“All prisoners please report to your cell. There is an emergency announcement.”

“All prisoners please report to your cell. There is an emergency announcement.”

The hanger door fell shut, and guards were dispensed into the lunch room.

What's going on?

I looked above and over to the security post to find that Norman was missing. Trying to remain calm, I looked around for the Twins to see if I’d been betrayed but they were still in position. By the look on everyone’s face, none of us knew what was going on. The room suddenly became chaotic as the prisoners began hurrying back to cell entry line up. The announcement echoed like a barking siren.

“All prisoners please report to your cell. There is an emergency announcement.”

I need to think.

Suddenly, the guards were everywhere and the air around me became smaller with each ticking second. The crowd was thick from Raymond's flare-up plan as tension rose.

5….8…12- Eight guards

I wondered if we could take them and somehow manage to get beyond the lunchroom security post. But then what? Norman is nowhere in sight. Has he betrayed us?

I flinched at a gripping sensation that triggered an attack. I twirled under grabbing the person by the fingers and twisting their arm behind them.

“Dude!” Duran called out. ‘Relax, it’s just us.”

“Oh…” I released.

“What’s going on?” He volubly spoke in fright.

Raymond stood tall and erect behind him, cunningly looking about the room. “That exit is the least guarded.” He pointed to the left. “If we go now, we might still be able to fight our way out amidst the chaos.”

Wait…

“Where’s Alex?” I frantically looked around.

“Nick…” A voice called out to me. I gave him a desperate pull towards me bumping our foreheads together and yanking his hands securely within mine.

“There you are.” I exhaled.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” I undesirably admitted, “But we’re getting out of here. Follow m…”

“Ah…!”

An armored mask guard had unnoticeably made his way towards us.

“No…!” Raymond screamed before joining Duran face down on the floor.

The guard then aimed his trazzer at Alex and pulled the trigger.

“No…!” I screamed bloody murder. I impetuously lunged towards him but found myself unable to move. I swung my head both ways to find that I’d been subdued by the twins.

“Nick… stands down if you want to live.” The guard ordered.

“Let me go….”

Wait… that voice?

“Norman…?” I apprehended.

“Yes!”

“What the hell are you doing?” I argued.

“Saving your ass,” He retorted. “So do yourself a favor and get in line with the twins to return to your cell.”

I didn’t have much of a choice. The guards were poured into the lunch room, and they bombarded the exits to instill order. I looked down at Alex’s face as he lay there unconsciously. Hundreds of thoughts flooded my mind, stemming from all angles. I promised Alex that I’d protect him. But I feel like I can’t even protect myself. I’m failing my mission and possibly about to lose my life.

“What about the bomb?” I insisted.

“Nick, I imagine that this must be difficult for you but sometimes you have to relinquish control.”

Relinquish control? You mean surrender!

“Go back to your cell before it’s too late.”

“What about Alex?” I pressed, “I’m not leaving until I know he will be safe.”

“We’re just going to put them back into their cells after things calm down. If you want to live to see tomorrow, go!”