Clara could still hear the faint echoes of gunfire reverberating through the vents, a grim reminder that Marcus and Briggs were likely holding off the infected. She hadn’t known them long enough to recall their names, but the sound of shots suggested they were capable enough. It wasn’t her concern, though. The mission came first, and there were bigger things at play than just surviving this moment.As they crawled further through the vent, Clara’s mind wandered to that thing. If it was as powerful as she suspected, it might just take care of the problem for her. Marcus and Briggs would be a potential danger she couldn’t afford as their capabilities were enough to put a wedge in her plans. A chill ran through her—not from fear, but from the thrill of knowing she was on the edge of something significant. Something that could change everything. They pressed on, the cramped space of the vent closing in around them. The musty air felt heavy, thick with the scent of rust and decay. Clara's

Elara stepped out of the academy building into the muted, dusky light of the compound. The campus stretched out in all directions, a labyrinth of steel and glass buildings interwoven with walkways and vibrant green corridors. This wasn't like any city she'd seen before; her home, like the academy, was walled off from the rest of the world. To her, the endless concrete and manicured lawns, the highly secure gates, and the ever-present guards were part of normal life.She passed the central fountain, an ornate structure with figures of mythical creatures carved into the marble. They symbolized some ancient story she had once learned, but the details had faded from her mind over the years. The streets here were wide and lined with tall trees, their canopies shielding her from the wind. People strolled about, calm and purposeful, yet always alert. Residents of the compound carried themselves with a quiet intensity, a result of the years of carefully controlled living under the organizatio

Elara lay tense in the pod as the warmth in her veins intensified, creeping through her arms, spreading up to her shoulders, and seeping into her core. Her body felt like it was being enveloped in a strange fire—both cold and burning at once. A sharp sting flared at the base of her spine, and she clenched her fists, trying to keep her breathing steady, but the sensation was relentless.The compound had triggered a reaction at the cellular level, initiating the "adaptive response" the old man had described. Deep within her, every cell was reacting to the foreign neutral gene, which was nudging each strand of her DNA into a new configuration, unlocking dormant sections of her genetic code. Elara could almost feel her body being rewritten, as if someone were tearing her apart and piecing her back together from the inside out.A sudden, stabbing pain shot through her chest, and she gasped, her body straining against the restraints as the heat turned searing. Her muscles tightened involunt

The bikers shoved Clara, Erika, and Ian forward, forcing them toward a crumbling, abandoned building looming like a haunted skeleton against the night sky. The gang members laughed and jeered, clearly enjoying the helplessness of their captives.Clara glanced around desperately, hoping to spot some way out. But before any plan could form, a sharp, commanding voice sliced through the evening air behind them."Release them, or I’ll start popping bullets," the voice drawled, cold and confident.Everyone turned, and there stood Briggs, holding a rifle steady and pointed at the gang, his expression all business. Beside him, Marcus watched with narrowed eyes, taking in the scene, his arms crossed and posture tense. His gaze was sharp, calculating.The tattooed leader barked out a laugh, his men’s guns immediately swiveling toward the newcomers. “Well, well,” he sneered, flashing a crooked smile, “look who decided to crash the party.”Briggs cocked his head, his finger resting just above the

The group trudged through the deserted streets, their boots crunching against the shattered glass and debris. Marcus walked in silence, his axe slung over his shoulder, but the thought gnawed at him. The vent—their supposed escape route—had been blocked earlier. Something about that didn’t sit right with him. Finally, unable to suppress his curiosity any longer, he broke the silence. “That vent,” Marcus started, his voice cutting through the eerie stillness. “It was blocked earlier. How?” Clara froze mid-step, her body tensing for a fraction of a second before she quickly resumed walking. Her mind raced. 'He’s suspicious.' Taking a deep breath, she focused her thoughts, reaching out mentally to Erika and Ian. This wasn’t just about silencing doubts—it required precision. Implanting false memories wasn’t her strongest suit, but she had no choice. She concentrated hard, weaving her thoughts into their minds. 'You didn’t block the vent. You never saw it blocked. Everything was norm