The alarm wasn’t supposed to go off yet. That was enough to lead him to reckless decisions. He felt despair engulf him, a heavy wave crashing over his spirit. Taking a moment to steady his breath, he locked eyes with the ethereal presence before him. He pressed his fingers against his bruised face, willing to put his chaotic thoughts into some semblance of order.


<< I have to kill you. Now. >> he shouted at the woman in the gray dress, whose eyes filled with tears for the first time.


 His words stirred something in her that she knew only humans could feel. She didn’t know what was happening to her, but there was no time left for thinking. She had to find a gateway. The white pupils of her eyes scanned the room, searching for a way to escape. White walls loomed around them, standing still like icebergs in their path. Two long recesses in the ceiling caught her attention. They were the emergency exits of the headquarters, designed for unexpected attacks. The ceiling would open, and they could escape from there! Hope shimmered in her eyes.


<< We still have time…>> she whispered, her voice fading.


But the blond man was frantically pounding a button on the wall. Rage consumed him as the electronic door of the room they were trapped in refused to close. The card he had fought for earlier with an unfortunate soldier was now useless. Their enemy had taken control, they blocked the system. They wouldn’t make it. No door would close, and none would open. In that moment they exchanged glances with a chilling realization washed over them : they were utterly doomed.


Tom ran his hand through his blond curls, through his face feeling something wet on it. He wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of his eyes and his heartbeat quickening as he realized his body back in reality was in danger." The stupid alarm! It must be false! It's too early! " he thought. He knows that he must act fast.


<<Listen to me, we don’t have time. I have to kill you. It’s the only way you’ll return back!>> he shouted.


The footsteps of their enemies created tremors that blurred his heart with agony even further.


<<And what if I don’t wake up? >>


Tom knew that the chances of returning to real life through death were a huge risk. Yet, at that moment, he saw no other solution.


<< We have to take the risk >>


<< You would gamble with my life? >> she asked with tears streaming down her pale cheeks.


Tom recognized the fear in her alien eyes. A- 01 was taking on human traits.