Chapter 138 - Access denied

With each step, my legs felt like blocks of lead. My lungs brunt from the effort. In an earsplitting sound, the door on three levels lower exploded off their hinges and crashed on the landing. By reflex, I leaned over the railing to peer into the darkness. With horror, I saw half a dozen menacing cyborgs emerged from the cloud of dust from the wreckage.

"Liliane," boomed a voice from one of the cyborgs with a broken synthetic tone. In perfect sync, they all gazed up and I met their blank black faces with a red dot in the center. I backed away from the edge, shivers running down my spine. I sprung around with newly found strength I dashed upstairs, taking two steps at a time. The regular thumping of heavy boots below was a great motivation to push forward.

"Liliane, I told you I won't play nice," I peeped over my shoulder and nearly tripped. I caught my footing at the last minute with on hand on the railing. Panting and sweating I reached the landing of the 4th level.

"Shit!" it was the end of the stairs, in front of me was only one door. I slammed my body against it but it wouldn't budge. "Shit!" I repeated and sprung around to face the incoming enemies a couple of flights of steps away. I was corned with nowhere to escape. With my back pressed against the door, I felt an object poking into my skin. Then I remember the gun tucked in the belt of my pants pressing against the small of my back. My heart pulsed into my ears, sweat covered my forehead. With trembling hands, I retrieved the toy-liked weapon and pointed it towards the landing that led to the only exit door. The only way out. Access denied.

"At last," said the tall cyborg as it stopped on the top of the steps. A second one appeared behind it with the same face; black glossy plastic shield with an oval shape surrounded with mat metal. Screws held the plate and dark cables rang along the neck into the angular torso. I swallowed and tried to suppress the shaking in my arms. A third one joined the two followed by others standing in the shadows. Even though they carried huge guns that could punch holes into the heavy door behind me they didn't aim at me. The first one c.o.c.ked its head to the side and struck a pose. Shoulder sagged, pelvis twisted in an angle, and one hand on its hip. A relaxed almost human pose.

"I told you—you can't escape me," it said. It didn't mind my gun, I was clearly not a threat.

"What did you do with Demos?" it shifted on its feet and turned to face me. "Answer me!" I shouted and took the safety off. I will fire even if it wouldn't do any damage.

"Your stinking dog is no more," it crossed its arms over its broad chest. What he said knocked the air out of my lungs. Tears stung my eyes but I shook my head refusing to believe Atlas. it must be another one of his mind games.

"What's not true," my arms were painful from pointing the gun at them. I could lose everything at any minute. The first cyborg uncrossed its arm. A peculiar sound rose from them. Laughter—but that was crazy they can't laugh. That sound was a terrifying one. Their shoulders rocked as they kept laughing.

"I deleted his file. He is gone," I wobbled on my feet.

"No," I looked up with tearing eyes. "No," I shook my head, tears spilling on my cheeks. "No!" I pressed the trigger, the light gun had a terrible kick and I smashed into the door. The bullet hit the wall behind the first cyborg missing it by little. The other cyborgs rosed their weapons and took aim. But the first one raised an arm to calm them and they all obeyed, lowering their guns.

"Liliane, don't be upset. He was such a party pooper," Atlas paused. "Like that damn Aquarius," it shook its head in dismay.

"Then what do you want from me?" my voice shivered to betray my inner turmoil. The sinister rose again.

"I want nothing from you puny human. You're only fun to play with. I have no interest in this game anymore. I'll discard you just like I've discarded your little dog friend," my whole body went cold, I couldn't hold my arms up anymore. the muscles from my back, my shoulders, and my arms were screaming. I finally gave me. My arms fell limply on my side. Fingers barely holding the gun. Demos... My eyes lost in the distance. There was a possibility Grant was also gone. Tears just flow.

"I—" I started...

-Liliane, more away from the door slowly. I don't want to hurt you but I don't want them to notice.

That voice, my head sprung up, eyes wide with shock. Grant! I quickly regained my composure and wiped my tears.

"You were about to say something. Be quick cause I have others to kill," said Atlas with clear irritation. I moved on the side in the corner where the wall made a 90 degrees angle. I leaned against it and shook my head.

"I'm sad, I don't think you will ever understand it," I looked up. Right here, right now I was ready. They took their aim and I sunk down. In a fraction of a second, the door ripped like mere cardboard. I covered my head and squeezing in the corner in a fetal posture. Dust and chunks of concert flew in the air. Gun fired causing flashed of orange and blue. The sound echoed in the enclosed space. From the debris emerged Alter with a machine gun. He took down the first two cyborgs. But those hiding in the shadow fired at him. An arm pulled him to the side just in time and the bullets landing in the wall behind him. Other obscure figures emerged from the door and fired down the stairs. The cyborgs took cover while running below.

"Liliane," I recognized Grant in the group of dozen artificial in the darken landing. He kneeled before me and I threw my arms around his neck. "I was so worried we wouldn't make it in time," I sobbed holding him tight. He gently stroke my hair. "It's ok," he whispered. Then he eased away as the chaotic firing continued in the background. On of the artificial was lying down, a gaping hole in his chest with white liquid pouring out. Grant gave a quick peeped at him then turned back with a tight smile.

"Demos!" he called. I heart skipped a heart on heart that name. From the group, a dark figure stepped forward. Standing there in his glory, a crooked smile dancing on his lips. He was as I remembered, the same black hair, the same angular face with sharp copper eyes. He was wearing green surgeon pants and top with a heavy bandage around his chest. Apart from that, he was the same.

"How—" I breathed. Grant go to his feet and took the gun Demos was holding.

"That's a long story," said Grant before joining his cult members and fired at the resilient cyborgs hiding in the shadows.