Chapter 7

I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the harsh light that filled the small, unfamiliar room. A huge headache throbbed on my head like a drum.I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy and weak. Confusion washed over me as I struggled to remember how I got here.

Where am I? I looked around the cramped space.The walls were a dull gray, and there were no windows—just a single metal door and a small desk in the corner with some papers scattered across it. It felt sterile, like a prison.

My fingers brushed against the bed—it didn't feel anything familiar. I pulled them away, a shiver running down my spine. What happened? Why did the G.H.C soldier knock me out? How did I get here? My mind raced.

I closed my eyes tightly, willing the pounding in my head to subside. I tried to remember the details, the events that led me here, but my memories faded away. I was about to panic when I suddenly heard a voice.

"Ah, you're awake," a deep voice said. I turned to see a man standing before me with his arms crossed.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a sharp suit that seemed out of place in this ugly room. His hair was slicked back, dark and neat, and his eyes were cold, assessing me like I was an insect under a magnifying glass. There was something about his smile; it didn't reach his eyes. Almost like he was forcing it.

"Who are you?" I managed to croak out, my voice was barely a whisper. I felt scared under his gaze, like he could see right through me.

"I'm Victor Grayson," he replied, his tone smooth and confident. "I'm the leader of the G.H.C.—the organization that oversees the "

 "Where's Alex?What do you want with me?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

He stepped closer, the smile never leaving his face. "Oh, I'm not here to hurt you, Lila. Quite the opposite, actually." He paused. "We just need to fix a little problem. You're a liability now. You've become an issue for the G.H.C and for Hyperion."

"What do you mean I'm a liability?"I frowned, trying to make sense of what he was saying

 "Keeping Hyperion's image pristine is our top priority. You, my dear, were a perfect asset—until some classified information was revealed to you by the villian,Blackthorn."

I felt the breath hitch in my throat. "What do you mean? Those videos weren't true right. Alex wouldn't do something like that"

Victor chuckled softly, shaking his head as if I was being foolish"To fix the little problem,We considered the option of eliminating you peacefully. But apparently some of the other members of the prime order feel you still have some use*

I felt like I had been punched in the gut"Use for what?" I whispered.

"Publicity. Lila. You're a healer, a renowned doctor. You're the perfect symbol for what we stand for," Victor continued. "Your relationship with Hyperion was a powerful asset for us, a way to humanize the organization. But now, with the revelations from Blackthorn, we can't risk your influence."

I almost puked at his words. The idea that my life—my relationship with Alex—had been reduced to a mere publicity stunt felt like a knife twisting in my gut. "You're saying I'm just a pawn to you?"

"Essentially, yes," Victor replied with a casual shrug. "You see, Lila, the world thrives on images, on narratives. And you were part of a perfect story. But now, that story is unraveling, and we can't afford to let you keep it alive."

My thoughts raced, trying to connect the dots. "So, what are you going to do with me? Just erase me from the picture?" 

I felt a surge of anger rising within me, a desperate need to fight back against the helplessness that threatened to consume me.

Victor leaned in slightly, his expression turning serious. "We need to wipe your memories of the past few days—the truth that was revealed to you. It's for your own good. Once we erase those memories, you'll be able to return to your life, and everything will go back to normal. You'll forget everything that happened here, and we can rebuild that narrative around Hyperion."

"You can't do that. Alex will come for me. He will destroy your organization," I said, my voice trembling.

Victor's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You underestimate how far we're willing to go to protect our interests, Lila. We have Hyperion right where we want him. With our resources, allies, and secrets, we can control him just as easily as we control you. He may be powerful, but the G.H.C. has strategies in place to ensure our dominance."

"No matter what you dominance you think you have,you can't erase what's between Alex and me," I retorted."He won't stop until he finds me."

Victor chuckled, shaking his head. "That's cute, really. But love doesn't save people when it's time for business. You've become a liability, and that means we have to eliminate the risk. It's not personal; it's just what we have to do."

Just then, the door swung open, and Alex stepped inside, his expression unreadable. My heart leaped at the sight of him, a wave of relief washing over me.

"Alex!" I cried, reaching out to him. "Help me! They're going to erase my memories!"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and determination. "Lila, you have to listen," he said, his voice steady but distant. "This is for your protection."

"For my protection?" I felt tears prick at my eyes, my heart shattering. "How can you say that? You can't just let them do this!"

Alex stepped closer, but there was a coldness in his eyes that I had never seen before. " I love you Lila,but You don't understand. ."

I shook my head violently, the words barely registering. "No, Alex! Please, don't let them do this to me!"

A figure stepped in behind him—a woman with piercing blue eyes and a black coat. I recognized her immediately. Mindwave, a superhero known for her mind abilities. My stomach dropped at the sight of her.

"Lila," she said,"We're going to help you forget the past few days. It's the best thing for you."

"No! I don't want to forget!" I screamed, desperation clawing at my throat. I felt the walls closing in again, the fear of losing everything crashing down on me. "You can't do this! I need to remember!"

Victor stepped back, a satisfied look on his face as he watched my panic unfold. "You see? This is why we have to do it. You're too emotionally unstable."

"Alex, please!" I pleaded, my voice breaking. "I can't lose my memories. I can't lose you!"

Alex turned away, his jaw clenched"It's for the best, Lila," he repeated, but the conviction in his voice was faltering.

Suddenly, Mindwave moved closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "Just breathe, Lila. I promise this will all be over soon. You won't feel a thing."

"No!" I fought against the soldiers who grabbed my arms, holding me down. Panic surged through me, adrenaline fueling my resistance. "Please, Alex! Fight this! Fight for me!"

But Alex stood silent, his gaze on the floor, as if he couldn't bear to look at me. "I can't," he whispered, finally breaking his silence.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I struggled against the soldiers' grip, my heart shattering. I couldn't believe what was happening, couldn't fathom the idea of losing my memories—losing everything that mattered.

"Lila, focus," Mindwave commanded, her voice low and soothing. "Just relax. Let it happen."

I felt a surge of anger, desperation clawing at my chest. "You're wrong! I don't want to forget! You can't take this away from me!"

As her powers began to work, I felt the world around me blurring. My memories—the good ones, the bad ones—began to slip away, fading like smoke in the wind. I could see Alex standing there, a distant figure as my mind clouded.

"Lila…" his voice was a whisper, barely audible over the rushing in my ears. "I'm sorry."