CHAPTER 18: ESCAPE (1)

Back at Area 02, cafeteria.

After Blu's declaration to the rest of the subjects. The atmosphere at the room went silent as all the gathered subjects glanced at Blu in astonishment of such feat.

Blu was left to ponder.

'It seems like merely shouting out that we would escape would certainly surprise them all.

Well, it's not like I didn't have reasons to do so, given that the Commander was able to find out our weaknesses, the upcoming phase 5, the mysterious project, and the vast white snow scenery outside the facility without a single person on sight.

I'm not even sure there is anyone other than the [men in white] in this facility.

Even still, we have to escape, otherwise we would all be dead'.

"...".

With the erring silent, Blu pondered.

'But what's up with this silence, it's terrifying'.

Afterwards, Leo closed his eyes for a second, looking like he was contemplating.

As Blu noticed it. He became fidgety, sweating quickly on response.

"Hah".

Leo then opened his mouth to say.

"So what are we going to do?"

"Huh?"

Blu was lost in astonishment as what he expected from them to contemplate a little.

The rest then glanced at Blu as Drok said.

"Yeah, leader, what's the plan?"

"Huh?"

Again Blu was shocked to see the test subjects taking his statement surprisingly easy. Attempting to grab their attention towards the strange response, he heard Blu say.

"Wait! Why aren't you guys asking why we are escaping?"

"I thought you're all going to be against it".

Leo glanced at Blu saying.

"We'd already figured out about your plans a few years ago".

"How did you guys figure it out?"

"Well, technically it was Aria who did".

"Aria?"

Swiftly, he glanced at Aria who was beside him, staring her in the face intensely, as he pondered as he recalled all his time with Aria.

***

'I see now that I think of it Aria was always behind me watching my movements'.

'Well, it wouldn't hurt to have someone always watching your back, but it might be a problem if she clings on me every time'.

***

*Thump*

Blu then raises his hands, places it on her head, and rubs it like he's curdling a pet.

Leo then said.

"Well, all she told us about was your weird behavior. Afterwards, we noticed a few months ago about your worries on escaping".

Blu replied, insisting still on the weird way they accepted.

"But aren't you all mad I didn't tell you guys?"

"Well, we were, but seeing a member of our family go that far shows you cared for us. So that's what made us forgive you".

"Hmph... It's not like we would call you our leader if you didn't have it in you".

Drok said as the rest nodded silently.

"But because of me, the rest had to die".

*Slap*

"So what if they died doesn't matter, has long as they had some one weeping on their behalf, am sure they wouldn't also mind".

With a loud slap to the face of Blu, Drok stated-out with high resolve. Which left Blu pondering as he was left dumbfounded after the slap.

'I see all this time I thought telling them about my plans would only drag me down, but I was wrong all along. They wouldn't drag me, they were figures telling me I wasn't alone'.

"Thank you guys".

*Jolt*

Instantly Blu felt a weird sensation over his cheeks as he blurted out.

"Wait! What's with the slap?"

"Now let's start our escape plan".

Quickly Drok said, attempting to change the topic.

*Sigh*

Blu then let out a short puff of breath as he started to explain the escape plan.

—————————————————————————

After discussing the whole plan.

Blu was left in thoughts as he pondered.

***

'When I came to this world, I believed this was my second chance to do the things I never had to do; having the courage to do them, finding new things about myself, having many friends I never thought I would have.

Living a life without regret.

But, I still had to rue.

Blaming myself for not being powerful enough to save anyone.

Watching those around me die.

Being born out of nothing to become a weapon.

Pushed on a duty of protecting a country that never cared to see us.

Living a life, caged behind large walls, unable to see the world outside.

Living in fear of death.

This, feelings of regret and fear kept eating me out everyday.

Despite all that, Blu was optimistic that

— However.

Of all the memories he spent together with his friends.

He couldn't think of them as anything other than as a family.

Vowing to protect them all.

Even if he couldn't save some. He kept a positive mind, wanting to still keep living as He would hold my head up high, facing those whom He failed to protect, saying 'I did my best'.

As of now, before the next sunrise.

They all would have the option to arrive at the entirety the of world without being bounded by the walls.

Living their lives in a whole new chapter.

As they are all going to find freedom.

And this would be the beginning of the end. As we are all going to escape from this facility.

No matter what, and live our lives out of fear, without constraints as we all grow old together. 'Yes, now is the time'.

***

"So does everyone get the plan?"

He said after a long while of explanation.

"...Nope",

"Huh...,

Baffled by their words, his face wore a letdown expression as he said to himself.

'Seems like I was talking to myself'.

Blu then changed his expression by being optimistic about their lack of knowledge, as he said.

"OK, I would go over the whole plan once more

So please listen".

"OK...".

They all said while listening carefully.

Blu's face brightened as he pondered,

'Ahh... Why do I have to deal with this guys,

But, that's what makes them family...'.

After a brief while, he said.

"Now I would read the blueprints of the whole facility, so better listen."

Blu then brought out a paper as he drew structures on it, saying.

All buildings are in a [X] format,

Left wing - Lab

Left tail - Training hall

Right wing - test subjects Quarters

Right tail - storage building

And, center - [men in white] Quarters".

Lisa then said.

"Wait! when did you have the time to plan out, all this to the point you know all the buildings?"

Blu replied.

"Well, with all the free time at hand, I took a few minutes surveying the whole facility".

"Oh...".

"Now moving on...".

"The walls are in a square form, made of a 5-meter thick section which is up to 1 KM long, and the gate located at the west side of the wall, which are all made of highly durable amethyst steel".

"To break the walls down, we would need the spells which are stored in the storage building, and to escape, we would also need a vehicle from it".

"How can we all escape when the whole place is on high security?"

"This place is a good security, but it ain't perfect,"

"We just need to create a distraction",

Leo asked as he wondered.

"Distraction?"

Blu grinned on response as he shifted his gaze upon them all.