A Second Chance by the System

Chapter 32: Betrayal in the Heart of the Nexus

The smoke from the explosion still lingered in the air as Ethan coughed, pulling himself to his feet. The ground beneath them was cracked and littered with debris. Dr. Samuel Trent had disappeared back into the chaos, leaving only his chilling warning behind: "It’s a trap."

Lila, injured but resolute, stood beside Ethan, her eyes locked on the shattered door to the control room. Her face was set in grim determination, but Ethan could see the shadow of fear in her eyes. The trap had been sprung, and they were right in the center of it.

"We need to move," Lila said her voice hoarse but steady. "Trent's warning... we can't ignore it."

Jared and Aisha approached them, both of them shaken but alive. Jaxon brought up the rear, limping slightly from the impact. "We’re sitting ducks if we stay here," Jaxon muttered, glancing around nervously. "We have to find another way out."

Lila looked to Ethan, her eyes searching his for a solution. "What do you think?" she asked quietly. The question, co