P stood in the center of the doorway, bathed in the blinding white exit light. The cold breeze caught his hair as he closed his eyes, entirely losing himself in the cinematic perfection of the moment.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPSJhzFksM
SLAM!
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWInOIgIvu
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUEplhxCgH
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsabjdibWo
"Are you crazy?!" Hanabi hissed through gritted teeth.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO42bxtxQVG
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCckNuffsMe
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdKsPiLsdb
She slammed the door shut, her hands pressing flat against the metal as she whirled around to glare at him.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6q9G91G2p
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6gvS4bqMJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHAOevOnrT
Her expression was a mix of pure shock and are-you-utterly-insane? Her sudden intervention instantly blocked out the light, darkening the room and completely ruining the mood.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOzRHscpi
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnTwj1Z0EZ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVMrzn7BGS
P blinked, turning to look down at her with a dazed, unbothered face. His expression clearly asked: Why did you just do that?
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a8JlVJmVd
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6dOEjuWXj
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SIxEtcpQo
"Are you seriously just going to stroll out like that?" Hanabi demanded, crossing her arms.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BT362fPye
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzQ2V0tFNr
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cxl0PLj3n
"Do you even have a plan?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU8WIbG5z2
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRhAonOzfw
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDipCsrZ6a
"Ohhhhh..." P's eyes widened a fraction in sudden realization. He crossed his arms over his chest. "A plan. I totally forgot about that."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmnKCQnw3I
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ZCsYFGFa
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ72aAjgXaR
Hanabi slapped her right hand over her face, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh. "How can you forget the most crucial thing at a time like this?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqJWkxOqPx
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv2FiKhRaW
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NrzojCaq1
As Hanabi continued to lecture him, P just stared at her blankly. His mind began to wander elsewhere.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMCyeWPCPh
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AP0IbGKSI
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrmIBo5wFL
Huh, he thought in his subconscious, wasn't she the terrified girl shaking in a chair just moments ago? Suddenly she's bolder, lighter, and lecturing me. She kind of reminds me of someone I know.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqm3V6xx8D
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oxpd2LxBZ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5adTZIY7U
"Are you even listening to me?" Hanabi asked, stepping closer until her face was inches from his.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE3v6IPXCy
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDJO73PPAJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2y0LO0ptX
P didn't flinch. He reacted with absolute calmness, pretending he had been hanging onto her every word. "Of course. And since you reminded me about a plan, I actually just came up with one," he said, his face turning serious.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK61UjIZii
Hanabi fell quiet, looking at him with reluctant curiosity.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh0FUTEm9L
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEU8JqW6f0
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHuRXWYbb2
"Have you noticed the environment has become calmer than usual?" P asked, glancing around.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdKpDnPAeC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUejtkjNjR
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPgFv854Hy
Hanabi paused, listening closely. "Yes... it seems so," she whispered, gazing up at him before quickly looking down, slightly
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVN1ddFMgn
intimidated by the intensity of his stare.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HjXeHemXS
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzsKWTlAc5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBbW4JA0Bs
"The building suddenly went dead silent, and I can't hear any guards patrolling," P explained, resting his right hand thoughtfully under his chin.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNFxcX0Hqg
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjUeI0BcEP
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhDFMmo3Lp
"If I'm correct, they are either all gathered in one place for a massive meeting, or they're taking a synchronized break. I can feel faint vibrations traveling through the ground. It feels split, but it's gathering toward a single point."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIQK4CVcwi
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8KmTxboax
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4gvQPiVkV
Hanabi stared at him, her mind racing. How does he know all this stuff? Is he even sure about what he's saying? Who the hell is this guy?
