The moment the Director vanished, an alarm beeped softly overhead.
A robotic voice followed:
"Security sequence initiated. All exits locked."
Ash cursed under his breath. "We're trapped."
The children clung closer to Palo.
Calder ran to the classroom door. "We need to check the hall—"
But the door slid shut violently before he could reach it.
A metallic thud echoed through the room.
Palo's pulse quickened. "We're sealed in."
"No," Ash said, voice shaking with controlled anger. "We'll find another way."
The classroom lights flickered, dimmed, then glowed faintly red.
Palo looked down at the notebook in his hands. Pages fluttered on their own, as if caught in a nonexistent breeze.
A symbol pulsed faintly on one page—
the spiral.
The children stared at it with wide, frightened eyes.
Palo swallowed. "I think they want me to use this."
"Use it how?" Ash asked.
"I don't know."
A soft click sounded at the back of the classroom—
the storage room's back wall shifted slightly.
Ash spun around. "What was that?"
Calder rushed to the wall, pressing against it.
"There's a hidden hinge."
The children nodded quickly, motioning for Palo to come closer.
He did, placing his hand against the cool concrete.
The wall responded instantly—
sliding open to reveal a narrow passage that descended even deeper.
Ash exhaled slowly. "Another hidden corridor."
Calder stared into the darkness. "This wasn't on any blueprint."
The children tugged Palo gently.
"They want me to go," Palo said softly.
Ash nodded. "Then I'm going with you."
Calder hesitated… then followed.
The wall slid shut behind them, sealing the classroom off entirely.
Palo looked back once, as if hearing the faint echo of his own forgotten memories.
"Where does this lead?" he whispered.
Calder answered quietly.
"Sector Zero."