Chapter 16
I watched her sobs, crying her heart's out. It's probably Seunghyun's fault. He inserts fake memories inside their mind to think that has really happened even the truth is those memories don't exist at all.
"I tried to explain to them that it was Seunghyun's fault but they won't believe me!" She looked up at me, holding my hand with her trembling hands. "They want to take revenge. Your friends even your partner, want you dead. I can see their emotions, it's pure madness. And Gong Pil wants me gone too. Get out of here while you still can. I can help you but don't ever caught by them."
She stood up and led me out of the cafeteria but just in time she open the door, Junghwan is already in the way. His face is pale, stitches looped around his neck. He looks stressed. Shannon hurriedly instructs me to hide while Junghwan is still looking down. I didn't hesitate and run to the vending machine, hiding behind it. I watched Junghwan pass Shannon.
"You don't look great Junghwan-ah. You still stressed?" Shannon tried to start a conversation with him. Junghwan stop and turned to look at Shannon.
"Sunie just leave us. How can I feel great about that? He's no longer in here. He escapes without helping us!"
But at some point, Junghwan can still talk normally unlike Hyunsung. I can't talk to him anymore. He becomes completely a monster. It pains me, to be honest. The person I cherished the most want me dead because of that fake memory. I didn't leave them. How can I do that? I'll never abandon anyone. That was not so me and they know it but they still believe in that crap.
"What if...you see him again?" Shannon asked out of the blue, testing how Junghwan will react.
Junghwan forms a creepy smile. The smile makes me suddenly feel uneasy. That kind of smile that will hunt someone even in their dream. He raised his right hand and bring it to his neck. The next words I heard from him left me frozen in my spot.
"I'll avenge us. I'll bring him to the prison and leave him there, escape from this place like what he did to us."
"What if that was a false memory-"
"Are we talking about this again? I'm sure that wasn't! Even Homin said the same thing...it wasn't!"
Wait, Homin does know that those memories are fake. I remember when Seunghyun showed me that he died in that memory.
"And now, Homin is out of this place. I don't know why doctor Chil suddenly freed him?" Junghwan added.
What? Homin is not here anymore? Did Seunghyun free him because he killed him in his created memory?
Junghwan didn't wait for Shannon to speak and walked away from her. She turned to my spot and signaled to me that it was all right now. I sneakily run to her until we are both out of the cafeteria. She told me to stay in her room for a while until I have the chance to get out of here. But within me, I don't wanna go. I will not go without them. I need to get them back first before heading straight to my plan. I hope Seunghyun will give me much time.
I stayed up all night. Shannon is already sleeping on her bed. I stood up from the cold floor and walked to the window with bars. That walls. I wonder what behind that huge walls? I decided to head out for a bit while everyone is asleep. The air is cold outside. The stars stand proud above us while the moon cannot be seen. I walked to the deserted field until I reached the wall.
I touched it. This wall isn't made in blocks, it was hard metal. My eyes move to the prison. I need to get Hyunsung back but I want to try this first. I turned my right hand into a claw and hit the wall but it didn't break. I swipe my hand to the left then right sides in pain. I decided to turn it back. I remember, Jihae has wings, Fin too then Hyunsung. Do I have wings too? Since I'm an owl right? I should have but I don't know how to use it.
An idea popped out of my mind. If I get Junghwan, he'll only lock me in the cell then get out of here but when if I get Hyunsung instead- he might attack me, kill me and I'll take that opportunity to make him smash this wall. Hyunsung is strong enough to break these four walls that surround the facility. His ability is strength.
Right, he'll probably want to kill me. I'll get him back later after smashing these walls.
No more experiment Seunghyun!
I will free all of us here!
I run to the warehouse and my dismay, it was locked. Maybe I can go through the window? I searched an open window until I reached the back. I saw a back door. When I checked it, it was also locked. I search another open window until I found one. It's high though but I'm tall enough to reach that. I jump and with a groan, I pulled myself up, bracing and ankle up on the edge and vaulting up to get a better grip on the windowsill. I let out a deep breath as I got to my feet, peering in the window to an empty wide space of a hallway. Cells were lined up while the inmates inside were sleeping but I can hear a few people who currently weeping in the middle of the night. I checked the window and to my surprise, it has another glass blocking my way in. I need to break this. I turned my right hand into claw again, reeling back and punching it into the glass, still holding the frame tightly. I ducked as low as I could go on the ledge, bracing myself in case of surprise circumstances, but there was no response. Where are the guards? I know that was loud. I hopped through the window and then jump down, looking around in case someone caught me. I noticed a few of the inmates is already awake and looking at me with confusion. I didn't pay much attention to them and run where Hyunsung's cell despite my fear. I ran along the hallway and when I reach the narrow hallway someone grab my neck from behind. He looped his big arm around my neck, choking me.
