Prototype 13

Chapter Ten: Isolation The hum of the chamber still resonated in my ears as we stepped out of the main meeting room. The Overseer’s piercing words and Dr. Egan’s clinical tone churned in my mind like an endless echo. Each step felt heavier than the last as Lena guided me back toward the bustling walkways. The vibrant world around us, once awe-inspiring, now felt like a blur—a dream I wasn’t part of. Every smile, every laugh, every purposeful movement seemed distant, as though I were watching it all through a screen. “We need to talk,” Lena said, her voice steady but tinged with concern. I didn’t answer right away, my thoughts too tangled to respond. My mind kept circling back to Zack—his life, his choice. “Come on,” she said, tugging lightly on my arm. “Let’s find somewhere quiet.” She led me down a side corridor, away from the crowds and noise. The walls here were lined with panels displaying maps and readouts, their faint glow barely illuminating Lena’s face. The air felt colder here...