《Marine World》Twelve| The truth sets you free
Advertisement
In one quick movement, I have his gun out of his holster and I am pointing it at his face.
If he is shocked, he doesn't show it. He keeps his eyes trained on mine, his body tense, unmoving, but I know it's there somewhere–the sense of betrayal, the realization that he was right. I am dangerous, because Marine World has forced me to be.
I look him dead in the eye, praying my voice doesn't shake when I speak. "I'm going to need your pass."
Reece doesn't move, but his left eyebrow raises. "I had a feeling there was more to you than you were letting on," he says carefully.
"Too bad you won't get the chance to tell the rest of them," I say. The gun shakes between my fingers. I have no idea how to get such a contraption to work–instructions didn't exactly come with the dictionary definition–but my finger hovers over the trigger, anyway.
The corner of Reece's mouth twitches slightly, though his eyes remain cautious. "How far do you think you'd get alone?" he asks. "The park gates are locked. You have no idea where you're going."
"I'm sure I'll figure it out," I say, though I don't sound confident. If this were Jackson, I think I'd shoot in a heartbeat, but not Reece. Not the only person who has ever looked at me like I am a human and not an exhibition. "Look, I don't want to hurt you," I whisper, lowering the gun an inch to show him I'm not a threat–at least not if he complies. "Please just give me your pass."
"Be smart, Aura," he finally growls, taking a step forward.
I clutch the gun harder, close to pulling the trigger. "Don't move!" I hiss. "I–"
Advertisement
In the next instance, Reece is flipping the gun from my hands and pointing it at me. I fall impossibly still, though my heart continues to pound with regret. I hesitated to kill him, let my humanity get in the way of my survival, and now everything I've been envisioning–my escape, my freedom–is crashing down around me.
I close my eyes. This is it, this is the moment it ends for me, and instead of struggling, or fighting, I feel myself wanting to give up and welcome it.
When it feels like several moments pass, I open my eyes to see the gun is back in Reece's holster and he's watching me carefully. "Look, I'll get you out," he says, his voice low and unusually soft, "but not today. All right?"
For a moment, I just stare at him, unable to comprehend his words, and when I finally do, I don't believe them. I can't. "You're lying," I say, casting my gaze to the far wall. "You wouldn't help us."
"When you go, it needs to be while the park is still open," Reece says, ignoring my comment. "Preferably on a Saturday, when it's busiest."
I step forward slightly, expecting him to step back, but he doesn't. "Why?" I ask, craning my neck to look at him. "Is this some kind of trap? Appease me until tomorrow morning when Marine World can get rid of me?"
Finally, he snaps. "You think I don't know that this is wrong?" he asks, grabbing my arm before pulling me toward him. "Because I do, all right?"
He lets go suddenly as though he hadn't meant to touch me; my arm continues to tingle even after his fingers have left my skin.
"I'm supposed to do my job and not ask questions," he says quietly, avoiding my gaze. "Those are the rules, Aura." He finally brings himself to look at me. "I told myself you were happy here, that you wouldn't survive out there in the real world, and it made things easier to accept. But after interacting with you–" he stops to exhale slightly. "There's a lot you don't understand about this place, or the people that run it. Hell, there's a lot I still don't understand."
Advertisement
"Then tell me," I say, my voice demanding. "Please. I can't–I can't stay here anymore. I can't do another one of those tests."
He takes another breath before running a hand through his hair. "It happened almost twenty years ago," he says. "Hundreds of labs across America were caught making genetically engineered embryos for wealthy customers, designing the babies the way the parents wanted them to be. When the cops found out, they shut down the labs, made genetic engineering against the law and destroyed the remaining embryos, or so they thought. Some were stolen and sold on the dark web. Apparently, the owner of Marine World, Mark Goodings, got a hold of multiple embryos and raised them here in secret. You were one of them."
I am silent, still trying to process his words. I have always known I was altered as an embryo, created by Marine World to please the guests, but Marine World never disclosed anything more and strangely, it never occurred to me to ask.
"I don't understand," I finally say. "Are you saying I was already altered before I got to Marine World?"
