Chapter X - Even with his eyes shut tight, fear was visible.

The moonlight gently illuminated the brown strands of Jaśmin's hair. The brunette sat quietly, listening to Nulla's voice as the blonde teenager animatedly gestured with her hands, threatening everyone around. Suddenly, she stopped, catching her breath. Jaśmin, keeping his gaze fixed, stared at Ignacy—the red-haired boy sitting across from him. His long, dark lashes lifted with each blink, then gently fell back to his eyelids like soft feathers returning to their place. There was something hypnotic about this subtle movement, but it was his eyes that were the real mystery. One was a warm, deep amber hue, full of life and energy, while the other, turquoise, resembled a lake in the morning, wrapped in dew and mist. Jaśmin couldn't look away, wondering how these two contradictions could coexist in one person. His lashes fluttered slightly before tiredly lowering over his eyes, surrounded by scars from the accident. Ignacy looked like a character from a story, full of mystery and suffering. Jaśmin felt small next to him, as though he were less significant. The sight of Ignacy hypnotized him. He wanted to touch his face, even though he knew it was inappropriate. Instead, he clenched his fists and forced his gaze away, scanning the interior of the ambulance. 

The vehicle's interior was like another world. The walls, smooth and glossy like glass, reflected a soft blue light, creating the impression of endless depth. Above their heads, delicate, glowing patterns swayed, moved by an invisible music. Jaśmin had the sensation that they were drifting through space. For a moment, he forgot everything—his brother, his mysterious disappearance, the fact that he wasn't at home, the things he had failed and could no longer fix. Fascinated by the ambulance's futuristic interior, he no longer regretted stealing it. He had never seen anything like it before—it was a blend of a hospital and a spaceship. Everything was so sterile, it was almost frightening.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a woman through the window. She had broken her heel, tripped, and fallen onto the sidewalk. She was beautiful—her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her white dress shimmered beneath her beige coat. Yet, no one noticed her. People passed by indifferently, as if she were invisible. Jaśmin felt a sudden unease. The woman lay motionless, and the crowd ruthlessly ignored her. At that moment, everyone outside seemed like living corpses—blind to the suffering of others. He turned his gaze back to the inside of the ambulance, lowering his head and glancing at the white, shiny floor. He realized that this futuristic technology, meant to save lives, was incapable of protecting people from themselves. Despite the advanced devices, it was still people who were responsible for each other.

- Disgusting, - he muttered under his breath.

- Jaśmin? - Teodor, sitting next to him, turned toward him. - Did you say something? - he asked, looking at him with interest.

- I... - Jaśmin began, a little flustered. He glanced at Ignacy, as if searching for an answer in his eyes, but after a moment, he lowered his gaze and mumbled briefly, - Nothing.

- Is something wrong? - Ignacy asked, turning toward them. His red hair gently fell on his forehead, as though it wanted to hide what was going on in his mind.

Jaśmin felt his cheeks burn, and a strange nausea crept up in his stomach. He had no idea why he felt this way. Was it because of today's meal? The food from the Fourth Zone had always been questionable. His eyes scanned the room, avoiding Ignacy's gaze, as though afraid that Ignacy would see something Jaśmin didn't want to admit.

- Do you have a fever? - Ignacy suddenly asked, and without hesitation, placed his left hand on Jaśmin's forehead. - You're burning up! - he added, reaching for the thermometer on the table next to him.

- Leave me alone! - Jaśmin suddenly shouted, pushing him away with force. - Don't touch me! - he yelled, and Ignacy, surprised, stepped back, clearly embarrassed. He bit his lower lip lightly, trying to hide his discomfort.

- Actually, you're really hot, - Teodor stated, placing his hand on Jaśmin's forehead.

- I'm just hot, - Jaśmin explained coolly, as Teodor removed his hand. He turned away from the men, wanting to sink into the ground. He could feel his face burning. He lowered his head again, trying to avoid the gazes of the whole group.

- Why are you touching him? - Nulla interrupted, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

- Is it your hand? - Ignacy, ignoring his sister, addressed Jaśmin directly. - I know it's... - he started, looking at his slightly raised left hand.

- It's not about the hand! - Jaśmin interrupted him, suddenly looking up. Ignacy stared at him strangely, sadly? Jaśmin furrowed his brow. "What's wrong with him?" – flashed through his mind. He shook his head, trying to push away the unnecessary thoughts.

