《Labyrinth of Shadows》 Silent Confinement As I slowly awoke, my eyelids heavy and reluctant to open, a deep sense of unease began to creep in, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. My heart started to race, pounding in my chest as I took in my surroundings. This wasn''t my room. My room was a sanctuary of warmth and familiarity, filled with personal mementos that told the story of who I was. But here, everything felt wrong. The walls were a stark, clinical white, so pristine they seemed to vibrate with cold detachment. The air was thick with the sterile smell of antiseptic, almost choking in its intensity. A single, bare bulb hung from the ceiling, its weak, flickering light casting long, menacing shadows that twisted and contorted on the walls like restless spirits. There were no windows, no signs of the outside world¡ªonly a solitary white door, devoid of a handle, directly across from where I lay. My bed¡ªor what passed for one¡ªwas a narrow, uncomfortable slab, hard and unyielding, more akin to a mortuary table than something meant for the living. A wave of panic washed over me as I forced myself to stand, my legs trembling beneath me. I stumbled toward the door, my fingers frantically searching for a way out, but there was nothing¡ªno handle, no keyhole, nothing that suggested escape. My thoughts spiraled into chaos. "Have I been kidnapped? Am I being punished? Why can''t I remember how I got here?" The questions ricocheted inside my skull, each one more frantic than the last. Tears welled up, blurring my vision as fear tightened its grip on my throat. I pounded on the door with both fists, the sharp sound reverberating in the small space, amplifying my isolation. "Let me out!" I screamed, my voice cracking with desperation. "Please, someone, let me out!" But the only answer was the echo of my own words, mocking me with their futility. Then, just as suddenly as the panic had gripped me, the door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing two men in white lab coats. The first, a slender man with short, neatly cropped blonde hair, had eyes like ice¡ªcold, piercing, and devoid of empathy. His lips curled into a thin, almost imperceptible smile, as if he enjoyed watching my fear take root. The second man, towering and broad-shouldered with jet-black hair, stood like a sentinel beside him, his expression unreadable but his presence undeniably menacing. "You must be hungry," the blonde man said, his voice unnervingly calm, almost soothing in its detachment. The words hung in the air, out of place in the terror that surrounded me. He watched me, his gaze unwavering, as if waiting for me to respond to some unspoken challenge. But all I could do was stammer, my voice trembling as I begged, "Please, I don''t belong here. Let me go." The man''s smile widened, but it was a smile devoid of warmth or kindness. It was the smile of someone who knew he held all the power and was savoring the moment. "Why would you want to leave?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension. "Out there, it''s far worse than you can imagine. Here, you''re safe." Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.Safe? The word echoed in my mind, twisting into something sinister. There was no safety here, only cold detachment and the sense that I was just another piece in a game I didn''t understand. And then, the man''s voice dropped to a whisper, as if sharing a secret, "Now, tell me, why, Akio Hayashi?" My blood ran cold at the sound of my name. How did he know my name? I hadn''t told him. I hadn''t told anyone. A sharp chill spread through me as I realized just how little control I had over anything in this place. My breath hitched, and the room seemed to tilt and blur around me, the edges of my vision darkening. The blonde man''s voice, now distant and distorted, reached me as if through water. "The drug took longer to take effect this time," he remarked, almost casually. Darkness claimed me before I could make sense of his words. When I next opened my eyes, the sterile white room was gone. I was seated in a large, dimly lit hall, the air thick with the mingled scent of stale food and something else¡ªsomething metallic and sharp, like blood or rust. Rows of round tables filled the space, each surrounded by people, all roughly my age, but with deadened eyes and vacant expressions. They moved mechanically, lifting forks to their mouths in unison, their motions robotic and devoid of life. I tried to stop myself, to break free of the spell that had me trapped, but my body wouldn''t listen. My hands continued to bring the food to my mouth, bite after bite, the taste bland and unremarkable, but I couldn''t stop. I was a prisoner in my own skin, my thoughts swirling in a fog, fragmented and distant. "Who am I? Why can''t I remember?" The hall was vast, the ceiling lost in shadow, the dim lights flickering ominously as they barely illuminated the space. In the corners, darkness pooled like an abyss, swallowing any trace of hope or warmth. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the dull clink of utensils against plates, a grotesque symphony that heightened the sense of despair. I looked around, searching for something to anchor me, to remind me of who I was, but the faces around me were a mirror of my own¡ªa reflection of hopelessness. The question echoed in my mind, louder and more insistent: "Who am I? What have they done to me?" But the answer remained just out of reach, lost in the fog that clouded my thoughts, as if someone had stolen it from me and left only emptiness in its place. All I could do was continue eating, surrounded by others who were just as lost, just as trapped as I was. The fluorescent lights hummed above, their faint, buzzing drone the only witness to our silent torment. Fragments of a Shattered Mind I awoke in a sterile room, my movements under my control but my body aching as if I had been given countless injections. The white walls and harsh fluorescent lighting created an oppressive atmosphere. I couldn¡¯t remember much, but the environment felt both unfamiliar and hauntingly d¨¦j¨¤ vu. As I drifted into a groggy state, the line between reality and hallucination blurred. I found myself in a vast, misty landscape, the sky swirling with ominous clouds and shifting colors. The fog seemed to wrap around me, distorting my sense of time and space. Ghostly figures appeared and vanished, their faces obscured, whispering fragmented memories and warnings. In this disorienting dreamscape, I saw myself as a child again, standing in