Chapter 7 - Shattered Glass
The reinforced glass of the isolation window exploded inward, sending a glittering cascade of jagged shards raining down across the sterile floor. The black-clad operatives instinctively spun around, their tactical training overriding their initial target acquisition as they swept their rifles toward the shattered cube.
Through the swirling dust and smoke, the young man stepped out of the isolation room. His movements were fluid, unnaturally fast, devoid of any human stiffness. He ignored the armed operatives entirely, his glowing amber eyes fixing solely on the crumpled form of Elena lying near the metal table.
"Secure the subject!" the lead operative barked, firing a compressed nitrogen dart rifle directly at the young man's chest.
The dart struck dead center, releasing a high-pressure cloud of freezing gas designed to instantly drop a two-hundred-pound adult into deep cryogenic stasis. But the gas dispersed harmlessly against the young man’s skin, evaporating into shimmering ripples of heat. He didn't even flinch. He reached out with two fingers, plucked the metal dart from his chest, and dropped it onto the floor.
Officer Ramirez seized the distraction. He vaulted over the metal table, bringing his rifle up to bear on the second operative. "Drop the weapon! Federal Police!"
The operative whipped around, his rifle barrel swinging toward Ramirez with terrifying speed.
Before either man could pull a trigger, Arthur moved. He closed the distance between himself and the lead operative in three long strides, slamming the butt of his heavy-duty sidearm squarely into the side of the operative's helmet. The heavy ceramic casing cracked with a dull thud, and the man crumpled instantly, collapsing into the drifting mist on the floor.
The second operative tried to pivot toward Arthur, but a sharp, metallic hum echoed from behind them.
The young man had crossed the room in the blink of an eye. He placed a single, bare hand against the second operative's chest armor. A blinding flash of amber light erupted from his palm, accompanied by a sound like high-voltage electricity tearing through copper wire.
The operative stiffened, his body going rigid as his suit's electronics fried in a shower of brilliant blue sparks. He pitched backward, slamming hard against the linoleum.
Silence descended on the room once again, save for the rhythmic hiss of the failing ventilation system and the heavy breathing of Officer Ramirez, who stood frozen with his rifle still raised.
"What... what is he?" Ramirez whispered, lowering his weapon slowly as he stared at the young man.
The young man turned his head slowly, his amber eyes locking onto Arthur. A calm, chillingly familiar voice issued from his lips, though it sounded distorted, as if spoken by multiple people at once.
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"Hello, Arthur," the boy said, stepping closer. "You shouldn't have come back."
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