I tucked the cube into my pocket and put my foot in his hands. Gerald hoisted me up. Adrenaline rioted through me as I began to climb.
“Middle tunnel, do not go into that room. The moment that cube hits the device, shout to me and get the fuck out of there. I’ll do the rest.Go!”
I didn’t look back as I moved. My sweaty palms slipped against the sides of the tunnel. I didn’t stop even though my body urged me to. I pushed against the sides and my thoughts that waited, ready to drag me down.
I had wanted to help, not by being a Mate or being used. This was what I had wanted. I didn’t agree with the Reaper fully—more than those beneath deserved to be saved—but the Illum were wrong too. This wasn’t peace.
The chute leveled out to reveal three openings barely visible in the dark. I crawled through the middle one, my eyes trying to adjust. A low humming sound filled the tunnel.
“Emeline, hurry.” Gerald’s voice echoed, urging me on. I swore I heard him say something else, but I couldn’t make it out over the humming.
I picked up my pace when the floor suddenly dropped, and I slipped. The descent was too steep. I tumbled down.
I kicked my feet out helplessly, clawing at the sleek metal sides. My heart sat in my throat, my thoughts rolling free with me.
Follow the Illum’s protocol, abide by the rules of the Minor Defect population, and constantly seek self-improvement, and you will rise, fulfilling your use for the Greater Good.
I didn’t believe in the Greater Good anymore.
I wouldn’t mess this up too. My fingertips attempted to dig in to abate my fall, scrambling for purchase. A sickening squeal of flesh on metal filled the tunnels as my fingers burned viciously and my shoulder slammed into the side.
My foot caught on the edge of the chute, bringing me to a halt. My heart refused to slow even as my body came to a stop.
I dug my hand into my pocket, scrambling for the cube as I took in the sight before me.
I had never seen anything like it. Metal wrapped around the sides, caging in a massive pulsing device the length of several Pods. Gears slowly moved around the edges. The hum came from a central bluish light.
My name echoed down the tunnel. I tossed the cube, and it attached onto the device as if it were magnetic. I glanced down to see hundreds of black cubes, varying in size, upon the floor. How many times had they tried this?
“It’s on,” I yelled.
“Get out,” Gerald shouted.
A ringing started. I turned and fled, moving up as fast as my body would let me. My sweaty hands stuck to the metal. I released a long breath as I reached the top.
“Gotta activate now, cover your ears,” Gerald called up.
I crouched down, covering my head as hot air whooshed through the tunnel. The groaning sound from earlier was deafening from this distance.
“You good?”
“Yes,” I called, my head aching. I shifted my body until I slid down the chute, my feet colliding with the floor.
“You did it. Systems are down. The black hole wasn’t that strong. It won’t hold forever. Maybe ten more minutes, but that should be enough.” Gerald checked his silent devices. “Thank you.”
I nodded at him. “I have questions.”
Gerald blew out a breath, a knowing smile etched with relief upon his face as he took me in. “You’re not deterred easily, are you?”
“No.”
“I may not have all the answers, but the ones I do have are yours.” Gerald placed his devices in his pocket.
“And you won’t lie to me?” I demanded.
“I don’t lie,” Gerald assured me in that calm voice. “If I cannot give you the truth because it endangers those I love, I won’t answer, but I will not lie.”
It was better than anyone had ever given me.
