Chapter 18

Evelyn approached the towering structure of the serum factory. Its steel exterior gleamed under the midday sun, making the building look modern and clinical, yet there was an undercurrent of menace about it. Tall barbed wire fences surrounded the perimeter, and cameras were positioned at every corner, sweeping back and forth, and scanning the area for intruders. Armed security guards in sleek, black uniforms patrolled the entrance, their expressions stern and alert. The air was thick with tension, and the scent of metal and chemicals lingered in the atmosphere.

The factory buzzed with activity as workers and officials moved in and out. A line of trucks stood by the loading docks, filled with crates marked with the serum logo, waiting to be transported to other locations. Crowds of people — civilians, possibly investors, and other officials — were moving through the gates, their faces filled with a mix of curiosity and greed. They whispered to each other in low voices, excited about the prospects that Victor's serum could offer, unaware of the dark truth hidden within the factory's walls.

Evelyn slipped into an alleyway, keeping herself out of sight. The shadows clung to her, offering some protection from the prying eyes of the cameras. She touched the wooden mask covering her face, and with a thought, it disintegrated into tiny particles, scattering in the air before vanishing completely.

She adjusted the hood of her white tracksuit, ensuring it concealed her features. The material glowed faintly in the light, but with her identity hidden, she felt more confident moving amongst the crowd. Blending in would be key to her plan.

As she stepped out of the alley, she weaved through the people entering the factory. Her eyes scanned the area, noting the absence of the criminals she had bound to the factory. Whatever chaos she had left behind was now gone, replaced by an eerie calm. The factory showed no signs of the battle that had taken place—no damage to the structure, no evidence of the prisoners she had captured. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

Evelyn's mind raced. The police must have taken them away, she thought, her gaze falling on the increased security presence. It seems they've learned their lesson.

Guards stood at every corner, and their eyes were sharp, watching every movement, every person who walked past. Metal detectors were placed at the entrance, and scanners checked each person's ID, ensuring no one unauthorized entered. There was no room for mistakes.

Inside the factory, she saw glass doors leading into the main lobby, which was filled with sleek white counters and clean, futuristic designs. The walls were adorned with motivational posters about "a brighter, safer future" thanks to Victor's serum. Holographic screens displayed promotional videos showcasing the "heroic potential" of modified individuals, as well as footage of people using their enhanced abilities for everyday life—lifting cars, running at incredible speeds, and stopping disasters. It was a spectacle, a facade hiding the truth.

The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation, a clear indication that something big was happening today. As she weaved through the crowd, she noticed a familiar face: the female factory worker she had saved the previous day.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Evelyn asked as she approached her, lowering her voice slightly to avoid attention.

The worker glanced up, eyes widening in recognition despite Evelyn's hood. "Better," she replied, her voice grateful. "Did you come to witness the tests?"

Evelyn looked around, noting the unusually large crowd. "You didn't tell me this place would be so filled up," she remarked, her tone casual but her eyes scanning the scene with curiosity.

The worker shook her head. "It wasn't like this yesterday. Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Blake finalized their agreement, and now the serum has the green light to be made available to the public. I'm sure most of these people are here to get some," she explained, gesturing toward the line of people eagerly waiting near the front counters.

Evelyn nodded, absorbing the information. This was a crucial development. "Where are the tests taking place?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her mind was already racing with possibilities.

The worker's expression faltered, guilt flashing across her face. "I'm sorry, the testing room isn't open to the public right now. Mr. Blackwood and Ms. Blake are in there as we speak, but they won't be done until late," she explained hesitantly. Her eyes widened again as if suddenly remembering who Evelyn was. "I—I forgot who you were. I can lead you to the testing room right now if you'd like."

Evelyn gave a small shake of her head, keeping her voice calm. "It's okay. I have someplace else to be," she said, waving off the offer with a soft smile.

The worker looked apologetic. "I'm sorry," she repeated, lowering her gaze.

"Don't be. I already told you it's okay. I'll see you later," Evelyn reassured her before turning away.

As she moved toward the exit, something caught her eye—a newspaper lying on the counter. She paused and picked it up, scanning the headline: "Mysterious Hero Bounds Criminals to Blackwood's Ascendant Labs!" There, printed in black and white, was a photo of the four criminals she had captured last night, bound and left for the authorities.

