The rain hasn’t stopped since the machines took control.


Violet:


“Ace!? Ace!?” I called out, my voice barely more than a whisper, quaking with anxiety.


Hours—no, days—had slipped away while I meticulously plotted our escape. 


Every detail had to be perfect. I couldn’t afford mistakes; none of us could. 


The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders, it felt as if I was being crush by it.


“Hurry up! This is our only chance!” Hazel said from behind.


Here I was, crouched in a cramped bunker, surrounded by a chaotic assortment of electronic devices and gadgets. 


A sci-fi lover would revel in this kind of place, but for me, it felt more like a tomb.


Not gonna lie, though, the space made my stomach churn. But It was the only refuge we had left from those... things, the machines that had turned our world into a nightmare.


They were consuming everything we had—our resources, our hope, and even us. 


It felt like we were living in a dystopian horror story, where survival was a like a game of chess. It felt like our every move was like a test.


We had to leave.


Leave and never look back.


Trapped in this secret lair for what felt like an eternity, we had supplies, but they were never enough. And we all knew it.


I could feel the panic rising in my chest like a tidal wave.


“We have to go now!” Sophie urged from behind, her voice trembling with fear.


Until,


Suddenly, we started hearing loud banging on the bunker door from outside.


Gosh, they’d found us.


“Guys, run! RUN! RUN!” Skye shouted, panic lacing his voice as he bolted.


Dread washed over me, heavy and suffocating.


I was frozen, my limbs refusing to cooperate.


“Vi? Vi? Are you okay?” Ace’s voice broke through my paralysis, concern etched on his face.


I couldn’t respond; I was trembling, cold, tears streaming down my cheeks. 


The reality of our situation crashed over me like a wave. 


God. 


Not now. This was no time for a panic attack.


“Ac... Ace... R... RUN! NOW!” I gasped, pushing him away with trembling hands, sinking to the floor as my whole body shook.


If I had to die here today, so be it. 


But they had to escape. 


I felt like a ship sinking into the depths, dragging everyone down with me.


I had poured my entire soul into this plan; I couldn’t let it fail. 


But fear seeped in, washing away my resolve—my plan was never flawless.


I had let them down. 


This was all my fault.


“Vi, we won’t leave without you. You’re coming with us.” 


A strong hand gripped my shoulder, anchoring me to reality. It felt like the weight of the world rested in that grasp, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this fight.


I leaned into it, surrendering to the darkness, and then…