11:07pm
(Aurora's team)
They moved with practiced efficiency down the corridors. Jasper took the lead while Allison and Vanessa kept close formation behind him, their movements fluid and watchful. Aurora brought up the rear, her red-tipped hair a stark contrast against the grey walls, her red-tipped hair a vibrant flash against the muted walls. Their mission to reach Maya in medical bay Beta, Room 12, was etched into their minds.
Jasper: Medical bay should be just ahead, (he murmured.) Just three more turns and we there.
They rounded the first corner, their footsteps barely audible on the sterile linoleum. Suddenly, a deep, guttural roar echoed through the facility, followed by a violent tremor that shook the very foundations of the building. Debris rained down from the ceiling, and a thick cloud of dust billowed towards them, stinging their eyes and choking the air. They stumbled, bracing themselves against the shaking walls as the lights flickered and died, plunging them into momentary darkness.
Vanessa: What the hell was that? (She gasped, stumbling slightly as the ground bucked beneath her feet.)
A dim, red emergency light sputtered to life, casting long, distorted shadows that danced with the settling dust. Chaos erupted around them. Cell doors hissed open, and figures in orange jumpsuits poured out, their collars dark and lifeless. A cacophony of shouts, screams, and the clang of metal filled the air. Prisoners, freed from their restraints, Their collars, now inactive, sparked harmlessly against their necks, were rioting, some attacking the few remaining Enforcers in the hallway, others simply trying to find a way out.
Jasper: What in the world is going on?
Aurora: Just keep moving! Our priority is Maya. We need to reach her.
They pushed through the surging crowd, their priority clear. They encountered pockets of resistance – enraged prisoners looking for a fight – but Aurora, Jasper, and the others moved with decisive force, subduing their attackers without lethal force when possible, their focus unwavering on reaching Maya.
As they rounded another corner a figure stumbled out from a side, blocking their path. It was a young female inhuman with half her side a grotesque patchwork of burns. It was the same inhuman they've encountered earlier, her remaining eye glowing with malevolent intent.
Inhuman: YOU! You did this to me! (Her hands outstretched, a telekinetic force slammed into Aurora, Allison, Vanessa, and Jasper, lifting them off their feet and into the air, their throats constricting under the invisible pressure.)
Jasper: (Struggling, his face turning red) Lady… wrong… person! It was… the… guy with… the… purple... glow sticks!
The inhuman smiled cruelly, her gaze sweeping over them, her intent clear. Before she could crush their windpipes, a sharp crack echoed down the hallway. Her eyes widened in surprise, a single tear tracing a path through the soot on her cheek before a bullet hole appeared in the center of her forehead. The telekinetic grip vanished, and Aurora's team crashed to the floor, gasping for air.
They Looked up to see Gary Holden standing at the end of the hallway, a smoking pistol in his hand. He lowered the weapon, a grimly satisfied look on his masked face.
Aurora and her team struggled to their feet, their eyes locking onto Gary, who now stood beside a figure slumped against the wall – Maya, her wrists bound. Gary held a pistol pressed against the side of her head.
Gary: (he chukled looking at the now deceased inhuman) Can you believe it? That screamer had a nice little bounty on her head... Tonight really is my lucky night.
Jasper: (Stepping forward, his voice low and dangerous) Let her go, you son of a bitch! You killed Idris!
Gary: (Tilting his head, trying to recall) Idris? Uh… was that the… scared-looking kid? Honestly, that bullet was meant for the white-haired lady. He just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Aurora: Let her go... This doesn't have to get any worse!
Gary: Worse? For who, you? Maybe. For me, heh... I see a ticket outta this damn place.
Vanessa: what? (She asked, her brow furrowed.)
Gary: I wanna strike a deal with you lot... You want dear ol' Maya here? Provide safe passage for me out of here and I'll give her to you... No tricks from either party.
Maya, groaning, tried to speak, but Gary's grip tightened.
Gary: Don't even think about it, princess, (he snarled.) Unless you want to see what a real artist can do with blood and brain cells on these walls.
Vanessa: You know, We could just take you out right now and grab Maya.
Gary: (Smirking) Oh, you could try, sweetheart. But ask yourself this: can you manage before I put a bullet in her head? I've got a real itchy trigger finger, and she's literally right here.
Maya: Don't– (She started to say, but Gary cut her off.)
Gary: Shut it! (he snarled, pressing the gun harder against Maya's head.) Listen... if you guys don't agree to my terms, that's fine, I don't mind. I'll just put a bullet in her head, then put bullets in yours.
