Escape the Cage

A Pact Beneath the Night

“Ethan, let go of my hand… you’re holding too tight,” Aria panted, reminding Ethan to release her. Her wrist bore red marks from his grip, and her heart was still racing—she wasn’t sure if it was from the run or the bravery Ethan had just shown.

Ethan, still caught up in the tension of the moment, hadn’t noticed Aria’s flushed face.

“Ethan, you said you had something urgent to tell me?” Aria asked softly.

Ethan finally snapped out of it and looked at her. “Wait, Aria, why is your face so red?”

“It’s nothing, just from running so fast,” Aria replied, brushing a hand across her heated cheeks.

Once their heart rates had settled, Ethan began recounting his second venture to the upper lab. He tried to convey every detail, hoping to make Aria understand and abandon her plans to go to Paradise Island.

“Aria, I’ve been trying to find the right moment to tell you, but I went back to the upper lab. This time, I discovered something shocking,” Ethan began.

“What is it?” Aria’s eyes widened with anticipation.

“Do you remember the Black pregnant man, Number 299? He was killed… in one of the operating rooms up there.” Ethan’s voice trembled slightly as he recalled the scene.

“What? But he was supposed to have gone to Paradise Island,” Aria said, her disbelief clear.

“I think Paradise Island is just a lie. The people who get ‘chosen’… they’re not taken there. They’re taken away and killed.” Ethan’s concern was palpable; this time, Aria was the one who had been selected. He felt powerless against the fate that awaited her.

“So, I’m going to be killed too?” Aria’s emotions plummeted, the illusion of luck shattering into despair.

“Ethan, can you take me to that upper lab tonight?” Aria asked, her voice steady but determined.

“Alright, but it’s dangerous, Aria. If we’re caught, we’ll both be killed. So, you have to do exactly as I say. Understand?” Ethan’s eyes were resolute.

“Okay, I trust you.” Aria braced herself for what was to come.

“And Aria, no unnecessary violence!” Ethan called out over his shoulder as they parted ways, a teasing smile playing on his lips. Aria clenched her fist in response, her frustration boiling over.

“Damn that Ethan, always joking at the worst times. He’s really asking for it,” Aria muttered, watching him disappear into the distance, her fist slowly unclenching.

They agreed to meet later that night, after finishing their tasks, at the entrance to the ventilation shaft.

Day and night were indistinguishable in Fortress Omega. The entire structure was encased in a spherical metal shell, where concepts like natural landscapes and the passage of time held no meaning. The only glimpse of the outside world was a small, circular skylight in the central plaza, barely a meter wide. Through it, one could see a sliver of sky, a stark reminder that humans were meant to roam free under the open sky, not live like caged birds.

Aria stood waiting by the ventilation shaft, her anxiety growing as she anticipated Ethan’s arrival. Soon enough, Ethan came running up, his steps heavy, his demeanor dejected, like a deflated balloon, his arms hanging limply at his sides.

“Aria, something bad has happened. Butter ended my punishment, but he took back my key. We can’t get in anymore,” Ethan said, frustration clear in his voice.

“What? So what now, Ethan? Are we just going to give up?” Aria felt the sting of defeat settling in.

“No, Aria. If we don’t uncover these secrets ourselves, we might never escape Fortress Omega. And right now, I need to save you from your fate. I can’t just watch you walk into certain death,” Ethan’s voice was thick with emotion.

“Finally, something sensible out of you. So, what’s the plan?” Aria was moved by Ethan’s determination, though she tried to play it off casually.

“Steal,” Ethan replied, his mind already working on the details.

“Steal? How?” Aria asked, puzzled.

“Tomorrow. Listen, Aria, we need to work together. Everything depends on tomorrow,” Ethan said with conviction.

The clock above the hall’s entrance ticked relentlessly, its red digits glowing like ever-watchful eyes within the fortress. Aria kept her gaze fixed on the time. She needed to follow through with the plan Ethan had laid out the night before. She adjusted her collar, trying to mask her nervousness, then stood and pushed a cart filled with petri dishes toward the cold storage. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying her attempt to stay calm, the cart moving erratically as a result. She stole a glance at Ethan, seeking reassurance.

