Chapter 45: The Sixth Floor: The Infirmary

Kaito and Lyra climbed the stairs to the sixth floor, their hearts still racing from their success in the control room. As they stepped onto the floor, they were met with the sterile scent of antiseptic and the distant sounds of medical equipment. This floor housed the prison infirmary, a place where injured inmates were treated, but it also meant more guards and potential obstacles.

Kaito glanced at his map, noting the layout. "We need to avoid the infirmary unless we have to go in. There are usually guards stationed here, and they might be more alert than on the other floors."

Lyra nodded, her expression serious. "Let's stick to the edges and keep an eye out for any guards. If we can get past this floor without being seen, it will make our journey much easier."

They moved cautiously down the corridor, staying close to the walls. As they approached the infirmary entrance, Kaito spotted two guards chatting near the door. They were blocking the way, making it impossible to pass without being noticed.

Kaito felt a wave of frustration wash over him. "What do we do now? We can't just walk past them."

Lyra thought for a moment, her brow furrowing in concentration. "What if we create a distraction again? I can use my powers to make a noise further down the hall. It should draw their attention away from the infirmary."

"Good idea," Kaito replied, feeling a sense of urgency. "Let's do it."

They positioned themselves out of sight, and Lyra focused her energy. With a flick of her wrist, she created a loud crash that echoed from the far end of the corridor. The guards immediately turned their heads, their curiosity piqued.

"Let's go!" Kaito urged, and they slipped past the infirmary door, moving quickly but quietly. They could hear the guards muttering as they moved to investigate the noise, giving Kaito and Lyra the perfect opportunity to escape.

Once they were clear of the infirmary, Kaito felt a rush of relief. "That was close! Let's keep moving before they come back."

## The Seventh Floor: The Workshop

As they ascended to the seventh floor, Kaito and Lyra found themselves in a large workshop filled with tools and machinery. The sound of clanging metal echoed through the space, and Kaito knew that this floor was often bustling with activity.

"We need to be careful here," Kaito whispered, scanning the area for any signs of guards. "There could be inmates working, and we don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

Lyra nodded, her eyes darting around the workshop. "Let's stick to the shadows and find a way through without being seen."

They moved cautiously, navigating between workbenches and machinery. Kaito noticed a group of inmates gathered around a large table, discussing something animatedly. He felt a pang of sympathy for them; they were trapped in this place just like he was.

As they made their way deeper into the workshop, Kaito spotted a door that led to the stairwell. However, it was guarded by a single officer who seemed to be keeping a close watch on the area.

"This is going to be tricky," Kaito said, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. "We need to create another distraction to get past him."

Lyra thought for a moment before speaking. "What if we use one of the tools in the workshop? I can create a loud noise that sounds like something falling."

Kaito's eyes lit up. "That could work! Let's find something we can knock over."

They quickly scanned the workshop and spotted a stack of metal pipes leaning precariously against a wall. Kaito gestured to them, and Lyra nodded. "I can make them fall."

They positioned themselves behind a large machine, and Lyra focused her energy again. With a swift motion, she sent a wave of force toward the stack of pipes, causing them to crash to the ground with a loud clatter.

The guard turned sharply, rushing toward the source of the noise. "What was that?" he shouted, leaving the door unguarded.

"Now's our chance!" Kaito exclaimed, and they sprinted toward the stairwell door. They slipped through just as the guard disappeared around the corner to investigate the noise.

Once they were safely on the eighth floor, Kaito felt a surge of adrenaline. "We did it! We're making great progress!"

## The Eighth Floor: The Recreation Area

Emerging onto the eighth floor, Kaito and Lyra found themselves in the recreation area, a large space filled with tables, chairs, and a few exercise machines. The atmosphere was different here; inmates were allowed some freedom to socialize and unwind, but that also meant more guards patrolling the area.

Kaito scanned the room, noting the guards stationed at various points. "We need to be careful. If we get caught here, it could blow our whole plan."

Lyra nodded, her expression serious. "Let's find a way to blend in. If we can act like we're just another pair of inmates, we might be able to slip through."

They moved cautiously into the recreation area, trying to appear casual. Kaito noticed a group of inmates playing cards at one of the tables, and he and Lyra joined the group, hoping to go unnoticed.

As they sat down, Kaito felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. They engaged in light conversation, trying to blend in while keeping an eye on the guards. However, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

After a few minutes, he leaned closer to Lyra and whispered, "We need to find a way out of here. The longer we stay, the greater the chance we'll be spotted."

Lyra nodded, glancing around the room. "There's a door at the far end that leads to the stairwell. If we can make it there without drawing attention, we'll be in the clear."

Kaito took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Let's go."

They stood up casually, trying to act as if they were simply moving to another table. As they walked toward the door, Kaito's heart raced. He could feel the eyes of the guards on them, but they kept their heads down and focused on their goal.

Just as they reached the door, Kaito heard a guard call out. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

Kaito's heart dropped. They had been spotted! He turned to Lyra, panic in his eyes. "Run!"

They burst through the door and dashed down the stairwell, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Kaito could hear the guards shouting behind them, but they were determined to escape.

As they reached the ninth floor, Kaito felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. They had faced numerous challenges and overcome them together, and now they were closer than ever to freedom. With each floor they conquered, their bond grew stronger, and Kaito knew they would do whatever it took to escape Synthetica.