Chapter 65 Chapter 65: The Invisible Wall
He sat up straight, sweating profusely.Even before he could fully make sense of his surroundings, before all the information passed through the neural and cognitive functions of his brain, he knew that nothing was right, that everything he had had been taken away from him once again.
He was lying on the ground, alone, in a room.The walls, the ceiling, the floor—everything is white.The ground under him was made of a sponge-like material, hard and smooth but soft enough to make people feel comfortable.He looked at the walls—they were all padded and had huge button recesses, each about four feet apart.A bright light shone from a rectangle on the ceiling, too high for him to reach with his hands.The place has a clean smell, like ammonia and soapy water.Thomas looked down and saw that even his clothes were colorless: a T-shirt, cotton shorts, socks.
A brown desk stood about a dozen feet in front of him, the only thing in the room that wasn't white.Old, dilapidated and scratched, with a bare wooden chair on the other side of the table.Behind the chair was a door, which, like the wall, was upholstered.
Thomas felt a strange calmness, an intuition that he should stand up and scream for help.He should have knocked on the door, but he knew it would not open, he knew no one would hear him.
He's locked in this box again, and should have known he shouldn't get his hopes up.
I don't want to be alarmed.he told himself.This must be another phase of the experiment, and this time he's going to try to change that - end it all.It felt weird, but he just knew he had a plan, and he would do anything to find freedom, and that plan caused a surprising calm to flow through him.
Teresa?He called, and he knew that at this moment, she and Ares were his only hope of communicating with the outside world.can you hear meAres?Are you there?
No one answered, not Teresa, not Ares, nor Brenda...nor.
But that was just a dream.It must be so.There was no way Brenda would be working with WICKED, talking in his head.
Teresa?He called again, trying to use his mental strength to call.Ares?
nothing.
He got up and walked towards the table, but two feet from the front of the table, he hit an invisible wall.An obstacle, just like in that dormitory.
Thomas doesn't let the panic in his heart escalate, doesn't let the fear overwhelm him.He took a deep breath, walked back to the corner of the room, and sat down, leaning against the wall.Close your eyes and relax.
Waited and fell asleep.
Tom?Tom?
He didn't know how many times she called before he finally answered.Teresa?He woke up suddenly, looked around, and remembered this white room, where are you?
After the Berg landed, they put us in another dormitory.We've been here for days, just sitting around and doing nothing.Tom, what happened to you?
Teresa was worried - even, scared.He knew with certainty how frightened she was.As for himself, he was more puzzled.a few days?what--
As soon as the Berg landed, they took you away.They keep telling us it's too late - the Flare has made you sick, they say you've gone crazy and violent.
Thomas tried to put things together and figure it out, trying not to think about how WICKED would erase memories.Teresa...it's just another part of the experiment.They locked me in this white room, but... how many days have you guys been in there?how many days?
Tom, it's been almost a week.
Thomas couldn't answer.Almost wanted to pretend he hadn't heard what Teresa had just said.The fear he'd been trying to control began to seep slowly from his chest.Can he trust her?She had lied so much to him already, and how would he know that voice was really her?It's time to cut ties with Teresa.
Tom?Teresa called him again.What's going on here?I'm really confused.
Thomas felt a surge of emotion, burning inside him, almost bringing tears to his eyes.He used to think of Teresa as his best friend, but they could never be the same again.Now when he thinks of her, he can only feel anger.
Tom!Why are you--
Teresa, listen to me.
Hey?I just want that-
No, just...listen.Don't say anything else, okay?Just hear me out.
She paused.OKA quiet, frightened voice rang in his head.
Thomas couldn't hold it any longer, and anger surged inside him.Fortunately, he just had to use his mind to say the words, because he would never say them out loud.
Teresa, let's go.
tom -
No, don't say another word, just...leave me alone.You can tell WICKED I've had enough of their games, tell them I've had enough!
She waited a few seconds, then replied, ok.Another pause, okay.Then I have only one thing left to say to you.
Thomas sighed.I can't wait.
She didn't say it right away, he thought she had left him, but he still felt her presence.Finally, she spoke again.
Tom?
What?
WICKED is good.
Then, she disappeared.