83 The Crossroad Frontier (2/2)

I heard a few gunshots behind me, but the sounds were coming from the far reaches of the facility. Judging by the distance, we weren't in any immediate danger, but I was still worried.

”Actually, don't take your time.” I said. ”Maybe there is a faster way around or something...”

”No one would be stupid enough to install a locked door with an unlocked 'way around it'.” Cansu said.

”Oh, yes...” I said. ”Makes a lot of sense.”

”How did you even become a teacher with so little brain?” she said.

”Shut up, I am just...” I couldn't finish the sentence.

”You are just what?” she said.

”Just carry on.” I said.

”You illiterate idiot.” she muttered. I heard it, but completely ignored her. She was right after all...

All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. It was feeling like a well-sharpened knife or a needle running through my body; starting from my chest, going through my stomach, my crotch, my legs and all the way down to my feet... I could feel all my veins, arteries and neural connections in the lower half of my body. Despite the pain, I couldn't react; I was frozen. My legs didn't obey my commands, instead, the sudden contraction of my muscles threw me away from the keypad. As soon as I got away from the keypad, most of the pain was relieved; but a very bad smell covered the corridor. It was the smell of burnt human flesh... I was almost electrocuted to death. Fortunately, my body had only short-circuited the system for a very short time, allowing me to survive the shock.

The steel door swung open as I was laying on the floor, trying to recover from the shock.

”I didn't know you could do that.” Cansu said.

”I didn't do anything.” I said.

”Wait.” Cansu said. ”We are late. They are already here. We will have to chose anoth-”

”IDIL!?” I yelled. There she was, standing on the other side of the steel door, staring at me. Her expression was sad and gloomy; her eyes were... hollow. She was standing still like a creepy doll with some blood on her clothes. Her skin was unnaturally pale.

A soft breeze hurled her hair from her shoulders.

”What happened to you?” I asked her. She didn't say anything and kept staring.

As I was trying to get up, I heard someone approaching the corridor we were in. I recognised the sound of the slider on a handgun.

Idil took a step forwards and got past the steel door.

”Stay where you are!” the man behind me shouted. Idil stopped right there.

I turned around and looked at the man behind me. He was aiming at Idil.

”No!” I yelled and rushed towards him.

Idil pulled out a gun she has been hiding behind her and aimed towards the man.

”No!” yelled Cansu.

I was trying to block their line of fire. I was supposedly friendly to both sides, neither Idil nor one of the scientists would risk shooting me.

*BANG*