"I know you will come here to save your shit!" It was the guard!
I struggled but he is stronger than me. I groan and bring out my horns to use them as a weapon. I smack his face. He winced and let me go. I hurriedly turned around and get the key on his belt before knocking him out.
I ran to the narrow hallway until I reached the door. With my trembling hands, I manage to insert the key in the keyhole- unlocking the door before pushing it open. I didn't waste any time and search where the switch for lights should be. I grasp on the wall until I finally feel it. I didn't hesitate and turned on the switch. All the lights turned on, brightening the whole room. I need to adjust my vision a bit from the sudden brightness that flashed in my view. I heard Hyunsung groan.
When I get used to the lights, I looked at the cell where he is right now. It was a huge cell full of blood and corpses sprayed on the floor. Hyunsung is there, seating on the only bed with his white-like bat wings covering himself from the lights. He growls, groaning while mumbling something.
I ran to him while searching for the right key to open his cell. I stop on the lock, inserting every key but while I'm in the middle of unlocking his cell, he suddenly dashed towards me- hitting the bars and causing me to back away and stumble down on the floor.
"Hey! I'm trying to help you here!" I hissed, getting up- avoiding to look at Hyunsung's bloody appearance. I tried to walk back to the lock but Hyunsung won't let me.
My hands can't stop trembling as my heart won't calm down.
"I'll kill you!" He scream, roared like a real monster.
I watched him in horror and somehow, I watched him with pain in my heart. Even it's Seunghyun's fault why he turn like that, I just can't help but get hurt when he said that he want to kill me.
Just like Shannon said, it was pointless to make them believe what happened. It's in their memory now and never can change that even I try to.
But it's me, Lee Sunie. I will not lose hope. I'll get them back before Seunghyun gets me. I blinked my eyes to clear my vision because of the tears that have planned on escaping again.
"See this?" I dumbly talked to him. "This is the key. The key will make you out of that cell. Kill me later okay? We need something to do." I said and with my courage, I approached the padlock.
I didn't pay attention much. He can scratch me, wounded me as long as I have the ability to regenerate. I feel him grabbing my horns then my arms, scratching it too violently. I bit my lips and focused on inserting every key.
I forced myself not to feel the pain when he scratch my face and my neck. I can feel the blood flowing down my arms, face, and neck. When I found the right key, it insert pretty quickly in the keyhole as the clung sound was heard. I hurriedly remove the lock and pulled the cell door open. I ran inside of his cell to free him from the chains. He tried to attack me but of course, I will dodge.
I ran behind him and hold his right hand. He struggled, groaning angrily loud while trying to hit me using his wings or his horns. It was kind of hard but hopefully, I manage to unlock the chain on his right wrist.
I'm about to grab his other arm when he got my arm, throwing me on the bloody floor. I winced in pain. I tried to stand up but he step on my shoulder.
I played dumb for a while and unlocked the chain around his ankle. I move to his other feet but he kicks my stomach. I winced in pain, dropping the keys. No! I need to get the keys!
I crawled to reach the keys but he kick them away. I know this is hard but I still try it.
I whimpered when Hyunsung grab my neck. He pulled me up by my neck, pinning me on the wall as he lift me. I feel my neck ache I could no longer breathe properly.
For dumb sake! I can't die though!
I swung my feet and kick him hard on his stomach causing him to drop me. I think that was a wrong move because I anger him more. His eyes were now bloodshot red and his fangs grew longer than their the original size.
He dashed to me but I quickly ran causing him to hit the wall. I picked up the keys but when I pick them up, he pushed me, sending me to fly and hit the cell. The force was too strong to the point that the cell broke apart. I rolled over the floor.
Now, it's time I think?
I whimpered, looking at Hyunsung who easily get the chains off. He is now fuming in so much rage. He turns his hands into claws and run to me. Even my body is still aching and I feel that my ribs just broken, I force myself to get up and run fast to the narrow hallway. I ran, ignoring the inmates' screams. I run to the switch button to open the door I supposed and pushed it while running. The other door is unlocked and now sliding open to my right side to another hallway. I ran to it, pushing the door open and just when I saw a parking lot. The door I open was the door in the parking lot.
I didn't stop running while Hyunsung is still chasing me from behind. I'm near the door and from behind it, I saw the outside. It's outside. I'm about to crawl out under it but I saw a pair of feet. I kneel down and to my surprise, it is Seunghyun. He is smiling at me before shutting down the sliding door.