Her eyes narrowed as she read further. The article credited Blackwood's security forces with apprehending the criminals, spinning the narrative to make it seem as though Ascendant Labs had played a key role in keeping the city safe. Victor had managed to manipulate the media, turning her actions into a positive story for his factory.

~~~~~

Evelyn stepped outside the factory, lost in thought after seeing the news article. As she made her way down the street, she suddenly came face to face with Donovan, a familiar presence she hadn't expected to see here.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Donovan asked, his tone casual but slightly curious.

Evelyn blinked in confusion. "Excuse me?" she responded, trying to make sense of why Donovan was questioning her.

"You're supposed to be at the academy, right? That's why I'm asking," he explained, waving his hand dismissively. "Anyway, how are you doing? I hope Vivian isn't pushing you too hard."

Evelyn let out a short, somewhat amused breath. "Everything's going well. Vivian is... How should I say this? She has been treating me well," she replied, trying to sound neutral.

Donovan chuckled, clearly unconvinced. "There's no way Vivian would treat you well. She's always doing everything she can to prove she's better than you."

Evelyn's thoughts raced. Donovan doesn't even know about my second gift... Heck, he doesn't even know I have a gift at all. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she forced a fake laugh to match his tone. "Yeah, right," she said, stepping closer to him, her voice dropping slightly.

Donovan leaned in as well, his curiosity piqued by her sudden shift in behavior. "What is it?" he asked, intrigued.

"I'm serious," Evelyn whispered, her tone laced with a quiet threat. "You know I hate it when people don't believe me."

Donovan chuckled nervously, waving off her words. "I'm joking, I'm joking! I just can't believe Vivian would treat anyone well, especially you," he whispered back, then added with a sly grin, "Also, you're a little too close. People might start making assumptions."

Evelyn quickly realized how close she had gotten, forgetting her hood was still up. She instinctively backed away, glancing around to make sure no one was watching them too closely.

Donovan flicked her forehead lightly, causing her hood to slip back a little. "Did you forget no one can even see your face with that hood on?" he teased, grinning widely.

Embarrassed, Evelyn readjusted her hood, her face heating up. "I hate you," she muttered, her cheeks flushing as she looked away.

Donovan just laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Yeah, yeah, you're not the first to say that. So, how's the academy been treating you? How's the training going?"

Evelyn sighed, the memories of her first grueling day flashing through her mind. "I almost died on the first day," she admitted, her tone more serious this time.

Donovan's smile faltered for a moment, concern crossing his features. "That bad, huh?"

Evelyn nodded. "It's intense. Every day is a test of survival. But I'm managing."

"Just don't push yourself too hard," Donovan said, his teasing tone fading as he looked at her more seriously. "You're tough, but even you have limits."

Evelyn smirked faintly, appreciating his concern. "I'll keep that in mind."

Evelyn's attention was momentarily drawn to the bustling activity around them, but Donovan's voice quickly pulled her back.

"So, you came to meet Victor?" Donovan asked, his tone a bit more casual now.

Evelyn shook her head. "I was here to witness the tests, but I heard he and Seraphina are in there," she replied, motioning toward the restricted testing area.

Donovan tilted his head slightly, curious. "So, are you waiting for him?"

Evelyn shook her head again, this time more firmly. "No, I'm heading back to the academy. There's an activity at noon," she explained, already calculating the time in her mind.

"You still have two hours till noon," Donovan pointed out. He paused for a moment, then added with a sigh, "If not for what happened yesterday, we could've walked and chatted a bit."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What happened?"

Donovan's expression darkened as he recounted the events. "Some guys tried to steal some of the serums. They killed two guards and a supervisor. Luckily, a mysterious hero dealt with them before we even got here."

Evelyn nodded slowly, recalling her actions from the previous night. She had been that "mysterious hero," the one who had bound the criminals and left them for the authorities. Still, she kept her expression neutral. "Where were you when it happened?" she asked, feigning curiosity.

"I was with Victor," Donovan said, his tone shifting slightly as he mentioned his connection to her father. "We were at Heroic Heights for a meeting with Seraphina Blake."

Evelyn allowed herself a small smile, appreciating the irony of the situation. "I'm waiting for Diana, Seraphina's assistant. I promised to talk to her yesterday, but the meeting took so long I had to leave. If today's meeting drags on, I'll have someone else talk to her."

Donovan's brow furrowed in thought before he offered, "I could talk to her for you."

Evelyn shook her head, her smile fading slightly. "Don't bother. I have some friends at Heroic Heights who can handle it."

Donovan's eyes narrowed playfully. "I'm also a hero at Heroic Heights, you know," he teased, a grin playing on his lips.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her voice dry but tinged with amusement. "I never said anything about heroes," she replied, subtly sidestepping his boast.

Donovan chuckled, recognizing her deflection. "Touché," he said with a smirk.

Evelyn glanced at the time, calculating her next move. "I should head back. I'll catch you later," she said, ready to put some distance between them and refocus on her mission.

"Take care, Evelyn," Donovan called out as she walked away.

Evelyn gave a brief wave in response, her mind already shifting back to her next steps. She had more important things to focus on.