Teodor, who was standing slightly apart, observed their conversation with some distance. Every few seconds, he would open his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but immediately, when someone else began speaking, he would close it again, moving further away from the others. Thoughts of the blue-haired woman he had met in the dream haunted him. Was the man his brother had mentioned, Blue? And if so, he was almost sure that this Blue wasn't his Blue. The feeling of relief mixed with unease. What if something had happened to him? Did he know that woman? Maybe they were related? Thousands of questions rushed through his mind. Blurry memories, like sharp daggers, pierced his consciousness, causing pain comparable to being pricked by poison-filled needles. He felt the venom spreading through his body, pulling him deeper into madness. He wanted to run, to check everything with his own eyes. His trance was broken by a sudden movement from Jaśmin. The brunette suddenly bolted away, pushing Teodor aside, kicking wildly as if defending himself from an invisible enemy.

- Leave me alone!! - he yelled, kicking the air, trying to escape from the albino woman whose nails were as sharp as razors.

- Calm down. - Ignacy said, spreading his arms as if trying to manage the situation. He lay on the stretcher, watching the two of them fight. - Nulla, stop it. - he added, straightening up and propping himself up on his elbows.

Teodor, confused, looked from Ignacy, who seemed calm, to Jaśmin and Nulla. The blond didn't understand what was going on, so he scratched his head and then moved a little closer to his red-haired brother.

- Is this... normal? - he asked in a whisper. - You know, she's... a girl. Will she be alright? - he asked even more quietly, with concern in his voice.

Ignacy looked at Teodor, clearly surprised by the question.

- Ah... - he opened his mouth as if just now understanding what he meant. - No, it's more likely to happen to him. - he added, pointing at Jaśmin, who was desperately trying to avoid Nulla's blows.

- I understand. - Teodor nodded, as if everything suddenly made sense.

- He called her a cyborg. - Ignacy explained, still observing their struggle.

- Cyborg? - Teodor repeated, raising an eyebrow.

- Yeah. - Ignacy replied indifferently. - But with hair.

The redhead shook his head, muttering something under his breath so quietly that even Teodor, standing right next to him, couldn't hear it.

- By the way. - the blond suddenly began, as if remembering something. - Your hand.

- Not just the hand. - Ignacy replied, pulling a small silver pocket mirror from his dirty pants pocket. He slowly unfolded it and held it in front of his face, examining his reflection. His face twisted into an expression of dissatisfaction mixed with disgust. The left side of his face was covered with turquoise-blue scars that reached up to his eye. The scars twisted around the eye, forming complex patterns resembling the leaves of flowers that bloomed at night. There were so many that someone might think it was a deliberate effect. Additionally, they were arranged in a circle around his left eye. Silent Teodor watched his brother, and in one moment, he swallowed loudly when Ignacy snapped the mirror shut with a dull thud.

- Am I disgusting? - Ignacy asked, setting the mirror aside, his voice calm, but beneath that calmness, there was a hint of uncertainty.

- No. - Teodor replied quickly, too quickly. - You're not... rather... - he began, trying to comfort his brother, but with each word, he felt unsure of what to say. Should he mention some positives about the situation? That didn't seem appropriate, so he quickly turned his gaze toward the window.

Outside, the sky stretched out almost empty, devoid of stars. This sight made Teodor feel a strange emptiness in his heart. Had he ever looked at this same sky, feeling just as incomplete? Not wanting to dwell on it, he shook his head, trying to clear his mind, then returned his gaze to his distressed brother.

- What's our plan? - he asked unexpectedly, shifting the focus of the conversation not only from Ignacy but also from the other two.

- Good question. - replied messy-haired Nulla, her almost white hair flying around the ambulance. She glanced spitefully at Ignacy. - What do you, Mr. Activist, think about it? - she asked, her anger unmasked. She didn't feel sorry for her older brother. On the contrary, she believed all of this was his fault. The entire situation, their family problems – Ignacy was responsible. She rolled her eyes at his silence, full of disapproval.

- I stole the ambulance. - Jaśmin interrupted the silence, saying it with some pride.

Teodor sighed and added calmly: - I thought we should head to the activists' camp.

- What?! - Nulla's eyes widened in disbelief.

- I was thinking the same thing. - Ignacy finally spoke, not looking at his sister.

- So we need to get past the Fourth Wall. - Jaśmin thought aloud, ignoring the tension in the air.

- Great. - Nulla retorted sarcastically, but neither of the men paid attention to her. Her anger surged even more. Finally, unable to control herself, she dug her long nails into Jaśmin's arm, sitting next to her.

