After Adam spoke those words with unwavering conviction, Everett stared at him in silence, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes—like he'd been waiting for this moment for a very long time. He rose from his chair slowly, a faint smile of admiration on his face. His steps were steady, but the sound of them against the floor sent a jolt through Adam, who wasn't quite sure what to expect.
Everett approached him, looked him straight in the eyes, then extended his hand.
"When we first met… we didn't shake hands. But now, I'm proud of your decision—more than you know."
A chill ran down Adam's spine—not from fear, but from a sudden surge of determination. For a fleeting second, he felt like he could bring the whole system down. He smiled, extended his hand, and replied:
"Then… let this handshake mark the beginning of the true revolution."
Everett gripped his hand firmly, with a strength that spoke of resolve, then released it and returned to his seat.
In the brief silence that followed, Adam turned toward Ziv and Lina, attempting to break the tension with a light smile.
"Are you two siblings? You look so much alike."
Ziv's face remained serious, while Lina burst out laughing, a soft sound that seemed to pull her briefly back into her humanity.
"Yes, he's my little brother. He looks a lot like me, don't you think?"
Adam responded, a bit flustered:
"I suppose so... But are you really older than him, Miss Lina?"
She laughed again, as if trying to shake off the weight of the world.
"Do I really look that old?"
Ziv's frown deepened as he shot Adam a glare that clearly said, Enough.
Adam rubbed the back of his head, sweat forming on his brow. Regret settled over him like a fog as he muttered:
"Sorry… I haven't spoken to real people in months. I guess I've forgotten how to be polite."
Lina shot Ziv a silent look that said, Let it go. Don't ruin the moment.
Then she turned to Adam and said gently:
"It's alright. Beauty and age don't really matter anymore. Don't worry about it."
Adam smiled, though behind that smile was something heavier—something unspoken.
Suddenly, Everett stood again.
"Adam. Come with me. I'll show you your room. You need rest—more than anything else right now."
But Adam, fire building inside him, turned to Everett with quiet urgency:
"I don't want rest. I want us to start talking about solutions. We don't have time to waste."
Everett's expression shifted. His tone sharpened:
"The only way to think clearly… is to stop thinking, at least for now. Follow me—and don't argue."
Adam hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded silently and followed Everett out of the room.
As he walked away, he heard Ziv mutter behind him, voice laced with sarcasm:
"You don't refuse orders from the Commander. Don't even try."
There was a smug little grin on Ziv's face. But Adam just offered him a calm, knowing smile—and said nothing.
The hallway outside didn't feel like a bunker at all. It was more like a hidden international compound: red carpets, polished steel walls, glowing data screens, neatly displayed weapons, motorcycles… Everything about it radiated quiet power and readiness.
Everett led him to a room and handed him a plain black uniform to change out of his gray civilian clothes.
Adam nodded in gratitude and stepped inside.
The room was simple—just a clean bed and a desk—but somehow, it felt… human. Grounding.
He looked at the bed and hesitated.
"Am I really supposed to sleep now?" he whispered to himself.
Still, he stripped off his old clothes, changed into the new uniform, and lay down.
It didn't take long before his mind slipped into a restless sleep… and the dream came.
He was lying down, surrounded by figures in white coats. A blinding light shone overhead. Shadows moved. Faces spoke in whispers. Something was being done to his head…
Then—Bang!The door crashed open.
He shot upright, breath caught in his chest.
Ziv was standing in the doorway, shouting:
"They found us! We have to go—now!"