Chapter 15: The Rebel Within

A few nights later, Elara heard a faint tapping on her cell wall. She froze, straining to listen. The tapping continued in a pattern, spelling out words in a code she and Kade had created as children.

"Hold on. Help is coming."

Relief flooded her as she realized Kade was still alive. The code continued, detailing an escape plan that would happen during the next shift change.

The night of the escape, everything went according to plan. Kade managed to pick the lock on his cell, and he helped Elara break free. They moved through the detention center's labyrinthine hallways, dodging guards and surveillance cameras.

As they reached the outer gates, they saw a group of rebels waiting in the shadows. Raya was there, her face a mixture of relief and fierce determination.

"You did well, both of you," she said quietly, guiding them away from the prison. "We're regrouping and planning the final strike. Solis Prime is vulnerable, and we have the data to exploit it."

But as they made their way back to the rebel base, Elara couldn't shake the feeling that Darius and the Ascendants wouldn't let them go so easily. They had escaped, but she knew the battle was far from over.