- ARE YOU CRAZY?! - Jaśmin shouted, jumping to his feet.

- Calm down! - Ignacy raised his voice, pulling Jaśmin closer to him. - Jaśmin, come here. - he said firmly, extending his hand to draw him closer.

- Anyway... - Teodor didn't let himself be distracted. - We should clarify the plan better. Getting out of here is one thing, but what's next?

Jaśmin, trapped in Ignacy's grip, narrowed his eyes.

- My sister lives in the third zone. - he said, and when Ignacy looked at him, his heterochromatic eyes were full of focus.

- Then we'll find Art.- Ignacy added, his voice suddenly faltering, as if he was searching for the right words. - He...- he hesitated. - I think he really knows our father.

- Stop.- Nulla almost jumped from her seat, her eyes wide with disbelief. - How do you know he's not lying? - she asked, sinking back into her seat.

- He talked about him a lot.- Ignacy continued, not looking at his sister. - And if Blue and Emi survived, then he...- he emphasized, staring into the distance. - He definitely knows where they are.

- I'm not worried about them.- Jaśmin assured him, shifting uncomfortably in the grip. - If you didn't see their dead bodies, then they're alive.- he said firmly, trying to pull away from Ignacy.

- You're that sure of it?- Nulla mocked, looking at him from beneath narrowed eyes.

- Blue is like a cockroach.- Jaśmin replied, still held by Ignacy. - You can cut off his head, and he'll still keep walking.- he said, suddenly tensing and pushing himself away from Ignacy. The latter, however, remained calm, as if nothing affected him.

- Is this Blue a guy?- Teodor asked, somewhat confused.

- He's my brother.- Jaśmin reminded him, looking at him with impatience.

- Emi is a guy too.- Ignacy added with a slight smile on his lips. - Did you think all this time that she was a woman? - he asked, turning his face toward the opposite wall, leaving Teodor silent.

- That's not a plan, it's suicide.- Nulla interrupted them, dragging the words with contempt. - Your plan is stupid.- she declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. - I don't even know if you can call it a plan.

- True.- Jaśmin agreed with her, his tone emotionless. - We have a lot of flaws.

- For now, let's head to the main gate. Then we'll somehow get through it.- Ignacy said, twisting his fingers as if thinking aloud. - After that, we'll go to your sister.- he added, briefly turning to Jaśmin. - And then... to Art.- he finished, looking at Teodor as if this was the final move.

- Great.- Nulla said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. - So we still don't have a plan.- she sighed, slumping in her seat as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

- We have a plan.- Ignacy protested, trying to sound more convincing than he felt.

- "Somehow"?!- Nulla mocked him, imitating his tone of voice, her white hair gleaming with nervous sparks of anger.

- Enough!.- Jaśmin interrupted them with a sudden shout, unable to hold the tension any longer. - We're almost there.- he added, staring out the window. Teodor also looked outside.

- Part of the White City looks much less sterile.- Teodor thought, his eyes following the changing landscape with fascination. Something in the view stirred mixed feelings in him, as if the ominous city was revealing its dark corners.

The view outside took his breath away and at the same time filled him with unease. The White City, shining from a distance like a pearl on the black veil of night, revealed its darker side upon closer inspection. From the vehicle's window, the view stretched out over deserted streets, which, despite the late hour, pulsed with strange, mechanical life. The city was bathed in bluish light emanating from tall street lamps, giving everything cold, almost inhuman shades. The buildings, like white monoliths, seemed cold and soulless, their smooth walls reflecting the glow of artificial light, turning the night into an endless, warmthless reality. Along the streets, bald male cyborgs moved, dressed in identical, tight white uniforms that accentuated their cold, mechanical nature. Their movements were synchronized, without hesitation or emotion, as if they were part of a large, perfectly functioning machine. Their faces, expressionless, reflected only the pale hue of the streetlight, and their bright, gray eyes seemed to search every corner, even though the city appeared completely deserted. From the height of the vehicle, you could see how the cyborgs patrolled their areas, scanning the surroundings for irregularities. There was nothing human in their movements; they were more like precisely programmed automata than living beings. At certain points, they stopped, their eyes casting bright white light, scanning beams over the buildings and sidewalks in search of anything that could disrupt the perfect silence of the night. Above the city, at roof level, digital 3D advertisements could be seen dancing - blue, vibrant, their constant flickering contrasting with the severity of the surrounding world. It seemed as though time had stopped for them in an endless loop, regardless of what was happening around them. The ads displayed abstract images, inscrutable symbols, and contextless faces, urging people to shop, though no one was watching, at least not at this hour. Traveling over this landscape, the siblings and Jaśmin saw how the outskirts of the White City were becoming increasingly surreal with each passing moment. Between the buildings, in places where the light didn't reach, the darkness thickened, and the atmosphere around was full of mystery. Teodor, despite the cold perfection of everything around him, felt that this place was dead, devoid of real life. He looked at the city with reluctance, and in his heart grew the conviction that something was deeply wrong here.

