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  Three weeks prior

  I watched as 963 and Zero entered the mystery area.

  They told me to stand guard and watch, but I didn’t think I was reliable enough to be able to fend off anyone else.

  I hoped they’d come back safely and quickly before I got caught. I don’t know how I would explain that I used my gift on a facilitator.

  “....It’s really creepy here at night.”

  The hallways shone with dim, mismatched lights that gave the feeling that someone was watching me at all times. I don’t know if I started shivering from the cold or my nerves, but I had to sit down to try and calm myself.

  Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts.

  I envisioned my family home, with me sitting in my nana's lap on her rocking chair, staring into the sunset. Whenever I got stressed, I would close my eyes and think about the time we spent together. Everything was peaceful, there were no worries except for when my nana got into coughing fits.

  She was really sick, and I was always worried about her. It’s been two years since I last saw her, I hope she’s doing ok.

  “I remember when we used to go to the orchards and…..and…..?”

  I….can’t remember.

  When I tried, my head began to throb, and I could feel the drawback from my gift beginning to hit.

  The pain throbbed in my skull in waves; it felt like it was grinding my head from the inside out. I became aware of my own heartbeat, of my own breath, and every little thing I did sent a shiver of pain from the base of my neck to my temple. The creaking of the floors, the whir of the fan, all of these sounds beat up my senses as I clutched my head, silently begging for it to stop. It’s as if something was clawing in my mind, ripping parts of myself to shreds, and replacing them with something else. Then, a warm liquid fell on my cheek, and when I felt it, a red smudge appeared on my hand.

  Thoughts started to swirl in my mind. It felt like a clawed grip had taken hold of my heart, as I couldn’t control my breathing. Feeling the dread of a part of me leaving, it’s impossible to put into words.

  Why do I have to go through this?

  What have I done to deserve this?

  I’m hated.

  They’ll leave me.

  I’m worthless.

  I can only trust myself.

  I can only trust myself.

  I should just use my voice and……

  “Evelyn……always make sure to take things one step at a time, ok dear? I love you.” A familiar voice said, calming the clashing thoughts in my brain.

  The words of my Nanna suddenly emerged in my mind, and I began to calm down. As long as I still had her in my mind, I would be fine.

  I’m needed.

  I have friends, I’m loved.

  Nanna, I wish you could see the new friends I made.

  Nanna .I miss–

  “Resting well?” A boyish voice whispered into my ear.

  My eyes snapped open as I saw No.1’s smiling face staring at me.

  “You cannot–”

  Before I could even finish, he grabbed my mouth and slammed me into the wall.

  “Mmph! Mmph!”

  “I see you’re starting to get the hang of your ability. I’m proud .... I'm proud. I remember the day when you first unlocked your ability. Everyone had such high hopes for you!” He said as he tightened his grip.

  I began clawing at his hand with my nails, but he showed no signs of movement or pain. His piercing gaze never left my eyes as I began to lose my breath.

  “Then a year passed, and well….we started gettin’ kinda worried! But now look at you! So brazenly using your ability against someone who should not be trifled with.”

  His expression became serious as his grip tightened even more.

  “Mmmmph!”

  “Hey, shut up. Or do you want everyone to hear your cries for help, ruining your little plan? I’d be fine with it, but what about the little dream-team you’re covering for?”

  He knows! Has he been watching us this whole time?!

  “You, Zero, and the rest of the numbers are such idiots, truly. You don’t even know what’s really going on here, yet you’re making all of these intricate plans and forming idiotic alliances. And the few numbers that do know just ignore it, thinking they’re special or privileged.”

  He smiled from ear to ear as he brought his face closer to mine.

  “Well? Do you wanna know what’s behind that door? You didn’t just come here to watch, did you?”

  I didn’t know what to think. On one hand, I wanted to know, but on the other hand, the situation I was in made me think that learning would only end up hurting me.

  “Oooh….I can see your eyes brimming with curiosity. Don’t worry, I’ll fill your appetite for knowledge.”

  I shook my head no, but he just gave me a warm smile and began speaking.

