Lucas's vision blurred at the edges.
The cold steel walls of the chamber shimmered faintly under the low emergency lights, casting long shadows that curved around the floor like creeping fingers. His breath came slower now—ragged, shallow. He could feel the pressure in his head increase with every passing second. The oxygen in the chamber was thinning—intentionally so.
Above him, visible through the observation glass in the ceiling, Doctor Naehr watched.
"Humans always disappoint," Naehr said calmly, his voice echoing down from a speaker embedded in the wall. "Even you, Lucas. I had hoped your convictions would bring you to my side. I was wrong."
Lucas didn't respond. He was too busy conserving air… and buying time.
