The hospital had turned into a trap.
Alarms screamed as Black Orchid operatives moved through the corridors in formation. Controlled. Precise.
"Left!" Abbie shouted, pulling Alex into a side corridor.
Footsteps followed immediately.
Alex glanced back. More operatives were entering behind them.
"They've sealed all exits," Abbie said, checking the wall panel. "We're locked in."
"They're not blocking us," Alex said quietly. "They're splitting us."
A door ahead burst open. Another team entered.
They were surrounded.
"This way!" Abbie pulled him into a narrow staff corridor.
The door slammed shut behind them.
For a brief moment—silence.
Then a soft mechanical sound.
Click.
Both froze.
A black device rolled into the hallway. Red light blinking.
"Alex… move," Abbie said.
The device beeped.
Once.
Twice.
"Run!" Alex grabbed her hand.
They sprinted.
A pulse hit the corridor behind them.
The lights flickered. Screens shut down. The air shifted sharply.
Abbie stumbled.
Her grip slipped from his hand.
"Abbie!"
A Black Orchid operative emerged through the distortion and struck her with a stun device. She collapsed instantly.
"No!" Alex moved toward her—
He was hit from the side and slammed into the wall.
Pain spread through his body.
Abbie was lifted immediately by two operatives.
"Alex!" she shouted. "Don't stop!"
Alex tried to stand, but another strike pinned him down.
She reached toward him.
He reached back.
Their hands almost connected.
A reinforced barrier dropped from the ceiling between them.
Metal sealed the corridor.
Separation complete.
"Open it!" Alex hit the barrier. "Open it!"
No response.
Her voice came faintly from the other side.
"Alex!"
Then silence.
Alex stood, breathing heavily, fists shaking.
The intercom activated.
Victor Hale's voice.
"Subject A-17."
Alex froze.
Victor continued.
"Separation is standard retrieval protocol."
"Where is she?" Alex asked.
A pause.
"She is going to be a weakness , don't prioritize her now ."Vicyor said with urgency in his voice
"Your survival is."
The line ended.
Alex stood alone in the corridor.
No Abbie.
No direction.
Only silence and a system that had already begun its next phase.