- "A city designed to control, but something went wrong."- he thought, a shiver of unease running through him. The digital ads, the lighting, the cyborgs - all of it made the city feel like a trap, one from which there was no escape, locked in its own cold, mechanical loop. It was hard for him to believe that he had once lived in such a place. Now, the city sent chills down his spine, as fear mixed with disgust, causing painful cramps in his stomach. He grabbed his lower abdomen with his left hand, massaging it.

Nulla was watching his movements sideways, having observed her brother's behavior for some time. Her mind was focused on what irritated her - the mechanical perfection and emptiness of this city. To her, everything here seemed too calculated, too far removed from human nature. "A dead world," she thought irritably, turning her gaze away from Teodor. Jaśmin, on the other hand, looked on with fascination. He couldn't believe his own eyes. A technological masterpiece - what had once fascinated him now seemed unreal. He opened his mouth, unable to suppress the disbelief that overwhelmed him at the sight of the city, because even though he tried with all his might to hate the world he lived in, these digital images, which he had never seen before, made his heart stop.

- Can I open the window? - Jaśmin asked, turning to Ignacy. Jaśmin was sitting next to the redhead, cross-legged but shifted a good two meters away, not feeling the need to get closer.

Nulla cast a glance at her older brother as Ignacy - the redhead - opened his mouth. Something was clearly bothering him, his gaze wandering over Jaśmin's brown hair.

- It can't be done.- she replied before Ignacy could say anything. - This is an ambulance.- she reminded him, shrugging.

Jaśmin, disappointed, turned back to the window, keeping his gaze on the surreal cityscape. Ignacy, however, took his eyes off the view outside, leaning heavily against the metal walls of the ambulance. Minutes of silence passed, and he, as always, tried to keep everything under control, looking for a solution.

- We need to stop somewhere soon.- he said after a moment, breaking the silence with his deep, firm voice. - We can't keep flying around... we don't know how long it will take them to find the ambulance.- he added, emphasizing the last word, though his expression betrayed that he was trying to keep his nerves in check.

Jaśmin, sitting cross-legged, kept his gaze fixed on the window, his eyes cold, almost haughty, as though the White City beneath him was simultaneously a fascinating and repulsive image. The technology surrounding him was extraordinary, flawless—but the city itself, what it represented, filled him with disgust.

- Blue taught me. - he finally said calmly, yet with clear pride. - Even if they wanted to find the ambulance, they wouldn't be able to. - he added, his lips curling into a slight, satisfied smile.

- So? - Teodor, with his eyes closed, asked almost absent-mindedly, lost in thoughts that never left him. The blond man stared at his reflection in the glass, images from his dreams flickering beneath his eyelids. The bluish figure appeared in them almost always, bringing confusion. Was "Blue" him? The one everyone was talking about? That name kept ringing in his ears, causing nausea from anger, helplessness, and memory loss. He felt like he was chasing someone he could never touch, someone who disappeared every time he reached out. Jaśmin watched him as he suddenly opened his eyes, as though waking from the exhausting thought. He jumped off his spot, drawing the attention of the others.

- Emi! - he shouted, throwing the name out as if he had finally understood something.

Jaśmin approached the window, his face, usually calm and cold, revealing that something had stirred within him. He stared at the white buildings, as though searching for something, something important, something that could solve their problem.

- Emi? - Nulla repeated, furrowing her brows in clear surprise.

- Emi. - Jaśmin confirmed, now certain of his words. - Emi used to live here. - he began, but suddenly fell silent as he felt a warm, large hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned his head, unsure of what to expect. Ignacy stood over him, a good half-meter taller, his hand on his shoulder, smiling as if a sudden understanding had dawned on him. In his left eye, blue, turquoise strands sparkled, slowly beginning to entwine his face, descending to the tips of his left fingers. Jaśmin, surprised and irritated, swallowed hard. He felt a growing sense of unease. The whole situation was too chaotic, too close. Instinctively, he took a step back, feeling cornered by Ignacy.