Ethan watched her intently, pretending to work but keeping a close eye on her. “Always acting tough, but now you’re getting nervous,” he muttered, even in this tense moment finding room to tease Aria.

Aria pushed the cart over to Butler, who was engrossed in a conversation over his intercom. She took a deep breath and deliberately knocked the cart over, sending the petri dishes crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the hall, drawing everyone’s attention. Butler’s face twisted in anger and panic as he saw the valuable samples scattered in pieces.

“What the hell are you doing?” he roared, his voice dripping with fury.

Aria seized the moment, grabbing the collar of Worker 18 beside her, escalating the chaos. “You i***t! Why did you push my cart?” she shouted, her voice trembling with feigned anger.

The worker labeled 18 quickly caught on, his expression darkening. He grabbed Aria by the collar, jerking her forward. "I didn’t do anything! You can’t even push a cart straight, you damn tomboy!" he roared.

Aria and the worker immediately started to scuffle, their clash drawing Butler's attention. His brow furrowed, the calm demeanor he’d maintained starting to crumble into agitation. His eyes locked onto the escalating fight.

Ethan saw his chance. He moved swiftly through the crowd gathered around the commotion, his gaze fixed on Butler’s silver uniform, specifically on the unique golden phoenix emblem on the pant leg.

“That’s the one,” Ethan thought, taking a deep breath as his hand inched closer to the key ring hanging from Butler’s belt.

“Just a little more,” he thought, his eyes gleaming with determination.

But just as his fingers brushed the keys, a gunshot rang out. Butler, sensing something amiss, turned and fired a shot into the ceiling. The room fell into an eerie silence, and Ethan froze, his hand still suspended in midair.

“Everyone, back to your stations!” Butler bellowed, his voice quaking with fury.

The crowd dispersed quickly, leaving Ethan kneeling on the floor, just inches away from Butler’s pocket. Butler glared down at him, seething with rage.

“You,” Butler growled, “Number 324, back to your station. Now.”

Ethan slowly got to his feet, casting a glance at Aria as Butler dragged her away. Their eyes met briefly, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them.

“You two, follow me to the office,” Butler ordered, pulling Aria and Worker 18 along. He motioned for another worker to clean up the scene. Meanwhile, Leander, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward to assist with cleaning up the shattered glass and spilled fluids.

Aria and Worker 18 were hauled into the office, where Butler unleashed a tirade of curses. Aria stood silently, her gaze lowered, as if every word he hurled at her simply bounced off, leaving no mark. After all, ignoring him was the best strategy.

Back at the workstation, Ethan anxiously awaited Aria’s return. Two hours later, she finally appeared, a bruise forming on her cheek. Despite the pain, she forced a smile when she saw Ethan.

“Does it hurt?” Ethan asked softly, concern etched on his face.

“No, it’s nothing. Really. Who do you think I am?” Aria said, trying to sound tough.

Ethan gently touched her slightly swollen skin with his fingertips. He noticed the way she winced, despite her efforts to hide it.

“You’re lying,” Ethan said, his voice laced with concern. “It does hurt.”

Aria let out a small, uneasy laugh. “Alright, maybe a little.”

They stood there in silence until a shadow fell over them. Leander approached, his eyes as deep and unreadable as a bottomless well. He held out his hand, revealing the key ring he had taken from Butler.

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock. “Leander… how did you get those…?”

Leander shrugged casually. “I swiped them while I was cleaning up. Figured you might need them.”

Aria and Ethan exchanged bewildered glances, both unsure of how to react. Leander’s sudden involvement felt like a piece of the puzzle that didn’t quite fit—impossible to ignore but difficult to place. Ethan reminded himself that the priority now was escaping.

“Thanks, I guess, but I still don’t know how you found out about our plan,” Ethan said, suspicion creeping into his voice. “But tell me, what do you want in return?”

Leander nodded slightly. “I’ll explain everything later, but for now, I want you to take me with you when you escape.”

“And if I refuse?” Ethan asked, narrowing his eyes.

“If you refuse, I can’t promise that Wilson won’t find out about this…” Leander’s tone carried a subtle threat. Ethan could sense that Leander wasn’t someone to be underestimated, but he also knew he had little choice.