When The Rain Fall

The keycard in Mia's trembling hands felt heavier than it should. Whitmore Facility – Level 3.

Mia, Liam, and Jonah stood in the abandoned gallery, their hearts pounding as the weight of the situation settled in.

Liam clenched his fists. "This isn't just about Isla anymore. We're caught in something bigger."

Jonah nodded. "And we just got our next destination."

Mia exhaled, steadying herself. "Whitmore Asylum."

But as they turned to leave, Jonah hesitated. "Wait. Why would he give us the key?"

Liam frowned. "Maybe he wants us to find something."

Mia's voice was cautious. "Or maybe it's a trap."

Either way, there was only one way to find out.

Hours later, under the cover of night, they reached the crumbling remains of Whitmore Asylum. The structure loomed against the moonlight, its broken windows like empty, watching eyes.

Jonah swiped the Level 3 keycard at a rusted door near the back of the facility. A small red light blinked green, and the door unlocked with a quiet click.

Mia exchanged a nervous glance with Liam. "Here we go."

The door creaked open, revealing a hidden stairwell leading underground.

Mia swallowed hard. "There's a whole level beneath the asylum?"

Jonah adjusted his flashlight. "Let's find out."

They descended the cold metal stairs, their footsteps echoing through the silence. At the bottom, they found a massive underground research facility.

Rows of abandoned hospital beds lined the walls. Rusted restraints hung from the sides. Faded documents were scattered across the floor.

Liam's breath caught. "This wasn't an asylum."

Jonah's jaw tightened. "It was a research lab."

Mia's eyes darted to a sign above a sealed door:

PROJECT ECHO – TESTING CHAMBERS

Her pulse quickened. "This is where they experimented on people."

Liam hesitated, then pressed a button on the wall. The door groaned open, revealing rows of glass containment chambers—each labeled with a patient number.

Some were shattered. Others were eerily intact.

Jonah scanned the labels. "These numbers… they match the files we found."

Then Mia's breath caught as her eyes landed on one name.

PATIENT X-42 – SINCLAIR, ISLA

The chamber was empty.

Liam whispered, "She was here."

Jonah's hands shook. "Then where is she now?"

Mia frantically searched the lab for any information. She found a stack of classified reports inside a locked cabinet.

Her hands trembled as she read aloud:

"Subject X-42 exhibited early signs of precognitive ability. Increased activity in the temporal lobe suggests an anomaly—an ability to perceive future events. Further testing required."

Jonah paled. "They were testing psychic abilities?"

Mia flipped to another page.

"Subject X-42 displayed resistance to memory suppression. Attempts to erase memories were unsuccessful. Final protocol initiated—Subject transferred to Site 9."

Liam clenched his jaw. "They tried to erase her mind."

Mia turned to the last report.

"Subject escaped before final procedure. Status: UNKNOWN."

Jonah whispered, "She ran."

Mia's hands curled into fists. "And now someone is trying to make sure we don't find her."

Liam's voice was ice-cold. "Then we find Site 9."

Before they could react, a voice echoed from behind them.

"Looking for something?"

They spun around.

A woman stood at the entrance, her long brown hair tied back, her piercing green eyes scanning them.

She held a gun—but it wasn't aimed at them.

Jonah stiffened. "Who are you?"

The woman hesitated, then lowered her weapon. "My name is Evelyn Carter. I used to work here."

Mia's breath hitched. "Then you know about Project Echo."

Evelyn nodded. "I was part of it. But I never agreed with what they were doing."

Liam stepped forward. "Then tell us—where is Isla?"

Evelyn's face darkened. "That's the real question, isn't it?"

Jonah's voice was sharp. "What do you mean?"

Evelyn sighed. "I helped her escape. I got her out before they could wipe her memories."

Mia's heart pounded. "Then she's alive?"

Evelyn hesitated.

"Yes… but not for long."

Mia's stomach twisted. "Why?"

Evelyn exhaled. "Because someone else is hunting her. And if we don't get to her first…"

She met their eyes.

"She won't survive."