Chapter Four
My heart pounds in my chest as I carefully climb down the narrow elevator shaft, my large hands gripping the metal rungs so tight my knuckles turn white. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down into my eyes as I inch my way down, muscles straining with each movement.
I can’t see the bottom of the shaft even though I started on the ground floor. Even if there was a basement, it doesn’t explain the bottomless shaft that looks like it goes on forever below me.
The pulse of electricity running through the conduit behind the ladder rungs next to me is thick, coursing over my skin, making the fine hairs on my arms stand on end. I can’t afford to make a sound. One false move—a silly slip or fall—and I’ll alert anyone looking that I’m still here.
I’ve never managed to escape before. Usually, the drugs or experiments leave me too weak and dizzy to even stand, let alone attempt an escape. But today, with the help from the men earlier, I’m free. Now my body hums with energy.
I know my revenge is now or never.
I pause, my heart racing as I listen for any sign of the elevator descending above me. Or voices. The coast seems clear, but I know I can’t let my guard down. Someone could appear at any moment, popping out above or below me at one of the many floor levels the elevator stops at.
It seems to take forever to slowly climb down to the bottom.
I reach out, brushing my fingers against the metal tubes lining the walls of the elevator shaft. A jolt of energy surges through me and I instinctively latch my energy to the flow, following it. It leads me deeper underground to a small, dark tunnel far below me.
This is uncharted territory. But what else can I do?
I need to find somewhere to hide. To regroup. To make a plan.
I have no idea where this tunnel at the bottom of the shaft leads, but I know it’s my best chance at hiding. With a deep breath, I lower myself carefully into the dark, determined to see this through. No matter what dangers lie ahead, it’s better than rotting in that tiny white room, subjected to the doctors’ cruel experiments.
I’m through being a lab rat. It’s time I got answers. It’s time I got free.
No one can stop me now.
I reach out and brush my fingers over the thick conduit, feeling the current tingle through my skin. My affinity with electricity has always mystified me, but now I embrace this strange power. It could be the key to my escape.
I trail my hand along the tube of wires as I climb lower, testing my control. With focus, I hear the elevator car above me and when I can just make out the car in the dim light, I bring it to a grinding halt. Expanding my focus, I trigger the doors in the shaft above me, opening and closing them quickly before releasing the elevator to shoot back up.
I stifle a laugh. Let them figure that one out.
Footsteps echo down the elevator shaft, along with shouts of alarm. My control of the power has thrown this place into chaos, but I’m not done yet.
I trail my fingers along the wires, following them deeper into the elevator shaft.
A thrill rushes through me. If I can manipulate the power grid, there’s no limit to what I can do. Especially to them.
Hurrying now, I grip the sides of the ladder, letting my body drop with my weight instead of using each of the rungs. I’m determined to get to the bottom sooner rather than later. My ears pop as I slide down, and I grit my teeth, ignoring the cobwebs that glide across my palms. Spiders are the least of my concerns.
The air whooshes from my lungs as I hit the bottom, stirring up dust that has me fighting back a sneeze. Breathing through my mouth, I pinch my nose, blinking as I turn in a slow circle. The only exit is the small concrete tunnel the electrical conduit enters, just as I saw when I tapped into the power. I don’t know how I knew… but I did.
It’ll be tight. I’m a big guy, and it’s pitch black inside, so I’m not sure how far it goes. But all this must tie into a bigger power source. Maybe even what feeds this entire facility?
Lowering to my knees, I squeeze my bulk into the space, ignoring the grit digging into my knees. The tunnel slopes downward, narrowing until I have to crawl on my belly. My heart pounds against my ribcage, but I force myself to keep going. There’s no turning back now.
After what seems like forever, the tunnel opens into a larger room. I pause at the entrance, blinking as my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. After a moment, I realize there is a large piece of machinery only a foot away, and I have to angle my body to straighten up, sliding along the wall and around it.
But now I can see. There’s a large light covered with wire over a door at the end of the long room. It’s some kind of mechanical and electrical room, which gives me hope. Someone’s only going to come down here if there’s a problem, right?
The space offers plenty of cover. If I’m careful, I can avoid detection.
I sink into the shadows, moving slowly along the wall. My heart pounds with each step, but I keep my breathing even. Stay calm. Stay focused.
