I didn't know how long I stood, wrapped in Chase's arms, tears soaking through his dark hoodie. The silence was defeating and I was unsure of what he thought about me. He wasn't stupid, he must have put two and two together and realized those people were my parents.

I couldn't stop the video replaying in my mind. My parents' voices made me recoil and wish to just crawl in the hole. From how much time it passed I thought they would have the opposite effect on me.

Who were my parents really?

Chase pulled away gently and slowly, his eyes looking at me with concern. "I don't want to ask if you're okay because I know you're not..." his voice turned into a whisper. "But I really am sorry Aliana."

I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. He pulled away, making a small distance between us, thinking that I needed it.

He was wrong.

I wish he didn't. This revelation terrified me, leaving me spiraling. This was much bigger than I thought and somehow all I wanted was for him to still hold me, and caress my hair.

Unfortunately wasn't just about the virus, the creepy hallway in the Ground Zero, the Infected, the stupid riddles.

This was about my family. My parents. My blood.

Seventeen years ago they created something in hopes of stopping death. Something meant to cheat time, to go against the reality. Instead they unleashed evil that killed millions, and was constantly mutating and evolving.

I had too many questions, too many theories. Were my parents in on it this whole time? Are they living somewhere safe now? Is this really true?

"I need more answers," I finally turned to Chase, getting back to the computer.

His face was unreadable, a hint of what appeared to be sadness. "Aliana I really don't think you should keep looking."

I let out an ugly laugh that was mixed with a sob. My voice was angry despite knowing he did nothing wrong. "Are you seriously telling me to stop looking? I just saw my parents on the video making an experiment and you're telling me to stop looking?"

"I don't need you Chase. You can leave."

"Nope, I'm staying." He ignored everything else I said, and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. Maybe he knew I didn't meant the last part and we said nothing to each other afterwards. I started roaming through the files, his eyes watching over my figure.

"There has to be more," I muttered, my fingers trembling as I clicked through the folders. "Trial #12, Subject #12, Mutation, Goal, April 17th-2734, DNA#125698"

I stopped. April 17th. The day before everything started. I clicked on the file, holding my breath.

There was low buzzing in the background and it took a little for the camera to stabilize on the dark basement. My mom appeared first, this time middle aged, tired and worn out, seemingly unenthusiastic.

"The day before Phase Three."

My dad approached her, carrying a small vial filled with red liquid. His other fist was clenched, something he always did when he was nervous.

"Patient 7 is responding. A little. But responding."

The way my mom's eyes looked at my dad was more personal than I ever imagined. She was heartbroken for reasons I couldn't understand.

"Commander can never know about her or about this, please,"  my mom's voice was desperate and urgent. "Please, he can't."

"We need to erase this. He can't know about -"

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard out of nowhere, a growl, a breakage of what appeared to sound like chains and then the video went utterly black.

________
Another chapter! Shorter than expected but we're reaching near the end of the first book. I think they will only be one more chapter until I wrap this up, and start planning the second one. Please let me know your thoughts; comments and votes are always appreciated! Thanks for reading <3