Two years had passed since Youri was thrown into the Institute of Potential. In that time, Knox had performed countless experiments on him—so many that Youri no longer had tears left to shed. Every week, Knox would grind his tools into some part of Youri's body, leaving him immobile for days. The only thing that kept him sane were the late-night talks with his old friend Flavio.
Every night, Flavio spoke of his adventures in space—the places he had visited, the strange wonders the universe hid. He was the first to tell Youri about the Barak Rings. He described them as relics of no known age, so ancient that myths had spread across galaxies about their mysterious purpose. Those nights meant everything to Youri, tiny sparks of light in the dark pit he lived in.
But luck rarely stayed. One day, when Flavio was dragged back to his cell after another experiment, something was wrong. His head was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, and when he finally regained consciousness, he rose slowly, like someone waking into a world they didn't recognize.
Youri called out, "Hey Flavio, are you all right?"
Flavio jerked back and shouted, "Who are you!? Leave me alone!"
Youri froze, shocked. "It's me—Youri. Your friend. What happened in there?"
Flavio scratched at his cheek, dazed and unfocused. "I don't know you. Don't bother me." He turned his back, curled on the floor, and tried to sleep on the cold floor.
Youri sank to the ground, his chest hollow. His only friend, the one person who kept him going, no longer knew him—no longer even wanted to speak.
The next day, Andy arrived for Youri's turn in the lab. Andy strapped him tightly to the metal table and left. Moments later, Knox entered wearing his usual cruel smile.
"You seem upset, my boy," Knox said. "What's bothering you?"
Youri glared. "What did you do to Flavio?"
Knox laughed, amused. "Oh, pure boy… you should be happy. I merely unlocked his potential."
"What happened to his head?" Youri spat.
"That," Knox replied, "is his true self. I simply switched off the part of him that felt pain. The old fool should be grateful."
"You monster!" Youri shouted.
Knox only chuckled as he injected a clear fluid into Youri's arm—one of his paralytic sedatives that dragged him into unconsciousness.
Youri awoke groggily, slumped over Andy's shoulder. Somehow the drug had worn off earlier than usual. Through blurred vision, he saw the keys hanging on Andy's belt. Not just one key—all the keys. Every door in the facility.
Youri's mind sharpened. This was a chance.
Slowly, painfully, he reached a weak hand down and slid one key free. He closed his fist around it just as Andy tossed him back into his cell. Andy tried to lock the door, but the missing key confused him.
He scratched his head, muttered to himself, and wandered off to search for it—leaving Youri's cell unlocked.
Youri forced himself upright. His legs trembled, his ribs burned, but he knew Andy would return soon. He had to move.
He limped down the corridor, each step sharp with pain. Ahead, he spotted a metal door. He pressed the handle—it opened. Unlocked.
Inside was a cramped surveillance room filled with glowing monitors. As he stepped closer, one of the screens showed Andy sprinting toward this exact room. He had realized Youri was gone.
Youri froze for only a second. Then he scanned the room. A locker stood against the wall. Inside were coils of cable, metal bars, and a small compact device. He picked it up. A button on its side clicked. Sparks snapped between its prongs.
A taser.
He clutched it tight.
The door burst open. Andy charged in, chains rattling. He lunged to pin Youri down, but as his hands closed around Youri's arms, Youri's thumb hit the button. The taser pressed against Andy's neck.
A burst of electricity cracked through the air.
Andy collapsed instantly, convulsing, then slumping motionless on the floor.
Youri rolled free, gasping. For a moment he thought he had killed Andy—but there was no time to dwell on it. He pried the full keyring off Andy's belt, stood shakily, and turned to the monitors.
Knox wasn't nearby.
Good.
Youri raced down the corridor, unlocking every cell he passed. Doors swung open. Prisoners stumbled out—some limping, some screaming, some crying, some filled with sudden desperate hope. The hallway erupted into chaos.
When he reached Flavio's cell, Youri opened the door gently.
"Come on, Flavio," he said softly. "This is our chance. I found the slip."
Flavio didn't move. He sat crumpled in a corner, hollow-eyed. "Leave me alone."
A single tear slid down Youri's cheek. He knelt beside him and wrapped his arms around him in a tight, long-held hug.
"I always wanted to do this," Youri whispered. "Thank you, Flavio. Thank you for being the only light in this place."
He stood, wiped his face, and said, voice breaking, "Don't stay here. I'll be outside waiting."
Youri ran to the lab entrance—the only known exit. He pushed the door open—and there stood Knox.
Knox froze when he saw Youri. Confusion flickered across his face, quickly replaced by anger.
Before Knox could speak, Youri raised the taser and fired. Electricity snapped as the prongs struck Knox's leg. Knox screamed and crashed to the ground.
A wave of freed test subjects poured in behind Youri, filling the doorway with shouts and staggering bodies.
Youri stepped forward. Knox climbed back to his feet, trembling but smiling, wiping blood from his lip.
"Who is responsible for this?" Knox demanded.
Youri met his eyes without fear. "You."
Knox's left eye twitched. He lunged.
Youri triggered the taser again, catching Knox in the ribs. Knox dropped to one knee, gasping.
"I'm no longer your toy," Youri said. "And I'll show the whole world what kind of monster you really are."
Knox started laughing. A deep, broken, unhinged laugh.
"Monster?" he wheezed. "Oh, my boy… you haven't seen a true monster yet."