I can do this.
Up ahead, a faint glow catches my eye. Wires run along the walls, pulsing with energy. These newfound powers may just tip the scales in my favor. I won’t let anything stand in my way. Not when I’m finally taking control of my life.
I trail behind the equipment in the narrow space between the wall, and the looming shapes. They must have been installed with room to get behind in case they need service. The wires that run out of each block shape hum under my fingertips, responding to my touch.
Yes, with mastery of this energy, I can turn the tide. I can shut down security systems, disable trackers, and cause diversions. My pulse quickens at the possibilities.
It’s time to embrace my full potential. I was made for this. And I won’t fail.
The elevator shaft looms behind me, giving me a sense of security, knowing I can escape if anyone comes in. Cables and circuitry line the walls, crackling with energy. This is my chance.
I reach out and take hold of the thick bundle of wires. Power thrums through them, just waiting to be harnessed.
I concentrate, focusing my concentration. The light over the exit door blinks rapidly before going dark. All the better to hide me.
A satisfied smile tugs at my lips. But I’m just getting started.
Here, I’m surrounded by enough power to blow this entire facility sky-high. But I restrain myself. As tempting as it is to bring it all crashing down, others are still trapped here. Innocent lives, I have to try to save. To free.
Still, with this kind of access, I can wreak all kinds of havoc. Disable security cameras. Unlock doors. Cut power to operating rooms and laboratories. The possibilities leave me giddy.
For the first time since I can remember, I have control. And it’s intoxicating.
With my growing powers, I can take the fight to my captors for once. I can save us all.
Their days of exploiting me are over. Now I am the master of this energy. And I will use it to gain the justice and freedom everyone deserves.
The space behind this equipment is tight, forcing me into an awkward crawl as I bend my knees to settle around the cluster of wires. It’s a tight squeeze. I have to shuffle on my elbows and knees just to get comfortable. The cold, damp concrete presses against me on two sides.
But I persist through gritted teeth. Anything to get away from those vile doctors and their cruel experiments. The memory of their emotionless eyes and probing instruments sends a shiver down my spine.
Never again.
When I get my legs straightened out on the floor, I let out a relieved sigh. Perfect. I can hide here while I get my bearings and figure out my next move.
My heart pounds with anticipation. I’m on the loose in their own facility. The tables have turned. Now it’s my time to strike.
I reach out and touch the largest bundle of wires, feeling the power thrumming through them. My skin tingles as my abilities activate, allowing me to sense the currents. With some concentration, I can manipulate the electrical system however I want.
Now to tap into the main computer network.
I close my eyes, visualizing the wires spreading out from this room like veins. If I follow the power downstream, it should lead me right to the heart of their systems.
I plunge my mind into the bright maze of currents. My consciousness floats along, guided by intuition. The electricity courses over my skin, now glowing faintly purple behind my eyelids.
There.
A particularly strong conduit.
I let it pull me in. Suddenly I’m surrounded by data, an endless stream of code and information. It’s overwhelming but exhilarating.
I’m inside.
Now to find what I need. Patient records, facility schematics, and security protocols. It’s all here for the taking. This is my chance to finally expose the truth and take down the operation that’s held me captive for so long.
My heart pounds with excitement and purpose. I barely know where to start, but I vow to unravel all their secrets. No more torture and imprisonment.
I will have justice.
I’m about to dive in when something catches my attention - a faint, familiar energy signature. I pause, curious. It’s coming from a restricted area of the network, and it’s heavily encrypted. But I know this energy...could it be?
Cautiously, I approach the firewalls, probing them with tendrils of electricity. They push back, resistant, but I persist. There must be something important behind this level of security.
With a surge of power, the barriers shatter before me. Triumph courses through my veins.
I delve into the classified data, searching. Then I see it and my breath catches in my throat.
It’s her.
I access the file running in real time and there she is--an image of the woman I just met.
Summer.
She’s here.
New strength floods through my muscles, pushing me to take in what’s going on around her.
I won’t leave without her. Or anyone.
My mission is clear now. I’ll use the full extent of my powers to free everyone and anyone trapped here, starting with her.
The doctors wanted weapons, well now they’ll face our wrath. The time has come to fight back.