Chapter 5- Room 605

  “Hey… is everything alright in there?”

  Cory’s voice carried a note of concern as he approached the restroom door.

  Just moments ago, he had seen a faint, sickly green hue leaking through the gap at the floor—followed by the thud of something falling.

  “Taya?” Cory's voice rose. “Taya!”

  “Yes....yes! I’m alright,” Taya shouted back, her voice cracking.

  “Just… give me a minute.”

  She leaned heavily against the washbasin, her breaths coming in ragged hitches as her senses slowly stabilized.

  Her mind reeled. What… was that feeling?

  Despite the shock she felt a strange warmth coursing through her body—a surge of rejuvenation perhaps, like every aching part of her had been soothed.

  Then her gaze dropped.

  “Uh…” her breath hitched.

  Fine gray dust lay scattered across the washbasin and the floor like someone just dropped a pile of ashes.

  “What have I done…?” she whispered.

  She glared at the serpents reflection, and they stared back with a hollow unsettling innocence.

  “This is your fault,” she hissed. “That core was supposed to be my lifeline. I could’ve traded it for credits.”

  Her voice trembled with frustration.

  “What did you just do? You…devoured it. Just like that. And since when could you do that.”

  She clenched her fists. “I could have traded it for credits. But even worse, what will I do, if that guy ask it back?”

  Taya, Cory called again.

  “Yeah! I’m coming!,” she barked.

  “Just give a girl some space, would you?”

  A few moments later, the door swung open. She was immediately met with Cory’s intense searching expression. She cursed softly, under her breath.

  “Hey!” she snapped trying to deflect.

  “Were you trying to spy on me?”

  Cory’s eyes scanned her from head to toe. He wasn't lingering, but he was observant. He noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor. A strange vibrancey that was not there before. It was like he was piecing things together.

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  “Hey!” Taya barked, stepping away.

  “What are you doing, jerk? Checking me out?” Taya barked, stepping around him to hide her shaking hands. She brushed past him and dropped onto the sofa, her arms crossed defensively.

  Cory followed and sat opposite her.

  “You are quite pretty,” he said casually. “Hard to ignore a sight like that.

  “You hide yourself too much. That’s all I’ll say.”

  Taya shot him a glare, but Cory simply came back to business.

  “Anyway, let's talk about your plan?”

  Taya remained silent, her eyes fixed in the floor, afraid of making an eye contact.

  “Well,” he continued, “since you’re seventeen, you’ll be drafted into the military. That’s the most plausible path. And the recruitments will be starting soon by the end of this month.”

  He leaned back.

  “I’ve done it, and so has everyone. Unless you’re thinking of fleeing the draft… which would be the the dumbest thing you could possibly do.”

  He gaze sharpened, locking onto hers.

  “Two years of service is mandatory if you want a career. It matters for your future.”

  Then he added quietly, “But more than that—it matters for survival.”

  “You won’t truly understand that until your life is on the line.”

  “Besides, the military covers your credits and finance for the next two years.”

  “Trust me. It’s the best decision you have.”

  Cory stood up as his watch emitted a sharp chime.

  “I've got to go. Duties are calling. I’ve contacted Polo—my assistant. He’ll be here shortly to move you to one of our secure basis until the de0taft begins.”

  “You can join the draft when the time comes.”

  He glanced back one last time.

  “See you later.”

  With a soft click, the door clicked and he was gone leaving Taya alone.

  She had no problem in joining the military under a normal circumstance. The military could offer her the basic necessities to build a future on.

  But her case was different. Taya was not an ordinary human. Her 'normal' human life ended the day she got the serpents.

  She wasn't sure if this was her awakening, or a curse, and she believed the latter. She had never heard about such a thing except from the lore and myths of Medusa. But what connection did she had, with this particular gorgon monster.

  The trauma it had left behind was like a scar that never healed, it was the turning point in her life. She lost her parents, she couldn't go out, have friends or even enjoy a normal conversation with somebody. She was fed up with solidarity and loneliness.

  And now if someone or even the military discovers such a power, if they saw what the serpents could do… she didn't know what other trauma, she will gain next.

  That fear had gnawed at her ever since she was nearing seventeen. She had counted the days in dread.

  However, the day had arrived far sooner than she had anticipated, and meeting a man like Dorton—the self proclaimed Head of investigations had only made that spark of anxiety, like a forrest fire. She could feel the walls that she built, now closing in.

  And his last remark left a sour taste in her mind— moving to a secured base. She was panicking on the very thought that Dorton must have felt something off with her.

  So she couldn't trust him.

  Taya stood abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor.

  "No.I can’t stay here."

  Moving frantically, she grabbed a few essentials. She stuffed some of the packed food Cory had brought into the deep pockets of her clock, while her eyes darted around, looking for an exit startegy.

  The main door was not an option. The large window overlooking the town square was no better- too many eyes, and she could not just jump into the road just like that.

  Thats when she remembered the ventilation shaft near the bathroom. Putting a desperate hope she wished this might be the only way.

  She dragged a chair over, the wooden legs groaning. She pried at the side locks with a kitchen knife untill the locks snapped tearing the vent cover free.

  A rush of cold air hit her face as she peereed into the view ahead.

  It was a series of steep sloping roofs, staggering downward like a set of giant coincidental steps leading to the ground.

  Her pulse hammered against her ribs. With trembling knees and slick palms, she squeezed into the narrow space, the metal biting into her skin, drawing thin lines of red, but she barely felt it.

  Carefully lowering her body she planted her foot firmly onto the edge, but then a wave of giddines swept over her as she looked down, making her feel the world was pulling her toward.

  Then for a terrifying second, her foot slipped, and panic flared hot in her chest. But she forced to look up and force herself forward,

  "There is nothing down Taya, just keep walking."

  She feverishly muttered under her breath like a mantra trying to avert her thoughts from the fear of height.

  With trembling breaths and slicky palms, she continued forward while being firmly adhering against the wall.

  She didn’t look back and let go.

  As the ledge neared it's end, she composed herself and then took a jump.

  The air tore past her as she hit the concrete roof hard, making her legs numb for a moment. She staggered— but soon stabilizing herself, she descended from one roof to the next.

  By the time she finally reached the streets, she was breathless and her pulse thundered in her ears.

  Without slowing, she melted into the flow of the city, moving away fast.

  ----

  Polo walked through the hotel hallway in long strides, and looked tall and imposing.

  He looked out of place in a shape tuxedo, an earpiece snug in his left ear and a silver suitcase in his hand.

  He navigating the corridor until he finally reached Room 605.

  He knocked. Yet, no answer.

  He knocked again....harder this time. Still nothing.

  Frowning, Polo stepped back, and slammed the door open with a kick.

  The lock splintered and gave way with a violent crack.

  “Taya?” he called out, moving through the suite.

  “Taya? Are you in here?”

  He swept through the main room and bedroom, finding nothing but the lingering sense of anxiety. Finally he stepped into the bathroom.

  His eyes immediately went to the chair dragged to the corner, and to the torn vent.

  “Shit,”

  Polo exhaled sharply, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he stared at the escape route.

  “I’m going to get in so much trouble for this…”