The Run
Billie stood inside Selena's hut, the realization hitting her like a thunderbolt. She finally connected the dots and understood that Selena was the one who had sent the cryptic message to her. A mix of confusion and curiosity overwhelmed her, and she mustered the courage to confront Selena about it.
"Hey," Billie began, her voice trembling slightly. "What did you mean when you said I can't help my friends?"
Selena, ever enigmatic, responded with a question of her own.
"Do you remember your mother being pregnant with your brother?"
Billie's heart skipped a beat as her mind searched desperately for that memory, but to her horror, she couldn't recall any such thing. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and she felt a wave of panic wash over her.
Billie's hands flew to her head, clutching at her hair as her breathing quickened. She felt the weight of the forgotten memory pressing down on her, causing her to slump down to the floor. Her knees gave in, unable to support her trembling body.
"I know you don't remember it"
As Selena spoke again, Billie's mind raced. The pieces were falling into place, and she couldn't help but reveal her own knowledge.
"I--I overheard Kira talk to the officer about blacking out my friends and taking them to the lab, that meant erasing their memories?"
Selena raised an eyebrow, her expression betraying a mix of surprise and concern.
"You know too much," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of caution.
Billie's heart skipped a beat. She realized that her newfound knowledge had placed her in a dangerous position. A sense of vulnerability washed over her, but she refused to back down. She had come this far and needed to know the truth, no matter the consequences.
Summoning her courage, Billie looked Selena straight in the eye.
"Where is the lab?" she demanded, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and determination.
"I. don't. know", Selena replied her voice stern and her piercing blue eyes fixed on Billie.
Billie's frustration and anger surged within her. A torrent of emotions flooded through Billie, and she couldn't contain her frustration any longer.
"Why are you doing this to us?!", Billie asked her voice raising in anger. "What do you gain by this?!"
Selena remained calm, her gaze steady as she listened to Billie's outburst.
"Sacrifices are made for the betterment of humanity", Selena said in a monotonous voice.
"Humanity, my ass!", Billie shouted as her vision got blurred by the tears.
"You're toying with people!"
Though it was a vague explanation, Billie couldn't help but question the ethics of such actions.
Feeling a sense of desperation, Billie couldn't help but ask the most fundamental question that had been haunting her.
"Are my family even real?!" she blurted out, her voice quivering with raw emotion.
Selena nodded, confirming the reality of Billie's family. The news provided a small sense of relief amidst the chaos. But Billie's mind was still clouded with doubts and uncertainties. She wondered if her family was truly her own or just another piece of the puzzle created by the mysterious town.
"You're not gonna tell me where the lab is? fine! I will leave this freaky town and get help!", Billie ranted.
"You can try that", Selena responded in her calm voice as she crossed her arms.
She remained composed, her expression unwavering.
"Are you threatening me now?!", Billie snarled.
"You must understand, little girl, that all these experiments and the town itself are driven by the pursuit of the same cause. It may be difficult to comprehend now, but there are greater forces at play."
Billie's mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, she couldn't deny the pain and suffering caused by this. On the other hand, the notion of for the sake of humanity tugged at her conscience. She couldn't help but question the ethics behind such a grandiose motive.
With a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, Billie continued.
"What about the other people in this town??"
"The entire town is an integral part of the intricate web weaved for the solution to the crap that's happening in the world right now", Selena said.
"But if you want to run away, there's a forest beside the lake llama, down the hill that's the only way you can leave --- that is If you can survive it"
"Enough!" Billie exclaimed, her voice firm and resolute.
"I'm tired of your games! I'm going to find the truth, even if it means I will die in the process, I have to try!"
Selena shook her head, "So touching".
She continued, "But I must remind you, there are forces at work that you can't yet comprehend. Running away may only lead to further complications."
But Billie was done listening. She had made up her mind, Ignoring Selena's words- After all, she was part of this whole thing.
"Fuck off", Billie snapped as she stormed out of the hut, her determination propelling her forward.
As she rushed towards her house, her energy waned. The absence of her bike meant she had to cover the distance on foot, which left her exhausted by the time she reached her destination. Entering her house, she felt a mix of relief and urgency. Her parents hadn't returned yet, giving her a window of opportunity.
Without wasting a moment, Billie gathered her essentials—clothes, personal care items, a power bank, and an assortment of ready-to-eat meals. She knew she had to be self-sufficient during her journey. She quickly took a refreshing shower, savoring the momentary respite.
With her bag packed and her hunger appeased by a hastily devoured sandwich, Billie grabbed her bike and set off on her escape. The wind whipped through her crimson hair as she pedaled away from the snow-covered streets, fueled by a burning desire to uncover the truth.
Just as she was gaining momentum, her phone pinged, interrupting the rhythm of her escape. It was a message from the same unknown number, now revealed to be Selena. The words on the screen confused her as usual.
//No one can turn a blind eye to their dark side, May the good Lord save you 1000 times//
Billie's mind raced, trying to decipher the cryptic message. Confusion mingled with a sense of foreboding.