Marcus dragged a trash container next to the fence and positioned it so they could climb over it and jump into the institute. Marcus climbed up first and reached out his hand to Julian so he could climb up too, but Julian hesitated and said,
This is wrong, we can't go in.
But he overcame his fears and decided to take the risk, mainly so he wouldn't look weak in front of Kayla. He grabbed Marcus's hand and was the first to jump into the institute, followed by Kayla and then Marcus.
They set off on a tour of the institute. Everything seemed normal: classrooms, departments, and administration offices, all locked, nothing out of the ordinary.
But suddenly they heard a sound from the basement beneath the building, and a dim light beneath their feet. The sound was incomprehensible, but without warning, a scream made them run towards the exit.
Kayla fell and injured her hand, and suddenly a thick fog descended. Julian turned around and couldn't find Kayla.
Markus, where's Kayla?
No, no, no! Where did she go?
We have to go back and find her quickly.
Wait, I have an idea. We should go to the guard.
They quickly jumped over the fence and headed for the main entrance, where they got a surprise. Kayla was with a bald man wearing glasses and two guards, one of whom had a fierce dog. When Kayla saw Julian and Marcus, she called out to them and told the man, Here are my friends, the police officers.
Marcos and Julian were overcome with embarrassment. The man had bandaged Kayla's wound and said, You must change this bandage after 24 hours.
Yes, doctor.
Kayla added, Didn't you recognize them, you idiots?
They shook their heads: No.
Kayla said: He is a famous and renowned scientist. He has contributed to the invention of many medicines and helped treat thousands, even millions, of patients. Haven't you heard of Professor Shay?
Marcus: Yes, yes, I've heard of him. He's very famous. Can we leave now?
Yes, you can.
They left the institute. Marcus's steps were quick, and he looked scared and anxious.
Hey Marcus, what's wrong? What's going on?
Let's get out of here quickly. Something's wrong.
Tell me, what's going on?
Do you remember the man who was looking at us strangely when we left the hotel?
Yes.
It was him, wearing the security guard's uniform and holding the vicious dog.
The shock was evident in Kayla and Julian's eyes, but Julian said, That's impossible. That guy looked crazy. It can't be him. Maybe he just looks like him.
I know what I'm talking about. They have the same scar under their left eye.
Kayla said, Please, Marcus, enough! That's ridiculous, and even if it were true, it wouldn't change anything. You cowards, left me behind. I don't know how you passed the police exam. You can't even protect yourselves.
Don't say that. We came back to look for you, but the fog was too thick. But that doesn't mean we'd leave you behind. That's impossible.
Kayla laughed and said, Shut up, you cowardly loser, and ran toward the park.
Me, a coward? Come here, you idiot!
Marcus laughed and said, Maybe we blew things out of proportion a little.
He ran after them, shouting, You know what? I've never heard of the professor, but I pretended to know him so we could leave and let out his distinctive laugh.
Kayla and Julian laughed too and said, We believed you knew him, even he believed you! You're crazy!
I've never been interested in science. Ha ha!
That's very obvious.
I think she insulted me again.
And what are you going to do, you idiot? I think you're going to beat me up. I have a black belt in karate, and I used to beat up all the guys at the gym!
That sounds interesting, Marcus. Maybe we're safe here. No one can beat me when we have this girl with us.
Hey, hey! Look who's talking. Shut up, you coward!
We have to go back to the hotel. We're already late.
The three returned to the hotel, and on the way back, Shai had gathered the guards. Shai paced back and forth for 10 minutes and finally said, Let it be known that you are useless trash, and you will be punished for today's failure.
This cannot be overlooked. This has never happened before. How could a young woman and two young men enter the institute? They even entered the restricted area!
I can hardly believe this happened today!
Then his phone rang. He left for a moment to talk on the phone, then came back smiling and said, Listen carefully, the thing we've been waiting for has now come. We're going to go full speed ahead.
The guard responsible for letting these people into the restricted area must be punished, and the number of guards at the points leading to areas A, B, and Z must be doubled.
At the hotel, everyone was asleep. Julian was thinking about what he had seen at the institute. He noticed that the two guards had the same scar under their eyes, and that they had weapons he had never seen before, like the ones you see in movies. The question kept bothering him: Why? What are they guarding? What are they hiding?
He didn't sleep that night. He decided he had to go back to the institute, but this time he would go alone and not tell anyone.
While Julian was unable to sleep, he heard a noise at the door. He got up to open it. It was Kayla, but she looked different from how he had ever seen her before. She was wearing her training clothes and looked absolutely stunning. He was speechless, completely shocked.
Kayla looked inside the room and said, Believe me, Marcus, he's still asleep. It's almost ten in the morning.
Julian pushed her way into the room, grabbed a bottle of water, and splashed it on Marcus, who woke up in a panic and said, What did you do, you little brat? I won't forgive you!
He tried to grab her, but she ran away and hid behind Julian, saying, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
Julian told Marcus that he had to wake up because they had to go buy graduation clothes and some supplies. It was their last night at the hotel. Kayla was going to the institute today and would be studying all day, so there might not be enough time for them to meet again.
Kayla said, I enjoyed your company on this short trip.
She had gathered her things and was ready to leave. Julian couldn't believe it. He always hated goodbyes and knew how sad they made him feel, but deep down, he knew he would see her again soon.
It was a long hug and a bad feeling, so much so that her eyes were watering. Her phone rang. Her cousin had come to say goodbye and wish her luck in achieving her dreams.
Before she got in the car with her cousin, Julian told her, I looked up the guy named Shai. I want you to be careful with him. He's not what you think he is.
Please, Julian, you challenged us on this!
I want you to promise me you'll do it.
Okay, goodbye.
Julian returned to the room and was shocked to see Marcus back asleep, so he dragged him by his leg, shouting, Get up, you lazy bum! We're very late!
Their appointment was at 2:30 p.m., but they hadn't bought their clothes yet. They went to the clothing market. The market was crowded, so they went into a small shop, chose some clothes, and other necessities.
The shop owner, an elderly man, knew that they were going to join the police academy. He told them, My son joined the academy last year, and he is about to finish his training.
He also told them, Don't get caught up in the darkness; it devours everything in this city.