  “From the very beginning, this facility has advertised itself to us subjects and its shareholders as a, “Gift Awakening Center', yet haven’t you found it strange that ever since this place has been running, there have only been 10 subjects with gifts? Thousands upon thousands of kids are brought here, yet only 10? Have you ever questioned it? Even once?”

  I hadn’t. I had just thought we were special, that we were different from other kids.

  “You don’t even need to answer, I know you didn’t. You and the other numbers most likely went through your time here thinking you were special. The reason why there are so few awakenings is that awakening gifts isn’t the main goal of this facility. Oh no no, it’s something far more terrifying.”

  “Did you know that a traumatizing event isn’t even needed for most gifts to awaken? It just happens naturally; there’s no pattern. There have been soooo many kinds that have awakened here, but there was just one problem. Their abilities….were useless.”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Mmmmph!”

  “So….what do you do with trash? One may say throw it away, but that’s wasteful. If the facility gave preferential treatment to everyone who awakened, they wouldn’t be able to do what they needed to do. So when someone awakens after the tests, or they’re just too weak to live, they get sent here. And you wanna know what happens behind that door?”

  What is he talking about?

  “I’ll spare you the wait….it’s fusion,the true goal of this facility. You see, Dr. Verrat has this insane plan to create the ‘perfect human’. However, humans have too many flaws, so he substitutes the flawed parts with different DNA to make up for it. If he can take the best parts from each thing, what could go wrong? The brain and gifts of a human, the primal instincts of an animal, and the supernatural power of the Rust. The fusion of these three things happens behind those very doors, spawning hideous creatures that the world should never see.”

  My eyes widened in fear as he continued smiling.

  “You and the other numbers are just display items to 'prove' that this place works. They separate you from the other kids so you don’t notice any possible awakenings, and they give you preferential treatment so the other subjects can pine to be like you. A fake hierarchy system that all of you already fell for. Hmm….although I suspect 963 figured that out quite early on, considering how he acted, so I’ll exclude him from that last statement.” He said, rubbing his chin and closing his eyes.

  “Buuuuut…..his project is nearing completion. Soon, he’ll no longer have a need for you, me, or any of the other numbers. That’s why I wanna offer you a lifeline.” He smiled, letting go of my mouth and stepping back. He even raised his hands in the air as a sign of surrender.

  “Gah….guh….urgh.” I gasped as I tried to catch my breath.

  “At this rate, you, Zero, 963, and the other numbers will be silenced or used as data for his project. But….I have a solution to this problem, so to speak. I just need your help with it.”

  “I-I know you! There’s no way I can trust anything you say! You’re just trying to use me!”

  He sighed while putting his hand to his face.

  “So what?”

  “H-Huh?”

  “Even if I do that, you don’t have a choice in the matter. You still don’t get it, do you? Why do you think I told you all of that information, to get you on my side? I couldn’t care less about your opinion.” He said, his expression turning dull.

  “T-Then why?” I asked, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

  “Do I really have to spell it out? Y-O-U know too much now. How do you think Dr. Verrat will act when he learns someone knows about what he’s doing? It would ruin his entire project! Not to mention the fact that I’ve caught you three red-handed and could expose you for sneaking out at any time.”

  “Y-Yeah? Well, with that logic, wouldn’t you know too much too? I can just report to you first!”

  “Nice plan. But I’m afraid that won’t work. You see, the good doctor already knows I’m aware. I’ve been helping him after all.”

  “What?!”

  “And you know what? I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help but play favorites. One of the monsters there has my DNA inside it; we’re basically brothers! Insane regeneration factor, but not completely immortal. Seeing him locked up in that pod brought a tear to my eye, so I just had to let him get out and get some fresh air. He’s probably playing pattycake with those two right now, actually.” He said, closing his eyes and smirking.

  “You’re a monster.”

  “That would be my brother, but I am your boss now. Unless you want all three of you to meet an early end. Besides, this plan will save 963’s life. You do care about him, don’t you? I can see it on your face..”

  I couldn’t even bear to look at him, as everything he was saying was true. I didn’t want to believe him, but I didn’t have a choice.

  “What do I have to do?”

