Chapter 3

3

I threw on the heavy bomb suit and sprinted into the building.

I didn't have a blueprint or a plan.

But I had the memories of my previous life.

I bypassed the mess of wires Mason had incorrectly rigged. I ignored the red-blinking traps he had left behind.

I found the core server with surgical precision.

I injected the cryogenic coolant. White mist filled the room.

The piercing alarm suddenly cut to a halt.

The secondary detonation sequence was successfully frozen.

I pulled off my helmet. Sweat and mist blurred my vision.

I slumped against the wall, nearly fainting from the exhaustion.

When I walked out of the building, a roar of cheers went up from the crowd.

My colleagues rushed forward to support me, their voices thick with gratitude and relief.

"Silas! You're a freaking god!"

"I knew it! As long as Silas is here, nothing is impossible!"

Invitations for celebratory drinks poured in.

I turned them all down.

I just wanted to go home.

But as I reached for my car door, a sharp pain shot through the back of my neck.

A hand clamped over my mouth, dragging me backward.

I was easily overpowered and shoved into a dark utility closet.

The door slammed shut and the bolt clicked into place.

I was tied to a cold metal chair, unable to move a muscle.

A single, flickering bulb hung from the ceiling.

In the shadows, a familiar silhouette came into focus.

It was Clara, my wife.

She knelt in front of me, her fingers gently brushing through my hair. Her tone was creepily soft.

"Silas, don't struggle. The ropes will only hurt you."

Her voice felt like a snake sliding over my skin. It made my stomach turn.

She stared at me with a look of pure madness.

"You ruined Mason. Do you realize that?"

Her voice was a whisper, but it hit me like a sledgehammer.

"The report names him as the primary offender. Silas, his life is over because of you."

I looked at her, feeling a deep chill in my marrow.

"He did this to himself!"

She shook her head and sighed, as if I were a difficult child.

"No, I can still save him."

She stood up and grabbed a heavy steel pipe from the corner.

"If you can't defuse bombs anymore, the agency will have no choice but to reinstate Mason."

"Silas, help him one last time."

"Don't be afraid. Once this is over, Mason and I will take very good care of you."

My blood turned to ice. A wave of terror washed over me as she stepped closer with that pipe.

"Clara! You're insane! What are you doing? My hands are for saving lives!"

"I am not sacrificing my hands to pave the way for your little pet!"

A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes, but she didn't stop. She raised the pipe high.

"I'll take care of you for the rest of your life."

That was the last thing I heard.

The pipe whistled through the air and came down hard.

CRACK.

I heard the sound of my own right wrist shattering.

Agony flooded my senses like a tidal wave. Everything went black, and I spiraled toward unconsciousness.

She dropped the pipe and knelt down again.

She used a random towel to gently wrap my ruined hand.

She handled it as if it were a priceless treasure.

She leaned in close to my ear, her warm breath hitting my neck as she whispered.

"I'm sorry you have to stay here for the night."

"As soon as the investigation is over, I'll take you away."

"Mason's reputation cannot have a single stain on it."

With that, she stood up and walked away without looking back.

The light flickered once and went out.

The room was swallowed by total darkness and silence.