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIklQOQdHXC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnxfzGB64I
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZf0ui0h1t
"So, here's the escape plan," P announced.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5QPFHPsfe
Hanabi looked up, a sudden flicker of hope igniting in her chest.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDJZgGNpdu
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtwz5fG4Le
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE3kJTjQza
"We fight our way out of here with everything we've got," P said with total confidence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3gENzWxF7
The room fell into a dead, suffocating silence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk5kTFAUdu
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFSDzg4ItS
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX5OScb9TV
"Seriously?!" Hanabi lunged forward, grabbing his crossed arms with her right hand and yanking him forcefully, completely forgetting she was still holding a sharp dagger in her left hand. "Is that the brilliant plan you came up with?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU060JF9M7x
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2AdUINukK
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDqiIKSRK
"Yes. There's literally no other option," P replied smoothly. "Even if we came up with a highly professional, stealthy plan, we would still end up fighting our way out in the end. If there was another way, I would have suggested it. We only have a fighting chance. But do not fret—just because that's the plan doesn't mean I intend to jump recklessly into battle."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaidSmauee
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsp5RDQKe9
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRIN2FfxvC
Says the guy who was about to walk out the front door like it was a brand new day, Hanabi muttered to herself.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX7RwXStK5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBYga7k1k5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg4hesxHn4
"We need to arm ourselves first," P said, turning around.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL3Vhzhgos
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQLjgOQ96G
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CYr4BB0Ln
He walked over to the two unconscious guards slumped against the wall. Grabbing the guard on the right, P began unbuckling his tactical vest. As he pulled it off, his eyes caught the gleam of a grenade attached to the front. He snatched it, then searched the second guard on the left. There wasn't another vest, but his fingers brushed against a firearm tucked into the small of the guard's back.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0NOhQAOGC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9tKm6CMYL
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ozK4cR7dm
"Damn it... well, this will be more useful anyway," P muttered. He slid the handgun into his waistband, letting his shirt fall over it to conceal it.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ763oPTu3un
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP5IRb2nsX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgervHYpBz
Walking back over to Hanabi, he held out the heavy tactical vest. "Here, put this on in case you get shot. It has armor plates inside."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkKEFEKGWb
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnscg4gmmeF
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLUSRYloZB
Hanabi looked at the vest draped over P's left arm, her eyes drifting slightly to the round metal object gripped in his right hand. She carefully slipped the vest on, tightly clutching her dagger, and glanced up at him.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAm5Z0Gkh3
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeom6dt4yrn
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvADyHaxc4H
"What about you? What are you going to wear?" she asked, a genuine note of worry slipping into her voice.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugCjalfcF5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEu3Ujd5F0
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBFbT1e9HK
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," P said. He noticed how badly she was trembling. "When we step out, always stay behind me and stay alert. Here, take this."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mWoiml4ri
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovZDSJhtL2
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHgaLScTCb
He held out the grenade. Hanabi cautiously took the heavy, metallic sphere, inspecting it with a puzzled expression. "What is this... round thing?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3d1nTXgwC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTWSiB7EH1
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wmwSUbB3u
"Listen. If you start getting too scared, or if things escalate and some guy pisses you off, just remove this ring," P instructed, pointing directly at the pin at the top.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp8xgXzSpn
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwf1UzFmk
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf68OI064s
He began shaking his head and waving his hands emphatically, like an intense instructor trying to drive a point home. "Then, you throw the whole thing at your desired destination. Do you understand?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xtic4r6CX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImCQfNfZVO
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT0iFNSepH
"O-Okay... I've got this," Hanabi said, nodding firmly. Desperate to prove she was ready, she immediately hooked her finger into the ring and began to pull.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgI2Yt0lyL
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIcLs8Haha
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA28kf0qfHy
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyChrdmeUC
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW7oWEhyui
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwCJgg2VXc
P yelled in sudden, uncharacteristic panic. He lunged forward like a madman, instantly grabbing both of her hands in a vice grip before she could dislodge the pin.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Ug8xFmcf
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIUvuDuByr
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeVroBJkos
"What?!" Hanabi asked, completely dumbfounded. "I was just going to test it! Why are you stopping me?!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPG4cLS5l5
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hiRKjybP1
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSElf8GXXT
"Are you seriously trying to blow us up before we even get a chance to fight for our lives?!" P gasped, his heart hammering.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY8MjKPjy7
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGHlCNWuEZ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ934GT6HCvd
"Blow us up? What does that mean?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdT1aZt7PQ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOwYJTfYRc
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy2ds7gZao
"What?!" P stared at her, utterly shocked. "You don't know what this is? It's a grenade! When I say 'blow us up,' I mean this entire hallway will explode into a ball of fire, and both of us will die instantly!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW53T7J9BpX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs3v4czV1r
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP7HMF6Kqc
Hanabi froze, a violent shudder running down her spine. Fire.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9cExIQTSO
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWQcnGYVkx
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeqBuLjG66
