The ride felt endless.
Maya sat still inside the van, her hands resting on her lap, her fingers slightly trembling despite her effort to stay calm.
No one spoke.
The men around her were silent. Professional. Controlled.
Like this wasn't their first time doing something like this.
And that thought alone made her chest tighten.
How many people have they taken before me?
Her eyes shifted slightly toward the window, but it was useless. The glass was darkened, blocking everything outside.
She had no idea where they were going.
No idea how far she was from home.
From school.
From everything familiar.
From Ethan.
Her chest tightened at the thought of him.
The way he looked when she stepped into the van.
That moment—
That look in his eyes—
It stayed with her.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
But something deeper.
Something that made her heart ache.
She quickly pushed the thought away.
Focus.
She needed to stay alert.
Needed to understand.
Needed to survive.
After what felt like hours, the van finally slowed down.
Maya straightened slightly.
Her heart rate picked up.
The vehicle came to a stop.
A door opened.
"Out."
Maya didn't argue.
Didn't resist.
She stepped out slowly—
And froze.
The place in front of her didn't look like what she expected.
It wasn't some dark, abandoned building.
It was clean.
Modern.
Almost… normal.
A large facility stood ahead, surrounded by high walls and security gates.
Guards.
Cameras.
Everything controlled.
Everything watched.
Her stomach dropped.
This is real.
"Move."
She forced her legs forward.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Inside—
It was even worse.
Bright lights.
White walls.
People walking around like this was just another normal day.
Some wore lab coats.
Others held tablets.
Everyone looked focused.
Busy.
Like they belonged here.
Like this place—
This place was their world.
Maya's breathing became uneven.
What is this place?
The man in black walked beside her calmly, as if giving her time to absorb everything.
"Welcome," he said quietly, "to where secrets are understood."
Maya looked at him.
"No," she whispered. "This is where they're controlled."
He smiled faintly.
"Same thing."
Her jaw tightened.
"No," she said again, stronger this time. "Not the same."
For a brief moment—
He looked at her with something almost like interest.
"You'll learn," he said.
They stopped in front of a glass room.
Inside, there was nothing but a chair.
In the center.
Alone.
Maya's chest tightened.
"I'm not sitting in that," she said immediately.
The man didn't respond.
Instead, he nodded slightly.
Two guards stepped forward.
Maya stepped back.
"I said I'm not—"
They grabbed her arms.
Her heart slammed against her chest.
"No—wait—!"
But they were stronger.
More trained.
They pulled her into the room.
Forced her into the chair.
Straps tightened around her wrists.
Her breathing turned sharp.
"Stop!" she struggled. "You said I came willingly!"
"And you did," the man replied calmly from outside the glass.
"But this…"
His eyes met hers.
"…is necessary."
Maya's fear spiked.
"For what?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to someone behind him.
"Begin."
Machines powered on.
A low hum filled the room.
Maya's heart pounded.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
No answer.
Lights flickered slightly.
Then—
A sharp sensation shot through her hand.
She gasped.
Pain.
Not unbearable.
But enough to make her tense.
And then—
It started.
Visions.
Not one.
Not two.
Hundreds.
Faces.
Voices.
Memories.
Secrets.
All flooding her mind at once.
Maya screamed.
Her body shook violently against the restraints.
"It's too much!" she cried. "Stop—!"
But they didn't.
Outside, the man watched calmly.
Observing.
Analyzing.
"Fascinating," he murmured.
Maya's eyes filled with tears as the visions overwhelmed her.
She couldn't separate them.
Couldn't control them.
It was like drowning in other people's lives.
Other people's truths.
Then suddenly—
Everything went black.
When Maya woke up—
The room was quiet.
The straps were gone.
Her body felt weak.
Heavy.
Like she had no energy left.
She slowly sat up, her head spinning slightly.
"What…" her voice came out barely a whisper.
The door opened.
The man stepped inside.
"You passed," he said.
Maya stared at him.
"Passed what?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"A test."
Her eyes narrowed weakly.
"I'm not your experiment."
His expression didn't change.
"You are now."