The silence weighed on their shoulders like a lead blanket. In the dim light of the cell, every breath felt like betrayal, every heartbeat a war drum.All eyes had turned to Kenzo, hanging on his every word.
A plan.
It might be their only hope.
Even those who, just hours before, had given up all thought of survival lifted their heads. The word had rekindled a spark. A fragile glimmer in the darkness.
Kenzo felt his heart pounding harder. He wanted to believe.
He had to believe.
Yareth, leaning against the metal wall, frowned. He hadn't expected Kenzo to actually have a plan.
Kenzo took a breath, and his voice rose:
– « Yareth, you're the newest one here. And me, I don't really keep track of dates… Do you know how long until the Revelation? »
Yareth raised his head, his deep voice echoing off the walls.
– « The Revelation is in three days. That gives us exactly seventy-two hours to get out of here… or die. »
Kenzo slowly nodded, his eyes shining with determination.
– « Alright. I watched how they bring in the meals. The guard on the left has a leg injury. He always changes the chain on his rifle when he comes in. He's slow. If we can shove him, make him fall or disarm him… we'll have an opening. »
Another boy, who had been silent until then, whispered in a trembling voice:
– « And the chains? You need a key to open them… »
A smile spread across Kenzo's lips.
– « Exactly. The key is attached to the kidnapper's belt. He comes every morning to check the chains. They line us up so we can relieve ourselves, then they put us back in the truck between the sixth and seventh solar hour. And… he's arrogant. Thinks he's untouchable. »
He paused, then added, more solemnly:
– « Also, sunrise happens around the eighth hour. We'll need to escape before that. For those chosen for the Revelation… I advise you to run, or find a hiding spot and wait for the eight minutes to pass. And for the mute ones… run as far as you can. Get to the nearest place with civilization. »
A murmur passed through the group. The seed of a plan. A promise of escape.
Kenzo felt something stir inside him. Boldness? Courage? He didn't know. But he took a deep breath.
– « We'll need a signal. Something clear. If anyone sees an opening, a weakness… they need to let the others know. A code word. »
Yareth nodded, eyes narrowing.
– « A word they'd never suspect. »
He paused, then gave a crooked smile.
– « Phoenix. »
Kenzo raised an eyebrow, surprised.
– « You really think that won't alert them? »
– « Exactly. That word, coming from our mouths, will throw them off. We're supposed to be ignorant, after all. It'll be a weapon. »
Then, Kenzo crouched down and began drawing lines in the dusty ground. He explained every detail, every step.
Who would create the diversion.Who would grab the key.Who would stay behind to buy time.Who would run.
For the first time… they had a real chance.
When he finished, Kenzo looked up at the group.
– « We have three days to prepare everything. Three days to survive. »
He stood slowly.
– « It's not a perfect plan. But it's our only chance. »
Silence fell again, but this time… it was different. Solemn. Steady.
One by one, the teenagers nodded.
The chains still weighed on their wrists. But in their eyes… a spark finally lit.
The next morning, their chains clinked softly with each step. The morning seemed like any other — bleak and resigned.
Yet, between the tired groans and hunched silhouettes of the prisoners, a silent tension hung in the air. The kind of tension that comes before major decisions.
Kenzo, staring straight ahead, murmured to the boy next to him:
– « So, how's that wrist-dislocating trick working out? »
Yareth gave a subtle nod, his eyes scanning the guards at the front of the line.
– « It's a bit tricky… Never tried it with these kinds of chains. But don't worry, I'll be ready on D-day. »
He had mentioned this strange ability during the plan setup: dislocating his wrist on command to slip out of his restraints and attack the guards. A talent that bordered on madness… or genius.
Kenzo, for his part, was the mastermind behind the operation. Seven lives rested on his shoulders. Seven souls clinging to his plan like a branch above a chasm. If he failed, it wouldn't just be their freedom that went up in smoke.
But everyone here knew ; solidarity had limits. In this hell, everyone ultimately thought for themselves.
The fateful day finally arrived.
But something was off.
The usual outing between the sixth and seventh solar hour never happened. Time was ticking, and the moment of the Revelation drew dangerously close.
Kenzo clenched his teeth.
– « Damn… Of course they wouldn't give us the luxury of a bathroom break on execution day… »
Beside him, Yareth sensed his nerves.
– « Don't worry. The plan's still valid. They'll have to take us out of the truck and line us up anyway. »
Those calm words helped Kenzo regain his composure.
About an hour later, the prisoners were indeed brought out… but this time, two guards were waiting, not one. The truck driver had decided to stick around. A "good day," perhaps.
There would be no bathroom break that morning.
Tension rose in the ranks. Murmurs turned to panic.
Yareth turned to Kenzo:
– « You got a new backup plan? »
Deep in thought, Kenzo murmured:
– « Yeah… one I'm going to regret. »
He looked at Yareth, his eyes gleaming with a strange mix of resolve and sorrow.
– « Do your best to save them. »
Then, he stepped forward and addressed the truck driver — the one he had pegged as less dangerous. Less armed. Maybe more human.
– « Uh… excuse me, sir… would it be possible for me to relieve myself? I'm not feeling too well… »
The limping guard, always eager to show cruelty, stepped in:
– « Shut up. You won't need that today. »
Kenzo then began sobbing — pitifully. His mask of dignity collapsed.
– « Please… I know it's my last day. I've had a miserable life… At least let me leave with some dignity… »
The guard was about to snap back:
– « I said... »
But he was interrupted by the driver:
– « It's fine. I'll take him to piss, you stay with the others. »
He added with a scornful laugh:
– « Look at him… Pathetic. We shouldn't have even bothered kidnapping him. Should've just killed him on the spot. »
Humiliated, but inwardly satisfied, Kenzo realized his plan was working.
They moved away from the group, silence thick between them. About fifty meters out, the guard stopped.
– « Here's good enough. »
Kenzo frowned.
– « It's… number two. Could you turn around? »
– « Yeah, right. As if. »
Kenzo clenched his fists. He was about to give up. But suddenly, something strange appeared before him.
A sphere.
Transparent. Smooth, like polished glass. Floating in the air. It pulsed softly, like a glowing heart.
He had been chosen.
The Revelation.
That was the good news.
But the bad news…
He didn't need school to know this wasn't the Phoenix's.