Matthew was worried sick about Veronica, but now that the alarm had set off inside the research center and everyone was chasing. after them, it would be challenging for them to. leave. Rather than worrying about other matters, it would be better to think about how they could escape the research center alive as quickly as possible.
Bang! Bang! Bang! As the sounds of shots firing became denser, the two ran even quicker. However, they met at few personnel in security uniforms with guns in their hands right after making a turn..
Matthew and Skyler were about to run to the left, but someone suddenly appeared to their right. ‘Over here. Quickly!” The two turned their heads and saw Eleanor standing on the right exit, beckoning them over. Not knowing whether they could trust her, Skyler looked at Matthew and waited for him to decide.
“Come on!” Matthew told Skyler before they headed off with her into the room. Once they went in, she immediately locked the door. “Over here. Follow me.”
The three quickly made their way down the stairs and continued moving downward. Skyler asked, “Where are we going? Why are we still going down?” While descending the stairs, Eleanor explained, “There’s a secret passageway underground that leads outside.”
When Matthew heard that, he frowned as a complicated emotion filled his eyes. She was different from how she usually was, for she was not in her bright red dress but a hospital gown. Also, she looked pale and weak, significantly different from her usual energetic . look.
At that moment, he noticed that blood was seeping out from her abdomen and staining her clothes. “Are you alright?’ he asked out of concern.
Turning to look at him, she smiled. “Are you worried about me?” Then, she gazed at the blood stain on her clothes and shook her head. “It’s not a big deal.”
Meanwhile, behind them, Skyler looked at the two with a meaningful gaze. They could still hear someone banging on the door upstairs, causing him to feel uneasy. “Would they come after us?”
“There’s nothing to worry about. All the equipment in this research center is at the top of its field. That door is impenetrable.” Eleanor’s words sounded reassuring to him.
Then, they continued to walk down three more levels before arriving at the innermost part of a warehouse. There was a door with the word ‘Power Box’ on it, after which she unlocked and pushed it open before telling the other two, ‘Get in.”
Since Skyler could not understand the language, he did not know what was written on the box, but Matthew did. Surprisingly, he did not hesitate and went straight inside..
“Walk straight until the very end.” Eleanor was behind them. She avoided the dangerous bits. inside the power box and went to the end, where there was another door that was encrypted and required a retinal scan to unlock.
Thus, she went over and scanned her retina. The door automatically opened, but it was pitch black inside with the sounds of streaming water. Then, she grabbed a torchlight from somewhere and turned it on, illuminating the space in front of them as they continued to move forward.
About three hundred feet later, Skyler and Matthew could finally see their surroundings. It was an underground river with a black raft floating on the surface. One would have to look. very carefully to see that raft.
“Is this an underground river?” Skyler was dumbfounded. Nodding, Eleanor replied, “Yes. This is an underground river, but there are less than five people who know about this secret passage, so you can safely leave this place.”
She did not tell them that this was where she used to visit and play. Tanya always liked bringing her to the research center, hoping she would get inspired and fall in love with the field. However, Eleanor was mischievous and enjoyed playing, so she was not interested in research. Hence, she explored the place and found this underground river.
“Hahaha! Miss Eleanor, you’re brilliant.” Skyler complimented her sincerely before shakingly getting onto the raft. Meanwhile, Matthew looked at her and saw her holding the torchlight with one hand while covering her wound with the other. Her snow- white fingers were stained with blood. “Why are you helping me?” he asked. The grinning woman replied, “Because… I like you.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you if I lost my memories?”
“You wouldn’t be you without your memories. I like that you’re unruly and cool.” She admitted. to her feelings. “Also, it wouldn’t be fair to you and Veronica. If I fall in love with someone, I want to be open with my feelings and sincerely pursue them.”
