I wrinkle my nose. “I have to admit, the smell is pretty awful.”
“I’m counting on it,” he says. “We’ve got three kilometers to swim through unknown waters. This niank oil won’t dissolve, and the stench should keep predators away. Hurry!”
I feel a wave of nausea, but I do what he says. I smear the oily paste over my tunic and every bit of exposed skin. The smell is absolutely revolting—like rotten eggs mixed with something worse.
While I’m trying not to gag, Pherebos packs two nutrition bars, a water purifier, and a few other essentials into his bag. When I’m done, he takes the flask and coats himself too. Judging by the greenish tint to his face, he’s not enjoying it any more than I am.
Suddenly, a loud explosion shakes the air, followed by the sound of people running.
“That’s the signal!” Pherebos says. One of the ships at the landing strip must’ve blown up—accidentally or not, it’s our chance.
My brain’s still foggy, and I can’t quite keep up with how fast everything’s happening. I watch him pour the rest of the oil over himself with a grimace, then step up to the bay window. With a simple push on the lines he drew earlier, the panel gives way, revealing the outside.
We’re close to the sea now. It’s barely dawn, but I can see we’re several meters above the dark water. I glance at Pherebos, anxiety tightening in my chest.
“I’ll go first. You follow right after. We have to move—now!”
He pulls me into a fierce kiss, holding me tight for a few seconds… then he jumps.
A moment later, he waves up at me from the water, urging me to follow. I think about everything he’s done to get us out of here—and the fact that he’s terrified of water.
I don’t hesitate. I leap as far from the edge as I can. The water swallows me whole, shocking me fully awake. Thankfully, it’s warm.
Pherebos is already beside me, motioning for me to follow.
“We’ll head a little south, then cut southwest. I’m looking for a marker on the wall. Let’s move—we need to make the most of the diversion. The guards should all be at the landing site.”
We swim side by side as the last shadows of night give way to dawn.
Then, something catches my eye to the right. There’s someone standing at a bedroom window, watching us. Shirtless, freshly out of bed.
It’s Prax.
Even from this distance, his golden eyes lock onto mine.
“Pherebos!” I call out, alarmed.
Pherebos stops and looks up at my former handler.
“Shit,” he mutters, stepping in front of me protectively.
Prax stares at me, clearly trying to make sense of what he’s seeing.
I freeze in horror as he pulls the remote for my restraint collar out of his pocket. No—he’s going to shock me—
But instead, he presses a button, his eyes locked on mine.
There’s a softclick, and I feel the collar loosen and slip into the water. My hand flies to my neck instinctively.
He did it. Prax just set me free.
I smile at him, overwhelmed with gratitude.
Next to me, Pherebos touches two fingers to his forehead—a universal sign of respect and remembrance. He won’t forget this.
“Come on,” he urges. “We’re way too exposed this close to the complex. We need to move—and pray to the Waves we find the landmark I’m looking for. If you see anything above the surface, let me know!”
We swim in silence. My limbs are getting heavier with every stroke. I’m not used to this kind of effort. All I can see is the endless sea stretching out in every direction.
