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“It doesn’t matter where we go, so long as it’s not here. I’ve been thinking,” I started, my mind racing to find the right words. “The dreamworld — it’s more than just a place of escape. It’s a realm of limitless possibilities. And I think, with our combined abilities, we might be able to use it to our advantage.”
Grace’s brow creased with thought. “What are you saying?”
I slid my fingers through hers. “I’m suggesting we use the dreamworld to break free from Ikmal.”
She looked at me as if I had gone crazy. “I thought escape from Ikmal was impossible?”
“That’s what they want us to believe. There are rumors other prisoners have escaped before. They find a weakness and exploit it. It’s easy to fake deaths at Ikmal, to cover up unwanted truths. But… it’s not without risks. The Supervisor and his cronies are always watching, always searching for any hint of rebellion. We’d need to be careful, plan every step meticulously.”
She leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear. “Then let’s do it,” she whispered, determination evident in her voice. “I’ve only been here a short time. Yet I’ve already spent too much time in this hellhole. If there’s a chance, even a slim one, of escaping, I’ll take it.”
I grinned, feeling a surge of pride and affection for the fierce female beside me. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
We lay in bed for a few moments longer, our bodies intertwined, lost in thought.
The weight of our decision, the potential consequences, hung heavy between us.
Amidst the uncertainty and fear, one thing was clear — our bond, forged in the dreamworld and cemented in the harsh reality of Ikmal, was unbreakable.
* * *
In the stillness of the Ikmal cell, the ambient noises of the prison buzzed and hummed in a monotonous drone.
It was a sound I had grown familiar with, the rhythmic lullaby that had accompanied countless nights of fitful sleep.
Tonight, however, was different.
Tonight, Grace was beside me, and the prospect of our intertwined fates brought a tangible, electric energy into the room.
She smelled of lavender and mystery, a combination that somehow felt distinctly human.
As I turned to face her, the soft light from the overhead panel cast a gentle glow on her face, emphasizing the curve of her lips and the depth of her azure eyes.
I had made a vow to myself to never tell anyone about the secret I knew… and yet, to tell Grace seemed like the most natural thing in the galaxy…
“You know,” I began, tasting the hesitancy in my voice, “there might be a way out of here.”
She shifted closer, her curiosity evident. The warmth of her body against mine was both a comfort and a distraction. “Tell me,” she whispered, her breath cool against my cheek.
“When Ikmal was first built, the architects incorporated a secret exit,” I said, my voice just above a whisper as if speaking louder might shatter the fragility of the hope I was offering.
Her hand brushed against mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. “An exit? Why hasn’t anyone used it?”
I exhaled slowly, taking in the musky aroma of the room’s recycled air. “It’s hidden away somewhere, somewhere no one would think to look. And no one else knows it even exists.”
Grace’s fingers intertwined with mine, her grip firm. “You do?”
I looked deep into her eyes, seeing my own reflection in their depths. “No. But I know someone who might. I’ve tried before. Alone. I couldn’t make it past the defenses. With you, however,” I paused, pressing my lips to her forehead, “with two of us, it might be possible.”
She leaned back slightly, the furrow in her brow betraying her confusion. “How does it work? What do we have to do?”
“The exit is nothing more than a physical door. It’s discovering its location; that’s the trick.”
Grace’s fingers brushed against my cheek, the sensation like velvet against my skin. “So, who knows the location of this secret exit?”
The depth of emotion in her voice was palpable, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the sensation of her embrace.
It felt good to share this secret with someone and for them to believe — or at least hope — it really existed the same way I did.
