The noise vibrates in my bones as the bomb detonates, the force of the blast throwing me sideways. Glass and metal fly through the air all around me as I lay on the floor. Once I'm on my feet I see the guards at the end of the hall have caught up with me. They open fire as I run down the hallway. Beyond is a small vestibule. Through its windows I can see what looks like a weapon lab, the even row of machinery, and serum vials lit from beneath on their display.
As I open the door I hear a spraying sound and I don't have time to put on the suit with the guards still following me. Somehow I know I can survive this. I can sense the death serum all around me, invading me. It smells like smoke and spice, mu lungs reject it, with every breath. I cough and gag as I'm swallowed by darkness.
I fall to my knees, my bones now lead, and blood thick. An invisible thread is pushing me towards sleep, a beautiful, fulfilling sleep-no I need to stay awake. I try to imagine the need, that desire, burning in my chest like a flame. The harder I try the harder the thread tugs. I try to think. People need me, Tobias, Caleb. Christina, Matthew, Cara, Zeke, Uriah, everyone else at home.
I can't bring up the serums weight. My body falls to the side, I am only drifting now. But the fire. The fire. The desire to live, I am not done yet.
I dig through my mind; it's difficult to remember why I am here, and why I care about unburdening myself from this beautiful weight. Then it hits me, the memory of my mother's face, the way she looked on the pavement, and the blood seeping from my father's body.
"They're dead," my mind says. "You could join them."
"They died for me," I answer. I need to stop other people from losing everything. I have to save the city, the people my mother and father loved.
If I were to join my parents I would need a good reason, not just this-this senseless collapsing at the threshold.
The fire in my body continues to rage through me as I am the fuel. It races through me eating away at me. I push myself through the darkness surrounding me and walk into the vestibule, but find that I'm not alone.
"Don't move," I instantly freeze. I know that voice. I look u to see David raising his gun. "Hello, Tris."