The word instantly dragged her back to the horrific phone call—the mental image of her beloved spa burning to the ground. A wave of pure terror washed over her face, and P instantly noticed the shift in her energy.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3S3Of37BA
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyQqingRXK
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtYkcvFU7Q
"Hanabi, listen to me," P said, his voice dropping into a cold, grounding calm. "I don't know what you've been going through lately, and honestly, it's none of my concern. I just want to get out of here, which I am perfectly capable of doing. But if you want to survive and walk out of this place alive, you better get your head in the game."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunonqSNVmc
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTerqlJhtGc
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9QW9mzRvY
He looked directly into her eyes. "Always keep your eyes on the path ahead, never on your past. It will only hold you back and make you act like a wimp. I'm giving you two options right now, and you need to decide: either stay caged here in despair and die..." he stretched out his hand toward her, "...or give everything you've got to escape, even if it means you die trying.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RpJdm5Gv8
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFKGFIev21
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeOYShRg3V
Which one do you choose?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUGhmKE0ir
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pDt8T1KLd
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yB4XlfqXi
Hanabi stood frozen, his cold words echoing in her mind as her subconscious took over.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYa4ogwt4K
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCXieB6atK
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2LnbcjqQ3
All my life, ever since I was a child, I've been cursed with bad luck. Countless setbacks, getting thrown into worse situations mentally and physically day by day. I've never experienced anything good, and even when I did, it never lasted. Life just kept playing me like a toy.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdASLdFTBv
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW8nIckbcg
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMohBzXeTzI
But I never gave up. I pushed through school, I pushed through college. It was a horrible life, but I still graduated. I never failed. Even when people laughed at me, I always fought to make things right.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qhY3Bdd2R
Her grip tightened on her dagger.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMM94w80B7
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvIj3j0bCR
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OWB1FwYmg
The only people who ever supported me were my family and my friends. I can't let them down. I'm not going to give up. I want to see them again. I want to be at their side and be happy. Apart from them, no one in this life ever cared about me because I'm cursed. And just today, everything I worked so hard for was destroyed. My life is just filled with darkness and chaos... nothing ever feels bright.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP9TUWDB66
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0gnlWQBnX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMWXLlWc9N
She looked up, locking eyes with the man standing before her.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ggxzSk5U6
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6movWXRCX
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c3rfjNqoc
Then why is this man... why are his eyes so bright? Like a blinding light... Could he be... A small, involuntary smile tugged at her cheek before she fiercely shook her head. No... no way. But either way, I need to survive. I hate my past, and I am not going to let it hold me back ever again.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgEPOcwjbd
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqIKgEANsQ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrY579Mj62
With a bold, bright expression, she reached out and firmly grabbed P's hand. "My future is in my hands," she said aloud, her voice ringing with newfound confidence.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ec1CBxvQm
A slow, subtle smirk broke through P's cold demeanor. "So. Are you ready?"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSykMd6eB6t
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp79sXh0XjT
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwyYC6sCUG
"Yes," Hanabi said, her eyes flashing with determination. "Besides, I'm sick of this place anyway. Let's get out of here. Even if it means dying."
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9smmjv2OJ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFax7uicim
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox2HG0ikEF
"Pff... Ppfft." P let out a sudden, involuntary snort of laughter, completely ruining the heavy emotional weight of her speech. He let go of her hands and turned toward the door.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGL0dE2qIE
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Gz8su7jy
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl60O4zcAuf
Hanabi's face flushed with annoyance.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jNqzjRV3e
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAuUvhfxGj
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeealiCj63d
"Whatever!"
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb4BNgzECK
"You've made your choice. Let's not waste any more time," P said.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PiIuQLYcG
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFYiTQZnpS
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24lSluD4Et
He gripped the handle and threw the door wide open. Once again, the brilliant, blinding light flooded the room, accompanied by a sweeping cold breeze.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqZc9ujQY8
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpDbf81qZB
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp9vEzi4eU
Together, they took a few confident steps out into the light, completely in sync, ready to face the world.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2IdSAmxjo
But the cinematic mood vanished instantly.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWeF8AaYAd
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlOE9OxxlG
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyc63hmOhw
The bright light faded, revealing a lone guard standing mere inches from the exit. He was frozen mid-stride, holding an AK-47 in both hands. His eyes were wide—so wide they looked like they were about to pop right out of his skull—and heavily bloodshot.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfy3lNPb5O
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi44SWL3O4
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtdEG8a4Bq
His head trembled slightly in sheer, unadulterated shock, staring at them as if he had just come face-to-face with a pair of vengeful demons.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ibZit1huR
P and Hanabi paused, completely still, just one step outside the exit.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeDcehQ3Jb
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRkNtoOs6
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZPZVAVRDS
Nobody moved.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFPOSD9yOZ
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TPJV07B8R
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OX2Cb11Cy
Nobody shook.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZX0voNciE
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqVb3TPIli
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p9CQKaWZV
The guard didn't raise his gun, and P didn't draw his weapon. The three of them just stood there in the echoing, dead silence, staring each other down.248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBQJGzBu8x
and then Add to home screen.