the doorway of our old wooden duplex. Blood smeared on the floor led to the kitchen. I saw a woman who seemed to be my mother. My mother¡¯s crazed figure appeared, drenched in blood. Her voice was a distorted echo, ¡°He said he wants to be with you, Akio! He said¡ª¡± The scene shifted violently, and I was back in the cold, dark freezer, the door slamming shut behind me. My screams echoed off the metal walls, but no one answered. The claustrophobia was overwhelming, and I struggled to breathe. Suddenly, the dream shattered, and I was back in the sterile room. My heart raced, and my breath came in shallow gasps. Was it a dream or a memory? The past felt like a surreal haze, blending with the present in a nightmarish cycle. A beep signaled the door sliding open. A man with black hair entered and said, "Follow me," his tone firm but devoid of warmth. Despite my weakness, I managed to follow him through a labyrinthine hallway lined with identical doors. We finally reached a large door, which he unlocked with a card, revealing a dining area. I sat alone as a woman in an apron and mask brought my food. At first, I wasn''t hungry, but the sight of the food made my mouth water. It tasted bland but was strangely addictive, almost as if something had been added to it. As I ate, a slightly older teen approached with a friendly smile. "You''re the new guy here, right? May I sit?" You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.I initially ignored him, but his persistence wore me down. Eventually, I engaged in conversation. I asked him who he was, and he replied, "I don''t know who I am. Nobody knows." I sighed and asked how long he had been here. He didn''t know but mentioned that I arrived a few weeks after him. Just then, an alarm blared, cutting our conversation short. A voice from a loudspeaker instructed everyone to gather around. A large screen flickered to life, showing a faceless figure. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re confused about why you¡¯re here,¡± the voice said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; you¡¯re in good hands. You¡¯re all sick and need treatment.¡± Murmurs spread through the crowd¡ª¡°Sick? Me sick?¡± The voice continued, ¡°Yes, you¡¯re all sick and need treatment. After treatment, you can return home. Your sickness erased your memories of being brought here, but¡ª¡± The announcement was interrupted by a large man, around twenty-two, who had been sitting across from me. He stood up, his face contorted with anger and fear. He grabbed a fork from his tray and held it to the woman¡¯s throat, threatening, ¡°I¡¯m not sick! If you don¡¯t let me out, I¡¯ll kill her!¡± The tension in the room escalated as one of the men operating the screen drew a gun and shot both the man and the woman. The atmosphere turned ominous and terrifying. The voice on the screen, now feigning tears, said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you, but the sickness had already begun to spread in him. We had no choice. I promise to treat you all before you¡¯re fully healed. You may return to your rooms now.¡± The encounter left us all shaken, the grim reality of our situation sinking in. We faced the harsh possibility that we might never escape this hellish place. As I lay in my room, trying to piece together what was real and what was a product of my fractured mind, the dream I had earlier replayed in my thoughts. The haunting images of my mother, the blood, and the cold, dark freezer seemed to merge with the current nightmare. Was it all just a product of my fractured mind? Or was my past, whether dream or memory, still haunting me, trapped in this nightmarish cycle? The uncertainty gnawed at me, adding to the pervasive dread of my current predicament. Echoes of the Unseen Akio walked down the street, his vision a haze of indistinct shapes. A man¡¯s scream pierced through the blur, but the words were lost to him. The man stood motionless, his face obscured, shouting silently. Then, without warning, he lunged at Akio, his pursuit relentless. Akio sprinted, his heart pounding with a familiar dread. He darted into a nearby building and slammed the door behind him. The bathroom was cold and clinical, with the harsh glare of fluorescent lights casting stark shadows across the white tiles. The sterile scent of antiseptic stung Akio¡¯s nose as he splashed cold water on his face, trying to dispel the remnants of the nightmare. The relentless hum of the lights seemed to magnify his sense of unease, and the icy chill of the room made his breath visible in the air. As he gazed into the mirror, the reflection warped, morphing into the man from his dream. Terror gripped him, his body paralyzed. The man¡¯s cold fingers reached through the glass, pulling Akio into the mirror¡¯s depths. Helpless, Akio struggled to move or scream. The man¡¯s voice thundered in his ears: ¡°REMEMBER, REMEMBER AKIO!¡± The pain was unbearable. With a start, Akio awoke, gasping for breath. ¡°Oh, it was just a dream,¡± he muttered, trying to shake off the lingering fear. He found himself in his room, the walls seeming to close in, amplifying his claustrophobic anxiety. A pounding headache accompanied the familiar aches that plagued him each morning. The walls were stark white, and the air was still, thick with the smell of disinfectant. The room was devoid of comfort, the only sound being the distant murmur of the facility¡¯s machinery. Dismissing the dream as a mere figment of his imagination, he resolved to gather information about his surroundings. The next day, during mealtime, Akio scanned the dining area. The clattering of trays and the murmur of conversations created a background noise that felt oddly comforting amidst the facility¡¯s oppressive atmosphere. Spotting the young man from the previous day, he moved swiftly to the table. Sliding into the seat beside him, he observed the young man¡¯s reaction¡ªa flicker of surprise swiftly masked by a cautious smile. The young man had bright yellow hair and vivid blue eyes, with jaw-length bangs framing his face. His presence contrasted with the otherwise mundane setting, creating an air of intrigue. The dining area buzzed with an unusual cheerfulness; children ran about, their laughter ringing out like echoes of innocence, while adults engaged in lively conversation. The new maid, who moved with a robotic efficiency, carried a tray of food with an absent gaze. Her uniform was immaculate, but her demeanor was cold, a stark contrast to the warm interactions of the rest of the staff, who managed forced smiles as they attended to the children. ¡°Hey, buddy, didn¡¯t expect to see you here,¡± the young man said, breaking the silence. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Akio asked, trying to mask his curiosity. The young man took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room as if ensuring they were not overheard. ¡°After yesterday, when the voice promised freedom, people started to calm down and believe blindly. I thought you might be one of them.¡± Akio nodded. ¡°I felt something strange, too, but couldn¡¯t pinpoint it. Since you seem to know more about this place, could you fill me in?¡± The young man smiled, but there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. ¡°Sure, but first, we should introduce ourselves. Let¡¯s see... I¡¯ll go by Jiyu, which means freedom. I¡¯m determined to find a way out. And you?¡± Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Recalling the name from his dream, Akio replied, ¡°Call me Akio.¡± Jiyu raised an eyebrow. ¡°Akio? That¡¯s an interesting choice. Why that name?¡± ¡°No particular reason,¡± Akio responded, trying to sound nonchalant. Jiyu¡¯s expression grew serious, the corners of his mouth tightening. ¡°Alright, let me tell you more about this place. From what I¡¯ve gathered from others who¡¯ve been here longer, this isn¡¯t a hospital. We¡¯ve been kidnapped and had our memories erased.¡± Akio¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He dropped his cup, causing one of the guards to glance their way. Jiyu noticed and smiled reassuringly. ¡°Akio, smile,¡± Jiyu whispered through clenched teeth. ¡°You¡¯re quite the clumsy one.¡± He chuckled softly, and Akio followed suit, forcing a laugh. The guard turned away, seemingly satisfied. Jiyu leaned in, his tone urgent, his eyes flicking around to ensure they were not being overheard. ¡°From now on, don¡¯t react to anything unusual. There are CCTV cameras everywhere, and guards at every corner. Any sign of suspicion could mean our end. Do you understand?¡± Akio nodded, his face set with determination. He concealed his hands under the table, trying to steady his nerves. Jiyu continued, ¡°As I said, we¡¯ve been kidnapped and had our memories erased. But some have managed to escape.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Akio asked, astonished. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiyu confirmed. ¡°They focus on these individuals for about a week, running various tests. Then, a man with yellow hair leads them outside, and they¡¯re never heard from again.¡± Akio¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Do you think those who go out are killed?¡± ¡°Most likely,¡± Jiyu said. ¡°This place doesn¡¯t want us leaving, so I believe they¡¯re eliminated.¡± ¡°Have there been any successful escape attempts?¡± Akio inquired, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Yes, but none succeeded. Three people planned meticulously, bypassed security, and even acquired guns. They made it outside, navigating what they described as a giant maze. However, when they returned, they were changed¡ªlifeless, their eyes wide, and they eventually died under strange circumstances. One man repeatedly smashed his head on the floor until he died laughing. Another strangled himself. The only woman¡¯s death is still unknown; her body was found mutilated, and the CCTV footage mysteriously resumed only after her death.¡± Jiyu¡¯s calm demeanor contrasted with the horror of his tale. His eyes were somber, reflecting the gravity of the situation. ¡°Some say it¡¯s what they saw outside that drove them mad, while others believe the organization did something to them. Others dismiss it as a myth.¡± Akio¡¯s face reflected his terror, but he quickly regained control. ¡°This is horrifying. But what if they¡¯re protecting us? We don¡¯t remember the outside world.¡± Jiyu shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. ¡°Maybe they are, maybe they aren¡¯t. But one thing¡¯s clear: they¡¯re hiding something. The food seems addictive, we¡¯re drugged while we sleep, and they lie about letting us out once we¡¯re healed. If they were genuinely helping us, they wouldn¡¯t deceive us. I¡¯m planning to escape and uncover the truth. Will you join me?¡± Akio whispered back, his voice laced with disbelief, ¡°Are you insane? You¡¯ve just detailed what happened to those who tried to escape, and now you want me to join you?¡± Jiyu¡¯s eyes were earnest, his resolve unwavering. ¡°Do you really believe they¡¯re helping us? You felt something strange, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Even if I did,¡± Akio said, ¡°there¡¯s no way out. There are too many guards, and we don¡¯t have a map. But if you can prove they¡¯re deceiving us, I¡¯ll consider joining you.¡± Jiyu nodded, determination etched in his features. ¡°I¡¯ll prove it when we meet next. We should rendezvous in two days at a different table. Just sit anywhere, and I¡¯ll act like I bumped into you.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Akio asked, puzzled. ¡°I don¡¯t want them to think we¡¯re too close. Also, be cautious of whom you talk to. There might be spies among us.¡± As they conversed, a stranger in a green hood sat at a distant table, his face concealed. His eyes, dark and unreadable, followed their every move. The faintest of smirks played at the corners of his lips, hinting at a deeper, more sinister understanding. Echoes of the Enigma Akio sat in his room, the silence punctuated only by the faint hum of the air conditioning. The sparse furnishings¡ªa bed, a table, and a chair¡ªtransformed the space into a cell rather than a room. The door, leading to a small bathroom, offered no comfort or distraction. Above the door, the ever-watchful CCTV camera served as a constant reminder of his confinement. There were no televisions, no books, no devices to occupy his mind. Each morning began the same way. When the door finally opened, Akio would step into the hallway, a corridor of identical white doors stretching endlessly. The only marker of his room was the number 092, a number etched into his memory. The door could only be opened from the outside, reinforcing the feeling of imprisonment. The air conditioning hummed incessantly, keeping the environment uncomfortably cool. To reach the dining area, Akio would turn right, walking down the hallway until he reached a door of a slightly different hue, marking a change in destination. The hallway, like everything else, was stark white, and CCTV cameras dotted the ceiling, their lenses tracking his every movement. Turning left from his room