When The Rain Fall

The underground lab smelled of dust and decay, a graveyard of secrets long buried. But Evelyn's words sent a shiver down Mia's spine.

Isla was alive—but not for long.

Liam stepped closer. "Who's hunting her?"

Evelyn hesitated, then said one name.

"Dr. Alexander Graves."

The room seemed to grow colder.

Jonah tensed. "The director of Whitmore?"

Evelyn nodded. "Graves ran Project Echo. He's obsessed with finding Isla because she was the only test subject to escape. And he won't stop until he gets her back."

Mia's pulse pounded. "Where is she now?"

Evelyn's face was grim. "Site 9."

Jonah clenched his jaw. "Then that's where we go."

Evelyn led them to an old van parked behind the asylum. "I've been tracking Graves' movements for months. I know where he's keeping her."

Mia slid into the passenger seat. "Why are you helping us?"

Evelyn's grip tightened on the wheel. "Because I was the scientist assigned to erase Isla's memories. And I couldn't do it."

Liam's eyes darkened. "You worked for them."

Evelyn nodded. "I did. Until I realized the truth—Project Echo wasn't about helping patients. It was about controlling them."

Jonah exhaled sharply. "And now they want Isla back."

Evelyn's voice was grim. "Not just back. They want to finish what they started."

The van sped through the dark roads, heading toward Site 9—the last known location of Isla Sinclair.

The facility was hidden deep in the mountains, an old research center surrounded by a chain-link fence. Security cameras blinked in the darkness.

Evelyn led them to a back entrance, bypassing the main gate. "Graves has her in the lower levels."

Jonah readied his weapon. "Then let's get her out."

They moved quickly through the halls, dodging guards and security patrols.

Then Mia spotted something that made her heart stop.

A large holding room filled with glass chambers—just like the ones in Whitmore.

And in the center—Isla.

She was strapped to a chair, electrodes attached to her temples. A screen beside her displayed brainwave activity, numbers fluctuating wildly.

Dr. Graves stood beside her, watching intently.

Mia's blood boiled. "We have to move—now."

Jonah kicked open the door, gun raised. "Step away from her!"

Graves barely flinched. He turned, his face calm. "Ah. I was expecting you."

Liam moved toward Isla, but Graves held up a small remote device. "I wouldn't do that."

Evelyn's voice was sharp. "What have you done to her?"

Graves smiled. "I've unlocked her full potential."

Mia's stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"

Graves gestured to the monitors. "You think Project Echo was about mind control? No. It was about evolution. Isla is proof that human perception can go beyond time itself."

Jonah's grip tightened on his gun. "Enough. Let her go."

Graves shook his head. "It's too late. The process has begun."

Suddenly, Isla's eyes snapped open.

And she screamed.

A blinding wave of energy exploded from Isla's body, sending Mia, Liam, Jonah, and Evelyn crashing to the floor.

Mia's head spun as visions flooded her mind—

A burning city

Shadows moving in the dark

Liam standing alone in the rain

A bullet flying toward Jonah

Mia screaming

And then—

A single whispered phrase, echoing in her mind:

"You must remember."

Mia gasped, struggling to her feet. Isla's body convulsed in the chair, energy crackling around her.

Graves laughed. "Beautiful, isn't it? She's seen the future."

Liam forced himself up. "Shut it down!"

Graves pressed a button. Isla's body went still.

Then she whispered, barely audible—"Run."

Mia turned just as alarms blared.

Graves smirked. "You're too late."

Jonah grabbed Mia's hand. "We have to go!"

Evelyn freed Isla from the chair. She was weak, barely able to stand.

Liam threw Graves to the ground. "If we ever see you again, you're dead."

Graves only smiled. "You have no idea what's coming."

And then the entire facility started to explode.

They ran.

Flames erupted around them. Sirens wailed. The walls cracked as the facility collapsed.

Mia held Isla close. "Almost there!"

They burst out just as Site 9 crumbled into the earth.

Panting, covered in dust, they turned back to see nothing but rubble.

Graves was gone.

Jonah exhaled. "It's over."

But Isla, weak and shaking, whispered—"No… it's just beginning."

Days later, Isla sat in Mia's apartment, recovering.

Mia asked softly, "What did you see?"

Isla met her eyes. "The truth."

Liam leaned in. "And?"

Isla's voice was barely a whisper.

"Graves was just the beginning. There's something bigger. And it's coming for all of us."

A chill ran down Mia's spine.

Jonah's voice was quiet. "Then we fight."

Isla nodded. "Then we fight."

And in the distance, thunder rumbled—a storm on the horizon.