The next few days felt like I was walking through a fog. The weight of Project 2734 sat like a heavy brick in my chest, pulling me deeper into uncertainty. Each time I tried to push it aside, something pulled me back. And the more I tried to understand it, the more twisted it became.

I think I spent hours just staring at that paper, trying to decode it. I knew it wasn't good based on the objective, phase 1,2 and 3 topics displayed. But the words were unclear, and at the bottom of the paper there was a barcode with a simple note of:
If this seamless paper is in the wrong hands then disregard it and never think of it again. If it isn't, you know how to access it.

To hell with all these games.

I began hating everything more and more and what made me more worried was my mom's involvement in all of this.

Jake kept checking in on me, his concern visible. He had no idea what was going on, and I wasn't about to tell him. I didn't want him to be suspicious of how my family could be involved nor did I want to disappoint him or change the way he felt about me.

My stomach growled and I realized how long I went without food. Ever since I found that folder I didn't have appetite at all. I ended up going to the cafeteria.

As I looked around to see where I was gonna sit, Chase caught my eye. He was in the far corner, eating the cereal all by himself.

I thought about his words. You're not as alone as you think you are. He might not have told me everything, but he knew more than he was letting on. I needed him on my side. I needed his help.
I eternally groaned. Either now or never.

I slammed my tray onto his table, giving him a tight lip smile. I had to appear at least a little bit friendly.

He didn't buy it. "What do you want?"

I debated if I should just be upfront about it. I didn't want to appear weak. "I....I need your help."

He gave me a slight, arrogant smirk and I regretted it instantly. "I didn't hear you very well....what is it that you said?"

I glared daggers at him. This was a mistake Aliana.

"Never mind," I mumbled, standing up. My pride was too big for this. He caught my wrist, letting out an amused chuckle.

"You gotta relax a little Aliana. I am just messing with you."

"Look Chase," I sighed, sitting back down. "I need your help. You know more than you say you do and I need to get to the bottom of this so please help me."

His eyes softened for a moment as he noticed my desperate state. Then it turned into utter confusion. "Why do you need to know this so bad?"

Should I tell him? I didn't know it was a good idea. A part of me felt like I could trust him, that he hated the Commander and this place as much as me. And a part of me didn't seem to care if he knew that my family was involved.

"Because," I began explaining in an utter whisper. He ultimately gave me his full attention anticipating my answer. "My family is involved. I don't know how. But they are. And I can't sleep at night knowing that my mom knew the Commander. I can't think of anything other than the note that I found in his office and this Team REK and -"

I stopped, figuring that I was rambling. But Chase didn't seem to mind. I didn't continue nonetheless.

"I know as much as you Aliana," he admitted, a sense of regret in his voice. "I tried getting into their system, figuring out what the document is but I can't hack without the barcode and the password.

They keep giving me this stupid riddle and I can't figure it out."

My heart stopped for a second. I got pulled in a trance, Chase's voice appearing distant.

"Give me another! Give me another!" my 6 year old self exclaimed as I admirably looked at my mother.
She was busy finishing up the lunch in our small apartment. My dad was still out and wouldn't get home till later. He worked more than he was home with us.
She smiled, her kind voice filling the emptiness of the apartment, making it warm and cozy. "I told you all the riddles I know."
"No, there has to be more," I whined, not giving up.

"Aliana," Chase shook my arm, trying to get me back to reality. A creased wrinkle appeared on his forehead. "Do you always act this weird?"

I rolled my eyes, ignoring his comment. Part of me was getting used to it. "I think I'll solve the riddle," I admitted.

He straight up laughed. "Look I'm glad you have this self- confidence but if I can't, you won't be able to either."

"Do you want to bet?" I raised my eyebrow challengingly. Part of me screamed at how stupid I was. What if I really couldn't solve it? Then I just appeared like an idiot.

Have that self-confidence Aliana.

He gave me a mischievous look, outstretching his hand. "I'm always up for a bet."

We walked down the barren hallway after this, getting to the restricted room. Thankfully, with Chase being one of the Commander's favorites, he was able to access every door. I guess the line was crossed when it came to the barcode which made me wonder what was the point of having access anyways.

I was beginning to get nervous, constantly looking around in hopes no one would see us. There was too much at stake before we get to the office, too much at stake before getting the access and too much at stake with knowing the secrets. Everything was at stake and not just the dare of getting the tattoo of Chase's choice if I lost the bet.

He opened the door of the office and we slipped in, undetected. Chase started moving his hands on the keyboard, turning the computer on. I felt nervous, my hands slightly shaking as I was unfolding the singular paper.

His eyes darted to mine and he motioned to the device. My turn to shine. I exhaled loudly, sitting in the rolling chair that Chase stood up from. I began reading the riddle, with each letter breathing a little bit heavier.

There is no absolute way.

It read:
I shine without light, I move without sound,
I balance day and night, where two worlds are found.
One face brings warmth, the other brings cold,
In my grasp, both stories are told.

My eyes began to water, and I tried hard enough to push them away. I'm glad Chase was oblivious as he was standing behind me.
He began, "See, what I thought is that it's the sun and the moon. Couldn't be easier. But when I put that in, it's wrong."

"Because it's not the full answer," I whisper, circling my finger around the necklace around my neck.

He furrowed his brows," Well what else could it be."

I flipped the pendant of my necklace, and in small letters the same riddle was written on it. Below that it read:
Moon and Sun; R&A 1789

It seemed as though from a far distance, Chase uttered "How do you have that Aliana?"

I didn't answer him but typed in the answer I knew was right. Despite being ready for it, a peace of me broke seeing the screen unlock, and the tabs labeled as experiments and testing and virus popping up. Part of me wished I was wrong.

My hand shook as I gripped the mouse, opening one of the videos. My heart clenched in my chest as I saw my mom's younger version staring into camera and then pinpointing it at the Commander and my dad.

My dad.

I gasped unable to take my eyes away. Calendar of 2717 hung in the back of the dusty lab which was overflowed with papers and analyses and data.

"So Samuel here is combining the last bit of antigen and the dead cells of patient 12. It's been a 10 year long research."

"10 year long research and no one has stopped aging or came back from the dead" Commander muttered in the back, pulling his gloves on and taking the dark red vile from my dad.

"Makes me think if this is even worth it."

"Cmon Richard, have a little faith," my mom encouraged as my dad took the camera from my mom.

He pointed at both of them. She continued as she stood up from the tall stool, "It will all be worth it eventually."

She placed her hands on the enlarged stomach and a tear fell from my eye. She seemed to me overdue, wobbling around with a huge smile and trying to find the data from a few days prior. I looked at the calendar one last time. That was 17 years since the outbreak happened. It was the year I was born.

I closed the tab, abruptly standing up. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears and I felt lightheaded. Feeling Chase's hand on my back brought me back and I looked at him with fear and sorrow and regret.

This wasn't just about survival anymore. This was about stopping it. Stopping a global catastrophe that my parents were a part of creating.

Despite only seeing that one video, it seemed as though it was the experiment gone wrong. Very very wrong.

Before I could realize Chase's arms wrapped around me and I eased into his chest. His embrace was warm and protective snd solid and I guess it wasn't until after that I realized I was crying and silent sobs filled the small, suffocating room.

~~~~~
Hi guys! Haven't updated in so long but here is a longer chapter! We are approaching near the end of the first book and I'm very excited. Rewrite will happen then eventually I'll work on the second book. But that's all in due time.
For now, please let me know your thoughts and don't forget to vote!
Thank you for reading❤️