led to a labyrinthine series of corridors, each branching out like a complex web. Only one path would lead beyond the first compartment, but Akio had never ventured that far. The facility, often referred to as a prison rather than a hospital, was divided into five compartments. Each compartment was like a building nested within another, the innermost being where Akio and others like him resided. Moving outward, the compartments grew larger and more enigmatic. Rumor had it that the fifth compartment led to the outside world and housed the masterminds behind the operation. Stories among the residents spoke of demons and monstrous experiments. Akio knew only the confines of his immediate surroundings. One morning, Jiyu woke up, prepared for the day''s exercise routine. The dining area, where everyone gathered, had a door that appeared to lead outside, but it was an illusion¡ªthe skies were artificial, and the space was enclosed. The exercise area, with its real grass, harmless squirrels, and a lake for swimming, created an impression of a normal world. Most participants embraced the activities¡ªrunning laps, playing badminton, participating in relay races¡ªoblivious to their true situation. However, Jiyu saw these activities as a chance to build strength and strategize for potential escape. During the exercise session, Akio and Jiyu crossed paths. They exchanged glances, but words were unnecessary; their previous conversation lingered unspoken. Jiyu was known for his friendliness and exceptional memory, making him one of the top performers in mental skills. Yet beneath his approachable exterior, he was an enigma¡ªdifficult to predict and impossible to fully understand. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. In a room deep within the third compartment, a blonde man observed the hospital''s inhabitants on a large screen, displaying footage from all rooms and hallways. Beside him stood another man with a menacing presence. The screens flickered, showing various rooms and individuals under their surveillance. "They seem to be growing well," the intimidating man commented, his gaze fixed on the screens. The blonde man responded with a calm, almost cheerful tone, "Not yet, but when the time comes, I know exactly where to begin." His eyes lingered on the screens showing Akio, Jiyu, and a few others. There was a subtle hint of a plan, something brewing beneath the surface, but it remained unspoken. Later, as the exercise session ended and the participants prepared to leave, Jiyu made a deliberate decision to hide. He slipped away to a part of the field outside the camera''s view¡ªa hidden underground bunker concealed beneath rocks and fake grass. Pulling the grass aside, he retrieved a crumpled map from his sock, whispering, "This should be it." His clothes were stained with dust and leaves, but he paid no mind. Concealed in the nearby bushes, he was lucky to evade detection by guards and cameras. He removed the fake grass, opened the door, and descended into the darkness, carefully covering and sealing the entrance behind him. "I will find a way out," he vowed to himself as he ventured into the unknown. That night, after dinner, the maids began their cleanup in the dining area. Clara, one of the maids introduced earlier, was finishing her tasks alone when the lights suddenly went out. Startled, she noticed a shadowy figure sitting at one of the tables. Summoning her courage, she approached the figure, her heart racing. "Aren''t you supposed to be in your room?" Clara asked, her voice trembling in the darkness. The figure was barely visible, but she could discern that it was of the children. The unknown person replied in a calm yet resolute tone, "I need answers." Clara''s eyes widened in fear, her hands trembling as sweat beaded on her forehead. Her internal thoughts raced, "Why am I so unfortunate?" The tension in the room grew palpable as the two stared at each other, engulfed in darkness. Meanwhile, in his room, Akio lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The day''s events and the cryptic interactions weighed heavily on his mind. Conversations overheard and the enigmatic behavior of those around him fueled his anxiety and curiosity. Realizing that the facility harbored deeper secrets than he had imagined, he felt a surge of both fear and determination. Understanding the true nature of the other compartments was crucial for his survival and escape. The facility was a maze of secrets, each corridor and compartment holding its own mysteries. As Akio''s mind raced with questions and theories, his resolve hardened. The shadows seemed to close in around him, but his determination remained unshaken. The journey to uncover the hospital''s secrets had only just begun. Upcoming Questions: Where did Jiyu go? Where did he get the map from? Who did Clara meet? What awaits them in the future? Find out soon... Midnight Revelations Two Days Later Akio stumbled into the dining area, immediately struck by the unsettling emptiness that seemed to pervade the space. The expansive room, with its green round tables and walls adorned with innocent children''s paintings, felt strangely hollow. The dim, flickering lights cast erratic shadows, creating an atmosphere that was both eerie and oppressive. The room, which resembled a grand school cafeteria, now seemed like a stage for something deeply unsettling. Meals were served with punctuality at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with the doors opening automatically at these times. Outside these hours, the focus shifted to grueling mental exams, and people naturally gravitated towards forming cliques based on popularity and eccentricity. Even in such an artificial environment, the fundamental human impulse to group and segregate persisted. Akio chose a solitary table, his movements heavy and mechanical. He slumped into a chair, burying his face in his hands. His normally vibrant teal-green eyes were now dark, bloodshot, and rimmed with deep circles. His complexion was ashen, and his exhaustion was evident in every line of his face. Each blink seemed laborious, a testament to his profound fatigue. Jiyu entered, his eyes scanning with focused intent until they landed on Akio. A flicker of determination crossed his face as he approached, slipping into the chair opposite Akio with a careful, almost conspiratorial smile. "You look like you''re carrying a heavy burden. Everything okay?" Jiyu asked, his voice carrying a genuine note of concern. "Just... lost in thought," Akio replied, his voice a mere whisper, reflecting