I wake up with a thrash to the harsh clanking of metal. Bright lights blind me, and I reach to rub my eyes. Restrained in an EletriWrist cuff, my skin pinches against metal. I shake my fists against the cuff multiple times before easing my eyes open. My heart pounds into my ears. I shut my eyes again.

Calm down, Holland. Calm down. Don't get ahead of yourself. Take a moment to remember.

I try to relax my heartbeat, but I can't. Recollections slowly come back to me as light shines through my eyelids, forcing me to open them again. I blink rapidly, adjusting to the brightness. Choosing to remain still for a few minutes, the air feels stiff and cold around me. I collect myself carefully.

Keep in character, don't freak out. You don't remember much, so act like it. Figure out where you are, then act accordingly.

I flick my eyes in every direction, arching my neck as far as I can reach. I'm surrounded in every direction by white walls.

No.

I yank my wrists hard against my set of cuffs, kicking against the ones chained around my ankles. All of my limbs are locked tightly to a metal table.

No, no, no. This can't be happening.

I kick, pull, and struggle with every drop of energy I possess. In vain, I pull against the metal that will never budge, finally giving up. I exhale loudly, thumping my bare heels against the table.

I don't know why they switched from belts to cuffs, but what's more important is the mounting fear controlling my heart. I'm not supposed to be back in the Enhancement Project. I'm not supposed to remember it.

"Welcome to the Enhancement Project's third part."

I visibly leap, metal clanking on metal again with the intensity to startle everyone in the world.

"Don't worry," the familiar, mechanical voice says. "The truth has already been revealed. There's no need to lie anymore."

My stomach drops, and pounding blood enters my ears. I continue with my fake persona as my nerves tighten. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, but please, take me home. I don't understand what's happening."

The voice draws out, "It's too late, Miss Renner. You can't fool the Project with a simple lie."

I tremble, "What? What lie are--"

A throaty scream rips from my throat, as electric sears my head. The bolt lasts for a handful of agony-filled seconds. It fades away as quickly as it came.

"You're lying, Miss Renner. Surrender yourself to what's best for you."

"What are you--" I begin, sticking to my story, but another sharp zap singes my brain. I writhe in pain on the table, yells escaping me through clenched teeth.

"Control for the sake of order," the voice declares eerily, "is not a difficult concept to grasp."

I inhale a breath of angered air, not saying a word. I sit up on the table.

"Give up, Miss Renner. The Enhancement Project is a success, the technology is perfected. Either prepare for part three or reside in the Enhancement Project facility for the rest of your life."

I try to stay calm, but my panic levels are rising quickly. Which choice is the correct one? Should I just wait for Liad and his forces to break in and set me free? Or should I assume he's already tracked my position and find out what part three is about. Which is the right choice? Which one will Stephen pick? Are the rebels going to rescue me and the other prisoners?

"Rebellion isn't an option," the blank voice says, reading my mind. "The Grand Rapids rebels are being executed as I speak. Your leader named Miss Delphin will be dead in a minute, and all of her followers will join her."

Pure shock ricochets through me. They know, they know, they know. It's all over, the plan is useless. This can't be happening, but it is. They know all about Pod 14 and Delphin and the underground movement.

The wall I face transforms into a screen. It displayed four feeds of Delphin and at least 100 rebels. All except Delphin wear bags on their heads. I sit straighter on the table. It's all over. The rebellion is dead.

Fear swirls in my stomach. The government is much bigger and stronger than Pod 14. We thought we could bring down the biggest force in the USA, but all we've done is make everything worse. We were no match for the all-powerful government. They win, and we lose no matter what is at stake.

"Of course, none of the rebels will actually die," the unwavering voice declares with pure spite. "They'll just be declared as new subjects in the upcoming experiments of the Enhancement Project."

I freeze in terror, not saying a word as the world crumbles around me. I refuse to admit anything to the cruel Project voice. If it wants to win, then it's not going to do it with my help.

"Silence?" the icy voice questions. "Is that really your best choice?"

The screen switches to display a civilian apartment. A person sleeps within their bed sheets. They turn, shift their sheets, and face the camera.

Stephen. With smooth skin and dark hair swept over his forehead, he look safe. Eerily safe.

I can't take it anymore. I shift my arms roughly, clanking my metal cuffs angrily on the table. Only a second passes before my entire body freezes. Unwillingly, my spine guides me back to a flat position on the table.

They've got control over me again.

Panic rises in my throat, ready to burst out at any moment. My arms are slowly lowered to my sides, immobile. I can't move an inch. They fixed the Enhancement Project technology inside me. Prisoner within myself, I yearn to scream.

"We don't want to kill you, Miss Renner. We want you to prosper, but if you refuse to follow the rules, we will force you to obey."

My limbs release back into my own control. I don't move an inch even though I could.

"Excellent," the mechanical voice says, "Your reward will be arriving momentarily. You have two minutes with her."

A door slides open to my left, and a body-like shape under a sheet wheels into the room. The Screener rolls the table to a stop next to me, waiting for his cue.

Nausea floods my system. She better not be my mom. Please, please, please let that be a living person. I will faint if beneath the sheet is a deceased...

"Reveal the reward," the voice says crisply.

The Screener removes the sheet and exits the room. I don't bother to watch the door close as my reward awakens. She eases into consciousness, not yet aware of her surroundings.

My eyes widen, and I stifle another gasp. It's Nicolette.

-- -- -- -- --
#plottwist. Inline comment HERE if you were expecting that because I certainty wasn't. I legit wrote that massive plot twist two seconds ago, unprompted.

AND OMG ENHANCEMENT IS CURRENTLY #3 IN SCIENCE FICTION. WHAT IS LIFE ANYMORE! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE! THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE! THANK YOU!

Question: Name a city in the USA that you have visited, want to visit, or live in. Philadelphia and Grand Rapids are off the list ;)