch up to them. The door opened and all I had to do was reach them.

But I heard a gunshot behind me and I jumped from the sound, making me miss a step as I stumbled to the ground.

The screen in front of me already turned red as I saw I only had two minutes left. There was no way I would get out on time unless I got into the car.

And somehow they sped away without me.

Just like how John and Ria abandoned me the first time. These kids were no different.

What a mission.

“Are you happy that I might die, Buis?” I asked in defeat, getting up and having my hands in the air as the guards closed in on me with guns aimed at me.

As usual, I got no response and I was ready to accept my fate when suddenly, I heard the loud sound of a car approaching me from behind.

“Move out of the way!” I heard a loud yell and I managed to jump out of the way just in time for the car to slam into some of the guards who tried to come after me.

They came back. I couldn't believe it.

“Keep going! We'll catch up!” The other said as the car started to surround the officials, bringing up dust from the ground. 

That was my cue to run as I got on my feet, running towards the gate. There were barely sixty seconds left and given my distance to the entrance, I knew I wouldn't make it…

“Fifty seconds more.” Buis muttered in my head and I tried to run fast. I tried to move faster but it felt like no matter how hard I ran, the gates moved farther away from me.

“Thirty seconds.”

“I know, damn it!” I hissed in annoyance when I suddenly heard the car coming from behind me.

It didn't stop as it drove to my side and the kid in the passenger seat extended his hand to me.

00:00:20

00:00:19

00:00:18

I tried to grab his hand but missed as our fingers only brushed and I nearly stumbled to the ground. But I got back on my feet as he extended both hands this time.

“You can do it. Come on!” He yelled and I got more energetic as I reached for him again.

I managed to grab his hands just in time as he pulled me and I faceplanted against the car, grabbing the door for support as the car zoomed towards the gate.

I didn't even register the pain. My gaze was fixed on the gates, and the only thought was that I might not make it.

“Hold on!” The one driving yelled as the timer showed me I only had five seconds left.

00:00:04.

00:00:03.

00:00:02.