BUNKER 13 — PROJECT BUNKER

FIRST AID IS SCARCE.

I manage to find a half-full box of bandaids, using them only for the adhesive. The frayed square of gauze beside them allows me to create a makeshift cast for her fingers, sorry that our environment doesn't offer a better remedy.

Even though the burn isn't too major, I can only imagine how bad it hurt. And that she got hurt by likely trying to console her brother.

"He'll find him," is all I can think to say. Gracie straightens at this, a hopeful smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"I believe it. I just can't stop thinking about the worst case scenario. That Ezra doesn't make it in time. Or Grant starts to change and I lose the only family I've ever known." Her eyes are clouded, searching for some sort of comfort in the distance.

"What would be the best case scenario?" I'm partially asking for my own peace of mind. Death seems to be playing on repeat.

She thinks for a moment, a toothy grin immediately changing her demeanor. "Everyone gets out of here okay and I get to start a brand new life with Grant and Ezra. And I finally get to try ice cream," she beams.

I hold out my pinky to her, biting back the pang of guilt rising up in case I can't keep my promise. "Well, when this is all over, I'd be honored to help you find your favorite flavor."

She stares at my pinky for a moment before linking it with her own, a squeal of excitement escaping her throat. I can't believe that Alexander would take precious lives away from people.

Away from innocent kids like Grant and Gracie. I can hardly stand the fact I let myself get so wrapped up in emotion that I helped him do it.

I say a silent prayer that I can deliver on my promise. That I can find a way to defeat my predator once and for all.

⏳

17:12:47 HOURS REMAINING

ANOTHER ALARM.

Gracie's eyes grow wide with fear and she freezes in place. My heartbeat quickens, dreading the scene we're about to watch unfold.

Praying that neither Grant nor Ezra are involved.

"Stay behind me, understand?" She nods, taking hold of my arm as we make our way down the winding hall. This time, I make it before the glass door slides into place, a girl not too much younger than Gracie in distress on the other side.

I don't bother calling out for her, weighing my options in a split second. The sight of Ezra and Grant at the opposite end of the hallway gives me all the strength and courage I need to slide underneath the moving glass panel.

I grab the girl's hand, pushing her into the hallway first before I roll under the little space left. The glass locks with a hiss right behind me, Ezra wasting no time in coming to my aid. His eyes analyze every inch of my body, checking for injuries. "I'm okay," I assure him, painting on a smile in hopes of convincing him I mean what I say.

He pulls me into a hug and I bury my face in his chest. From here, I can hear how fast his heart is beating, a slight tremble in his breath. "Never do that again," he whispers into my hair. I become hyper-aware of his touch again, every cell in my body buzzing with anticipation. With hunger for an authentic connection—unlike the one Alexander made me believe was true.

Beyond us, a sense of pride swells in my heart as Grant and Gracie reunite. She approaches him with caution at first, but he smiles a toothy grin—her true mirror—and invites her in. "I'm no longer nuclear," he laughs, nodding toward Ezra who still has a hold on me. "Ezra made sure."

She runs into his arms, all worries that previously plagued her completely dissolved. He plants a kiss on her forehead before squeezing her even tighter. Ezra shifts in my arms and I lean back, willing myself to slow down time so I can take a long look at him. His gaze seems to reach beneath the surface of my heart, a sensation that doesn't compare to the lies from the snake himself.

As the crowd dissipates and the girl is ushered back toward the common room, Ezra's hand brushes against my jaw. I shiver, pushing against my fear of the unknown with him. Fear of falling and being caught for once in my life. Of allowing my true self to be revealed, and trusting someone else with my whole heart.

I link my fingers behind Ezra's neck, barely taking into account how tall he is compared to me. Even in this light, and in this circumstance, I'm absolutely in awe of him. I secretly wonder just how much meeting him in my nightmares would've changed the tone. How much I would've looked forward to sleeping instead of dreading the necessity.

Before I have the chance to prepare myself, Ezra leans down and presses his lips against mine. For a moment, everything around us disappears. The bunker, the experiment, and my hatred for Alexander True. I convince myself to lean into it, solidifying this unspoken promise between us. To overcome this obstacle together, no matter what. To do everything we can to save these innocent people and put an end to Alexander's plans.

I can't help the smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth as our lips part, Ezra's expression matching mine. "I'll be sure to consult with you next time," I say, responding to his command only moments earlier. That request alone tells me he's forgiven all, seeing past my part in all this. That he truly cares about my safety.

"I'll take it." The voice I hear next cuts our moment short, reminding me of where we are. Reminding me that part of our fate isn't up to us as long as the hourglass hasn't run out of sand.

"I was hoping I would be two for two, but it seems Ivy really does have a heart." Alexander's face is displayed on either wall, the broadcast made visible by devices lining the industrial ceiling that I hadn't noticed before. He's referring to the trap door. Hoping that he could trap two people. It gives me joy that I put a dent in his plan.

"Anyway," he drawls, nonchalantly inspecting his fingernails. "I'm afraid this experiment is much more boring than I anticipated. I think it's time to turn up the heat, don't you think? Now, I said there was much more to this game than meets the eye, right? Well, Ivy isn't just your siren, but she's the key to stopping what's coming. She's the only one who has the power to cut Project Bunker short.

"I'm sure you all think I'm such a horrible person, but I'm not above pushing my experiments to the limits. Quite frankly, in my opinion, an experiment that's easy to dismantle is worthless. I'll just leave it up to her to figure out how." He pauses, shifting his gaze and seeming to aim it directly at me. "I just hope your little boyfriend doesn't get caught in the crossfire," he warns, his emotionless face disappearing from view as quickly as it had appeared.

And leaving the weight of every life here on my shoulders.