  “Attagirl. Once they get out of this place, I just know they’ll start planning their escape. I want you to keep a close eye on them day-by-day. You will use your ability per my instruction, to put all of the pieces together. Brainwashing facilitators to give convenient information, amplifying the other numbers' emotions toward them, anything that will accelerate their escape day.”

  “But why? Do you want them to escape?”

  “Of course not! They’ll just be branded as fugitives and be killed by much stronger people. We are going to stop them from escaping and prove our usefulness to the head researcher. We’re going to mobilize the numbers and put a stop to their plan so not only are they able to get out alive, but we prove that we aren’t just display cases or DNA sticks.”

  “B-But, how do you know they won’t just kill 963 afterwards?! What if they just kill them both anyway after we catch them?”

  “He can’t kill Zero because of Zagra, her father. And if this plan works, I can convince the Doctor to keep him alive as a weapon. He doesn’t need to be killed to have his brain or DNA studied after all.”

  “He wouldn’t want to be a tool for the head researcher!”

  “He doesn’t have an opinion in the matter, as this is his only option. If you tell him this, he’ll most likely just try even harder to escape this place and just die a tragic death. You have to have realized this, right?”

  I didn’t know. I couldn’t know. Was he lying about the monsters? What if he was just bluffing? Should I even risk fighting back? What if he’s telling the truth? Will this really….keep them both safe?

  “Haaah….you still think I’m lying, don’t you? I can see it in your face. That’s fine, you don’t have to hear it from me. I’m sure those two will have plenty of stories for you once they get out.”

  He turned around and walked away, waving his hand in the air as his footsteps echoed across the halls.

  “Regardless, I look forward to our beneficial partnership, my dear accomplice.”

  His figure blended into the darkness as he left with those last words.

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  Present Day

  No.9 finished recounting the events of the past, and looked almost relieved. Like she had just let a big weight off her chest.

  “So it was him who released that monster. Then of course the information he gave gained way more street cred once we came out and told you what happened.” I said, tapping my foot on the ground.

  “Yeah, I could hardly believe it when you guys came out and spoke of the exact same thing he talked about. I–”

  “So what?!” No.6 yelled as she grabbed No.9.

  “You still chose to help him and get all of us wrapped up in this. I knew I’ve been feeling kinda off lately, but it’s because of your stupid gift?!”

  “Wait, wait! I did use my gift, but not on everyone, I didn’t use it on your brother!”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “He was the only one besides me and you who hung out with 963 a lot. I thought just in case something went wrong, he would be able to stop it….”

  “But still!” No.6 yelled while grabbing her collar tightly.

  I quickly got in between the two of them before anything could happen.

  “Everyone stop. Regardless of what’s already happened we can all agree that No.1 and the head researcher is the enemy right? There’s no more reason to fight.”

  “No! I have to stop you, 963 will get killed at this rate!”

  “You’re contradicting yourself you idiot! You purposefully left No.5 there so that if anything went wrong he could help! Why don’t you believe in them? Ugh, just when I was starting to feel for you!”

  “What about you? Still wanna fight after hearing all that?” I asked, staring at No.6.

  No.6 dropped No.9 and put her hands up.

  “No way. My only goal right now is to get to the other side of this place where my brother is and get out, you can run all the way to the other side of the world for all I care.”

  “Good, the walls of this place move so I think our best bet would be to stick together. How did you guys even get here anyway?”

  “We were all placed in a room and the place shifted around us before our very eyes. After a couple seconds, I couldn’t see the other numbers anymore, and No.9 told me to wait here.” No.6 said, glancing at the walls curiously.

  “Alright then. Let’s get through this place then. If you think you can stop both of us No.9, then be my guest.” I said as I sheathed my sword.

  She looked defiant for a moment before softening her expression and looking down.

  “I at least know the layout of this place before the shift, so it might be able to help moving forward. Are you fine with me leading the way No.6?” I asked, attempting to recall the map I drew.

  “Fine by me, I’ll just follow you. At least until we find my brother, I’ll be your ally–”

  *CLICK*

  All three of us heard that ominous sound from behind us, and what greeted us was No.1 standing there, with a gun pointed at the three of us.

  He gave a warm smile before tightening his finger around the trigger.

  “Surprise.”

  *BANG*