He takes me by the shoulders and pulls me toward him, an urgency in his grip. "You were made this way by scientists, not Marine World. Designed to be the perfect embryo for some rich couple, somewhere."
I shake my head, feeling as though I might be sick. "Marine World told me I was specially made to perform for the guests."
Now it's his turn to shake his head. "It was a lie," he says. "The owner of Marine World saw a way to capitalize on you all. They would have paid some woman to carry you to term. She probably would have stayed here in Marine World until she gave birth."
I close my eyes for a long moment, trying to curb the queasiness. I might not understand all of the things he is telling me, but I do know one thing.
Marine World has lied.
Advertisement
- In Serial16 Chapters
The Guild
The world is broken. The apocalypse came and went, and only a fragment of humanity is left, scrambled into an unrecognizable mess. The remainders of the earth are filled with monsters from imagination and worse. Gates open periodically, leading to alien worlds, while dungeons form from damaged minds, creating nightmares for the unsuspecting. Some might see it as the end times. A hellscape. A story of humans pushed to their breaking points, desperately grasping for the last bits of humanity as the world crumbles around them. But a few might disagree. One man, in particular, sees opportunity. A chance. A path forward, to bring humanity from the depths of despair and turn it into a victory - a luxury. To remake the world even better than it was, dragging earth forward onto the galactic stage. It will require violence, lies, betrayals, magic, more violence, and the occasional genocide. But, hey. Everything worth doing is hard, right?
8 144 - In Serial17 Chapters
The Battle Mage (litRPG progressive fantasy)
One gesture of kindness brings along a reward worth more than planet earth. Leo embarks on his journey to escape as well as to save. Xanadu was the first world he encounter, a place where wild beasts thrive like ant colonies. It was up Leo to figure things out, finding out new ways in surviving through this hellish new world. With hope of returning just at the front door, he strive for perfection with the aid of his friends, co-workers and his Gift from his misunderstood kindness. And the end game? No one knows at the moment, countries too busy in expanding their power through these new lands while forgetting the most important thing. Climbing Mount Akrat. Leo and a band of unexpected people will chase after the main quest as nothing is more important than finishing a quest. His spells and wit ready to tackle future adversaries no matter how tough it gets. Leo Hart, a man easily spook by a jump-scare is now in the path of transforming himself into a battle harden Battle Mage. From your everyday office worker to slayer of liches and dragons. Try it out and see whether you like it or not. I'm not that good of a writer, but I'm here trying to entertain. Give a comment, a review or even just a smile. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 258 - In Serial11 Chapters
Phoenix Rising: A New Age
This is a continuation of the original Phoenix Rising story, taking place 16 years later as a new legend begins to rise in a new age of heroes and legends.
8 86 - In Serial58 Chapters
Meeting the Millers
Carmen unexpectedly finds herself a babysitting job for a little girl named Grace, it's unlike any other job though because Grace is mute. She also happens to be the little sister of Carter Miller, high-schools typical bad boy/man whore. What happens when Carter finally notices her and figures out what she's been hiding?Started: 11 March 2022Finished: 2 May 2022#1 in enemies to lovers🥇 (27/04/22)#1 in teenagers. 🥇(2/05/22)#1 in eating disorder🥇(2/05/22)#2 in teenagers 🥈(30/04/22)#1 in love🥇 (06/05/22)
8 189 - In Serial9 Chapters
Recursive Mirror, Hidden Shadows
It was but the slightest push to change the angle then one in one and that one in others calmly surprised, uproar I shush and despite the thought, it does not tangle an endless tunnel with its own druthers Light and dark, enhanced or dimmed in repose Recursive Mirror Hidden Shadows
8 227 - In Serial78 Chapters
How I Reincarnated Into Naruto
After dying, the MC has been reincarnated into the body of Jin Yamanaka of the Yamanaka Clan. Things would be fine if it weren't for the fact that he's a background character at the very beginning of Naruto's story. Now he has to use his knowledge of the Naruto franchise to survive. Will he survive into the Boruto era and beyond?
8 193