- What about this Emi? - Nulla interjected, as always practical and impatient, pulling the others' attention away from the strange interaction.

- Emi... - Ignacy began, clearly embarrassed. His hand slowly dropped from Jaśmin's neck, as if he wasn't sure what to do next. He stepped back slightly, trying to regain control over the emotions that had emerged in that sudden moment.

Jaśmin straightened, determination in his eyes as if trying to regain control over the situation. He turned away from Ignacy and returned to his spot next to Teodor, who was watching the scene with visible displeasure, casting a critical glance at his sister.

- Emi... - Jaśmin began again, trying to explain the situation. - Emi used to live here. Now, his house is our refuge when we need to disappear... in case of trouble. - he said, nervously fiddling with his fingers, as though his thoughts were still circling around what was really happening in the White City and what it meant for their situation.

Ignacy sighed deeply, once again lying down on the stretcher. He leaned on his elbows, looking directly at his sister, but his expression was calm, as though accepting what he had just heard.

- I understand. - he said slowly, though it was clear he was trying to control his emotions. - Do you know now? - he added, glancing at Jaśmin.

Teodor, who had been observing from the side, suddenly spoke up, furrowing his brows.

- I don't get it at all. - he admitted, glancing at one sibling, then the other.

Ignacy turned toward him, determination etched on his face.

- We're going there now. We'll park the ambulance, and then we'll take the morning train outside the walls. - he said confidently, as if trying to make sense of it all, even though the situation was far from simple.

- Then we'll go to Jaśmin's sister. - Teodor added, shifting his gaze from Ignacy to Jaśmin, who was still focused on the view outside the window.

- And then straight to Art. - Ignacy interjected, cutting off Nulla, who had already wanted to add something.

Jaśmin straightened a bit, staring at Ignacy.

- Supposedly simple. - he said, though there was clear doubt in his voice. He always saw problems where others saw solutions.

Ignacy looked at him with a hint of a smile, though his face quickly took on a more focused expression.

- Maybe it looks easy. - he agreed, Jaśmin narrowing his eyes. - But in practice... I'm not sure how it will turn out.

- We don't have a choice. - Ignacy reminded him, more firmly. - Maybe we'll find out why Teodor jumped. - he added, not needing to turn his head to feel his sister's disapproval. He could sense her gaze, as if she already had the criticism on the tip of her tongue.

- Blue. - Teodor quietly reminded them, as if his thoughts were drifting once again to that enigmatic figure.

- Yeah, Blue. - Ignacy repeated after him, with a slight shrug. - You'll see him eventually.

Teodor felt the weight of those words fall on his shoulders, overwhelming him. "Him"—he was finally going to meet the figure who appeared in his dreams. Was it really him? Was this the same person he had seen in the dark images of his subconscious? He felt his stomach tighten. The fear of discovering the truth, of confronting reality, grew stronger within him. The closer they were to achieving their goals, the more he wanted to run in the opposite direction. Was he a coward? Why was he so afraid? Cold sweat ran down his back, and the starless night sky outside the window reminded him of the icy eyes of the blue-haired figure he had seen in his dreams. The stars flickered in the sky like silver strands of her hair. Teodor lowered his head, staring at the white, pulsing floor of the ambulance, trying to break free from the overwhelming thoughts.

- So, I guess you really know Blue. - Jaśmin asked quietly, pulling Teodor out of his reverie.

The blonde had had enough of his own thoughts and sensed that Jaśmin might need a conversation to get rid of them, yet he didn't want to, or rather couldn't, respond. The monkey-like kid tilted his head, observing the gloomy, almost grave face of the blonde, waiting for his reaction. Teodor looked at him as if he were briefly considering whether it was worth replying.

- Emi? - Teodor asked, though the question sounded more like a statement, as if he were seeking confirmation of something he already knew.

- Emi used to live here with his whole family, - Jaśmin began, his voice trembling for a moment as if he were considering how much to say. - Blue... - he added quietly, lowering his tone to a whisper, as if afraid to say the name too loudly. - Blue once told me that when Emi was little, he went through some tests... it turned out he had too many circles. His older brother caused a scene, - he stopped suddenly, glancing at the window as if his words held something more, something he couldn't fully express yet.

- What happened next? - Teodor asked, seemingly emotionless, but more to kill time and occupy himself with anything other than his own thoughts.