his deep weariness. "I get it," Jiyu said, his smile fading into a serious expression. "I need you to meet me here at exactly 12 a.m. tonight." Akio''s eyes widened, revealing a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Why? And what about the security cameras?" Jiyu leaned in, lowering his voice. "The facility has a refresh cycle every 5 hours. During this refresh period, the cameras shut down for 2 hours, and guards are stationed in the hallways. They''re only human, though. We need to get here before they return. Be prompt." With a nod of reassurance, Jiyu stood and mingled with others as if nothing had transpired. Akio was left in a whirlpool of thoughts, his mind racing through the possibilities and dangers. Back in his room, Akio remained isolated, avoiding any interaction. As the door began to close, he wedged a small wooden object¡ªan improvised prop he had scavenged from the exercise grounds¡ªto keep it ajar. He lay on his bed, his thoughts a chaotic storm: Where am I? Can I trust Jiyu? Who am I really? What is this place? Gradually, exhaustion overcame him, and sleep claimed him. At 11:30 p.m., Akio awoke with a start, his mind sharpened by a surge of urgency. He donned a black hooded outfit to obscure his identity, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and anxiety. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Midnight approached with a chilling silence. He carefully slid his door open, peering into the hallway to ensure no one was watching. The cameras appeared inactive, their usual vigilance replaced by an eerie stillness. He moved quickly towards the dining area, the large door creaking ominously as it opened. The dining room lay in shadowy emptiness. Jiyu emerged from a door leading to the exercise grounds, signaling for Akio to follow. The sky above was a dark, oppressive expanse, casting a dim, unsettling glow over the grass, which rustled with the movement of unseen creatures. They ventured into the forest region of the exercise grounds, an area marked by dense foliage and an unsettling silence. The air was stifling, lacking any natural breeze, which heightened Akio''s anxiety. Each step felt heavier, the sounds of crickets and frogs growing louder and amplifying his sense of dread. Jiyu led him deeper into the forest, the oppressive darkness closing in around them. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their shadows creating an almost claustrophobic effect. They reached a large bush, and Jiyu''s demeanor shifted to one of quiet urgency. "We''re here," Jiyu said, his voice barely above a whisper. Akio scanned the area, noting nothing unusual until Jiyu revealed a hidden door camouflaged by the foliage. They descended into a dark, musty bunker, the air cool and stale. The bunker was faintly illuminated by a dim, eerie glow at the end of a staircase. It opened into a spacious room with metal walls and shelves cluttered with books. A large central table, covered with files, dominated the room. Five people were gathered around it: A girl with long, yellow hair and piercing blue eyes sat with an authoritative posture, her presence commanding attention. "Took you long enough," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. A muscular guy with shoulder-length, oiled hair and a confident smirk wore a dark tank top and orange shorts. His gaze was challenging, his demeanor dismissive. Another girl with long black hair, one braid free and the rest tied with a pink bow, had gradient pink eyes that seemed to cut through Akio. Her beauty was striking but overshadowed by a stern, assessing expression. An orange-haired teen, nervously adjusting his oversized glasses, sat hunched over. His wide eyes darted around the room, betraying his anxiety. A small, cherubic kid with tousled hair and a bright, colorful outfit seemed almost out of place, their constant smile a stark contrast to the room''s tension. A guy curled up in a portable sleeping bag on the floor, his face hidden, added an element of enigma to the scene. His steady breathing was the only sign of life. Jiyu gestured to the files on the table. "Before we introduce ourselves, take a look at these." Akio approached the table with trembling hands, his anxiety palpable. The files were shockingly detailed¡ªeach one a dossier of personal invasions, including fears, psychological evaluations, and private histories. As he read, his eyes widened in horror, his breath quickening. "Wh... What is this?" Akio stammered, his voice trembling as he struggled to grasp the disturbing revelation. The atmosphere shifted dramatically. The girl with yellow hair raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and calculating. The muscular guy''s smirk faded into a serious frown. The girl with pink eyes studied Akio with a penetrating stare, while the orange-haired teen''s nervous fidgeting intensified. The small kid''s innocent curiosity stood in stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. Jiyu''s voice cut through the tension. "These files are just the beginning. We''re part of an elaborate experiment designed to test and manipulate us in ways we can''t yet fully understand. We need to uncover the truth and find a way out before it''s too late." Akio''s sweat trickled down his face as the enormity of the situation sank in. His legs felt weak, and he stared at the files, his mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of the revelation. Echoes of Despair Akio''s voice was a hoarse whisper, barely piercing the oppressive silence. His face was chalk-white, eyes wide with terror as he stared at the grotesque images sprawled across the documents. Each ragged breath was a desperate struggle against the suffocating dread that gripped his chest. Sweat beaded on his forehead, rolling down his temples like teardrops of despair. His body felt paralyzed, fighting to comprehend the horror before him. The documents on the table depicted a macabre gallery of human suffering. One image showed a woman with her skin peeled away, revealing raw, exposed flesh. Her vacant eyes seemed to scream a silent agony. Another photograph captured a shirtless man, his body covered in ominous black tattoos, slumped against a wall with a look of resigned despair. The most chilling image was of children in white patient gowns, their frail forms shuffling toward a shadowy, indistinct room, their fear almost palpable through the static of the photograph. The dim, flickering light of the bunker barely pierced the darkness, casting elongated, writhing shadows on the walls that pulsed