Disclaimer: I'm saying this now for all future chapters, I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
A/N: Uh oh. I may have started another long multi-chapter fic by accident. There are many ToS prequels featuring Kranna, but I hope that this will add a twist of difference to the bunch. Enjoy and reviews are much appreciated!
EDIT: I've re-uploaded an edited version of this chapter to avoid some confusion from the previous one. Thanks to CranberryVishnu for your help!
Alarms rang throughout the facility and amber lights continuously flashed as a stampede of armored soldiers ran down the corridors shouting orders at each other.
"Have you checked the upper levels?!"
"Yes, sir, and it's all clear!"
"What about the bottom?"
"We're in the middle of it now and still no sign, sir!"
"Well do better! Find the escapee! We can't afford to let the filth leave!"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
Gaunt faces in the shadows peered behind their gray prison cells in curiosity. What had happened to cause such an uproar? One of these prisoners, a child no older than seven, dragged their tiny body towards the light and meagerly grasped the cold bars with their boney fingers. An armored boot slammed into the bars nearly clipping the child's fingers before they scampered back into the shadows.
"What do you think you're looking at, you filthy maggot?! There's nothing to see here!" The guard snarled.
"Hey!" Another guard called to the first, "Quit messing around! We need to find the escapee or else it'll be our heads!"
Growling some more, the first guard kicked the bars one last time before following the other guard. A bundle of brown, stain filled blankets lay crumpled in a corner in what was believed to be an empty cell. Slight movement ensued under the large pieces of cloth until a small gap big enough to peer out of, spied that the coast was clear. Slowly so as to not attract attention to theirself, the person crawled out from beneath the blankets and crept over to the cell gate. Glancing first left then right, the person slid the gate open as quietly as possible. Luckily the escapee managed to find the only empty cell to hide into and didn't accidentally close the gate all the way in their haste. Normally the gate locks automatically once it's closed and can't be open again without a keycard that only the guards carried, but the person left just enough space between the wall and the gate that it didn't catch and it gave the illusion of being completely closed.
Slipping out of the cell, the prisoner slinked along the walls, making sure to stick to the shadows. Laying a dirt smudged hand on the frame of the open doorway, the escapee glanced over their shoulder to see the rows upon rows of haggard prisoners - no, that wasn't exactly right. They were captives, almost like hostages being held as prisoners for nothing more than being human.
Sadness entered the person's chocolate orbs as their head shook back and forth. I'm sorry for leaving you all here, but one day I'll be sure to free you all. With one last look, the person faced forward and ran into the empty corridor.
Arriving at a 'T' intersection, the escapee was just about to take a left before slamming back behind a protruding section. A group of four guards stormed across the about to be taken path, pieces of their armor and weapons clanging against each other as they ran past. Chocolate orbs closed as their hand lay against their chest to stop the furious pounding of their heart. Breathing a sigh of relief, the prisoner cautiously peeked around the corner and dashed through.
Finally after what felt like hours of tense evasion of the guards and security cameras, the person ended up at the pivotal spot that would make their escape exactly that. An air vent that was located about ten feet above ground was the road to freedom. Everyday the person had visualized this moment and knew what had to be done, and it was time to make it happen. Taking a deep breath, the person sprinted towards a curved pipe jutting out of the floor that was off to one side, and used it as a stepping stool to jump up to an overhanging pipe running along the ceiling.
Success! Hanging onto the pipe with both hands, the escapee shimmied above ground until coming face to face with a steel grated air vent. Freeing one hand, the person reached out to the grate and was surprised to find it open. The hinges at the top were rusted and squeaked noisily when hastily moved, but there was no time to take things slow and quiet when the sound of angry chattering could be faintly heard down the hallway. Moving quickly, the person swung the grate up, flinching at the nails on chalkboard screech and clambered into the air vent. Struggling to pull the grate down without giving away their position, the prisoner slipped their fingers into the holes and yanked backwards, accidentally leaving slight finger indents in the steel. The metal managed to jerk closed just as another group of guards neared their hiding spot.
The escapee laid flat, keeping face down and scooted back through the dust and grime. Retreating away from the light, the prisoner peered over a tattered sleeve just enough to see out of the slits. Three out of the four guards passed by when the lagger of the group stopped before the air vent. C'mon, c'mon, what are you waiting for?! Just move on!
A foreboding tingle crept upon their nose. No, not now, not when I'm so close! C'mon nose, don't do this! It's mind over matter. I won't sneeze. I'm not going to sneeze. I'm not going to get caught by sneezing. The person cupped both hands around their nose and mouth, pressing against them with all their might to prevent the oncoming sneeze.
"What's the hold up?"
"Ah, c'mon man! We've already scouted this area like three times and there's still no sign of the escapee! I'm tired and it's going to be my turn for rotations in a couple of hour – OW! What was that for?!" The leader of the group, presumably, marched towards the lagger and smacked him upside the head, helmet and all, with his gauntlet encased hand.
"Shape up, soldier! Do you know what happens to men who refuse to follow orders? They are no longer needed and become terminated! And it's a well known fact that our Lord is not the forgiving kind. Do. You. Understand."
"… Yes, sir."
"Good, man. Now we're going to search this place from top to bottom no matter what. No matter how long it takes we're leaving no stone unturned." The leader marched forward to his waiting men as the lagger followed behind, grumbling under his breath while rubbing his sore head.
"Achoo!" a high pitched sneeze squeaked out from the vent. Finally, lightly sniffling and wiping their nose on the edge of the gray sleeve to rid the rest of the tingles, the escapee turned around and crawled across the dusty vent. The person took a series of twists and turns in the near darkness of the shaft, never once losing their way. Another person might've become confused after the first few corners, but not this one. The escapee had spent years memorizing the layout of this horrendous prison and knew it like the back of their hand while their captors were none the wiser.
After taking another left turn, a weak stream of light filtered through up ahead. Crawling faster, the escapee reached another grate and with a forceful kick, the metal grate broke off its hinges. Dragging their tired body forward, the escapee fell out of the air vent onto the grassy ground in an ungraceful heap and quickly scrambled to their feet.
The person ran far into the surrounding forest until their sides ached with a painful stitch and the facility was nothing more than a dark speck in the distance. Leaning against a tree, their waifish shoulders sagged in exhaustion from the escape and closed their eyes taking in the gentle night air cooling their flushed and sweaty skin, the rough bark of the tree instead of smooth metal, the rich smell of pine and earth; not sweat, blood, and sickness, and the blades of glass poking through the many holes of their cheap cloth shoes.
The escapee had done it.
For the first time since being captured at the age of fifteen, Anna Irving knew what true freedom was.