Jaśmin, staring out at the passing buildings, answered without hesitation:

- They kicked him out. I don't know what happened after that or during... I only heard about it once when I was little. Blue tried to explain how the system works to me, - his voice trembled for a moment but quickly steadied.

- Just weak examples? - Nulla interjected, with clear irony in her voice, glancing at them from the corner of her eye.

- WEAK? - Jaśmin suddenly turned to her, fury in his eyes. He felt his body heat up from the emotion, and his face turned red with anger. In an instant, he wanted to scratch Nulla's eyes out. All the anger he had been hiding erupted in him like a volcano.

Ignacy immediately reacted, standing between them, his gaze serious.

- Why are you insulting his brother? - he asked firmly, looking Nulla straight in the eyes. - If it weren't for them, I could be dead, - he added with emphasis, as if he wanted his words to resonate strongly.

Nulla didn't lower her gaze, she didn't back down. She turned to Ignacy, speaking coldly: - If it weren't for them, nothing would have happened to you.

Ignacy knew Nulla was right. He understood her point of view and couldn't deny it. But something inside him wouldn't allow him to admit it aloud. He didn't want to agree with his sister, and even more, he didn't want to insult either Emi or Blue. With anger, he turned his gaze away from the albino, looking at the silent Teodor, who was staring out the window into the endless horizon, as if searching for answers to questions he couldn't voice.

- Jaśmin, - Ignacy suddenly called out, getting up from the stretcher. Jaśmin turned to him, his eyes slightly reddened, which stirred Ignacy's heart. He felt something starting to burn inside him, deep down. He wasn't sure what it was, but he couldn't ignore it. - We need to change course, - he added quietly, turning toward the control panel behind them.

Hearing this, Nulla felt overlooked. She had the impression that no matter how hard she tried to get attention, no one would look at her. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it, shaking her head. She felt like yelling at the brothers, expressing how much she hated them, but in the end, she just glanced from one to the other. She thought the newly introduced boy seemed more important to the brothers than she did. She turned away from everyone, staring at the life-monitoring machine.

- Fine, - Jaśmin replied loudly after a moment, skillfully sidestepping Ignacy, and then headed for the control station.

The control panel was truly a work of technological art. The smooth glass surface reflected a soft, bluish light that penetrated the delicate layers of organic glass. Like a galaxy seen through the Hubble telescope, the panel pulsated with life. The embossed, organic buttons responded to a gentle touch, changing color and temperature. Some buttons were flat and touch-sensitive, others slightly protruded, forming a three-dimensional pattern. In the center of the panel was a large, round display showing the most important information about the vehicle's and patient's condition. Surrounding the display were smaller, hexagonal displays showing additional data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. The whole thing was connected by subtle, glowing lines, creating an impression of fluidity and continuity. At this moment, it displayed everything related to the redhead lying on the stretcher. His face flickered on the 3D screen, and in the depths of the panel, LED diodes flashed, creating abstract patterns resembling star constellations. The diodes changed color and brightness depending on the user's mood and the vehicle's condition. Thanks to this, the panel not only served a practical purpose but also had a relaxing and calming effect. At one point, Teodor, curious, approached them, standing behind the redhead, leaning his head over, observing how the brunette's fingers danced over the smooth surface of the panel. It was like watching a surgeon operating on an open heart. Each touch, each button press caused subtle changes in the backlighting, like the pulsation of a vein. The panel was like a living organism, responding to every stimulus. Its smooth glass surface was like delicate skin, and the flickering LED diodes reminded Teodor of pulsating veins. He looked at his brother's left shoulder, and his gaze shifted to the hand, which simply hung quietly. The golden-haired one's gaze bored into him as he watched Jaśmin at work.

- Are you sure? - he asked, straightening up toward Ignacy.

- I know the address, - Jaśmin replied tiredly.

- I thought this was your first mission? - Teodor looked at the boy questioningly.

- Blue told me about it, - he replied over his shoulder.

The offended albino girl remained silent, staring at the white walls of the vehicle.

- We should be there in a few minutes, - he said, turning to the men standing behind him.

The brunette closed his eyelids, hoping the brothers would move away from him. However, they exchanged surprised glances at the behavior of the monkey-like child.

- Are you feeling okay? - Ignacy asked, raising his right hand. The redhead wanted to check his body's condition; he had the impression that the kid standing before him was burning up. - Is it a fever? - he wondered quietly.

Jaśmin gently opened his eyelids.