with malevolence. The musty stench of mildew and decay pervaded the air, wrapping around the group like an unwelcome shroud. Jiyu, his bright yellow hair faintly glowing in the weak light, approached Akio. His expression was serious yet tinged with frustration. "Do you believe me now?" His voice was laced with a mix of exasperation and gravity. "This place is a living nightmare. What we''ve seen is just the surface." Overwhelmed, Akio sank to the floor beside the table, his disheveled curls falling into his face as he clutched his head, trembling uncontrollably. A guttural cry of anguish escaped him, reverberating off the walls. "What is this place? Who are these people? Why is this happening to us?" His voice cracked with raw, unfiltered despair, echoing the depth of his helplessness. The others in the room watched in stunned silence. Their faces mirrored a spectrum of emotions¡ªfrom concern to shock. Miyu, the small girl with tousled brown hair, tried to stifle her sobs, her body shaking with silent, heart-wrenching tremors. The rest of the group wore expressions of dismay, their eyes either downcast or filled with sympathetic unease. Haruka, her bright yellow hair stark against the gloom, stood abruptly. Her face was a tempest of fury and frustration. Without a word, she seized Akio''s hoodie and delivered a sharp slap across his face. The sound echoed through the bunker, silencing the room with its jarring clarity. "DO YOU WANT TO GET US CAUGHT?" Haruka''s voice sliced through the tense silence, fierce and unforgiving. "All this crying¡ªwhat''s it going to achieve? There''s a child here! Aren''t you ashamed of yourself?" Akio''s sobs ceased abruptly. He stared blankly, his eyes hollow and reflecting the dim light, his tears stark against his shattered composure. Before Haruka could continue, a pillow flew through the air, hitting her squarely on the head. The culprit, Yukito, emerged from his sleeping bag with a yawn. His white hair and pale skin seemed to merge with the background. "Shut up, you brat," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes as though only half-awake. "Some of us are trying to sleep. Your noise is just as disruptive." If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Haruka''s eyes flared with anger, and she stormed over to Yukito. "What did you just say? Do you have any idea who you''re talking to? I''m older than you, you¡ª" Yukito, unfazed, turned his head away, casually cleaning his ear with his pinky, his demeanor one of detached indifference. Fuming, Haruka spun around and marched over to Jiyu, who observed the entire scene with a bemused smirk. "Jiyuuuu!" she wailed, her voice a mix of exaggerated sadness and frustration. "Look at what they''ve done to me! They humiliated me!" Ayame, silently observing the chaos, finally spoke with dry humor. "Look who''s crying now," she remarked, her tone dripping with irony. Haruka''s emotions shifted rapidly from tears to rage. She whirled around to face Ayame. "What did you say? Do you want to fight me, huh?" Jiyu, his patience wearing thin, interjected with a calm but firm tone. "Everyone, settle down. Akio, are you ready to hear the truth, or do you need more time to process this?" Akio, head bowed, stood up slowly. His voice, though steady, was weighed down by resignation. "Tell me everything." "Alright," Jiyu said with a reassuring smile. "Ayame, could you give us the rundown, please?" Ayame, her sharp pink eyes serious, moved to the center table. She wore a white button-up shirt tucked into a knee-length black skirt, her hair pulled back with a stubborn strand falling across her face. She gathered the scattered files from the floor, arranging them with deliberate care. "Most of us already understand why we''re here from the files," Ayame began, her tone resolute. "This is no ordinary hospital. We''re being experimented on and killed. This bunker, abandoned by those who tried to escape before us, is our prison. How Jiyu managed to get the map here is a mystery, but for now, it''s irrelevant. Each of us was selected for our unique skills. Take Miyu, for instance." She gestured toward the little girl with brown hair and eyes, who fidgeted nervously. "She might look fragile, but she''s adept at pickpocketing." Her gaze swept over the group. "Our goal is to find a way out of this hellhole. Any questions?" The guy with the orange hair and blue eyes, Akito, adjusted his blue glasses nervously. "Uhmm, h.. how do you expect us to even escape this place?" His voice trembled as he adjusted his glasses. "I''m sorry, could you repeat that? I couldn''t hear you," Ayame said, leaning closer. He began shaking, his breathing growing heavier as he sought to hide his trembling hands and avoid making eye contact. He managed a louder, strained voice, "C-can we even escape this place?" Ayame stood tall, her soft smile and gentle tone offering reassurance. "I don''t know for sure, but I believe we can." Akito sat down, wiping sweat from his face with his clothes as he looked down, his shaking subsiding. "Darn it, why couldn''t I say what I felt even after practicing it in my mind? Why was I so scared?" The muscular guy, Kaito, sitting with his legs and arms spread comfortably, his brown eyes twinkling and his brown hair oiled back, stood up with a deep, contented sigh. The soft crackle of his joints settling into place mingled with his relieved exhalation. "Since I haven''t said anything yet, my questions will go to Jiyu." As everyone''s attention shifted to the two of them, Akio had already calmed down and was watching attentively, his eyes reflecting a glint of hope amid his disheveled hair. Jiyu, his expression gentle, stood up and gestured for Kaito to continue. "Go on. Echoes of the Unknown "I''m just going to go straight to it. How did you find the map to this place? How did you get the info for all this? I want to know it all. You see, I can''t fully trust you or anyone here." Kaito''s voice was steady but laced with suspicion. Jiyu maintained his calm demeanor, smiling softly before releasing a gentle sigh. He placed his hands on his waist, his expression a mix of gentleness and seriousness. "I don''t know what to tell you," Jiyu began, shaking his head. "I told Ayame the same thing, and it seems she didn''t believe me either." He sighed again, then continued, "I got the map from people who had been here much longer than us. Look, I know it¡¯s hard to believe, but I want to leave this place as much as you do. I understand how you feel." He placed his hand on his chest. "It¡¯s tough to trust