Chapter 1: The Cold Doesn’t Kill Me
The silence inside Unit 7 stretched for a long time after Nathan’s footsteps disappeared.
I counted to sixty. Twice.
Then I moved.
My fingers were already stiff, but I forced them to stay steady as I crossed the narrow aisle between stacked crates. Frost cracked softly beneath my boots. The air cut deeper with every breath, but panic would only waste oxygen—and time.
I reached the back wall.
There.
The ventilation shaft.
To anyone else, it looked untouched. Just another steel panel bolted into place. But I knew better. Donovan’s team had done their work flawlessly.
I slid my fingers beneath the edge.
Pressed.
A soft click.
The panel shifted open just enough for me to grip it and pull.
Fresh air rushed in—not warm, but moving. Alive.
I climbed.
The narrow shaft scraped against my shoulders as I pulled myself upward, inch by inch. My muscles burned. My lungs screamed. But I didn’t stop.
Because I knew exactly what was happening outside.
Nathan would go home.
He would pour himself a drink.
He would sleep peacefully.
And in the morning…
He would come back to “discover” my body.
But instead—
I dropped silently into the maintenance corridor above Unit 7.
Alive.
I steadied myself against the wall, letting the cold drain from my bones just enough to think clearly.
Then I reached into my coat pocket.
My phone.
One message already waiting.
Donovan: “Everything is recording. Are you out?”
I typed with shaking fingers.
Me: “I’m out. Phase two.”
Three dots appeared instantly.
Donovan: “Good. Let him finish the performance.”
I allowed myself a small, controlled smile.
Nathan thought the night was over.
May you like
For me…
It was just beginning.