No way! That's the way from the outside! Then I'll make it Hyunsung smashed that- I stop from thinking when I noticed the spark in the door. It has voltage- electricity. Everything is so messed up, it goes as I plan!
I stood up and run to the cars, hiding there. Damn Seunghyun! He knows my plan all along!
I heard Hyunsung's inhumane grunting and groans. My wounds start to ache as my vision began blinking in red. I'm in adrenaline earlier so I didn't feel the pain but right now, it hurts so much, especially my bones.
I can't help but tear up again. Seunghyun know my plan all along. Then, he put voltage in those walls too?
I whimpered in pain and lost hope, feeling hopeless. I sneak behind the cars, deciding to go back and make a new plan. But when I turned around Hyunsung suddenly claw the trank near my face. I whimpered in shock, backing away.
Hyunsung slowly showed in front of me. His aura screams no mercy. I looked around to see behind me is already a dead end and I can't move well enough to run again. The pain is taking effect in my body, weakening me. He slowly steps closer to me.
I can't help but pity myself. I could feel my tears roll down my face. Right, all I could do now is cry like a child and accept my fate.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to see Hyunsung hurt me.
But a loud gunshot is heard. I open my eyes in hope that someone might help me. Hyunsung groans, reaching something behind him- a tranquilizer?
He drop it down before he drops on his knees and fell right on top of me. I'm shocked, I can't move my whole body. I slowly looked down at Hyunsung who already sleeping on my chest. His horns were retreated inside his head and also his wings. I can't stop my sobs from slipping out of my mouth.
With my trembling hand, I brush his hair. Hugging him and crying.
"Sunie! Are you alright?!"
I looked up and see Jinki?! What is Jinki doing here?! He's wearing casual clothes while wearing a bag, behind him is Homin. Also wearing random clothes. It's been so long since I see some. I nodded.
"How do you two get in?!" I asked.
They ran to me and help me out from Hyunsung. Homin gets Hyunsung behind his back.
"By dressing as a nurse." Jinki proudly said. "When those guys get you and haven't returned, I decided to take action. I know the police can't help us so I find a way until Homin suddenly contacted me."
"All Seunghyun knew that he can erase my memory? No way. My real ability is restoring. He can't play my mind like what he did to Junghwan and to others." Homin said.
"Then...how did you..."
"I act like a lost child without a memory. When they taking out me of this facility, I manage to take note of the location and the way they work here. I plan all along my way home."
"We plan it within months and buy weapons like this," Jinki said, showing his tranquilizer. "I was about to shoot him," He points to Hyunsung. "But Homin told me that he is your friend. So I put him to sleep. I'm still shocked to find that you have superpowers."
"It's not superpowers!" Homin corrected. "Anyway, we need to get the others and get out of here. I can block Seunghyun."
We head back to the warehouse but I told them that Gong Pil is here. We ran up to the stairs and we saw Gong Pil holding his head like a stressed guy at work.
"Man...that dude is seriously out of it," Jinki commented.
The pain in my body slowly faded as my wounds healed. I get Homin from his back and placed it on my back, securing him. Homin is smaller than Hyunsung and by the time we were running, he seems to have a hard time carrying Hyunsung all the way.
Homin walked to Gong Pil's cell and called him. Gong Pil's head snaps up to Homin.
"Homin?! What are you-" He stop when he noticed what he was wearing and noticed us.
"Before you speak, those memories that Seunghyun inserts in your memory is fake."
Gong Pil is about to speak up but Homin cuts him off. "How can you explain this situation?" He asked, pointing himself. "I'm still alive. Sunie is still here, wearing the same clothes as you and we have a new companion."
Gong Pil held his head while Homin continue talking to him. Gong Pil scream like he was in pain. Is he cutting the fake memory in Gong Pil's mind?
Soon enough, Gong Pil is now looking at us- surprised and confused.
"What? Homin?! I thought you were dead! And Sunie?! Where were you?! I haven't seen you and...who's that?" He points to Jinki.
"I'm Jinki in your service!" Jinki introduced winking at Gong Pil.
Jinki and Homin freed him by lock picking the padlock using a clip. When Gong Pil is finally free from the cell we all run together again towards area 2. While on the way I told him to say sorry to Shannon. He seems confused but his face is saddened when he remembers what he did to Shannon, swearing and yelling on her face. We explain to him everything while running and nodded, seemingly understanding the situation.
"I'll kill that Seunghyun kid!" He hissed.
Homin told me to bring Hyunsung back into the empty room and waited for them there while they searched for Shannon and the others.
I ran to the hallway with rooms, peeping every door to check if it was empty- adjusting Hyunsung on my back. I ran and walk until I stop when I senses danger behind me.