anyone, given that we barely know each other, but I¡¯m with you. I want to get out of here with everyone and¡ª" Jiyu''s words were cut off by the sound of footsteps growing closer. The group tensed up, a jolt of unease running through them. "I''m not sure that will be possible," a voice said as a stranger slowly walked into view. "WHO ARE YOU?" Jiyu demanded, his eyes narrowing. The group¡¯s attention snapped to the intruder, a young man in a black hoodie with dark hair and brown eyes. His hands were casually stuffed in his pockets as he approached with a relaxed demeanor. "Well, looks like you¡¯ve already formed a group. Mind if I join?" he said with a brief, casual smile. "NO, YOU CAN¡¯T JUST JOIN US! HOW CAN WE EVEN TRUST YOU?" Haruka snapped, standing up and moving toward the unknown person, her fists clenched in anger. "Huh, really? I even tried smiling this time," he said, ignoring Haruka as he attempted to sit. Kaito stepped in, blocking his path, his face cold and devoid of emotion. "Sorry, but we can¡¯t just let you waltz in here like it¡¯s nothing," Kaito said firmly. "My bad, bro. Didn¡¯t mean to intrude." The stranger paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before adding, "My name is... hmm, what name should I go by? Let¡¯s see¡­ call me Ryuu, as in ''dragon.''" He chuckled as he moved closer to Ayame. "Hey, baby girl, are you seeing anyone right now? What do you think about marriage?" Ryuu¡¯s grin widened. "Don''t you dare come in here and talk to us like that!" Haruka''s patience snapped as she stormed toward him, fury blazing in her eyes. "I wasn''t even talking to you." Ryuu waved her off, his smirk unfaltering. "And don''t worry, if you¡¯re jealous, I¡¯m open to two relationships." Ayame reacted swiftly. In an instant, she grabbed Ryuu¡¯s arm and slammed him to the floor, pinning him with his hands behind his back. "Who are you? How did you find us?" she demanded coldly, her pink eyes burning with intensity. "Everyone, calm down," Jiyu intervened, his voice steady but commanding. "Let¡¯s give Ryuu a chance to explain." Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Ayame reluctantly released him, and Ryuu slowly stood up, brushing off his clothes with a smirk still on his face. "Okay, okay, I¡¯ll explain," Ryuu said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "The reason I said it wouldn¡¯t be possible for you to escape is that you¡¯re not being careful. I mean, I just followed you here¡ªno big deal. If I were a spy, you¡¯d all be dead by now, so chill." His grin returned. "Am I accepted now? I mean, you don¡¯t really have a choice." "He''s got a point." Yukito yawned from his portable bed, his white hair sticking out in all directions. "Besides, I don¡¯t want any blood on my hands. Let¡¯s just keep him for now." "Yay! I¡¯m in! And besides, I know a way to¡ª" Suddenly, an alarm blared, cutting Ryuu off mid-sentence. The piercing sound echoed through the bunker, freezing everyone in place. "What¡¯s that alarm?" Akio asked, his voice shaking with fear. "It can¡¯t be¡­" Ryuu muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Everyone! Get to your rooms, NOW!" "What¡¯s going on? What does it mean?" Akio demanded, panic spreading through the group. "Don¡¯t you know?" Haruka snapped. "When that specific alarm goes off, it means someone tried to escape." The group rushed toward the entrance, their hearts pounding as the alarm continued to wail. They were relieved to see the camera in the dining area was still off, the red light absent. "Everyone, we¡¯ll meet again soon," Jiyu whispered, ushering them toward their rooms. "Just be careful for now."
Meanwhile¡­ Two boys, Taro and Kazu, were sprinting down a long, seemingly endless white hallway. Both were gasping for breath, their bodies drenched in sweat. "Are you sure this is the right path?" Kazu wheezed, struggling to catch his breath. He leaned against the wall, adjusting his glasses, which were barely hanging onto his face. Taro, collapsed on the floor, nodded between gasps. "Yes¡­ yes, I¡¯m sure. We¡¯ll¡­ we¡¯ll find a way out of here." He stood up shakily, determination flashing in his eyes. "Let¡¯s go." "But I¡¯m too tired to keep going," Kazu panted, still leaning heavily against the wall. Taro glanced at him, his face hardening. "I can¡¯t let you slow me down." Without looking back, he continued down the hallway, leaving Kazu behind. As Taro navigated the twisting hallways, he approached a girl wearing a white patient gown. She was sitting on the floor, crying, her face hidden behind long, disheveled hair. "Hey¡­ are you trying to escape too?" Taro asked, though his voice held little sympathy. Another burden, he thought bitterly. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find help when I get back," he added sarcastically, turning to leave. "STOP!" the girl suddenly shouted, her voice low and chilling. Taro paused, turning slowly to face her. "What¡­ what are you?" His voice trembled, his eyes widening in horror. Sweat dripped from his brow, his body trembling as he began to back away, but it was too late. His scream echoed through the hallway, the sound of pure terror: "AAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kazu, still resting, heard the distant scream and recognized the voice immediately. "Taro?" Panic surged through him, and he sprinted toward the sound, his heart racing. As Kazu ran, he tripped, sending his glasses flying. Blindly, he groped around for them, his hands touching something wet. Confused, he finally found his glasses and put them on, his vision clearing. "What¡­ is this?" His voice trembled. His eyes locked on the source of the wetness¡ªblood, smeared across the floor. "Taro¡­?" His voice cracked as he noticed a leg sticking out from the shadows. He recoiled in horror, realizing it was Taro¡¯s. "TARO! NOT YOU, TARO!" Kazu¡¯s voice broke, tears streaming down his face. He followed the trail of blood into the dark room, his hands shaking. "What happened to you?!" His voice was drowned out by a new sound¡ªthe slow, deliberate footsteps of someone standing behind him. He turned, and as his eyes met hers, he let out a soul-piercing scream.