Jasper's face contorted in rage, his body tensing, ready to fight.
Aurora remained silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on Gary and then on Maya. Finally, she spoke, her voice surprisingly calm.
Aurora: We have a deal.
Vanessa: what? (She asked, her brow furrowed.)
Jasper: Aurora, you can't be serious...
Allison: We're not just gonna let him walk out of here!
Aurora: (Cutting them off, her voice firm) We don't have time for this.
Gary: (Smirking) Smart woman. Alright, Blondie, lead the way. And tell your musclehead friend to keep his hands where I can see 'em.
Gary tightened his grip on Maya's arm, keeping the pistol pressed against her head. Aurora, her expression grim, turned and started moving down the hallway in the direction Gary indicated. Jasper clenched his fists but followed, keeping a wary eye on Gary. Allison and Vanessa exchanged a look of disbelief but knew they had to trust Aurora's judgment for now.
(Bellville, Outside Zoe's apartment) - 5:07 AM
The cool night air hung heavy with the coppery scent of blood. The streetlights cast long, distorted shadows, painting the scene in a grim, almost theatrical light. Jack lay motionless on the pavement beside Zoe's lifeless body, the wound in his torso still visible, a dark stain spreading on the concrete.
A soft chuckle echoed from the darkness near the edge of Zoe's lawn. Revan stood a few feet away, his silhouette framed by the dim light filtering from the street. His violet eyes, now glowing with a faint, unsettling intensity, were fixed on Jack.
Then, with a sudden, sharp inhale, Jack's chest heaved upwards. He coughed, a ragged, wet sound that echoed in the stillness. As he coughed again, his body instinctively rolled onto all fours, his hand clutching the ground for support. A look of shock and confusion crossed his face as he instinctively touched the wound in his side, his fingers finding smooth, unbroken skin. The torn fabric of his shirt was still stained crimson, but the flesh beneath had somehow knitted itself back together, leaving only a faint, pink scar.
Revan chuckled again, a low, knowing sound.
Revan: And he rises, again to watch another die.
Jack's head snapped up, his eyes filled with anger, locking onto Revan
Jack: You... (he growled, pushing himself to his feet, swaying slightly.) You will pay for this.
Revan's chuckle was laced with a chilling amusement.
Revan: Pay? Pay for fixing something you broke, Harvey? You're aware that you shattered realities, right? Your interference brought me here. This… this was necessary.
Jack: Necessary? (His voice was laced with fury.) What's so necessary about killing innocent people! What will you gain from all this? That woman was just living her life. What threat did she pose? (He gestured towards Zoe's still form.)
Revan: These "innocent" people are just ripples in a pond you yourself disturbed. If they continue to live, the tapestry unravels, and MILLIONS more will perish.
Jack: Yeah? And who made you the judge of that? (He spat back, his fists clenching.)
Revan: (His eyes hardened, the amusement fading.) You ask what I gain? I gain a step closer to restoring what was stolen from me! Lyra… my wife… her life was a part of my balance, and it was ripped away. If I allow these ripples to continue, my chances of being with her will be gone... You talk about one innocent life, but are you willing to sacrifice millions for that single sentiment? The universe doesn't always deal in fairness, Harvey. Sometimes... difficult choices must be made to prevent utter chaos.
Jack: Oh, what a load of crap! You're just lashing out because you consumed by your own grief!
Revan: Grief? You speak of grief? You wouldn't know the first thing about true loss, about watching the light fade from the eyes of the one you love most!
Jack: (His anger softened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing his face.) Your wife... What would she think of all this, Revan? Would Lyra want you to become this... this monster, killing innocent people for some twisted idea of bringing her back?
Rage flashed across Revan's face, his composure momentarily cracking.
Revan: You dare call my actions twisted? You, who tore apart the very fabric of existence with your selfish actions? I will bring Lyra back. Whole. I will take as many souls as it takes, cross as many worlds as necessary just so she can breathe again, truly breathe, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.
Jack clenched his fists, his eyes burning with anger until suddenly, his eyes flickered, his focus momentarily lost as fragmented images flashed through his mind – glimpses of prisoners escaping a facility, chaos in the hallways. He looked around to see Revan was gone, vanished as silently and abruptly as he had appeared.
Jack looked down at his hands, a faint blue electric aura beginning to crackle around his body, the familiar sensation returning. He glanced at Zoe's still form, a deep sadness washing over him.
Jack: I'm... I'm sorry, kid...
With a final, regretful look, he blurred into motion, a streak of blue lightning disappearing down the street, leaving Zoe alone in the silent night.