For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the creaking of the metal bars of the tower. Sam's fingers drummed against the railing.
"You still thinking about the map?" Sam asked finally.
Ethan nodded, "There's something about that door—whatever it is, it's got to mean a way out. Mark and Elena lost their members trying to find it, but I believe we can make it this time."
Sam questioned, "You really think there's an exit?"
Ethan leaned against the railing beside him, his eyes scanning the stars, "There has to be. None of this makes sense otherwise."
Sam stared at him. None of this made sense to Ethan, because Ethan didn't know. He didn't know the project name. He didn't know the cameras, the scientists, the long list of subjects before them. He didn't know that every decision, every fight, every glance had already been noted somewhere behind glass.
Sam swallowed the guilt of his secret that always surfaced when he thought too hard about it.
"North still looks like the best path," Ethan continued, gesturing vaguely toward the dark outline of the forest. "There's another ridge that Group A marked, and maybe another campsite. If we follow the stream, we might—"
Sam cut him off quietly, "You've been doing a lot of thinking."
Ethan studied him for a moment, "You sound like you already have a plan."
Sam shrugged, "Maybe I just know what happens when people push too hard. They make mistakes."
They locked eyes briefly, tension hovering like static between them. Ethan looked away first, exhaling, "We'll rest tomorrow morning, then move out. That's the plan. Goodnight, Sam."
He disappeared through the door, his footsteps echoing down the metal staircase.
When the sound faded, the fake smile on Sam's face slipped away. He leaned back against the railing. The night air was colder now, threading through his hair and shirt like needles. The forest below shifted with the wind, branches rustling.
He waited until he was sure he was alone before taking the small device from his pocket—a small black earpiece and mic. He pressed a sequence on the side. It crackled once, then a calm, clipped voice came through.
"Subject B-5. You're late with your report."
Sam exhaled, lowering his head, "Had to wait until they were asleep."
There was a pause. Then another voice entered the line—deeper, smoother, colder. "Sam."
He froze. The tone was unmistakable. "Dad."
Dr. Kessler's voice spoke sternly, "I was expecting your update an hour ago. What's the status?"
"We found the tower Group A marked. It's intact. Two survivors from the first group are here. They're weak, but alive."
Mr. Kessler hummed, "Good. Their vitals have been stable on our end. Continue observation. And the others?"
"Maya's been keeping everyone together. Rory—he's different lately. Lena's sick. Ethan's…" Sam's jaw tightened, "He's trying to take charge."
His father chuckled, "He's the natural leader type, and you resent that?"
"I just don't like him... I should be in charge here," Sam muttered.
"Don't let emotion compromise your cover," his father warned, "Remember, we're observing behavior under pressure, not altering it."
Sam's throat tightened. "What if his behavior gets people killed?"
"Enough!"
Sam jolted.
"I understand perfectly," Kessler said, his voice softening, "You volunteered for this, remember? You knew what the job required."
Sam's throat went dry. He remembered. Every moment of it—the recruitment, the contract, the sterile handshake, the promise that he'd be part of something historic.
"You're doing well," Kessler continued, "But don't act impulsively. Not yet. Phase 3 is approaching, and we need clean psychological data."
Sam frowned, "Phase 3 already? I barely survived Phase 2."
"You will be fine, I'm watching over you. Do not interfere unless you're told. Your job is survival. Nothing heroic, nothing stupid. For now, maintain your position and observe."
Sam swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Stay in character. And remember—they are not your friends. If anyone interrupts the mission...eliminate them."
Static crackled, and the line ended. Sam sighed, feeling a mixture of guilt and pride. He stood there for a long time, staring at the blinking light on the transmitter before slipping it back into his pocket.
He thought...Why do I feel like this? I can't be caught up in my emotions. I'm here to ensure Dad's experiment is a success. They are just tools to me.
He turned and went inside, closing the balcony door behind him.
Day 5
The dawn came softly, spilling pale gold through the mist that clung to the forest floor. The wind blows over the tower with a gentle chill. She hadn't slept much, her fingers stiff from the cold.
"Food's almost packed," Mark said behind her, his voice rough from sleep. He was stuffing fruit into a torn backpack—mangoes, a few small apples, some dried roots they'd found near the stream.
Rory crouched next to her, "You look like you didn't sleep."
"Did anyone?"
Rory gave a soft laugh and shook his head, "Fair point."
He paused and lifted his hand, slightly moving a strand of hair from her face.
Maya felt a slight blush across her face and looked away shyly.
They shared a brief silence, the only sound being the wind brushing through the trees outside.
Rory smiled, "We'll get through today. I know we will."
Something in his tone made her chest ache. She wanted to believe him, wanted to hold onto the tiny spark of reassurance his voice carried.
Ethan appeared from the tower doorway, "Let's move in twenty," he called, slinging his pack over one shoulder, "We'll follow the ridge north. Mark the turns we take."
Elena came in shortly after. "I hope you all are okay," She looked toward Mark, who was still packing, "I'm glad we have company to go back out there."
Mark nodded, "Couldn't agree more, sis."
Maya asked, "You two are siblings?"
Elena chuckles, "Yes, sorry we didn't tell you. He's the oldest."
"No wonder you two looked alike," Ethan said.
Lena stirred under her blanket, holding her stomach.
"Lena, are you okay?" Maya kneels gently, touching her shoulder in concern.
Lena suddenly got up and ran to the sink, vomiting. Elena came over to the two not long after with some water, closing the door, "Is she ok?"
"I don't know, I guess she is still sick."
"I'm fine," Lena said, wiping her mouth. An unreadable expression on her face.
Elena gave her the water, and she drank slowly.
Not long after, they went back into the open room. The men were oblivious to what had happened. Lost in their discussions. Sam emerged up the stairs last, adjusting his pack with an easy grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Morning, everyone. Looks like a good day for hiking."
"Morning, Sam." Maya and Ethan said in sync.
Rory raised an eyebrow. "You're up late."
"Long night. But can't wait to explore again." Sam replied. His voice was light, but Maya noticed the faint twitch in his jaw. Something about him seemed different this morning—colder, quieter. His gaze flicked toward Ethan once, expression unreadable, then he turned away.
Mark handed over a folded piece of paper to Ethan, edges frayed and stained. "That's all we have left of the old map," he said, "We marked every path we tried. Most lead nowhere. The ones that do…" He hesitated. "You'll know when you get there."
Elena watched them with a tired gaze. "Don't go looking for it unless you have to. It's not what you think."
"What do you mean?" Maya asked.
Elena just shook her head, "Everyone who tried never came back."
Mark adjusted the strap on his shoulder, "She's right, we lost six people in one week. After that, we stopped trying to reach it. Stayed near the tower until food ran out."
Ethan folded the map and slipped it into his jacket. "We'll find out what's north. If there's actually a door like you said, you two are the only hope we have of getting out oh here alive."
Sam stepped closer, agreeing, "Ethan is right. You two have been here longer than we have. We need your help."
"Please..." Lena added.
Elena looked at them keenly and then sighed, "Ok, fine. But we have to stick together no matter what."
"Yes! Let's go." Rory said happily as he grabbed Maya's arms, and they both skipped down the stairs. Maya giggles at his enthusiasm.
And with that, the seven of them headed out into the dense forest once more. Now with the surviving members of Group A, in hopes that they can all find The Door and make it out of this mysterious place alive. But beneath the friendly atmosphere, words are left unsaid, and jealousy arises.