Chapter 12

Liam rubbed his wrist, the feeling of freedom slowly sinking in as the tight band that had confined him was now gone. The sensation was almost foreign, a subtle relief that he hadn't realized he'd been missing until now. He flexed his fingers, watching the way his hand moved without restriction, a small comfort in a world that had offered so little.

Ashton, who had been standing near the group, turned to face those who had been freed. His expression was a mixture of calm and determination. "Alright! Follow me," he called out, his voice cutting through the murmur of the prisoners. Without another word, he began to move, the others trailing behind him, including Liam, who had been too stunned to speak. He could feel the weight of their collective exhaustion, the hunger in their eyes, but there was something else, hope. A spark, however small, was beginning to flicker.

As they moved down the narrow corridors, the stench of death and decay grew stronger. The walls were smeared with dark streaks, and the floor was littered with dismembered bodies. Blood pooled in the cracks, staining the concrete with the evidence of carnage. The faint scent of rotting flesh hung in the air, causing a few people in the group to gag, one prisoner even doubling over and vomiting in the corner. Liam could barely look at the devastation, his stomach churning as they passed the grisly scenes. The horror of it was almost too much to comprehend, yet there was no time to stop, no time to process it. They had to keep moving.

They continued through the grim hallways until they reached the end of one corridor where the walls had been blasted inward. A large hole gaped open, evidence of the destruction that had been wrought to gain access to this place. The outside world was revealed in the daylight—an overgrown forest stretching out beyond the crumbling facility. In the center of the clearing stood a figure, unnervingly tall and thin, its form strange and imposing. It turned its head, eyes darting nervously in all directions, as if it were waiting for something, or someone.

"Stay close," Ashton ordered, gesturing for the group to gather together. He moved toward the figure, the others following his lead. Liam could feel the chill of the forest air against his skin, the fresh scent of earth and leaves almost a relief after the fetid staleness of the prison. Ashton instructed everyone to hold hands with the person next to them, a simple command that felt oddly comforting in the moment. It was as though they were forming some kind of bond, a safety net in this strange new reality.

As soon as they were connected, Ashton nodded to the tall figure, the Slenderman. The creature's eyes flicked over the group, and without hesitation, it reached out with long, spindly arms. Liam felt a familiar pull, a sudden disorienting rush as they were transported in an instant. The world around them blurred, then snapped back into focus as they found themselves in a completely different place.

The room they emerged into was enormous, its high ceilings lost in shadow. The walls curved upward, forming a vast rotunda, a space that seemed too large to be underground. The air was cleaner here, cooler, and there was a quiet hum, like the pulse of some living thing. The group stood for a moment, absorbing their surroundings, before Ashton gave another order.

"Sit down," he said, his voice softer now, more measured. The group complied without question, their minds too uncertain to argue. Liam sank onto the floor, his mind still reeling from the abrupt shift in reality. As he looked around at the others, he noticed their faces, many wore expressions of disbelief, some still too shell-shocked to comprehend what had just happened. His own thoughts swirled, a mixture of questions, confusion, and a deep, gnawing fear.

He sat there, trying to make sense of it all, when the sound of footsteps echoed from behind. Ashton returned, this time accompanied by a woman. She was striking, standing tall with a presence that seemed to fill the room the moment she entered. Her long, dark black hair cascaded down her back in sleek, silky waves, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost ethereal. She had sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to pierce through the room, scanning each person with a look that carried both curiosity and command. Her gaze was intense but calculated, as if she could see past all the surface layers, reading the hidden fears and hopes of those in the room.

Her features were sharp and refined, the high cheekbones and strong jawline giving her an air of regal sophistication, while the soft curve of her lips hinted at an underlying warmth—though one that felt distant and reserved. Every move she made was graceful, deliberate, and yet carried an undeniable strength, as though she were always in control of both herself and the situation. Her posture was impeccable, exuding confidence without the need for any overbearing gestures. She stood with a kind of silent authority, her very presence demanding attention without needing to say a word.

As she moved further into the room, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The air felt heavier, charged with the energy she carried. There was something magnetic about her—a quiet yet undeniable allure that drew the eyes of every person in the room. Even Ashton, who had been guiding them, seemed to step back a little, yielding to her presence. There was no mistaking it; this woman was someone who commanded respect, someone who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted.

"Welcome," she said, her voice calm and composed, yet carrying an undercurrent of something more. "You are safe here, for now."

Liam listened closely as she spoke, her words sinking in slowly. "What you've just stepped into is Sanctuary," she continued. "It was once an abandoned facility, long forgotten, but it has been refurbished, restored to be a place of safety. Here, you will find shelter, peace, and a chance to rebuild. This is where you will be protected from the government." Her gaze swept over the group, taking in the ragged, exhausted faces before her. "For some of you, this will be a new beginning."

Liam felt a flicker of hope again, but it was tempered by the weight of her next words. "You are not ordinary people," she said. "We call you the Ascendants, those who were born to surpass, to evolve. Here, you will be given a purpose."

There was a pause before she continued. "We will protect you from the world outside, but there are rules. For your safety and the safety of others, you cannot contact your families. Not yet. Perhaps one day, but not now. The outside world is too dangerous."

Some of the prisoners began to murmur, voices rising in protest. Liam could hear someone asking about their families, and their loved ones, but the woman remained calm. "For now, you will be safe here. You will have time to recover, to adapt. You will be separated, men from women, to different holding areas. But this is just the beginning."

She turned to the guards who had followed her into the room, their faces impassive. "Take them to their designated areas," she instructed, her voice cutting through the murmurs. The guards moved swiftly, ushering the men and women to separate parts of the facility.

Liam was led away by one of the guards, his mind still spinning. The reality of what had just happened was sinking in, and with it, the weight of the choices he would have to make in the coming days. He couldn't shake the thought of the woman's words. The Ascendants. What did that mean? Why were they different from everyone else? And what did the future hold for them in this strange, new world?