Artificial Mates - Chapter 137

My stomach groaned out of nowhere reminding me my body needed food. I’ve shouldn’t have skipped meal-time. I had no memory of eating breakfast or what time it actually was. In this closed environment, time was not a factor. It either flew rapidly or way too slow. How do I think of food in this type of situation?

“Atlas?” I called when we got close to the first sub-level. Olga gave me a side-glance. She has been silent for the last minute or so. And somehow, it scared me. She had her back pressed against the far wall with her arms crossed over her chest.

“What is it?” answered the omniscient voice. There was a hint of irritation to it. He also sounded out of breath which was odd.

“Can you tell me where is Grant?” silence followed my question. As I opened my mouth to ask again he answered.

“I’m guessing he is still on the third level,” I frowned at his vague words. Taking a deep breath to protest but Olga touched my arm and shook her head. Yes, something was off with Atlas. in a blink of the eye, Olga rushed to the panel and slammed on the stop button. The elevator abruptly halted with a rattle, I held on the chrome bar found on both sides of the cabin for balance. The door opened and Olga seized my arm with force, pushed me outside. I nearly fell over, when I turned back the door closed on her before she could get out. The last thing I saw was her mouth wide open yelling “Go!”

“Olga!” I screamed but it was too late the elevator was gone. Stepping back, panting for air, I gazed on the screen at the top of the doors. The numbers flashed with terrifying rapidity. “Oh, no,” I covered my mouth. “Olga!” I slammed my fists on the doors until they pulsed painfully. “Don’t leave me alone,” my voice quivered. “Demos…Grant… don’t leave me alone,” Olga’s scolding tone snapped me out of my self-loathing thoughts.

“What I’ll teach you will help you in hand to hand combat,” she had said. “In battle self-defense is successful when you achieved the proper mental state. You need to be calm and focus. I can’t teach you that, you need to figure it out on your own. I can only show you the moves,” her words rang inside my head. I took deep breaths then squeezed my eyes shut. A dull explosion followed by a light tremor made my eyes flickered open. “Stay focus!” I warned my racing heart. Pushing away from the door I took a glance around the concrete-gray walls. Sub-level zero was written in huge red letters behind me. I recognized it, taking a few stepped back I turned to the left. Beyond was that large hangar-like room with rows of carton boxes and down the few steps were vehicles that we took to go see Atlas.

“Liliane, why did you get off the elevator?” shouted Atlas. I hid in a corner of the wall and peered inside the large room. There was no movement. I need to get back to Grant. However, my thoughts went back to Olga.

“What happened to Olga? I heard an explosion?” I shouted at the ceiling.

“It was the terrorists,” I frowned at his answer. He was lying for sure.

“Is she ok? What about Demos? I want to talk to him, now!” I snapped. Silence.

“Liliane,” I gasped. Demos’ voice came as salvation in my slow sinking self. “You need to get to the core now,” he urged in a detached tone.

“What about Grant? He needs you,” I said. Silence again.

“You need to do as you’re told,” I frowned at the ceiling. Even though it was Demos’s voice it didn’t sound like him.

“Demos? What was the first gift I gave you? You know the one you hated, the one I bought at our thrift shop?” I smiled at the memory. Silence.

“What are you talking about? This is no time for silly memories. Our situation is critical,” he snapped. He was right, still, that doubt lingered. Gripping the front of my shirt to ease my racing heart I went on.

“That day, I got Grant his pink apron,” my voice waver as the thought. Please, Demos tell me you’re there. Please tell me you’re still there, I prayed.

“Can you please come down here,” he sighed with exasperation. I looked up with teary eyes. I had to insist, I just had to.

“If you don’t answer, I won’t come!” I shouted, clenching my hands into fists.

“Liliane, baby, why are you so upset? I only want to protect you from harm,” his tone lowered to a whisper. “Atlas has sent his cyborgs to Grant as we speak. Everything will be ok. Come on, baby just come to your mate,” I inhaled sharply. This was definitely not Demos. This was someone else.

“Demos, what was the name of the man who attacked Grant?” it came out harsh and angry. There was a long sigh.

“Liliane, if you don’t come right now…I’ll chop up Grant, Olga and everyone you care about,” said Atlas with intent. I shivered my whole body went cold. Demos…He…I couldn’t bring myself to utter the possibility.

“Shut up, stupid. He is out there, he is ok,” I forced myself to move since the elevator was out of the question I ran in panic to the first door. Grabbed the knob and rattled it when it didn’t open.

“Liliane, please don’t make me come get you. I won’t be nice,” I turned to the other door ignoring that bastard. Again, this one was locked. Giving up I rushed to the end of the corridor and saw an exit sign. A red door appeared before me. I pushed it open and it didn’t resist. I let out a chuckle of triumph.

“Liliane!” he shouted making me flinch. “You can’t escape, you a weak female who can’t do anything on her own. You can’t win against me. No one can! I’ll kill every last one of you,” I peeked into the dim staircase. Then bolted without thinking. F.u.c.k this, I’m getting out of here. Grant, Demos, Olga guys please be alive…or whatever the hell artificial are. Please don’t leave me alone.