In Akio¡¯s Room¡­ Akio lay on his bed, thinking about the events of the day, his mind racing with doubts about Jiyu and the group. Slowly, however, exhaustion overtook him, and his doubts began to fade as he drifted into an uneasy sleep. Escape Point Zero {ALARM SOUNDS} "ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! Everyone is to head to the dining area in an orderly fashion," the voice echoed through the speakers in the hallway. "ANNOUNCEMENT!" Akio''s door slid open on its own. The thought of the escapees gnawed at him as he stepped into the hallway, joining the slow-moving line toward the dining area. His gaze instinctively shifted to the cameras above, red lights glowing. They were watching. Always watching. The dining area was packed with students standing in silence, waiting in front of the massive screen they had seen on the first day. The air was thick with tension, eyes flickering nervously as murmurs spread like wildfire. "NICE TO SPEAK TO YOU CHILDREN AGAIN. HOPE YOU''VE ALL BEEN GOOD. THERE WERE SOME CHILDREN WHO TRIED TO ESCAPE YESTERDAY," the voice from the speaker boomed. The room erupted into whispered conversations. "Did you hear about that?" "Do you think they made it?" "They didn''t stand a chance..." The murmurs were quickly silenced as the voice deepened, growing more menacing. "ALRIGHT, EVERYONE. THAT''S ENOUGH. LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR. THE TWO CHILDREN WHO ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE LAST NIGHT... HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH." A cold shiver ran down Akio''s spine. He tightened his fists, his body tensing as the voice continued. "THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM THIS FACILITY. BREAKING THE RULES WILL ONLY RESULT IN SEVERE PUNISHMENT. YOU ARE ALL HERE FOR A REASON, AND YOU WOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER THAT." An unsettling quiet enveloped the room. Akio could feel his heartbeat in his throat. He remembered the voices from the night before. Was it really them? "Punishment?" a voice whispered from somewhere in the crowd. "YES. PUNISHMENT," the voice growled. "AND LET THIS BE A WARNING. DON''T THINK YOU CAN OUTSMART US. WE SEE EVERYTHING." The large screen flickered, shifting from its usual pixelated smiley face to distorted static. Akio squinted at the blurred image, a knot of dread tightening in his stomach. As the static cleared, it revealed a dimly lit hallway. Two lifeless figures were being dragged by faceless guards, their bodies limp and broken. "THOSE WHO BREAK THE RULES WILL NOT BE SHOWN MERCY." The screen flickered again, this time showing darkened images, too obscure to make out clearly, but it was enough to send chills through the room. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Akio clenched his jaw, his knuckles white as his nails dug into his palms. The fear in the room was tangible. He glanced over at Jiyu and Haruka. Jiyu''s usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by wide, shocked eyes and trembling hands. Haruka, on the other hand, stood rigid, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes blazing with anger. "NOW," the voice continued, "I HOPE THIS WILL DETER ANY FUTURE ATTEMPTS AT ESCAPE. COOPERATE, AND YOUR STAY HERE WILL REMAIN COMFORTABLE. FAIL TO COMPLY, AND YOU WILL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES." The lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the students'' pale faces. Then, just like that, the announcement ended, leaving behind a suffocating silence. Slowly, people began to move, whispering in frantic, hushed voices. Some were too shaken to speak. Akio remained rooted to the spot, haunted by the images on the screen. His mind spun with questions. What had really happened to the escapees? And more importantly, how could any of them hope to survive? Jiyu approached him, his voice low and shaken. "We have to be smarter... This wasn''t just a warning¡ªit''s control. They''re showing us they hold all the power." Akio swallowed hard. "But¡­ what about the ones who tried to escape?" Jiyu''s eyes darkened. "They''re gone, Akio. But their sacrifice can''t be for nothing. If we''re going to make it out, we need to start planning, now." THAT NIGHT, IN THE SECRET BUNKER Akio slipped into the dimly lit bunker, a sense of urgency gripping him. The others were already there, except for Kaito and Ryuu. Jiyu stood at the front, tense and silent. The flickering light bulb buzzed overhead, the only sound cutting through the thick atmosphere. Akio took his seat quietly, the weight of the day''s events pressing down on him. "Let''s get straight to the point," Jiyu began, his voice low, heavy with the seriousness of the situation. "We all saw what happened today. They aren''t pretending anymore. They''re showing us that they can¡ªand will¡ªkill us if we step out of line." Akio couldn''t hold back. He stood abruptly, frustration bubbling up. "How are we supposed to escape? We don''t even know where we''re going! There are cameras everywhere!" His voice cracked, revealing his fear. Jiyu remained calm, but his eyes sharpened. "That''s where Kaito comes in." At that moment, the door creaked open. Kaito strolled in, his usual cocky grin plastered on his face, followed by a stoic Ryuu. "Miss me?" Ryuu smirked, though the tension in the room quickly swallowed any lightheartedness. "How did it go?" Jiyu asked, ignoring the quip. "Perfectly," Kaito responded, his tone shifting to match the gravity of the situation. "Same," Ryuu added as he joined the group. The others looked confused, uncertainty hanging in the air. "What the hell are you talking about?" Haruka snapped, her patience wearing thin. Jiyu folded his arms, leaning against the table. "Earlier today, I had Kaito investigate the ventilation system. It''s large enough for someone to crawl through, and Kaito''s the most physically capable. There aren''t any cameras inside, but the vents are a maze. I gave him a marker to map it out. He''s found a way through." Akio blinked in disbelief. "So¡­ you found an exit?" "There''s a way to the next compartment," Kaito said, nodding. "But it''s tricky. One wrong turn and you''re in a loop." Akio felt a flicker of hope, but it was short-lived. "That''s great and all, but how are we supposed to fight our way out? We don''t even have¡ª" "That''s where Ryuu comes in," Jiyu cut him off, a sly smile forming on his lips. Before anyone could ask, Clara¡ªthe maid¡ªentered the room, carrying a wooden crate. She placed it on the table with a soft thud. "Guns," Clara said calmly, her face unreadable. The room went still, eyes wide with shock. "Wait... What?" Ayame''s voice trembled. Clara opened the crate, revealing an array of firearms. "Where did you get those?" Yukito whispered, his voice barely audible. Clara looked up, her expression unwavering. "That''s not important. What matters is we now have a fighting chance. The sooner we act, the better."