- MOVE AWAY! - he replied, pushing through the barriers.

Embarrassed, Teodor looked at Ignacy, who was turning toward the brunette. The blonde scratched his head and then sat on the exceptionally soft stretcher. Lying on it, he felt as if he were sitting on a soft, fluffy cloud. The spot previously occupied by Teodor was now taken by Jaśmin, who was staring out the window at the night face of the city, scanning the urban jungle.

- I see it! - he exclaimed, pointing his finger at one of the roofs of metal houses standing close together. - It's Emi's house! - he shouted joyfully, proud that the whole picture of the building matched the description given by his brother.

- Quiet! - the albino turned, reluctantly showing a displeased face as she looked at the men staring out the windows.

- Where do you see it? - Teodor asked, ignoring his sister, who had stood up from the stretcher.

- There! - Jaśmin pointed, and Teodor nearly pressed his nose against the window.

The roof of the white house, one of the most distinctive elements of its architecture, caught Teodor's eye with its unusual shape. Made of the same cold, smooth material as the rest of the building, it seemed to organically rise from the walls, smoothly transitioning from a slightly convex, oval form at the center to almost flat edges that gently sloped toward the outer walls. Initially, the roof arched gently, giving it an oval shape, but the closer they got to the building, the more the roof changed – it dispersed and smoothed out, almost becoming completely flat at the edges. This fluidity of form made the roof seem both solid and delicate, as though it were floating above the rest of the building, yet still irrevocably connected to it. The roof's surface lacked traditional elements, such as tiles or chimneys, further emphasizing its minimalism and raw aesthetic. Instead, the surface was uniform, smooth, reflecting the pale blue light from the street lamps. Upon closer inspection, Teodor noticed subtle signs of wear and irregularities, as though the roof had been exposed to the ravages of time and weather, even though the entire building seemed locked in its timeless, dead form.

- Where are we landing? - Ignacy asked, breaking the silence.

- There's a large backyard behind the house, - the brunette replied, turning to him. Their gazes met; Jaśmin saw something in Ignacy's irises that made them both fall silent. Jaśmin's chest rose slightly as he inhaled. The boy began breathing heavily, waiting for any movement from Ignacy, who seemed to be thinking about something.

- You're burning up! - the redhead finally said, pointing his right hand at the brunette's stomach. - Your wounds aren't healed yet, are they? - he asked with concern.

- How big is the backyard? - Nulla asked, standing up. - Won't they detect us if we land there?

- What? - Jaśmin quickly shook his head, stepping away from Ignacy. - No, they won't detect us, - he reassured the girl, straightening his shirt.

- Your cheeks, - Ignacy pointed to Jaśmin's face. - They're all red. - He took two quick steps toward him.

- There are drones flying around the city, too, - Nulla reminded, stepping closer. - It's not just the cyborgs.

- In that case, we can hide the paper in the garage and think about what to do with it later, - he said, moving away from the golden-haired brunette.

- It's pointless, - Teodor interrupted, turning away from the window. - We should escape the city by morning, anyway, - he reminded them, looking at the albino.

- Right, - she nodded. - So we just need to make sure we don't get caught before morning, right? - The girl fell silent, sitting back down.

- Did you change the bandages? - Ignacy asked quietly, leaning over Jaśmin.

- I did, - the monkey-like boy quickly responded, averting his gaze. - We're almost there, - he added, walking over to the silent Teodor, who was staring intently at the white floor.

***

The White House, in front of which the four of them stood, emerged from the dark scenery, revealing a more complex and unsettling architecture than they had initially assumed. The smooth walls, made of cold, almost marble-like material, were interrupted by narrow, tall windows that stretched up the entire height of the building. These gaps seemed more functional than decorative, as if their only purpose was to let in the minimal amount of light, leaving the rest in darkness. The windows, placed symmetrically, carried a raw, even repellent character; their simplicity and lack of ornamentation gave them the impression of dead eyes watching the group, seeking new victims. The glass was dark, perhaps slightly dirty, reflecting only the cold light of street lamps, not revealing any signs of life inside. However, what drew the children's attention the most was the surreal balcony, which seemed to grow out of the side of the building like an ill-fitting addition, chaotic and irregular, with sharp edges and asymmetrical lines. It looked like a rough, unfinished construction, maybe a prototype of something that was never meant to be fully realized. The balcony seemed disproportionately large compared to the rest of the building, as if its designer wanted it to dominate its surroundings. The high, slightly tilted railing, with equally raw and cold lines, did not inspire trust.

