Escape - Chapter 9.1
Chapter 9.1
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Fear of the foretold pursuit kept her from daring to visit any other arms dealer. If even a longtime friend was involved in this, she had no idea who else might be entangled.
When she checked her watch in the elevator, it was already past midnight. Hesitating, Adeline finally pressed the button marked with a raised ‘0’. The ground floor had an exit to the outside. While it could be her final destination, it wasn’t her current objective.
The ground floor housed more than just an exit. It was home to the headquarters of the Security Forces, the largest and most advanced facility in District 13, legally equipped with every imaginable weapon.
Whatever weapon or armor she needed, the headquarters armory would have more than enough to spare. There was a reason, of course, why she hadn’t come straight to this well-stocked facility.
Military law. Unless deployed outside or assigned to guard duty at the gate, weapons possession for Security Forces members was strictly limited. In other words, retrieving weapons without proper authorization was impossible. So, even though she had no other choice but to head to headquarters, Adeline was at a loss as to what to do.
That remained true even as the elevator doors opened, revealing someone standing right there.
“Luce Gradel…?”
At the sudden sound of his name, the short, spiky red hair lifted from where it had been bowed. The man’s eyes widened as he recognized Adeline. The flash of welcome in his bright eyes was quickly replaced by worry and confusion.
“Adeline? What are you doing at headquarters at this hour?”
“Are you leaving work?”
“Uh… something like that. I’m on recommended leave, but I was checking on the other injured guards.”
Luce, remembering Adeline immediately after the accident, cautiously studied her face.
Adeline was naturally perceptive. She knew from his hesitant demeanor that this fool would never refuse a request made in Damian’s name. This time, even if Luce was also involved, it didn’t matter. In that case, it was a fortunate encounter for a different reason. She had no intention of letting any guard who abandoned Damian and returned alive get away with it.
“He left something behind… a watch, I think?”
Of course, even with Luce, she couldn’t just ask him to bring out a rifle and a dagger. He might think she needed counseling and drag her off to the infirmary.
“Yes. Of course, they’ll return personal belongings after the funeral, but it could disappear before then. Damian seems to have left it in the armory, not his personal locker.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true.”
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But things were different now. She couldn’t tell him to come back tomorrow with his ID to retrieve Damian’s supposed keepsake. Luce might be able to return alive, but Damian hadn’t.
He’d been anxiously fiddling with his neck since he heard Damian’s name. Adeline only needed a few words of request. That was all it took for things to proceed smoothly.
Luce took out his ID card and held it to the entrance. Click. The lock disengaged. Adeline gave a slight nod of thanks, and he said he’d wait outside.
‘He’d better leave.’
She hesitated, considering what would follow, but her deliberation was brief. Luce wouldn’t be able to stop her once she emerged fully armed.
Stepping inside with heavy feet, Adeline quietly closed the armory door. Then, she slowly scanned the deadly tools filling the large warehouse, from left to right.
On the left were firearms: pistols, rifles, machine guns. The central wall held blades, spears, and blunt weapons. On the right were all kinds of shields and protective gear.
Having many choices often hinders decisions, but she had already decided what to take on her way there.
One rifle, one pistol. One sharply honed dagger. She donned every piece of protective gear, including a bulletproof vest and helmet. The military bag was filled with ammunition, magazines, and grenades.
Weapons should be chosen according to the battlefield. Her battlefield would be the underground corridors, or in other words, the underground labyrinth. Therefore, the most necessary item would probably be….
“A flashlight.”
She filled the remaining space in her bag with a couple of flashlights and as many batteries as possible. She also didn’t forget to pack the book she’d been carrying.
As Adeline was about to zip the bag, the worn book cover came into view in the dim light. A woman with dark brown hair in a black uniform. And the elegantly embossed title, ‘Escape’. It was so grimy and faded that the image hadn’t caught her eye before.
‘Come to think of it, why is there a woman on the cover of this book? It’s about a lion escaping from the zoo.’
A new question arose. But the thought didn’t linger.
The sound of multiple footsteps came from outside the door. The distinct, ominous sound of military boots clicking against the floor.
“Why isn’t she coming out?”
Luce sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. The clock hands were already pointing to the late hours of the morning.