- Well... - Ignacy sighed, looking for support in the gazes of the others. His natural enthusiasm clashed with the growing fear. - I guess we have to go in.

- You want to go in there?! - Nulla asked, horrified, grabbing his left wrist tightly, her voice trembling. The fear she felt was like a sharp knife stabbing into her insides.

- Go in. - Teodor, gripped by fear, pushed Ignacy forward. His voice shook, and his eyes sparkled with fear.

- What are you doing?! - Nulla cried out, panic in her voice.

- Someone has to go in! - Teodor replied, pale as the house's walls, his mind filled with chaos.

- I'll go first! - Jaśmin suggested, stepping out from behind the others. His cool logic couldn't ignore that this was their last chance. - After all, it's Emi's house. - he added, dismissing his fear.

- What are you doing?! - Ignacy shouted, repeating his sister's words, grabbing the kid known as "Małpi" and pulling him along.

- I'm the oldest, I'll go in. - he added, refusing to back down.

- And Teodor? - Jaśmin asked uncertainly.

- He doesn't remember anything right now! - Ignacy replied, his worried eyes betraying his concerns.

- I don't know if this is a good idea. - Nulla said, stepping back as if she wanted to escape from the terrifying vision. - Maybe we should wait until morning in the ambulance! - she suggested, her heart racing.

- If they're locked, then we'll do that! - Teodor said, standing behind the blonde girl, but his mind was full of questions.

- There's no point in being afraid! - Ignacy replied, freeing his hand from his brother's grip, his determination growing. He grabbed the black door handle, and his heart beat faster. He carefully turned it. - It's open! - he shouted, turning to his siblings, hope flickering in his eyes.

In an instant, the door slightly opened, and the three standing behind Ignacy were terrified. Teodor, halted by fear, almost fell backward, and Ignacy, rooted to the ground, froze. From behind the door, a white hand appeared, gripping his left arm tightly and pulling the redhead inside. The silver door slammed shut with an incredibly loud bang. The blonde girl covered her eyes in horror, and the entire group fell into silence for a good two minutes, until the brunette, breaking the fear, took a step forward.

- What are you doing? - the blonde girl called out, panic in her voice.

- What am I supposed to do? - Jaśmin asked sarcastically, but his heart was racing too. - I'm going in!

- SOMETHING PULLED HIM IN! - Teodor screamed, unable to believe what was happening.

Suddenly, a blue streetlight directed its beams straight at the trio standing in front of the house.

- We have to go in! - Nulla said in panic, gently approaching the door, standing beside Jaśmin, who was staring at it. Her determination clashed with her fear.

- You want to go first? - he asked, looking at her with concern.

- What are you doing?! - Teodor shouted, starting to lose his patience.

- You go first! - the girl replied after a moment, her confidence clashing with her fear.

- Me? - he asked, surprised but also full of doubt.

- IDIOTS! - Teodor shouted, walking up to them, his voice sounding like a warning.

The teenagers ignored his words, still staring at the metal door reflecting the blue streaks of streetlight.

- What about him? - Jaśmin asked, glancing over his shoulder.

- Teodor! - Nulla cried urgently, her voice full of desperation.

The blonde guy watched her back, tilting his head right and then left, his anxiety growing.

- I'm not going! - he yelled, his voice full of fear.

- Stay on watch! - the blonde girl shouted. - Are we going in? - she asked, looking directly at the brunette.

- Are you going? - Teodor asked, his voice sounding like the squeak of a panicked mouse. Seeing the exchanged glance between the two, he couldn't wait any longer. Fear tightened his throat, but he wouldn't let it stop him. With a firm step, he moved toward the door, trying to shake off the panic that threatened to crush him. He closed his eyes, as if that could block the fear, and ran into the dark, silver gates that had been waiting for his decision. Adrenaline surged through his veins, and his heart beat so loudly he felt it might tear through his chest. The moment he plunged into the darkness, he understood there was no turning back. Behind him, Nulla's voice called out in worry, intensifying his sense of guilt.

- Teodor! - she shouted, but had no time for more. The look of surprise vanished from her face, replaced by determination. She immediately ran after him, still unsure, but refusing to hesitate. Her footsteps echoed in the dark.

Right behind her, Jaśmin entered, cautiously, as if he knew that everything behind them could fall apart at any moment, but he had no choice. He had to go. The three of them vanished into the darkness, sinking into a space that seemed to devour their will, as if this step was the last one they truly had.